Borders, the nation's second largest bookseller, narrowed its third quarter losses from $3.1 million a year ago to $1.8 million this year. Sales grew by 5% over last year raising the total to $749.8 million for the quarter. The vast majority of Border's sales come from its superstores where sales rose to $511.8 million fueled by DVDs and music CDs, which are generally not available at Borders smaller outlets.
Although company officials did not break out actual figures for DVD and music sales at the Borders Superstores, they did cite sales from DVDs and CDs as the key elements in sales growth at the larger outlets. Borders officials explained that increased investment involved in ramping up for the fourth quarter holiday season was the reason that the company failed to post a profit in Q3, something they think they will be able to reverse in Q4.
