Waterstones Booksellers Limited

Waterstones is a prominent British book retailer founded in 1982 by Tim Waterstone. The company has undergone several ownership changes over the years. In 1993, it was acquired by WHSmith, a British retail company. In 1998, Waterstones was purchased by a consortium including Tim Waterstone, EMI, and Advent International, leading to its integration with HMV Group. In 2011, Russian businessman Alexander Mamut's A&NN Capital Fund Management acquired Waterstones, appointing James Daunt as managing director. In 2018, Elliott Management Corporation, an American investment firm, acquired a majority stake in Waterstones, with James Daunt continuing as CEO. Under Elliott's ownership, Waterstones has expanded its presence, operating 317 shops across the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, and the Netherlands as of 2024. The company's flagship store is located on Piccadilly in London, which is also its registered office. Waterstones offers a wide range of books and stationery, employing over 3,600 staff in Britain and Europe. The company is incorporated in England and Wales as Waterstones Booksellers Ltd, with its registered office at 203–206 Piccadilly, London.