Editing Indigo Books and Music

{{short description|Canadian book and gift retailer}}
{{About|the Canadian book and gift retailer|the colour|Indigo|the Indian low-cost airline|IndiGo|other uses|Indigo (disambiguation)}}

{{Infobox company
| name = Indigo Books & Music Inc.
| logo = Indigo logo.svg
| logo_size = 
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| traded_as = {{TSX was|IDG}}
| industry = [[Bookselling]]
| founder = [[Heather Reisman]]
| key_people = [[Heather Reisman]] <small>([[CEO]])</small><br />Hugues Simard <small> ([[CFO]])</small>
| owner = [[Gerry Schwartz]]<small>(Controlling Shareholder)</small>
| revenue = {{increase}} $1.079 billion [[Canadian Dollar|CDN]] (2017)
| operating_income = {{increase}} $25 million [[Canadian Dollar|CDN]] (2017)
| net_income = {{decrease}} $21.8 million [[Canadian Dollar|CDN]] (2017)
| assets = {{increase}} $633.6 million [[Canadian Dollar|CDN]] (2017)
| num_employees = 7,000 (2017),<ref>[https://static.indigoimages.ca/2018/corporate/Indigo_Annual-Report_2018.pdf Indigo - 2018 Annual Report, Retrieved August 17, 2018]</ref>
| vector_logo = 
| divisions = [[Chapters (bookstore)|Chapters]]<br/>[[Coles (bookstore)|Coles Books]]<br/>[[IndigoSpirit (bookstore)|!ndigoSpirit]]<br/>[[Indigokids (toy store)|!ndigokids]]<br/>[[Indigotech (tech service)|!ndigotech]]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1996}}
| location_city = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]]
| location_country = [[Canada]]
| num_locations = 61 (Indigo)<br>31 (Chapters)<br>63 (Coles)<br>17 (IndigoSpirit)
| homepage = [http://www.indigo.ca/ indigo.ca]
}}

[[Image:IndigoKids.jpg|thumb|250px|right|Indigo Kids, Indigo Eaton Centre in December 2010]]
[[File:Indigo-Bay and Bloor 2022.jpg|thumb|250px|Indigo flagship store at [[Manulife Centre]], [[Toronto]]]]
[[Image:Indigospirit in Royal Bank Plaza 2022.jpg|thumb|250px|Indigospirit, [[Royal Bank Plaza]], Toronto]]
[[Image:IndigoTech.JPG|thumb|IndigoTech at the Eaton Centre Indigo Store in April 2014]]

'''Indigo Books & Music Inc.''', known as "Indigo" and stylized "!ndigo", is Canada's only major English-language [[bookstore chain]]. It is [[Canada]]'s largest book, gift, and specialty toy retailer, operating stores in all ten [[Provinces and territories of Canada|provinces]] and one territory, and through a website offering a selection of books, toys, home décor, stationery, and gifts. Most Chapters and Indigo stores include a [[Starbucks]] café inside. As of 2022, Indigo has started selling music (vinyl, CDs), and select audio equipment (headphones, turntables).

At the end of its fiscal year in March 2018, the company reported a record annual revenue surpassing [[Canadian dollar|CAD]] $1 billion. As of July 1, 2017, the company operated 86 superstores under the banners Chapters and Indigo and 123 small format stores, under the banners [[Coles (bookstore)|Coles]], Indigospirit, and The Book Company.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://static.indigoimages.ca/2018/corporate/Indigo_Annual-Report_2018.pdf|title=2018 Annual Report |website=indigo.ca|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-06}}</ref> Indigo is headquartered in [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]] and employed more than 7,000 people throughout Canada.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2016/07/06/indigo-plans-massive-store-renovations.html|title=Indigo plans massive store renovations|last=Won|first=Craig|newspaper=Toronto Star|page=B1|date=7 July 2016}}</ref>

After a series of mergers and acquisitions in the Canadian bookstore industry, Indigo stands as Canada's last remaining national bookstore chain. In late 2017, announcements were made to expand to the [[United States]], starting with a location in [[The Mall at Short Hills]] in [[Millburn, New Jersey]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/business/2017/11/02/indigo-books-says-its-planning-its-first-us-expansion-next-summer.html|title=Indigo Books says it's planning its first U.S. expansion next summer|date=2 October 2017|work=[[Toronto Star]]|access-date=3 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://business.financialpost.com/news/as-retail-rivals-retreat-indigo-books-plans-five-u-s-stores-in-next-two-years|title=As retail rivals retreat, Indigo Books plans five U.S. stores in next two years|last=Shaw|first=Hollie|date=2 November 2017|work=[[Financial Post]]|access-date=3 June 2018}}</ref>

==History==
The company was founded in 1996 by [[Heather Reisman]], who is married to [[Gerry Schwartz]], majority owner and CEO of [[Onex Corporation]].

