Both Diamond and Tokyopop are undertaking (separate) major expansions into the United Kingdom.  Diamond has just announced that Diamond Book Distributors is expanding into the United Kingdom through the establishment of a separate division, Diamond Book Distributors UK, and the hiring of new staff with experience in the book trade.  Tokyopop has been expanding its presence in key UK retail chains through its UK book distributor. 

Diamond Book Distributors VP Sales and Marketing Kuo-Yu Liang will supervise Diamond's expansion.  On the ground in the UK, the operation will be run by new DBD-UK General Manager John Hitchen, who has worked for Diamond's UK comic distribution operation since 1992.  Two other UK book market veterans will report to Hitchen.  Ros Wesson, with more than 25 years of experience in the UK and international book markets, including positions at Random House and Dorling Kindersley, will be Sales and Marketing Manager at DBD UK.  Simon Byrne, who's spent nine years in the UK book market as an executive for Publishing News and The Bookseller, will be Key Accounts Manager. 

Tokyopop has recently placed the first corrugated displays ever in UK book chain Ottakars, has deals to place manga in music chains Virgin and HMV, and has its titles in Easton's, the biggest book chain in Ireland. 

Tokyopop is distributed to the book trade in the UK by Littlehampton, which took over the Tokyopop business from Red Route Distribution last month.