Author: Book Depot

Small Budgets, Big Dreams: 4 Strategies to Stretch Your Impact

May 8, 2024

In a world where every dollar counts, stretching your budget to achieve the lofty goals of your organization might seem like an impossible task. Especially in the face of economic challenges and the corresponding budget constraints that go along with them. That’s why we’re sharing some insider tips on how to stretch your dollars to have the biggest impact. Whether you’re an educator shaping the minds of your students, a nonprofit advancing literacy, or an indie bookstore owner supporting your local community, this one’s for you!

A Bargain Speaks for Itself

Before we jump into our top buying strategies for wholesalers, let’s start with the obvious. Unbeatably low prices will get you more for your budget dollars. At Book Depot, we offer wholesale bargain books up to 90% off the publisher’s suggested retail price (SRP). Buying bargain versus direct from your front-list distributer is the first step to maximizing your purchasing power.

Strategies for Wholesale Book Buying

We understand that most buyers operate within a fixed budget. Sure, your budget might limit the amount of physical product you can buy, but it’s not just about the price tag on the products; it’s about the value you receive in return. Here are our top tips for making the most of your budget when buying books for your business.

1. Leverage Volume Discounts

The concept is simple; at Book Depot, when you buy more, you save more. We offer automatic volume discounts on regular priced products so our customers can capitalize on bulk-buying benefits. Check out our three discount tiers based on product quantity:

75 – 149 copies per title = 5% discount
150 – 249 copies per title = 10% discount
250+ copies per title = 15% discount

2. Shop Markdowns

Keeping an eye out on our markdowns will help you stretch those budget dollars further. Join our e-newsletter to receive emails about our discounted products so you can shop thousands of titles at even lower prices.

3. Save on Shipping Costs

Book Depot provides smart solutions that increase the profitability of your purchases with our consolidated shipping options.

As fuel and shipping costs rise, combining multiple orders into one bulk shipment can greatly reduce your expenses and enhance your buying power.

If you prefer to accumulate orders over several days or weeks, worried that sought-after books might disappear from your cart, we’ve got you covered. Place your orders within a shorter timeframe, and we’ll consolidate them for you. This ensures you don’t miss out on popular titles because of prolonged purchasing periods.

Plus, you always have the flexibility to choose your own carrier or use one of ours.

4. Connect with a Rep

When you shop at Book Depot, you’re not just purchasing books; you’re investing in an experience. And no one knows more about how to add value to your experience than our reps.

From personalized recommendations to industry insights, they’re here to make your shopping journey as seamless and enjoyable as possible. And the best part? It won’t cost you a penny extra. Email our reps at [email protected] for more information.

By leveraging the additional services and benefits that come with your purchase, you’re not only saving time and money, but you’re also increasing the overall value of your investment.

So, the next time you’re shopping on a tight budget, remember this: it’s not just about what you can afford to buy; it’s about what you can afford to gain. And with Book Depot by your side, you can keep dreaming big for your organization.

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Our Paper Mill Classics: Timeless Tales for the Modern Reader

March 8, 2024

Did you know that our Paper Mill Press Classics collection now includes a curated selection of 54 adult and 16 children’s books? Each one is a timeless literary treasure, offering unforgettable stories reimagined in a modern format.

The idea for the Paper Mill Press Classics collection originated from our customers’ demand for literary gems that have stood the test of time. We embarked on a journey to bring these classics to a twenty-first-century audience, revitalizing them with a modern touch. Since the collection’s launch with 20 titles, the Paper Mill Press Classics have flourished, more than doubling in size. The adult versions feature custom suede-like metallic foiled covers, while the children’s versions are beautifully illustrated, elevating them to works of art.

From the epic adventures of “The Adventure of Huckleberry Finn” to the heartfelt tale of “Pride and Prejudice,” the collection offers something for every reader. If you’re searching for treasures to stock your store or library shelves, look no further than Book Depot’s Paper Mill Press Classics – exclusively available at Book Depot and its partner companies. These books are more than just stories; they’re invitations to explore, dream, and escape into the magic of literature.

