BTW News Briefs

Books Inc. Announces Plans for a New Store

Michael Tucker, president and co-owner of Books Inc., has announced plans to open a new store on Park Street in Alameda, California. The new Books Inc., the store's 10th location, will be part of the revitalization of the Park Street business district, which includes over 70 historically significant structures, including the Alameda Theater.

Books Inc. in Alameda will be a 3,500-square-foot, general interest bookstore, which will host a broad range of author events and plans extensive school outreach and community involvement.

The store is scheduled to open in mid-October.

Powells.com's Essay Contest Benefits Reading Is Fundamental

As part of Powell's Books celebration of its 10th anniversary online this summer, Powells.com is featuring an essay contest inviting customers to answer the question "What was your most memorable reading experience of the last 10 years?"

The contest, which began July 13 and runs through August 31, will provide the grand prize winner with a $1,000 worth of books from Powells.com. Additionally, 10 runners-up will be selected. For each qualified essay submission, Powell's is donating one dollar to Reading Is Fundamental(r).

To promote the contest, authors and other well-known individuals will be sharing essays of their own. Featured respondents include Michael Cunningham and Garrison Keillor.

Complete details about the contest can be found at http://www.powells.com/10years_contest.html.

NRF Revises 2004 Retail Sales Forecast Upward

Based on strong retail sales in the past six months, the National Retail Federation (NRF) has revised its 2004 forecast for sales at general merchandise stores, apparel stores, furniture and home furnishings stores, electronics and appliances stores, and sporting goods, hobby, book, and music stores (GAFS). NRF has revised this year's growth forecast from 5.0 percent to 6.0 percent.

The upward growth has been fueled, in part, by a turnaround in employment, according to NRF.

In the first quarter of 2004, GAFS sales jumped 9.9 percent, and second quarter sales are expected to increase 7.0 percent. However, NRF expects a slowdown in the third and fourth quarters and is forecasting gains will range between 4.0 - 4.5 percent.