By Claire Reilly
SYDNEY, NSW: For light travellers and book fanatics alike, Dick Smith and Big W will be the first Australian retailers to stock the Kindle e-reader in online and bricks and mortar stores.
Parent company Woolworths Limited made the announcement this week, with the devices set to be sold in Big W stores and Dick Smith retail outlets in the coming weeks.
General manager of Dick Smith, Debra Singh, said that the company was very excited to sell the popular e-reader.
“We’ll be the only retailer in Australia launching the Kindle, and we’ve got that on our own for an exclusivity period,” said Singh. “We’re very excited about having it for Christmas and we think there’ll be lots of Kindles being sold in this period.
“Normally you’d have to buy it from Amazon online. But the Woolworths group will be the first retailer who will actually be selling the Kindle online. So we’re really excited about that.”
In addition to bringing the Kindle to Australian consumers, the Woolworths group will be the only company able to sell the device over the busy Christmas sales period.
“We’ve got exclusivity for 6 months from now basically, so that takes us through to January. We’re taking preorders now and they’ll be in stores within the next couple of weeks,” Singh said.
Click here to sign up for our FREE daily newsletter
The Kindle features a 6-inch E Ink screen that can be read even in high-glare situations, and boasts a built-in dictionary, stereo headphone input and the capacity to hold up to 3,500 e-books.
Dick Smith will sell a 3G unit (providing free 3G connectivity for basic internet and email access) for $219, with a Wi-Fi only model to sell for $159. Both units are available for pre-order on the Dick Smith website, and prices include delivery.
Speaking about the new device, Singh said it would offer Australian consumers convenience and technology in the one package.
“I think some people still love flicking pages and I don’t think books have gone forever by any means,” she said. “But I certainly think that consumers are embracing this type of technology really quickly, and the Kindle is just a great experience.
“It doesn’t matter where you are – on buses, trains, planes – everyone seems to have some sort of technology that they’re reading. The Kindle represents a wonderful opportunity for ourselves and others to get on this bus really quickly.”
UPDATE: Benedict Brook, media relations manager for corporate and public affairs at Woolworths Limited spoke to Current.com.au confirming that the Kindle will also be available in selected Woolworths supermarkets, with an official release date of 31 August.
The Kindle is 8.5 millimetres thick and weighs in at 247 grams.