Competitor Analysis
Exhibit 11 - Competitor Analysis - Textbook sales
Competitor Geographic Products/Service Started Coverage Strengths - Brand equity - Capital raising - Portal agreements - Primary ecommerce provider - First mover - Use of wholesaler - reduces costs and eliminates inventory management Weaknesses - Not education focused - Minimal user customization - Limited textbook selection - Use wholesaler; limits book selection - Minimal customization - Focus on undergraduate market
Mindshaker
Amazon.com
United States and Europe
Books, Video, Music
1997
Varsitybooks.com
60 College universities textbooks
August 1998
Bigwords.com
California College universities textbooks
- Unappealing web design - Incentive - Limited September programs schools 1998 - Book buyback - Inefficient search capability January 1999 - Limited to Affiliated with schools where it largest campus has bookstores bookstore - No chain customization
Efollett.com
500+ College universities textbooks
Mindshaker.com will create a new industry and define new value-added services for college students and professors