Unibooks to close after 80 years supplying universities, more than 100 Adelaide jobs go

Updated

More than 100 jobs will go with the closure of Unibooks, the Adelaide supplier of study materials for South Australia's three public universities and the online Open Universities Australia.

The Adelaide University Union said it would voluntarily wind up the 80-year-old company, closing eight stores at various Adelaide campuses, along with a warehouse and head office.

It said the not-for-profit business was financially sound at present but an independent review of market trends had forecast it would struggle over the next few years amid rising online sales of textbooks and other education materials.

A precise closure date is not being announced, but the University Union said the supplier would meet all its current contracts.

The Unibooks board had been asked to commission the review of operations despite its chief executive and board members recommending a current growth strategy be maintained.

Unibooks said the jobs losses would involve full-time, part-time and casual employees and it hoped to minimise any impact on students and academic staff.

In a statement, Adelaide University said: "It is imperative that students have access to the right tools to succeed at university."

"It is a fundamental part of a quality learning experience. We will be keen to see the decision does not adversely affect our students by exploring the provision of course materials through a variety of means."

Topics: university-and-further-education, education, adelaide-university-5005, adelaide-5000, sa

First posted