At just $4 US ($5.25 CAD) for the adult books and $2.50 US ($3.25 CAD) for children’s, our Paper Mill Press Classics offer unbeatable quality and pricing. View our collections below:

Adult Collection – View on website

1984	Robin Hood
A Christmas Carol	Robinson Crusoe
A Journey to the Center of the Earth	Sense and Sensibility
A Tale of Two Cities	The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
Alice’s Adventure in Wonderland	The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
Animal Farm	The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Anna Karenina	The Arabian Nights
Anne of Green Gables	The Call of the Wild
Around the World in Eighty Days	The Great Gatsby
Black Beauty	The Hound of the Baskervilles
Crime and Punishment	The Jungle Book
Dracula	The Last of the Mohicans
Emma	The Phantom of the Opera
Frankenstein	The Picture of Dorian Gray
Great Expectations	The Prince & The Pauper
Grimm’s Fairy Tales	The Railway Children
Gulliver’s Travels	The Scarlet Letter
Hunchback of Notre-Dame	The Secret Garden
Jane Eyre	The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
Little Women	The Swiss Family Robinson
Madame Bovary	The Three Musketeers
Moby Dick	The Time Machine
Northanger Abbey	The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Oliver Twist	Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea
Persuasion	Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Peter Pan & Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens	Wuthering Heights
Pride and Prejudice

Children’s Collection – View on website

Aesop’s Fables
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Anne of Green Gables
Arabian Nights
Black Beauty
Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales
Peter Pan
Pinocchio
Robinson Crusoe
The Brothers Grimm’s Fairy Tales
The Jungle Book
The Secret Garden
The Swiss Family Robinson
The Wind in the Willows
The Wizard of Oz
Treasure Island

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Smart Tools for Easier Buying: Leveraging Our Custom Website Tools

December 12, 2023

Are you using Book Depot’s website tools to their fullest capabilities? We’ve made the book buying process so much easier for our customers through the creation of custom tools to help them search for the books they want. Gone are the days of having to painstakingly type in authors one-by-one and juggling multiple keywords to uncover books in line with customers’ interests.

With our Custom List Creator, you set the criteria. This tool empowers you to tailor lists according to your specific needs and preferences. Save your customized lists for future use, set up templates to have them emailed to you, and choose both the day and frequency for receiving these lists. Doesn’t that sound like a time-saver?

Moreover, enhance your experience by applying advanced filters. Precision is at your fingertips as you refine results by quantity, concentrate on budget-friendly price points, identify in-stock arrival dates, specify preferred publishers, and eliminate redundancy by excluding previously viewed lists.

Curious about this tool’s secret hideout? After logging in, just click the person icon at the top, then navigate to My Lists. Click ‘Create,’ and voila! You can customize your list across various categories including:

Category
Publisher
Author
Format
Price & Quantity
Arrival Date
Demographic
Keywords
Exclude Lists

At Book Depot, we’re not just about offering an extensive book selection at great prices; we’re on a mission to make your shopping smarter, so you can maximize your resources. Say hello to efficiency with tools that put convenience at your fingertips.

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Unlocking Success: The Magic of Bargain Books in Your Store

November 29, 2023

In the dynamic world of retail, finding the perfect balance between quality offerings and budget-friendly choices is an art. One avenue that holds immense potential for both customers and store owners is the realm of bargain books. These treasures not only delight avid readers but also open up new avenues for sales growth and customer loyalty. Let’s explore the benefits of incorporating bargain books into your inventory and how to maximize their sales in your store.

Broadening Customer Base

Bargain books act as a magnet for a diverse audience. While budget-conscious readers are drawn to the affordability, others might be enticed to explore new genres or authors they wouldn’t have considered at regular prices. By offering discounted books, you attract a wider customer base, making your store more inclusive and appealing.

Boosting Impulse Purchases

A well-displayed section of bargain books near the checkout counter can spark impulse purchases. Customers often find it hard to resist a good deal, especially when it comes to adding an affordable gem to their purchase. Consider strategically placing bargain books in high-traffic areas to capitalize on these impromptu buying decisions.

Building Customer Loyalty

Bargain books can serve as a gateway to cultivating long-term relationships with your customers. By offering them affordable options, you demonstrate a commitment to providing value, creating a positive shopping experience. Satisfied customers are more likely to return, and with word-of-mouth marketing, your store can become a go-to destination for both quality and savings.

