First Stand-Alone Paperchase Shop Set

-- Publishers Weekly, 10/18/2007 11:27:00 AM

Ever since he took over as CEO of Borders, George Jones has considered the Paperchase stationery franchise to be one of the retailer’s strongest assets and this afternoon the company announced it will open its first freestanding Paperchase outlet in Boston later this month. The 1,525 sq .ft. store will stock greeting cards, stationery, gift wrap, diaries and other items that feature designs developed by the London-based Paperchase. No books, other than diaries and journals, will be carried. “The incredible depth of the Paperchase product line, combined with its of-the-moment graphic designs, make for a unique shopping experience,” Jones said.

Borders plans to open five to eight more stand-alone outlets by the end of fiscal 2008 on February 2. Borders acquired Paperchase in 2004 and since then has opened Paperchase shops in more than 300 of its U.S. superstores. There are more than 100 Paperchase shops in the U.K. divided among 38 stand-alone stores, 40 Borders concessions and 33 shops within other stores. Borders did not include Paperchase in the sale of its U.K. business to a private equity group announced earlier this year.