Chapters Online To Launch eBook Store

Posted on June 16, 2000

Chapters Online Inc. has announced plans to launch a Microsoft Reader eBook superstore in the digital book section at Chapters.ca. Customers will be able to visit the store and digitally download a selection of book titles onto their PC and Pocket PC. Microsoft Reader is a software application from Microsoft for PCs and handheld devices that delivers an on-screen computer reading experience.

``Chapters Online continues to execute its plan into expanding its digital content as a result of Canadian consumers' enthusiastic response to buying books, music and software online at Chapters.ca,'' said David Hainline, executive vice president of merchandising and marketing at Chapters Online. ``Chapters Online is a leader in Canadian e-commerce and will continue to be a leader in bringing new technologies and products to Canadians.''

Today's announcement builds on Chapters Online's promise to make digital content available to Canadian consumers. The announcement with Microsoft follows other eBook initiatives at Chapters.ca including the launch of Coles Notes as eBooks and the success of Stephen King's eBook Riding the Bullet in March. More than 10,000 Chapters.ca customers downloaded Riding the Bullet in the first 48 hours.

``Chapters Online's strength will make the Microsoft Reader software and books in the Microsoft Reader format available to hundreds of thousands of Chapters.ca book customers in a matter of months,'' said Elliot Katz, Pocket PC and Microsoft Reader marketing manager for Microsoft Canada Co. ``We believe that once consumers have access to high-quality eBook titles and the readability provided by the Microsoft Reader software, the potential of digital books will finally be realized.''

Microsoft has a growing list of books available for the Microsoft Reader software. Over 30 publishers recently announced they will have more than 800 of their books available in Microsoft Reader format later this summer.