The company's first [[Big-box store|big-box]] bookstore initially called "Indigo Books, Music & More", was opened in [[Burlington, Ontario]] on September 4, 1997. With financing from Onex Corporation, Indigo bought [[Chapters (bookstore)|Chapters]], their largest Canadian competitor, in 2001 and continues to operate many stores under the Chapters banner. Indigo also gained the ownership of the Coles chain of small-format bookstores, which was also owned by Chapters.

Indigo closed three high-profile stores in Toronto in the spring of 2014, including the [[World's Biggest Bookstore]], which it acquired when it bought Chapters. In June 2014, Reisman said the company was headed into a new phase, selling a much higher percentage of non-book items.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=How Indigo plans to become the world's first "cultural department store"|magazine= Marketing Magazine |author=Carol Toller |date= December 1, 2014}}</ref>

In late 2017, it was announced that it would expand to the [[United States]], with its first location opening in ''The Mall at Short Hills'' in October 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.chainstoreage.com/store-spaces/first-look-canadas-indigo-books-and-music-makes-u-s-debut/|title=First Look: Canada's Indigo Books and Music makes U.S debut {{!}}Chain Store Age|date=2018-10-08|work=Chain Store Age|access-date=2018-11-05|language=en-US}}</ref>

In September 2022, Reisman stepped down as [[CEO]] and became executive chair, with Peter Ruis being named CEO.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Robertson |first=Susan Krashinsky |date=2022-09-06 |title=Indigo founder Heather Reisman becomes executive chair, Peter Ruis named new CEO |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-indigo-names-peter-ruis-ceo-as-heather-reisman-becomes-executive-chair/ |access-date=2022-09-07}}</ref>

In February 2023, Indigo was the victim of a [[ransomware]] attack that rendered them unable to process non-cash transactions, returns, and gift cards for approximately four days. They got back their card transactions through a wireless pinpad, but the rewards system was still down. Online shopping remained unavailable for almost two months.<ref>{{cite news |title=Indigo's 'cybersecurity incident' stretches into third day as website still offline |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/indigo-cybersecurity-1.6742230 |access-date=2023-02-12 |work=CBC News |date=2023-02-09}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ilascu |first1=Ionut |title=Largest Canadian bookstore Indigo shuts down site after cyberattack |url=https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/largest-canadian-bookstore-indigo-shuts-down-site-after-cyberattack/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |work=BleepingComputer |date=2023-02-09 |language=en-us}}</ref> While Indigo has assured the public that customer data was not compromised, they notified current and former employees that employee data had been. [[LockBit]] has claimed responsibility for the attack. Indigo made the decision not to pay the ransom due to the possibility that the money would be used to fund terrorism or organized crime.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Heydari |first1=Anis |title=Indigo won't pay ransom for stolen employee data |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/indigo-wont-pay-ransom-1.6764785 |access-date=2023-03-04 |work=CBC News |date=2023-03-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bundale |first1=Brett |title=Indigo refuses to pay ransom, warns stolen employee data may be posted to dark web |url=https://www.cp24.com/news/indigo-refuses-to-pay-ransom-warns-stolen-employee-data-may-be-posted-to-dark-web-1.6296624 |access-date=2023-03-04 |work=CP24 |agency=The Canadian Press |date=2023-03-02}}</ref>

In June 2023, Reisman announced her retirement, effective August 22, 2023. This came after four out of ten board members stepped down, citing loss of confidence and mistreatment from the board leadership.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Alberga |first1=Hannah |title=Indigo founder Heather Reisman retires, almost half of board steps down |url=https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/indigo-founder-heather-reisman-retires-almost-half-of-board-steps-down-1.6431069 |access-date=2023-08-03 |work=CTV News |date=2023-06-07}}</ref>

In September 2023, founder Heather Reisman returned as chief executive officer, after Peter Ruis abruptly resigned earlier in the month.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-09-18 |title=Indigo founder Heather Reisman returns as CEO |language=en-CA |work=The Globe and Mail |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/article-indigo-founder-heather-reisman-returns-as-ceo/ |access-date=2023-09-18}}</ref>

