PRESS RELEASE
OCTOBER 2011 : BOOKTOPIA RANKS 72ND IN THE BRW FAST 100
On October 26th, 2011, Booktopia was ranked 72nd in the BRW Fast 100 for 2011. We are proud to announce that this listing makes it the third consecutive year that Booktopia has been named in the BRW Fast 100.
In a year of continued economic challenges the achievement of strong growth and expansion in the 2010-2011 year is one of the contributing factors that has again positioned Booktopia as one of the 100 fastest growing Australian businesses. One of only nine retailers to make the list in 2011.
On October 27th 2010, Booktopia was ranked 59th in the BRW Fast 100 for 2010. The list ranks the 100 fastest growing companies in Australia over the past 3 years. This was Booktopia's second consecutive year finishing in the BRW Fast 100.
Only 8 retail businesses made the Fast 100 in 2010. We are very proud of being recognised so publicly by an Australian icon and household name.
In 2009 Booktopia ranked 77th in the Fast 100. To have year-on-year growth given the tough times that the business community has been facing is a tremendous result for a retail business.
ABOUT BOOKTOPIA
Booktopia started business in February 2004 and hit the ground running. We have been in the Hitwise Top 10 most visited sites for the Books & Magazines category since 2005 and are now the number one Australian online bookstore. We are 100% Australian-owned and operated and fiercely proud of that fact.
As you can imagine, we are extremely grateful for our success and continue to work hard to improve our business. Unlike many other online bookstores, we have never been afraid to advertise our phone number and email address on our website, so you can always talk to a real person. That’s because we know that the book business is a finicky one, and can demand a lot of customer interaction - something most of our competitors still fail to realise and we constantly aim to improve.
We have had a lot of "customer learning experiences" along the way - as does any new business - but that has never deterred us from our commitment to be the best we can be and continue to improve. If we haven’t done the best thing by some of our customers, give us a call and we’ll work it out - that’s our commitment. In 2009, we moved our warehouse from 450 square metres in Artarmon to 2,000 square metres in Lane Cove West. This means we have been building up our stock levels in our warehouse, which has certainly assisted us in our ability to provide faster service and we will continue to increase the range and quantity of stock so our titles are ready to ship.
Why Choose Booktopia?
1. Booktopia or Amazon?
Taking on the 800 pound gorilla. Well somebody had to do it!
Our goal is to be a legitimate alternative to Amazon. Did you know that Amazon currently sells $120 to $180 million of books and product per year to Australians? It doesn't pay any tax in Australia (not even GST), nor does it employ any Australians. Booktopia currently employs 40 Australians and we are very proud to do so, especially as we were still a team of two as recently as January 2007.
Once people start ordering from Amazon they often realise the shipping costs are quite expensive. Here at Booktopia, we ship as many books as you want for $6.50. This is very economical. Amazon book pricing can be cheaper but once you take into consideration the shipping, it certainly loses its appeal.
We are hopeful that we will continue to win over Australian customers from Amazon with better service and availability of titles.
2. Booktopia or Fishpond?
It is a bit of false advertising that Fishpond is an Australian store. Fishpond is a New Zealand business. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
Please understand we enjoy our competition, but Fishpond does not pay GST, does not employ any Australians, does not have a phone number you can ring, nor does it have an email address on its website. There is no Australian physical presence and our Australian Booksellers Association has refused its membership application for this reason. They will never be able to make the BRW Fast 100.
3. Booktopia or other Australian retailers?
We understand that many Australians enjoy their relationship with their local bookseller. Some stores discount heavily and don't care about service. Others don't discount at all and don't care about service either which amazes us. If you have walked in to those stores you will know which ones we mean. There are however, many independent booksellers around Australia, whom we absolutely support and endorse.
If you find a book you like on our website and you are close to a local bookseller, then please, go in and support them. Maybe they can get that book in for you. They know their product, they love books and are a part of your community. If, however, you are an online shopper, shop on price as well as service, or live in any area where you need the convenience of an online store, then we are here for you.
Thanks again for your support and we look forward to supplying you with books.
Kind regards,
Tony Nash
Chief Executive Officer
Booktopia Pty Ltd
"Booktopia" is a registered trademark of Booktopia Pty Ltd
