Originally Posted by spalen (Post 8811828)

I know this one - there is a restriction in publishing in Australia that only a few companies are allowed to print books here ( on account of the evil spirits that you need inside the infernal engines )

Seriously - there is a monopoly that only 2 or 3 companies can print. It was challenged last year and failed.... someone was trying to import cheaper books and the govt quashed it in favour of this monopoly. The company even offered to restrict their imports to n-1 generation of books so not the latest & greatest but that was rejected as well.

I believe the argument was to do with protecting australian jobs, and some nonsense about australian culture of publishing and how not having books printed here would stifle the authors. (hmm).

Borders had an offer (it may be permanent) that they will beat any price on amazon including shipping to aus.

Originally Posted by Swerv-o (Post 8811975)

Yes, this is the case. There was a lengthy investigation into the whole book publishing/importing industry, and the government decided that it would support the current system of providing a monopoly to a small number of publishers to protect jobs in the industry and the interests of independent book resellers. If I recall correctly, the large book stores, particularly Dymocks, were in favour of change so that they could source their books from overseas at a cheaper price. The publishing agreement means that they now can't do this - they are compelled to buy them locally.


S

Originally Posted by MartinLuther (Post 8810910)

I just remember them being a big thing in Leeds but don't remember them so much in London.

Originally Posted by BadgeIsBack (Post 8811978)

The impression I got from last year's decision and what was reported was that it might be a bit of a stay of execution and that next time the screws might get tightened.

Originally Posted by Deancm_MKII (Post 8811983)

I don't remember seeing Greggs in London either. However I have seen them in the high streets outside of the city.

Originally Posted by LouiseR (Post 8811987)

http://www.greggs.co.uk/shop-finder/?s=london

Looks like there were some.

Originally Posted by LouiseR (Post 8811987)

http://www.greggs.co.uk/shop-finder/?s=london

Looks like there were some.

Originally Posted by spartacus (Post 8812004)

Plenty in Newcastle city centre . . . all within a five minute walk!

http://www.greggs.co.uk/shop-finder/?s=ne1&x=31&y=3

Hardly surprising that the UK is the 'sick man of Europe' . . .

Originally Posted by LouiseR (Post 8812009)

You reckon they "walk" to them after all those sausage rolls, bet they use those mobility scooters. :)

Originally Posted by LouiseR (Post 8812009)

You reckon they "walk" to them after all those sausage rolls, bet they use those mobility scooters. :)

Originally Posted by JackTheLad (Post 8810826)

What is the reason that 3 brands I know would do really well in Australia won't set up here.

a) Amazon. Why not? They'd blow the opposition away. I just bought my folks a Kindle in the UK. I'd love one here if it could access Australian newspapaers and books.

b) Marks and Spencers. They've got stores in europe, ones in Hong Kong and asia, but not Australia :confused:

c) Greggs have stores in Belgium for god sake. Hmmm, what country loves pies and sausage rolls. Let me think....

What is it with these companies. What's wrong with them coming to Australia when they'll quite happily invest in every basket case european and asian country?

JTL