ABSTRACT
The most decisive single event was the abolition in September 1995 of the Net Book Agreement and the United Kingdom book trade's abandonment of retail price maintenance. The PA and BA's agreement never scored a century and a condition reminiscent of what had prevailed prior to the 1890s returned to the business of books. Awareness of the expanding 'mainstream people' market and of Smiths' priorities forced the burgeoning chain store groups to go nationwide in preparation for a head-on price war. Their stocking policy had been based on providing for the 'occasional' book buyer who had come in for newspapers, birthday cards or other stationery. Speculation on Melvyn Barnes and Margaret Noble's entry into the UK market inevitably followed the arrival in 1998 of their only same-size US rivals, Borders, who acquired Books extra almost immediately after touchdown. Customers to Borders stores were straightaway invited to relax in the coffee shop before browsing the shelves for books, magazines and music.
