Australia: Pearson to acquire RedGroup online

Pearson Australia has announced that it has reached an agreement with REDgroup Retail administrators Ferrier Hodgson to purchase REDgroup's online business in Australia.

The agreement includes both the Borders and Angus & Robertson (A&R) websites, which will continue to use the same back-end infrastructure provided by UK-based Tangent Labs. The online retail business will be run separately to Pearson's publishing businesses.

Pearson intends to continue to use both the Angus & Robertson and Borders brand names, although this may be reassessed in the future. Pearson will offer employment to all existing REDgroup online staff members, who will join the company in its Camberwell offices over the next three to four weeks.

It is too early to say what will happen to the A&R and Borders loyalty programs.

Ferrier Hodgson said that the future of the remaining REDgroup bricks and mortar bookstores is yet to be decided.

Story (edited) from Bookseller + Publisher.