Creating Theme-Based Displays

Maximize the appeal of bargain books by creating theme-based displays. Whether it’s seasonal discounts, genre-specific promotions, or highlighting hidden gems, organizing your discounted selection in an attractive and organized manner can significantly enhance their appeal. Visual storytelling around the bargain books encourages customers to explore and discover new titles.

Leveraging Social Media for Promotion

Harness the power of social media to promote your bargain book offerings. Share regular updates on these titles or host online book discussions around these budget-friendly options. Engaging with your audience through platforms like TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter can amplify your store’s visibility and attract a broader online audience. Stay connected to BookTok for what’s trending, as a lot of bargain book titles are highly sought after.

Incorporating bargain books into your retail strategy isn’t just about providing affordable options; it’s about creating an experience that resonates with your customers. By maximizing the benefits of bargain books, your store can become a haven for both savvy readers and those looking to embark on new literary adventures without breaking the bank. Unlock the magic of affordability and watch as your store transforms into a thriving hub for book enthusiasts of all kinds.

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7 Myths of Bargain Books

November 14, 2023

Bargain books are a great way to add value and variety to your store, but some wholesale book buyers may have doubts or challenges that stop them from buying bargain books or creating a discount book section in their store. This blog will explore seven of the most common myths or misconceptions about bargain books and address some of the worries a new buyer might have. We understand that many of our readers already appreciate the value and benefit that bargain books bring to their business, but we hope you will still find this article useful.

Myth 1: Bargain books do not support authors.

The misconception that bargain books fail to support authors is rooted in the belief that they don’t provide royalties. While it’s true that bargain books do not supply royalties to authors, this argument holds validity. However, it is essential to recognize that bargain books can still significantly support authors, albeit in a different manner. This is particularly relevant for emerging authors seeking to establish themselves in an industry increasingly dominated by bestsellers.

For authors with substantial book contracts and established success, the impact of bargain book sales may be marginal. However, for lesser-known authors striving to make a mark, the accessibility of their work through bargain books presents an opportunity. Enticed by the affordability and willingness to take a chance, readers might discover an unfamiliar author. Should they develop a fondness for the book, they will likely transition to purchasing subsequent releases at a front-list price, thereby bolstering the author’s overall support and recognition.

Myth 2: Front-list sales will be cannibalized.

When contemplating the addition of a bargain book section, bookstore owners often worry about it detracting from front-list sales. However, the experiences of numerous successful book retailers worldwide suggest otherwise. Contrary to the concern, incorporating bargain books enhances front-list offerings by attracting customers and motivating them to make additional purchases. High prices may limit customers to buying only one or two new books at full price. Yet, strategically placing enticing bargain books, especially near the checkout, can generate additional sales. Consider the scenario where a book category, like cookbooks, is losing popularity due to the prevalence of online recipes. Customers may hesitate to spend $30 or $40 on a cookbook, leading to doubts about allocating more store space. Nevertheless, a value cookbook at a discounted price could still capture their interest.

Myth 3: Selection is limited.

With hundreds of new arrivals added to our website daily and more than 50 categories available, there is always something for every organization type – big or small! We add over half a million books to our inventory each week to keep your organization’s reading materials fresh and engaging. Whether you’re a retailer, educator, or nonprofit organization, our vast network of connections with every major publisher in North America gives us a diverse selection of over 35,000 titles for you to choose from. If you haven’t checked out bookdepot.com or bookdepot.ca, you don’t know what you’re missing out on.

Myth 4: Bargain book quality is compromised.

At Book Depot, our inventory is comprised of excess inventory from publishers, all of which are unread and guaranteed to be in good condition. Typically, most books bear a discreet mark, such as a small line or dot on the page edges, indicating their discounted status in the market. This marking prevents the books from being returned to the publisher for additional credit, resulting in substantial customer savings. While some books may not carry this mark, it’s a standard feature for the majority.

Since our stock consists of publishers’ excess and returns, a few titles may exhibit minor shelf wear and retail stickers. Before shipping, we inspect books for damage, ensuring you receive products free from cover rips or tears. Our remarkably low damage claim percentage, less than 0.07%, underscores the high quality of our offerings.

Myth 5: Bargain books are dated.

Indeed, bargain books are not new releases, as publishers intentionally allow them to age before introducing them to the secondary market. Nevertheless, publishers have substantially reduced this timeframe, enabling these books to reach retailers sooner and maintain relevance. While there will always be some portion of dated inventory in the mix, there exists a substantial amount of relatively recent products that cater to the interests of your customers.

