Borders Launches New Holiday In-Stock Guarantee -- If Your Book is Not in the Store, Borders Will Get it and the Shipping is Free --Free Wi-Fi Now Available In Borders Stores Nationwide

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Nov 03, 2009 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Borders is introducing an innovative new program for the holiday season designed to guarantee a satisfying shopping experience for customers. Beginning today, Borders launches the industry's first-ever "In-Stock Guarantee," promising customers that if they do not find an item in stock in a Borders store, and that item is among the more than one million titles available on Borders.com, Borders will find it and pay the shipping costs to the customer's home.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060208/BORDERSLOGO ) Borders' "In-Stock Guarantee" applies not only to books - any item carried on Borders.com is eligible. There is no per-customer limit on the number of items eligible for this program. The "In-Stock Guarantee" program runs through most of the holiday season, with Dec. 16 as the final date items can be located and reach customers in time for Christmas.

"Our goal is to have every single customer leave our stores happy this holiday season," said Mike Edwards, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer for Borders. "We have stocked our shelves to the rafters. As a result, we hope to have exactly what customers are looking for among the hundreds of thousands of items we have in stock, but if there is something we don't have on the shelf, we are going to get it in their hands within days, and pay the shipping costs.

"We believe that no bookseller has done this before and we are excited to break new ground in customer service this holiday season," said Edwards. "We want customers to know that there is a new and very compelling reason to do their holiday shopping with us. At Borders, shoppers are guaranteed a satisfying shopping trip. No one else can promise them that!" The "In-Stock Guarantee" applies only to Borders bricks and mortar stores, but there is also a free shipping program available online at Borders.com as well.

Generally, orders over $25 purchased on Borders.com will be shipped for free.

Orders placed on the site before Dec. 16 will reach customers in time for the holiday.

Free Wi-Fi and free customer loyalty program In addition to the new "In-Stock Guarantee," most Borders superstores nationwide are now equipped with free Wi-Fi, giving customers the added convenience of accessing the Internet at no charge while shopping in a Borders store.

When customers log on, they are given the option to join the free Borders Rewards(R) program, a leading customer loyalty program with more than 35 million members. Borders Rewards members enjoy special pricing and exclusive weekly offers not available to the general public. Not only is the program free, but it's also easy and hassle-free because members never need to show their cards to redeem their savings offers. Importantly, Rewards members earn $5 in "Borders Bucks" for every $150 of annual qualifying purchases made both in-store and online at Borders.com. And, when customers sign up now to join the Rewards program, they will receive a coupon for $5 off a future purchase. Borders will continue to provide additional exclusive offers to Borders Rewards members throughout the holiday season.

New kids' toys and games and teen sections Borders has made a number of enhancements to its superstores that will give shoppers even more gift options this season. Borders has expanded its Children's Department to include hundreds of high-quality educational toys and games. In addition, Borders has also created the Borders Ink Teen Shops, boutique-like sections that feature a large selection of Young Adult, Graphic and Manga titles as well as related products that appeal to the teen audience. The current merchandise assortment includes an extensive collection of Twilight-themed items like journals, T-shirts, jewelry, pajamas and more. Borders has also developed "Teaching Zones," special sections dedicated to the needs of teachers that include a rich assortment of professional development books, educational titles and other materials.

About Borders Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE: BGP) is a leading specialty retailer of books as well as other educational and entertainment items. The company employs approximately 25,000 throughout the U.S., primarily in its Borders(R) and Waldenbooks(R) stores. Online shopping is offered through borders.com. Find author interviews and vibrant discussions of the products we and our customers are passionate about online at facebook.com/borders, twitter.com/bordersmedia and youtube.com/bordersmedia. For more information about the company, visit borders.com/media.

SOURCE Borders URL: http://www.Borders.com www.prnewswire.com Copyright (C) 2009 PR Newswire. All rights reserved -0- KEYWORD: Michigan INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BKS

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