In August 2024, Indigo served a [[cease and desist]] letter to the pro-Palestinian activist group [[Indigo Kills Kids]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Alshami |first=Lama |date=2024-12-19 |title=Indigo Kills Kids: How arts communities are challenging power structures within Canada |url=https://canculturemag.com/literary/indigo-kills-kids-how-arts-communities-are-challenging-power-structures-within-canada/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=CanCulture Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> Demands in the letter included that the group stop infringing intellectual property laws, remove "false and defamatory content," and stop interfering with the business and reputation of Indigo.<ref name=":2" /> On September 17, 2024,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Federal Court of Appeal sets hearings for tax and radio broadcasting cases |url=https://www.canadianlawyermag.com/practice-areas/litigation/federal-court-of-appeal-sets-hearings-for-tax-and-radio-broadcasting-cases/389247 |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=www.canadianlawyermag.com |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Rothman |first=Jonathan |date=2024-09-17 |title=Indigo wins temporary court order to block online boycott promotion that claims it kills kids |url=https://thecjn.ca/news/indigo-boycott-court-hearing/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=[[Canadian Jewish News]] |language=en-US}}</ref> the [[Federal Court of Canada]]<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Rothman |first=Jonathan |date=2024-10-28 |title=Judge orders websites accusing the Indigo bookstore chain of 'killing kids' to remain offline for two years |url=https://thecjn.ca/news/indigo-judge-decision/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=[[Canadian Jewish News]] |language=en-US}}</ref> granted interim emergency<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeForge |first=Michael |date=8 October 2024 |title=The Giller Prize and the 'Indigo 11' |url=https://canadiandimension.com/articles/view/the-giller-prize-and-the-indigo-11 |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=[[Canadian Dimension]] |language=en}}</ref> approval to a lawsuit from Indigo requesting internet service providers take down the organization's website.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=King |first=Thoby |date=2024-12-05 |title=Indigo's Copyright Victory Opens A New Front In BDS Struggle |url=https://www.readthemaple.com/indigos-copyright-victory-opens-a-new-front-in-bds-struggle/ |access-date=2025-01-04 |website=The Maple |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last=Raveendran |first=Rochelle |date=26 September 2024 |title=Pro-Palestinian advocates protest at Indigo stores in Toronto |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/pro-palestinian-protests-indigo-1.7334010 |work=CBC}}</ref>

==Operations==
The company sells books, magazines, gifts, and toys through its website and in its stores. Its banners currently include Indigo Books & Music, Chapters, [[Coles (bookstore)|Coles]], SmithBooks, IndigoSpirit, and The Book Company (small format).

Indigo began a partnership with [[Apple Inc.|Apple]] and [[iUniverse]] publishing in the 2010s. Indigo also manufactures its own brand of products, called IndigoLife. In addition, the chain's Indigo Trusted Advisor Program offers book recommendations from experts in health, finance, and the environment, such as [[David Bach (author)|David Bach]] and [[David Suzuki]].

==Charitable activities==
In 2004, Indigo started the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation, a program that helps provide new books and learning materials to high-needs elementary schools. Indigo commits $1.5 million annually to schools across Canada.

The money is raised by Indigo itself, customers, staff, suppliers, and proceeds from Love of Reading fundraising products (i.e., gift card sleeves). Only 80% of customer donations have been granted to over 1800 schools<ref>{{cite web|title=Love of reading pays off for Tillicum elementary|date=June 2018 |url=https://www.sookenewsmirror.com/community/love-of-reading-pays-off-for-tillicum-elementary//|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Love of reading |url=https://nfldherald.com/the-love-of-reading///|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Love of reading|url=http://rivertowntimes.com/tag/love-of-reading///|access-date=13 September 2018|archive-date=14 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180914022436/http://rivertowntimes.com/tag/love-of-reading/|url-status=dead}}</ref> since the Love of Reading Foundation's inception, with Indigo covering all of the operating costs of the foundation. The funding given to the schools is split across a 90% credit to spend at Indigo and 10% cash to be spent anywhere, as long as it contributes to advancement of literacy.<ref>{{cite web|title=Indigo Love of Reading Foundation FAQ|url=http://www.loveofreading.org/code/navigate.asp?Id=13#135|website=Indigo Love of Reading|access-date=28 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126141038/http://www.loveofreading.org/code/navigate.asp?Id=13#135|archive-date=26 January 2016|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In addition to the regularly collected funds, the annual Adopt a School program has increased the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation's donations up to a total of CAD 26 million given to more than 3,000 school libraries<ref>{{cite web|title=Love of Reading Foundation donates books to local school|date=28 April 2018 |url=https://www.baytoday.ca/more-local/love-of-reading-foundation-donates-books-to-local-school-907566|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref> in Canada since 2004. During the month-long Adopt a School program, each retail store selects a local school to be the recipient of the donations the store collects during that time period.<ref>{{cite web|title=Indigo keeps the love of reading alive|date=12 February 2015 |url=http://strategyonline.ca/2015/02/12/indigo-keeps-the-love-of-reading-alive/|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref>