Myth 6: There is little profit in bargain books.

The profitability of bargain books is often underestimated. In essence, there exists a significant profit margin within the realm of bargain books. Despite being low-cost, they yield substantial returns. Strategic purchasing allows for swift turnover, fostering enthusiasm in your store for exceptional deals and potentially doubling or even tripling your investment. Long-time customers of Book Depot have consistently executed this approach, noting that while new book sales often break even, bargain books emerge as the primary source of profits. Considering the minimal investment required, why not explore this lucrative avenue?

Myth 7: Half the order is not filled.

Regarding order fulfillment, we are focused on the commitments made by Book Depot rather than dwelling on past experiences with other wholesalers. This issue often surfaces among booksellers who have previously ventured into purchasing bargain books with other companies. Without adequate inventory controls, there’s a risk of overselling popular books, leading to customer dissatisfaction. Unlike publishers who can effortlessly print more copies, our approach involves managing finite inventory responsibly. We’ve diligently implemented systems that provide accurate real-time visibility into our available stock. When an order is placed, the allocated quantities are promptly deducted from our inventory, ensuring a precise and reliable fulfillment process. Our website dynamically reflects available quantities, and we diligently monitor our fill rate, reinforcing our commitment to accurate order processing.

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Spark Book Fairs, the online book fair that pays.

Meet Spark Book Fairs—Book Depot Inc.’s Latest Literary Journey

April 21, 2023

Introducing Spark Book Fairs

For over five decades, book fairs have sparked a love of reading in millions of children. We still remember the feeling of excitement when our parents gave us a few dollars to buy any book we wanted and the joy of delving into a new adventure. Reading brought us closer to our parents and helped us learn and grow, which gave our teachers fulfillment, too.

However, the world today is different from when this tradition began, with parents struggling to make ends meet and schools facing budget cuts. This is where Spark Book Fairs comes in. It’s a new online book fair program aimed at igniting a passion for reading at home and school by making books affordable to everyone while raising funds for schools.

Not Your Average Book Fair

Spark Book Fairs was designed in consultation with teachers and librarians to provide a more inclusive book fair option. With over 45,000 titles at bargain prices, the whole community can get in on the fun. Finding affordable books for all ages, from kids to adults, and enjoying the joy of reading has never been easier. Plus, you’re raising much-needed funds for your school. Isn’t that a win-win?

What Makes Spark Book Fairs Unique

For many years, your options for book fair providers were limited. Spark Book Fairs is here to change that—with a more affordable and convenient book fair option. What specifically makes Spark unique? Let us break it down.

Affordable bargain prices

With the same great bargain product you know and love (and more!), Spark passes the incredible savings to book fair participants. The lower prices mean more books for students and their families.

Large title selection

With over 45,000 titles across hundreds of publishers for all ages, the variety of books available has never been better. Plus, with new arrivals added to inventory daily, the options are always fresh and exciting.

Wide audience reach

With the all-age content and the online model, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and community members can relive the joy of their childhood book fair with Spark. Since Spark is entirely online, anyone can partake from the comfort of their homes, with all orders shipped directly to their doors.

Unlimited cash back opportunity

With 20% cash back on every book fair purchase, fundraising has never been easier. Redeem your rewards as cash for your school’s current needs or in the form of Spark book credit. The choice is yours.

Helping You Every Step of the Way

We know that trying something new can be daunting, but hosting a book fair with Spark is a very simple process. You have an account coordinator to ensure you are supported every step of the way—before, during, and after your book fair—so the event runs smoothly and raises as much money as possible.

See for yourself just how easy running a Spark book fair can be.

Register your organization: Go to sparkbookfairs.com (USA) or sparkbookfairs.ca (Canada) to create an account and select your two-week book fair period.
Create your landing page: Using a provided template, create a customized landing page that’s all yours.
Promote. Promote. Promote: Advertise your book fair using provided promotional materials in-person and across email and social media platforms. The more you promote, the greater the cash back opportunity.
Redeem fundraising dollars: Redeem the 20% cash back earned on all orders placed during your book fair by either a cheque or with Spark book credit.
Earn all year long: Continue raising funds by earning 5% cash back after your book fair is complete so you can fundraise all year.

