Gardners
Company typeLimited company
IndustryBook and Entertainment Wholesale
Founded1986
Headquarters
Eastbourne
,
UK
Revenue£206 million (2016)[1]
Number of employees
709 (2016)[1]
ParentThe Little Group
Websitewww.gardners.com

Gardners’ is an international wholesalers of books, eBooks, music and film. They work with multi-channel retailers worldwide, both online and on the high street, to supply physical and digital products. They offer back to store or direct to consumer on their behalf through a consumer direct fulfilment service.

Gardners are based in a 350,000 square foot facility in Eastbourne in South East England. They offer access to over 500,000 products in stock for same day dispatch,[2] as well as over 1.5 million eBooks available for instant fulfilment.[citation needed]

As the main book distributor in the UK, most UK bookshops get their book supply from Gardners.[3][4]

History

The company was founded in 1986 by Alan Little and still has involvement from other family members Jonathan Little and Andrew Little.[5][6]

In 1999 The Little Group bought out Gardners' rival Bertrams, incorporating it into Gardners which ran from the former Bertrams warehouse.[7]

In 2010, it opened Hive.co.uk, a direct retail store that shares profits with nominated independent UK book stores, from which it allows local pickup.

In 2017, Gardners announced an expansion with a increased sized warehouse and 100 more jobs at their headquarters in Eastbourne. The business already employing 800 in the area.[5]

In 2020, with the launch of the UK arm of Bookshop.org, Gardners became a partner in the company, handling all UK distribution for the Bookshop.org, fulfilling orders directly.[8][9]

2023 has seen Gardners expand to opening a U.S. arm to the company, with an aim to grow in that market.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Gardners' annual revenue up 8.5% | the Bookseller".
  2. ^ Flynn, Clare (22 November 2018). "Production & Distribution: A Visit to Gardners - UK & International Book Wholesaler". Self-Publishing Advice Center from the Alliance of Independent Authors. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  3. ^ Booksellers Association. "Want to get your Book stocked in a High Street Bookshop?" (PDF).
  4. ^ "Help - Independent Publishers". Waterstones. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  5. ^ a b "One hundred new jobs to be created at Eastbourne". Eastbourne Herald. 9 October 2017. Retrieved 30 April 2023 – via Newsbank.
  6. ^ "GARDNERS BOOKS LIMITED people - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  7. ^ Lee, Emma (2 December 2022). "Kip Bertram: 'It took me 63 years to fulfil my dream of being a doctor'". Norwich Evening News. pp. 14–15. Retrieved 30 April 2023 – via Newsbank.
  8. ^ Flood, Alison (November 2, 2020). "'This is revolutionary': new online bookshop unites indies to rival Amazon". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077.
  9. ^ "FAQs". Bookshop UK. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  10. ^ Wyman |, Nigel. "London Book Fair 2023: Gardners Expands Its Reach In U.S." PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 30 April 2023.

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