According to MD Fred Withers, sales at their Gaberone shop for the first three months were 18% over budget. "We investigated Botswana's need for a specialised book store and, while there are currently a number of independent book shops, none offers the range, service or memorable purchase experience that we do. We determined that the local market is both large enough and educated enough to make the store viable, as figures to date have proven."

The group is also cautiously investigating trading opportunities in other African countries, such as Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria. Withers says that they will be adopting an "as appropriate to the market" model, with the opening of new stores dependant on location, timing, shopping environment and type of shop.

[18 Dec 2002 10:41]

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