CollinsBooks.com.au Online bookshop of a leading publisher of Australia
Title
Collins Booksellers, Online Bookstore
Description
Beginnings
The business was founded by Frederick Henry (Harry) Slamen in 1922 and operated as a newsagency at 622 Collins Street (hence the name) in Melbourne. It was registered in 1929 as a Proprietary Limited Company under the name Collins Book Depot when it opened two new branches at 95 Elizabeth Street and 361 Swanston Street in Melbourne. Mr Slamen remained the principal of the company until his untimely death in 1961. Today, the company is wholly owned by the franchisee's.
Expansion
Following Harry Slamen's death, Michael G. Zifcak who joined the company in 1950 was appointed General Manager and in 1963 became Managing Director of the company. He retired in October 2001. During the 1960s the expansion of the company followed the then emerging pattern in the United States, where bookshops began moving from strip shopping centres to regional shopping centres. The first Collins Booksellers shopping centre branch was opened in 1966 at the Northland Shopping Centre in the Melbourne suburb of East Preston. Following the collapse of the company store in April 2005 the 31 franchise stores regrouped and are now on an expansion path. Presently at 34 stores they are looking to expand their presence in regional and suburban areas Australia wide and strengthen their alliance with ABC centres of which they presently hold Australia wide.
Company Philosophy
Collins Booksellers is a specialist, professional bookselling company. Through its long history it has concentrated its activities on one central theme: providing the customer with the highest level of service possible. Collins considers bookselling to be a people business, first and foremost and believes that it is in the commitment to people - customers and staff - that the future of the company lies. All staff are continually encouraged to increase their product knowledge and levels of customer service. Assistance in Collins' stores is friendly and helpful, but never obtrusive. By providing the widest possible range of books and book-related merchandise with a knowledgeable and courteous staff, Collins strives to maintain its position as Australia's pre-eminent bookseller.
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