Who we are
Indigo Books & Music Inc., (TSE: IDG) is a Canadian company committed to providing a service-driven, stress-free approach to satisfying the booklover.
Indigo was created in 1996 by and for booklovers, and merged with Chapters Inc. in August 2001 to become Canada’s largest books retail chain. Indigo Books & Music Inc. is committed to being your most complete and trusted resource for books, music, gifts and much more.
We said in the very beginning that we wanted to create a true booklovers' haven -- a place to discover books, music and more that might, in the rush of life, have gone undiscovered. A place that reflects the best of a small proprietor-run shop bundled with the selection of a true emporium.
Indigo
Indigo Books & Music Inc. was created in 1996, and we opened our first store, called Indigo Books Music & more, in Burlington, Ontario on September 4, 1997. By 2000, the chain had expanded to 14 locations across Canada. Indigo was the first book retail chain to add music, gifts and licensed cafes to their distinctive store locations, making shopping a real social event, a leisurely experience that could comfortably and enjoyably stretch over hours.
Chapters
Chapters Inc. was formed following the merger of Coles and SmithBooks, then Canada’s two largest bookstore chains. In 1994, Canadian General Capital and Pathfinder Capital purchased SmithBooks from Federal Industries, and later that year acquired Coles from Southam Inc. The strategy was to build a strong base company and use its financial strength to invest in the development of large format book superstores.
In April 1995, the merger of SmithBooks and Coles was finalized, and in November 1995, the new company, Chapters Inc. opened its first two book superstores and from there grew to become the largest book retailer in Canada, operating bookstores in all provinces, under the names Chapters, Coles, SmithBooks, and World's Biggest Bookstore.
Chapters is the top retail brand in Canada, ranked No. 1 overall by consumers for four consecutive years (Kubas Major Market Retail Report 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000).
Coming Together
On November 28, 2000, Trilogy Retail Enterprises L.P. (“Trilogy”) announced its intent to purchase a controlling interest in Chapters. These changes, which included the offer to purchase the minority shares of both Pegasus Wholesale Inc. (“Pegasus”) and Chapters Online Inc. (“Chapters Online”), culminated with the overwhelming acceptance by Chapters shareholders of Trilogy’s offer to purchase Chapters shares at $17 cash per share.
On February 1, 2001, Trilogy acquired 7,146,000 shares of Chapters, or approximately 69.1% of the shares tendered under the bid. Combined with the shares it purchased previously, Trilogy now owns 8.787,894 Chapters shares, representing approximately 70.5% of the company’s outstanding shares. The remainder of the shares is publicly owned.
On August 14, 2001, Chapters and Indigo officially and legally merged under the corporate name Indigo Books & Music Inc.
Coles Book Stores
Brothers Carl and Jack Cole opened the first Coles store in 1940 in Toronto. Coles expanded across Canada, bringing an innovative style to book retailing, with bookstores that were accessible and exciting. Coles also created the now world-famous Coles Notes student study guides. In 1980, Coles opened one of the original book superstores, the 67,000 square foot World's Biggest Bookstore, in downtown Toronto.
Under the ownership of Southam Inc., Coles continued to expand throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, and there are Coles stores in every province in Canada. In 1994, Southam sold Coles to Pathfinder Capital and in April 1995, Coles and SmithBooks merged to form Chapters Inc.
SmithBooks Bookstores
SmithBooks (then called W.H. Smith) first opened in 1950 in Toronto. The bookstore chain, a division of the venerable U.K. company, expanded across Canada, and acquired Classic Bookshops in 1985. In 1989, the company became Canadian-owned and the name was changed to SmithBooks when it was purchased by Federal Industries. In 1994, Pathfinder Capital acquired SmithBooks; in April 1995, SmithBooks and Coles merged to form Chapters Inc.
www.chapters.indigo.ca
Indigo Books & Music Inc. operates www.chapters.indigo.ca, a leading Canadian destination for online shoppers seeking books, videos and DVDs. Committed to providing a convenient and hassle-free e-commerce experience, chapters.indigo.ca offers a secure shopping environment, easy-to-use search tools and industry leading customer service. Chapters.indigo.ca also supports the growth of Canada's e-commerce industry operating one of the Internet's leading affiliate programs for website owners.
In September 1999, Chapters Online became a publicly traded company, separate from Chapters Inc. Chapters Inc. (TSE:CHP), (now Indigo Books & Music Inc.) retains a majority ownership stake in Chapters Online and together the companies operate e-commerce kiosks at all Chapters stores across Canada.
On July 27, 2001, the Special Committee of Chapters Online Inc. (TSE:COL), headed by Tom Stephenson of Sequoia Capital, agreed in principle to terms under which Indigo Books & Music Inc. would purchase all outstanding shares of Chapters Online not already owned by Indigo Books & Music Inc. on the basis of one Chapters common share for every 7.14 common shares of Chapters Online.
Customer Loyalty Programs
irewards is perfect for booklovers! Rewarding them for their purchases and providing exceptional member benefits ... it pays to be an irewards member.
irewards also provides the ultimate flexibility in choosing where you would like to buy your books, music, gifts and more. irewards is accepted at all of our stores across Canada -- Chapters, Indigo, Coles, SmithBooks and The Book Company, as well as online at chapters.indigo.ca.
Employee Programs
Indigo rewards exceptional staff performance and has developed a comprehensive, merit-based. Total Rewards program which includes benefits eligibility for both full and part time employees, a company matched RRSP program, a comprehensive recognition program with IthankYou's, and an employee scholarship program.
Indigo also has a thorough training program for Customer Experience Representatives entitled Essential CER.
Indigo in the Community
At Indigo Books & Music Inc. we know we have a responsibility to be respectful of, and to add value to the communities in which we operate. We pride ourselves on having demonstrated such a commitment year after year and having been able to support so many worthy causes.
For more information on our community involvement and the Indigo Love of Reading Fund please visit
www.chapters.indigo.ca/loveofreading
Regional Literary Events
In-store Events
Indigo and Chapters offers a dynamic program of in-store events including; book readings, cooking demonstrations, book club meetings, storytime and information sessions. Indigo and Chapters are cultural havens for book lovers to meet local, national and international authors and artists. Our guest list include among others; Yann Martel, Austin Clarke, Rudolph Giuliani, Lou Gerstner ,Oscar Peterson, Jann Arden and Jamie Oliver. Visit us online or contact your local store for information on upcoming events.
School Fundraising Events
Book a fundraiser with us and earn money for your school. At Indigo and Chapters, we believe in a positive educational experience and we want to help your school raise money to support programs or to purchase resources for your school library. Host your next school fundraiser with us!
We will donate to your school 10-15%* of all purchases made during the function by parents, staff and guests.
A great opportunity for parents and teachers to celebrate the accomplishments of the students.
A chance to showcase your school choir, band or young authors.
Please contact your local Chapters or Indigo store for more information on how you can host your own fundraising evening in our stores.
* Schools can choose either to receive 10% of purchases as cash or 15% of purchases as Gift Certificates.
Shareholder Information
Exchange
Toronto Stock Exchange
Listed Security
IDG Common Stock
Transfer Security
CIBC Mellon Trust Company
Our Corporate Head Office Address
Indigo Books & Music Inc.,
468 King Street West, Suite 500
Toronto, ON M5V 1L8
This area is for informational purposes only. You are urged to seek professional advice before investing in Indigo Books & Music Inc. Indigo makes no guarantee of the accuracy of completeness of the information provided here, and shall not be liable for any error or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.