Author Topic: WHSmith and Hillsborough The Truth (Read 5222 times)

PhilScraton · « **on:** July 17, 2016, 10:46:14 pm »

Taken aback by the absence of even one copy of the book at Dublin, Liverpool, Manchester and Belfast airports I asked the publisher why they have not promoted the release with the booksellers ... the astonishing reply is that WH Smith has taken a decision not to stock it.

Given that it had 10k advanced orders on Amazon, I can see no business logic for this decision, especially as so many fans travel through airports. More than that, as up to 800 emails a day I receive demonstrate, the book reaches far beyond football and beyond the shores of the UK. Fundamentally it is about the long road to truth and justice, the inside story of the Panel and the new inquests and the remarkable victory achieved by the bereaved and survivors.

Unbelievable that after all the publicity since the verdict a major bookseller has taken a decision that seemingly has little to do with business ... so, why?

SP · « **Reply #1 on:** July 17, 2016, 10:50:19 pm »

This may be of use if you feel the same way I do when I heard this.

http://www.whsmithplc.co.uk/contact_us/

KurtVerbose · « **Reply #2 on:** July 17, 2016, 11:23:09 pm »

I have added it to my next amazon order.

Wouldn't want a heavily finged copy from whs in any case!

Jinxsy · « **Reply #3 on:** July 17, 2016, 11:34:19 pm »

Quote from: SP on July 17, 2016, 10:50:19 pm

This may be of use if you feel the same way I do when I heard this.

http://www.whsmithplc.co.uk/contact_us/

Thanks for the link - feedback completed.
If their decision was made against simple commercial principles then the book would be stocked. That isn't happening so either the publisher or the retail buyer need a change of career or there's an even less logical and utterly incomprehensible approach being taken.
Total nonsense.

Keep fighting the fight Phil.

Barneylfc∗ · « **Reply #4 on:** July 17, 2016, 11:41:10 pm »

Quote from: SP on July 17, 2016, 10:50:19 pm

This may be of use if you feel the same way I do when I heard this.

http://www.whsmithplc.co.uk/contact_us/

I've emailed to ask them why. No doubt there will be some bullshit stock response.

terrible suits · « **Reply #5 on:** July 18, 2016, 04:03:18 am »

Unbelievable.

TheTeflonJohn · « **Reply #6 on:** July 18, 2016, 08:02:21 am »

Quote from: SP on July 17, 2016, 10:50:19 pm

This may be of use if you feel the same way I do when I heard this.

http://www.whsmithplc.co.uk/contact_us/

The link isn`t working for me.

PhilScraton · « **Reply #7 on:** July 18, 2016, 09:56:53 pm »

As far as I can make out the main guys are:

Stephen Clarke
Group Chief Executive
Executive accountability

and:

Phil McNally
Commercial Director (High Street)

I've contacted them and so far have had zilch response. Thanks for your supportive comments. Phil.

andrewd3 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 18, 2016, 10:38:47 pm »

Airport book shops pay premium rents and stock a narrow range of books. i.e. holiday page tuners.
I am not making excuses for them but have come across this phenomena in the past.

Just read the OP again. WHS have decided not to stock it full stop? Well that is s strange decision!

John C · « **Reply #9 on:** July 18, 2016, 11:33:06 pm »

I email them Sunday night & have only received an acknowledgement so far.

Jinxsy · « **Reply #10 on:** July 18, 2016, 11:50:50 pm »

Likewise. Only an acknowledgement.
I'll give them a couple of days and then I'll start spamming these guys:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-clarke-a5a5525
https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-mcnally-a284a14

Billy Elliot · « **Reply #11 on:** July 19, 2016, 02:14:16 pm »

They have 1 left in stock on line, or did you mean they don't stock it in the stores?

http://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/hillsborough-the-truth/9781910948019

redgriffin73 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 19, 2016, 02:58:53 pm »

What a strange decision.

I have just bought it this lunchtime in the 2 for £7 books in Asda.