Gone are the days of feeling exhausted after running a book fair. No more physical setup. No more volunteer coordination. No more cash handling. No more book distribution. With Spark, you can focus on what matters most—getting books into the hands of your students while earning cash to meet your fundraising needs.

A Book Fair for Everyone

Who said that book fairs can only be for elementary and middle schools? With Spark’s vast title selection and fully online platform, a Spark book fair is also an excellent option for high schools, public libraries, and nonprofit organizations looking for a new fundraising opportunity.

Get Started with Spark Today

Create your book fair in minutes and start fundraising for your organization. Together, let’s cultivate a love for reading and empower individuals to reach their fullest potential through the power of books.

Learn more:

United States: sparkbookfairs.com

Canada: sparkbookfairs.ca 

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Exterior of Book Depot and American Book Company

Book Depot and American Book Company – Together We Are Stronger

August 11, 2022

Over eight months ago already, Book Depot announced the acquisition of American Book Company (ABC), headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. Until this point, the bargain book industry had never seen an acquisition on this scale, and we are very excited about the positive impact this will have on our customers, publisher partners, employees, and all our stakeholders. As a combined entity, we have over 1.5 million square feet of warehouse space, employ more than 600 team members, and have exclusive arrangements for books from all the major publishers and a host of mid-tier publishing companies. Read on to learn a little more about our history together and why this acquisition is great news for you!

Where It Began

I met Pat O’Connor, President of American Book Company, over 20 years ago at the Spring Book Show in Atlanta, Georgia, even before I was with Book Depot. We instantly built a great rapport, and the friendship has only grown over the years, ultimately culminating in our business deal last December. Not only have we had a great friendship with ABC for many years, but we have done business with each other for over 20 years, with ABC being a key supplier to Book Depot. I believe this is a very important part of the story since this acquisition, or what I personally like to refer to as a partnership, is not two corporate strangers deciding to do a deal and then trying to figure out how to make it work. Prior to December, we intimately knew each other already, both on a personal and a corporate level. Our relationship is one built on years of trust, and it is on this foundation that we have mapped out a plan for the future that will continue to leverage each other’s strengths for the benefit of our customers.

Investing in the Bargain Book Industry

Over the last 12 years, Book Depot has invested over $15M USD in technology and automation to help scale our business and ultimately deliver a better customer experience that provides you with a greater selection of titles and industry best fill rates and delivery times. Having completed the transaction with American Book Company, we are thrilled to be able to deliver on our promise of being a “One Stop Shop” for all your bargain book needs.

As evidenced by our investments over the years, Book Depot continues to take the long-term view on the bargain book industry. We wouldn’t be investing millions of dollars if we didn’t believe in the future of books or the future of our company. Rather than taking out as much of the profits as possible, we continue to invest for the long term in order to deliver the best customer experience in the industry. I’m excited to say that we continue to push the limits of technology. Last year was no exception as we went live with our second book sortation machine and automated carton packing machines. New automation equipment enables us to sort more books, process them quicker, and assist us in providing you with an even better selection of titles.

One Stop Shop

However, all the infrastructure and systems are worthless if we couldn’t offer you the quality product that we have. Together with ABC, we have agreements in place so that shopping here gives you access to bargain books from all the major publishers and many smaller imprints. During the past six months, we added some key new suppliers that have complemented our mix to the point where I am confident in saying that our combined selection has never been better in all the years of being in this business.

Increased Book Selection

One of the exciting things about our partnership with ABC is learning from one another to leverage our unique abilities. ABC has always had access to large amounts of warehouse space, while Book Depot has often been constrained by space over the last ten years. With this acquisition, we will now have a much larger footprint with the lease of a one million square foot distribution center in Jefferson City, TN. This nearly triples our square footage in North America! With more space available to our combined companies, we will be able to purchase even larger deals from the publishers and process even more books. If you shop our website regularly, you will already have noticed a significant increase in the volume of new books available for sale as we have increased our inbound processing in a big way over the past six weeks. These volumes will now be the norm as we streamline our collective operations. Be on the lookout for an avalanche of books in the coming months!

