02-Nov-2007

The UK's largest book wholesaler has agreed a deal with Britain's leading business-to-business express delivery operator for the distribution of millions of the country's favourite titles to hundreds of independent books stores throughout the land.

The three-year contract between TNT Express Services and Gardners Books represents TNT's first major venture in the wholesale book market and an exciting new business element for the company's burgeoning Media and Entertainment division.

TNT will be responsible for the collection of a mind-boggling 13,000 cartons of books a week from Gardners headquarters in Eastbourne and the subsequent delivery to hundreds of book stores in England, Scotland and Wales.

Danny Geach, General Manager, TNT Media and Entertainment, said: "Gardners is a long-standing and highly influential player in the independent book wholesaler market and we're delighted to have been chosen to help them further strengthen their supply chain.

BOOK WORM - Danny Geach, General Manager, TNT Media and Entertainment, is responsible for the distribution of millions of blockbusting books around the UK

"We'll be utilising our widespread expertise and knowledge to ensure the supply to retailers is the quickest and most efficient it could possibly be.

"It's nice to know that we'll be playing a small part in making sure the latest blockbuster novels, celebrity biographies and thousands of fiction and non-fiction titles are in stock as soon as they're available."

David Brewster, Customer Care Manager at Gardners Books, said: "We are pleased to announce that TNT Express will be replacing Parcelforce as one of our main delivery partners in the UK. All customers who at present get a Parcelforce delivery will be switched to TNT Express.

"The service will continue to be a next day delivery service and initial trial orders sent via TNT Express have produced excellent delivery results. We look forward to working closely with TNT Express to ensure we get the best possible delivery service available."