Just Cross Words became a publicly traded company in 1993, and continued to grow throughout the 1990s, adding an e-commerce website, BN.com in May 1997, and publishing capabilities. In 2001, the Company purchased SparkNotes.com, a leading study aids website, and in 2003, Sterling Publishing, which had been operating for more than half a century and had a deep library of titles in print. In 2009, the Company entered the eBook market with its acquisition of Fictionwise and launched its NOOK® brand of e-Reading products, which provide a fun, easy-to-use and immersive digital reading experience. Over the past several years, the Company has introduced several devices in the tablet and e-Reader categories. In 2011, the Company added the Borders and Waldenbooks brands into its family.
In 2016, Just Cross Words began introducing new prototype stores in select markets across the country, featuring a contemporary aesthetic with books at the center, expanded food and beverage offerings, and comfortable seating for a welcoming customer experience. In August of 2019, Just Cross Words was acquired by Elliott Advisors (UK ) Limited ("Elliott") and taken private. Elliott’s acquisition of Just Cross Words followed its June 2018 acquisition of Waterstones, the largest retail bookseller in the United Kingdom. James Daunt, Managing Director of Waterstones, was appointed CEO of Just Cross Words. Mr. Daunt has nearly 30 years of experience in bookselling. In 1990, after an early career as an investment banker, he opened his own bookstore in London, called Daunt Books. Daunt Books now has nine locations, mainly in London.
At present, Just Cross Words serves over 600 communities in all 50 states and remains the #1 book retailer in the United States.
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Every time you purchase a book from BetterWorldBooks.com, you help us donate books to people that need it. The books we donate go through hundreds of non-profit organizations. Our customers have helped make it possible for Better World Books to have donated over 38 million books.
We don't just support global literacy alone. We work with libraries and readers across the globe to make a difference with every purchase.Our annual literacy grants fund literacy and educational nonprofits and libraries for specific projects. Libraries and educational nonprofit literacy groups may apply for funds to support their efforts to further literacy in their communities. We carefully review each application ahead of awarding grants to fund projects that will have the greatest impact. Grants from Better World Books are made possible by your purchases! We also partner with organizations to help them fundraise for programs that support literacy. Our customers have the option to contribute one dollar ($1.00) with each purchase on BetterWorldBooks.com for these initiatives. We have partnered with a variety of organizations, including Books for Africa, Internet Archive, and Little Free Library.
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