MAIN NEWS HEADLINES
July 18 – July 24, 2011 Edition Hilco, Gordon Brothers to Buy Borders Assets, Handle Liquidation
Ann Arbor/AUTHORLINK NEWS/July 18, 2011Borders Group reported today that, in accordance with the terms of its financing agreement, the Company will submit to the Court for approval the previously-announced proposal from Hilco and Gordon Brothers to purchase the store assets of the business and administer the liquidation process. Borders said that, in the absence of a formal proposal from a going concern bidder, it did not require an auction prior to presenting the proposal to the Court at a scheduled hearing on Thursday, July 21, 2011.
Following the best efforts of all parties, we are saddened by this development, said Borders Group President Mike Edwards. We were all working hard towards a different outcome, but the headwinds we have been facing for quite some time, including the rapidly changing book industry, eReader revolution, and turbulent economy, have brought us to where we are now, he added.
For decades, Borders stores have been destinations within our communities, places where people have sought knowledge, entertainment, and enlightenment and connected with others who share their passion. Everyone at Borders has helped millions of people discover new books, music, and movies, and we all take pride in the role Borders has played in our customers lives, Edwards continued, I extend a heartfelt thanks to all of our dedicated employees and our loyal customers.
Borders currently operates 399 stores and employs approximately 10,700 employees. Subject to the Courts approval, under the proposal, liquidation is expected to commence for some stores and facilities as soon as Friday, July 22, with a phased rollout of the program which is expected to conclude by the end of September. Borders intends to liquidate under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code and, as a result, Borders expects to be able to pay vendors in the ordinary course for all expenses incurred during the bankruptcy cases.