Barneylfc∗ · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2016, 04:04:14 pm »

I asked them on twitter why it's not sold in stores

@Barneylfc82 Hi, this book is sold on the website, we only have limited space in stores so it would be impossible for us to stock all titles

RedPat · « **Reply #14 on:** July 19, 2016, 04:15:05 pm »

Quote from: Barneylfc please? for about half an hour on July 19, 2016, 04:04:14 pm

I asked them on twitter why it's not sold in stores

@Barneylfc82 Hi, this book is sold on the website, we only have limited space in stores so it would be impossible for us to stock all titles

Well that's some comfort that they are selling it online I thought their might have being a more sinister reason behind it not being available in store.

Pope Dave · « **Reply #15 on:** July 19, 2016, 04:23:33 pm »

I doubt there's anything sinister going on. It's fabulously difficult getting books into Smiths. Unless a book is doing crazy sales figures elsewhere, they simply won't stock it.

Billy Elliot · « **Reply #16 on:** July 19, 2016, 04:49:36 pm »

Is it good or bad that there's only 1 in stock on line?

E.g

good = means it's selling well.
bad = they're not getting much in stock in the first place?

Disappointing that it's not in store though. Especially if the Liverpool shop hasn't got it.

PhilScraton · « **Reply #17 on:** July 19, 2016, 05:10:30 pm »

ASDA has taken the book across all main stores - and that's a big surprise!!! I guess my disappointment with WHS is the virtual monopoly they have on airports just as the season starts. It's going really well on Amazon and thanks to all who have supported the book. Brian Reade has agreed to host the Liverpool launch Thursday 28th July at St George's Hall. As ever, Phil.

Ziltoid · « **Reply #18 on:** July 19, 2016, 05:26:59 pm »

Cheers Phil, will be buying my copy this evening.

gqP6w · « **Reply #19 on:** July 19, 2016, 05:38:42 pm »

I got the following reply:

Dear Alan

Thank you for your email.

This title is available in the majority of our stores and also to order from our website.

If I can help you again, please let me know.

Kind regards

Caroline Morse

Customer Service Coordinator

Barneylfc∗ · « **Reply #20 on:** July 19, 2016, 08:15:27 pm »

Given the fact they probably sell some no mark autobiography in store (I'm thinking something along the lines of a Georgia Shore 'star' that is only famous for getting drunk and having sex) it's ridiculous this isn't stocked. It's one of the biggest injustices in British legal history, the biggest disaster in British sporting history, yet they can't afford a shelf to it? Not having that.

Barneylfc∗ · « **Reply #21 on:** July 21, 2016, 03:47:34 pm »

Quote

Dear Gerrard

Thank you for email regarding the title Hillsborough The Truth by Phil Scraton.

As one of the UK’s leading retailers of books, magazines and newspapers, we aim to offer our customers a wide choice of products.

I can confirm that the title 'Hillsborough- The Truth' is currently available in over 500 of our High Street stores. Unfortunately, due to limited space in some of our smaller stores and Travel stores we are unable to range every title, however customers are able to order the title via our online website or our customer ordering service.

We take all customer feedback very seriously and we would like to thank you for taking the time to contact us.

Kind regards

Lisa Jones
Customer Service Coordinator

RainbowFlick · « **Reply #22 on:** July 22, 2016, 09:47:03 am »

Quote from: B,arney'lfc please? for. ab.ou't ha'lf an, ho'ur on July 19, 2016, 08:15:27 pm

Given the fact they probably sell some no mark autobiography in store (I'm thinking something along the lines of a Georgia Shore 'star' that is only famous for getting drunk and having sex) it's ridiculous this isn't stocked. It's one of the biggest injustices in British legal history, the biggest disaster in British sporting history, yet they can't afford a shelf to it? Not having that.

Totally agree, I find particularly the smaller and airport stores are just full of tacky 'easy' reads and the big names. Seems very odd that they'd only stock in 500 stores though, surely they have more bigger stores than that.

Author Topic: WHSmith and Hillsborough The Truth (Read 5222 times)

gqP6w