Consistent Book Supply

We’ve spoken a lot about our investment in technology and automation at Book Depot over the years, and I’m excited to share the news that we are already well underway with our first major project at the ABC warehouse in Tennessee. Earlier this year, we signed a contract with one of the big five publishers to begin processing all their US returns as of January 1, 2023. This is by far one of the most exciting initiatives our companies have seen in the last 20 years. We are truly on the verge of a major transformation in the industry. With this contract, retailers in the US will now send their returns directly to our warehouse. We will process the returns on behalf of the publisher and ultimately purchase the books they would have sold us in the ordinary course of our business together.

As freight, warehousing, and labour costs continue to skyrocket, publishers see the need to remove waste out of the supply chain. By partnering together, we can create a more sustainable future for the publishing industry. This will help drive waste out of the supply chain and continue to provide you with a steady supply of fresh new bargain books. As we scale up our returns processing business and roll out our plan with more publishers, we will be working hard to drive costs down in an era of continued price pressure. With more investment in automation, our desire is to ensure that you will continue to have access to bargain books at great prices and with exceptional service for years to come.

“All-In” on the Bargain Book Business

Ultimately, we are delighted to be partnered with American Book Company. This acquisition is part of our ongoing growth strategy to invest in the bargain book industry. As we see continued consolidation in the publishing business, it is becoming clearer that publishers require large partners that can provide turnkey inventory solutions for their remainders, overstocks and returns. Bringing together two of the industry’s key players gives us that ability. We are “all-in” on the bargain book business and look forward to continue serving you, our customers, for many more years to come. Thank you for putting your trust in us over so many years and allowing us to serve you.

Wilf Wikkerink

CEO

Book Depot

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Book Depot Inc. Acquires American Book Company

December 8, 2021

(Thorold, Ontario, December 8, 2021) – Book Depot, North America’s largest bargain book distributor based in Thorold, Ontario has acquired American Book Company headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. Discussions began earlier in the year and culminated in the deal being signed on December 3. “This acquisition is part of our ongoing growth strategy to invest in the bargain book industry and we are delighted to partner with American Book Company,” said Wilf Wikkerink, CEO of Book Depot. “As we see continued consolidation in the publishing business it is also becoming clearer that publishers require large partners that are able to provide turnkey inventory solutions for their remainders, overstocks and returns, and bringing together two of the industry’s key players gives us that ability.”

Dean Winegardner, CEO of American Book Company had this to say about the acquisition, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Book Depot who has shown their commitment to our industry with their enormous investment in technology and innovation over the last ten years. ABC and Book Depot are looking forward to leveraging our respective strengths for the benefit of our customers, publishers, employees, and all our stakeholders.” Pat O’Connor is remaining as President of American Book Company, while Dean Winegardner is leaving the industry after 33 years to expand the other ABCO Companies.

About Book Depot (www.bookdepot.com)

Book Depot has been a leader in the wholesale bargain book business for over 35 years. Their 500,000-square-foot production facility, equipped with state-of-the-art automated order fulfillment technology and 500+ dedicated team members, allows them to deliver on their customers’ needs.

Additional brands within the Book Depot portfolio include Kidsbooks Publishing LLC and their B2C websites: BookOutlet.com, Kidsbooks.com and Lillypost.com, a children’s book subscription box.

A strong culture of innovation and growth has been key to Book Depot’s success as they consistently strive to deliver an exceptional customer experience. Combined with this strong culture is their core purpose of Enchanting the Mind – one book at a time. The importance of reading and the belief that books should be accessible to all is the driving force for their operations. For more information, visit www.bookdepot.com.

About American Book Company (www.americanbookco.com)

American Book Company is a leading distributor of remainder, promotional and bargain-priced books. Founded by Dean Winegardner in 1997, ABC became an ESOP (employee stock-owned company) in 2006. ABC has built its business partnering with most major publishing companies purchasing their overstocks and returns. With a million square foot warehouse and an inventory of over 25 million units, they prepare turn-key, retail-ready book displays to service major retailers in the dollar, grocery and discount markets. ABC has leveraged its systems and infrastructure to provide third-party logistics services, including reverse logistics, for mid-size publishers and consumer packaged goods companies. ABC also owns Book Warehouse, a chain of 36 bargain retail book stores primarily located in outlet malls across the US.