In 2007, the Indigo Love of Reading Foundation produced a documentary chronicling the issue of funding for books in Canadian elementary schools. The documentary ''Writing on the Wall'' recounts the establishment of the foundation, while revealing the current conditions of school libraries and literacy in Canada.<ref>{{cite web|title=Writing on the Wall - Indigo Love of Reading Video| website=[[YouTube]] | date=16 October 2007 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2YG-hKi110 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/h2YG-hKi110| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=13 September 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>  A follow-up documentary was created in 2017<ref>{{cite web|title=Indigo Love of Reading Foundation brings awareness to Canada's literacy crisis in new documentary, Read Between the Lines |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/indigo-love-of-reading-foundation-brings-awareness-to-canadas-literacy-crisis-in-new-documentary-read-between-the-lines-622936693.html/|access-date=13 September 2018}}</ref> titled "Read Between the Lines".<ref>{{cite web|title=Read Between the Lines video| website=[[YouTube]] | date=17 May 2017 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8JXWwM1R-Q |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/J8JXWwM1R-Q| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=13 September 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Kobo Inc.==
[[Rakuten Kobo Inc.|Kobo Inc.]], an e-reader platform and manufacturer, was founded and spun off of Indigo in November 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rakuten to Acquire Kobo |url=http://blog.kobobooks.com/rakuten-to-acquire-kobo |date=November 8, 2011 |publisher=Kobo blog |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112034714/http://blog.kobobooks.com/rakuten-to-acquire-kobo |archive-date=November 12, 2011 }}</ref> By August 2011, the Kobo e-reading platform had become the dominant player in Canada, with research firm [[Ipsos-Reid|Ipsos Reid]] estimating that it represented 36% of the Canadian market as of that date.<ref>{{cite web|last=Barbour |first=Mary Beth |url=http://www.ipsos-na.com/news-polls/pressrelease.aspx?id=5399 |title=BlackBerry, Apple, Kobo Top Brands in Canada's Mobile Device Market |publisher=Ipsos Reid |date=2011-11-08 |access-date=2011-12-17}}</ref>

In November 2011, Japanese [[e-commerce]] company [[Rakuten]] purchased the company for US$315 million in cash.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970204554204577026540176022910 |title=Rakuten to Buy Maker of Kobo E-Reader|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=November 9, 2011 |author=Will Connors |access-date=December 3, 2014}}</ref> Around 58% of Kobo was owned by Indigo at the time of the purchase.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://venturebeat.com/2011/11/08/kobo-acquired-japanese-web-retailer-rakuten-payed-315m-cash/ |title=Kobo acquired: Japanese web retailer Rakuten paid $315M cash |work=VentureBeat |author= J. O'Dell |date=November 8, 2011 |access-date=December 3, 2014}}</ref>

==Employee programs==
Indigo was listed as one of Canada's Top 20 Employer Brands in the 2018 survey by [[Randstad NV]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.randstad.ca/employers/workplace-insights/employer-branding/the-best-employer-brands-in-canada-for-2019/ | title=top 20 companies to work for in 2019 | publisher=[[Randstad NV]] |date=September 26, 2019}}</ref> This is due in part to staff rewards program which includes benefits eligibility for both full-time and part-time employees. Indigo also offers a company-matched RRSP program and yearly employee scholarships.

