News Releases
MAY 22, 2025
digiDirect acquires leading Australian library supplier, James Bennett
BY JAMES BENNETT VIA POWERRETAIL.COM.AU
Just months after its landmark Booktopia acquisition, digiDirect Group has invested further in Australia’s book market.
The digiDirect Group, parent company of consumer electronics retailer digiDirect and recently acquired Booktopia, has added another company to its group, having announced its acquisition of James Bennett, Australia’s leading local library supplier.
James Bennett is well-known for its collection development services and shelf-ready book offerings, serving more than 1,000 libraries.
The company is based in Brookvale on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, with a more than 60-year legacy of providing print and digital solutions to major international libraries and locally across Australia and New Zealand. Most recently, the company operated under the ownership of American-based library supplier Baker & Taylor.
According to the group, the acquisition marks a strategic move for the digiDirect Group to diversify its reach in the book market and bolster the retail group.
“We are delighted to bring James Bennett back into Australian hands, honouring the roots of the founder himself back in 1964,” said Shant Kradjian, Chairman and CEO of The digiDirect Group.
“This new acquisition secures a completely different channel of book customers to Booktopia, complementing its strong consumer and academic offering with the ability to provide shelf-ready books and associated services to our nation’s libraries.”
Kradjian added: “When we acquired Booktopia in August last year, we said we were committed to advancing the Australian book and publishing industry and this acquisition of James Bennett is the latest manifestation of that commitment.”
Haig Kayserian, Director of Retail & Logistics at The digiDirect Group spoke to the logistical benefits to the acquisition, stating: “Booktopia’s robot-enabled, automated customer fulfilment centre is already being used by digiDirect and presents an obvious opportunity to optimise James Bennett’s logistics operations. With the collective expertise of the team, we have no doubt the collaboration will further bolster our retail operation and long-term ambitions for our retail business.”
James Bennett will continue to operate independently out of its Brookvale headquarters with a separate management team to Booktopia.
This article originally appeared on PowerRetail.com.au.
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