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Searching for gems in large book selection

Mining for Gems at Book Depot

April 22, 2021

Many of us like a good treasure hunt story. There is great anticipation for what gems might be found with each turn of the shovel or swoop of the metal detector. With all of the “Gold Hunter” shows right now, it is easy to see how people are enamored with the thrill of the hunt. One of my favorite shows is The Curse of Oak Island, filmed on a tiny island off the coast of Nova Scotia in Canada. The show follows a crew of treasure hunters from Michigan who, week after week, dig for clues that will lead them to elusive treasure that dates back to the 18^th century. We are all still waiting eight years later, but the anticipation is just as palpable as year one!

Working through the Book Depot inventory has many similarities to treasure hunting. However, at Book Depot, with a bit of “digging,” it is not hard to uncover plenty of gems. The nature of bargain books is that we often do not know what we will receive from publishers until we begin sorting the numerous pallets. It is always exciting for us to see the great titles roll off the sorting machine and know that our customers will be thrilled to see what has arrived.

X Marks the Spot

With a large amount of inventory available on Book Depot, how does one go about unearthing the gems? We recommend you start with frequent visits to our New Arrivals page. Book Depot uploads on average 750 new titles to this page every day! As the title suggests, this is our latest stock and often the most sought after. Keep in mind that many other treasure hunters are also scouring the website for gems, so do not wait too long when making your buying decisions. You may want to read our Here Today, Gone Tomorrow blog that explains this in more detail.

You may have heard the phrase, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” This statement can certainly be applied in the book industry. Not only do readers have a variety of interests, but our wholesale customers come from a variety of businesses and organizations. Not everyone is looking for the same type of books, so we have created various lists and tools to help you find your unique treasure. One of those areas is our Wishlist. By using this tool, you can input ISBNs of titles that you are interested in, and we will notify you if we get them in stock. Several other areas that can assist in your hunts are our Blowouts, Regional lists, Bestsellers, and Custom List tool, which allows you to create your own curated lists.

Sweat Equity

Sweat equity is the value of the hard work you put into your business. Thinking back to those treasure hunters that are swooping metal detectors or digging holes, there is no question about the hard work they put in to try to find something valuable. Our goal at Book Depot is to put most of that sweat equity in for you by creating tools so that your treasure hunt experience can be easy and rewarding. No doubt, the more engaged you become with our website, and the more often you visit, the more rewarding your search will be. Happy hunting!

Rick Mechelse

Online Sales Manager

Book Depot

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Enchanting the Mind, One Book at a Time

February 17, 2021

Our core purpose at Book Depot is Enchanting the Mind – one book at a time! This is our why, our purpose, and our passion behind everything we do. We believe we are not just selling books; rather, we are positively impacting the lives of millions of people both locally and across the globe.

The Meaning Behind Enchanting the Mind

What does Enchanting the Mind mean? For some, it is about bringing joy to the avid reader and building their imagination. For some, it is about sharing information so people can learn and be educated. And for others, it is ensuring the most vulnerable have access to books.

So how exactly have we been living out our core purpose? During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have witnessed that the need for books is stronger than ever. Because of this need, we implemented several initiatives to provide books to those both within our immediate community and beyond.

Supporting the Local Community

Recognizing that seniors in our local community were isolated, we donated books and activity books to a number of long-term care homes. By refreshing their bookshelves, we hoped to bring some joy to the residents during this difficult time. The response of gratitude that we received was overwhelming!

The Book Depot staff started a Community Book Drop initiative knowing that our community had limited access to books with the library and bookstore closures. The team collected books from our warehouse and did book drops to family, friends and neighbours. Once finished with the books, the recipients were encouraged to pass the books along as a way to “pay it forward.”

Supporting Underserved Communities

Book Depot also partnered with many nonprofit organizations across North America to make books accessible to youth in underserved communities. The books donated to these organizations were used to equip children with the literacy skills needed to help them be successful and reach their full potential.

These are just a few examples of how we at Book Depot actively live out our core purpose of Enchanting the Mind. Ultimately, every day that we show up to work, we are grateful to be a part of enchanting minds with the books shipped.

We also recognize that our customers (you!) play a significant role in enchanting minds and we are so encouraged by the work you do to help make books accessible around the world. By providing quality books at low prices, we can all do our part to make books available to those who need them most. We look forward to continuing to work together on Enchanting the Mind!

Shannon Vermeer

Marketing Director

Book Depot

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