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Tim Waterstone started the Waterstones chain of bookstores in 1982. He actually used the redundancy money he received from WH Smith. The first store opened in Brompton Road, London. Funnily enough, after 11 years of rapid expansion, Tim sold the chain to WH Smith, proving how successful it had become. Waterstones was sold again in 1998, it became part of the HMV Group. However, in 2à&& they found the chain was struggling and sold it again, this time to Russian billionaire Alexander Mamut. Today, the chain continues to trade successfully and has built an impressive following.
Waterstones started out as a bookseller and today it is still the primary product sold by the company. However, as the largest book chain in the UK, it has taken a deeper interest in literacy than simply selling books. Waterstones promotes its own book of the month, different writers, and has an array of awards that are given out every year. The company sells fiction, non-fiction, and an array of children’s books. In many stores, you’ll also find a selection of gift cards and other small gifts that can be passed on to that special someone.
There are nearly 300 Waterstones stores across the UK. That means you’re certain to find one not too far from where you are. They all have stunning window displays that highlight the latest bestsellers and must-reads. But, the real magic happens when you step inside. The moment you cross the threshold you’ll get that familiar hush quality of stepping into a library, combined with the smell of new books. However, you don’t need to be hush, it’s just part of the atmosphere. The books are laid out in an easy-to-explore fashion, allowing you to naturally progress from section to section. Waterstones may want you to purchase books, but they are happy to provide comfortable chairs. You can sink into one and sample any book on display.
If you prefer, you can buy the book and head into the in-store cafe. Most Waterstones have a cafe concession. This is often Costa Coffee but some have Starbucks and a few even have Waterstones own coffee shop. It makes the experience complete. Add staff that are knowledgeable and helpful and you’ll realize that you have all the ingredients for a perfect bookstore.
It’s hard to beat the experience of going in-store and looking through the different books available. After all, books are a physical object and need to be touched to be appreciated. But, if you can’t make it to the store you’ll find the website is also worth a visit. It’s well laid out with news about the latest releases and bestsellers. There are also inspirational ideas, specifically aimed at upcoming special days. The different categories of books are listed across the top of the screen. One-click will move you through the subcategories and help you to find what you’re looking for. Alternatively, you can use the search box to locate an author or a title.
If you order online you’ll want to know how long it takes for your order to get to you. Waterstones offers a standard delivery service that takes up to 5 working days but is free if you spend over £25. For a little extra you can have your order within 3 working days. Alternatively, you can use the courier service that is capable of delivering on the same day. Or, if you prefer, you can click and collect in-store.
Waterstones frequently has promotions. This can be to highlight new books or to help sell those that are shifting slower than expected. However, if you really want to get a deal on your next book purchase you need to check out the discount codes. You’re already on the right site, here at www.1offers.co.uk we have an extensive array of discount codes that can be used against almost any retailer. Simply take a few moments to look at the code and chose the one that will benefit you the most. All codes are checked daily to ensure they remain valid. However, they can expire with little notice, that’s why we recommend you take the code the day you’re going to use it.
Book reading may be done by yourself but the book culture is socially relevant. That’s why it’s worth joining the Waterstones community on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or Instagram. You’ll be able to hear the latest news, bestsellers, and releases before anyone else. More importantly, you’ll connect with thousands of other users, allowing you to share opinions and reviews.
