Woolworths To Venture Into Public Libraries
By Produce and Council Reporter Cory Ander
SUPERMARKET giant Woolworths is eyeing Brisbane City Council's public library chain as a possible new branch to its corporate empire.
In a bold move to possibly detract attention away from its troubled Maleny franchise, Woolworths CEO Roger Corbett announced that his company has expressed interest in securing a stake in BCC libraries.
"We have seen the success experienced by small organisations, offering retail services in libraries such as cafes and snack bars. Libraries have embraced this move too as it adds a new dimension to their services," Mr Corbett said.
"Woolworths would be prepared to simply introduce a chain of cafes into Brisbane's City Council's larger libraries, where we would be able to continue to delight customers under the Woolies name in a whole new environment."
Mr Corbett also said Woolworths are prepared to pay Brisbane City Council generously for the use of its facilities, hinting at a figure of around $8m per year for use of its 'hub' libraries at Sunnybank Hills, Carindale, Indooroopilly and Chermside.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman welcomed the prospect of Woolworths doing business with the BCC, with the news coming after Newman's comments regarding the privitisation of council libraries.
"If Woolworths are prepared to take the plunge and provide a service in our libraries, then we will be more than interested." Cr Newman said. "Public libraries themselves everywhere understand the need to adopt retail sector measures to ensure they remain vital and important services in the community."
However, Deputy Mayor David Hinchcliffe expressed concern over this proposal by his “little buddy” Cr Newman.
"Cr Newman has very little hair," he said. “I am concerned in relation to how far Woolworths will go to make themselves at home. I hope we don't reach a point where the books take a back seat to me and it becomes just another trendy book shop.”
However Cr Newman said it was unlikely that the Cr Hinchcliffe’s prediction would come true.
"Besides, Cr Hinchcliffe smells like cabbage,” Cr Newman said. “Mr Corbett has informed me that the extent of the Woolworths venture will stop at the cafe service."
However, when asked Mr Corbett said that the cafes would also provide an oportunity to promote its publications such as Fresh magazine.
"It has been a busy time for Woolworths in Queensland," Mr Corbett said. "We believe this is an excellent chance to consolidate on our interests in liquor and gaming in this state, as well as reassure the public that we are still contributing to the community and its residents."
Despite the announcement, Woolworths shares barely moved in morning trade.
___________
Cory Ander is Anderson's father and is a Brisbane economologist and writer who spends most of his spare time loitering in his local supermarket, looking for light bulbs and muttering to himself about socialism.
SUPERMARKET giant Woolworths is eyeing Brisbane City Council's public library chain as a possible new branch to its corporate empire.
In a bold move to possibly detract attention away from its troubled Maleny franchise, Woolworths CEO Roger Corbett announced that his company has expressed interest in securing a stake in BCC libraries.
"We have seen the success experienced by small organisations, offering retail services in libraries such as cafes and snack bars. Libraries have embraced this move too as it adds a new dimension to their services," Mr Corbett said.
"Woolworths would be prepared to simply introduce a chain of cafes into Brisbane's City Council's larger libraries, where we would be able to continue to delight customers under the Woolies name in a whole new environment."
Mr Corbett also said Woolworths are prepared to pay Brisbane City Council generously for the use of its facilities, hinting at a figure of around $8m per year for use of its 'hub' libraries at Sunnybank Hills, Carindale, Indooroopilly and Chermside.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman welcomed the prospect of Woolworths doing business with the BCC, with the news coming after Newman's comments regarding the privitisation of council libraries.
"If Woolworths are prepared to take the plunge and provide a service in our libraries, then we will be more than interested." Cr Newman said. "Public libraries themselves everywhere understand the need to adopt retail sector measures to ensure they remain vital and important services in the community."
However, Deputy Mayor David Hinchcliffe expressed concern over this proposal by his “little buddy” Cr Newman.
"Cr Newman has very little hair," he said. “I am concerned in relation to how far Woolworths will go to make themselves at home. I hope we don't reach a point where the books take a back seat to me and it becomes just another trendy book shop.”
However Cr Newman said it was unlikely that the Cr Hinchcliffe’s prediction would come true.
"Besides, Cr Hinchcliffe smells like cabbage,” Cr Newman said. “Mr Corbett has informed me that the extent of the Woolworths venture will stop at the cafe service."
However, when asked Mr Corbett said that the cafes would also provide an oportunity to promote its publications such as Fresh magazine.
"It has been a busy time for Woolworths in Queensland," Mr Corbett said. "We believe this is an excellent chance to consolidate on our interests in liquor and gaming in this state, as well as reassure the public that we are still contributing to the community and its residents."
Despite the announcement, Woolworths shares barely moved in morning trade.
___________
Cory Ander is Anderson's father and is a Brisbane economologist and writer who spends most of his spare time loitering in his local supermarket, looking for light bulbs and muttering to himself about socialism.
posted by Lord Beavish at 4:08 pm
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