==Criticism and controversies==
===Charity scandal===
CBC Marketplace showed that Indigo is doubly profiting from its own charity "Love of Reading Foundation": the charity forced schools to buy books only from Indigo at full retail price. Other vendors usually sell to charities at wholesale price.[https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/checkout-donations-poor-transparency-about-where-the-money-goes-1.2963923] Then, the charity used the profits to get charity tax refund for the donation to its own charity. Based on data provided by the CBC documentary, the profits obtained is almost equal to the charity it gives if the tax refunds is taken into account.

===Product removal===
In 2001, Indigo removed [[Adolf Hitler]]'s ''[[Mein Kampf]]'' from the shelves.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goodreports.net/news/news4.htm |title=Goodreports News Archive 4 |publisher=Goodreports.net |access-date=2012-12-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116172904/http://www.goodreports.net/news/news4.htm |archive-date=2013-01-16 }}</ref> In 2006, Indigo decided not to sell the June issue of ''[[Harper's Magazine]]'', which reprinted the [[Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy|controversial cartoons]] of the [[Muslim]] prophet [[Muhammad]] that had led to violent demonstrations around the world.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/indigo-pulls-controversial-harpers-off-the-shelves/article1099927/ |title=Indigo pulls controversial Harper's off the shelves |newspaper= [[The Globe and Mail]]|date=May 27, 2006|author=James Adams}}</ref> Indigo also did not distribute the issue of ''[[Western Standard]]'' which reprinted and discussed those same cartoons.<ref>{{cite web | publisher=The Gazette | title=A little more free speech, please | date=May 31, 2006 | url=http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/editorial/story.html?id=eaf7a2a8-4526-4d31-a8ef-df6d609a8da5 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060629135731/http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/news/editorial/story.html?id=eaf7a2a8-4526-4d31-a8ef-df6d609a8da5 | archive-date=June 29, 2006 }}</ref> The company has also reportedly refused to stock several titles by [[David Icke]], and [[firearms]] magazines.<ref>[http://www.eohc.ca/chapters.asp Eastern Ontario Firearm Club "Boycott Chapters" page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081228011249/http://www.eohc.ca/chapters.asp |date=2008-12-28 }}</ref>



===Competitive position===
The Indigo/Chapters chain has been criticized over what some perceive as a virtual [[monopoly]] over retail-based book sales in Canada. In 2002, the company strongly opposed the entry of [[Amazon.com|Amazon]] into the Canadian marketplace with accusations the U.S.-based company was skirting regulations about foreign ownership of Canadian booksellers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20020625/amazon_canada020625?s_name=&no_ads= |archive-url=https://archive.today/20071017171614/http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20020625/amazon_canada020625?s_name=&no_ads= |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-10-17 |title=CTV News &#124; Top Stories - Breaking News - Top News Headlines |publisher=Ctv.ca |access-date=2012-12-13 }}</ref>

Indigo's expansion has been blamed, among other factors, for the financial difficulties of some [[Independent bookstore|independent booksellers]] in Canada. In particular, its rise coincided with the bankruptcy of [[Lichtman's]], once Canada's largest independent bookseller.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/lichtman-s-books-facing-bankruptcy-1.247236 | work=CBC News | title=Lichtman's files for bankruptcy protection | date=March 7, 2000}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Publishing]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Indigo Books and Music}}
* {{official website}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180729220934/https://www.loveofreading.org/ Indigo Love of Reading Foundation website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070306221140/http://www.canadianencyclopedia.ca/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=M1ARTM0012285 Canadian Encyclopedia: Chapters Bid]
* {{cite web |url=http://www.dooneyscafe.com/archives/71 |title=Bookselling and Book Publishing in Canada, an emergency report &#124; dooneyscafe.com |first=Gordon |last=Lockheed |work=dooneyscafe.com |date=October 26, 2001 |access-date=29 August 2011 |archive-date=1 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401130937/http://www.dooneyscafe.com/archives/71 |url-status=dead }}
* [http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA215084.html?pubdate=4%2F29%2F2002&display=archive Publishers Weekly: Heather Reisman: "Cautiously, Respectfully Bullish"]

{{Kobo}}
{{Bookstore Chains}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Indigo Books And Music}}
[[Category:Indigo Books and Music| ]]
[[Category:Canadian brands]]
[[Category:Companies based in Toronto]]
[[Category:Companies formerly listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange]]
[[Category:Retail companies established in 1996]]
[[Category:Canadian companies established in 1996]]
[[Category:1996 establishments in Ontario]]
[[Category:Bookstores established in the 20th century]]
[[Category:Music retailers of Canada]]
[[Category:Bookstores of Canada]]