Borders Group Moving Toward Liquidation
ANN ARBOR, MI—July 18, 2011—Borders Group reported that, in accordance with the terms of its financing agreement, it will submit to the bankruptcy court for approval it previously announced proposal from Hilco and Gordon Brothers to purchase the store assets of the business and administer a liquidation process. Borders said that, in the absence of a formal proposal from a going concern bidder, it will present the liquidation proposal to the bankruptcy court at a scheduled hearing on Thursday, July 21, 2011.
Borders currently operates 399 stores and employs approximately 10,700 employees. Subject to the court’s approval, under the proposal, liquidation is expected to commence for some bookstores and facilities as soon as Friday, July 22, with a phased rollout of the program 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.
“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.”
“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.”
About Borders Group
Headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI, Borders Group, Inc. is a leading specialty retailer of books as well as other educational and entertainment items.
Source: Borders.