Is Chindigo looking to dodge its own death by selling out to Amazon? Despite tapping deeply into the lucrative picture frames and useless-point-of-sale-plastic-shit markets, Indigo’s death has been predicted by analysts and wags for some time now. And with word of Amazon bringing it’s three-ring circus north, it looked more and more likely another designer scented candle was lit by Heather as she cried silently into a holiday themed napkin set deep in her mountain fortress on Bay Street.

Now Heather Reisman, chief executive officer at Indigo Books & Music Inc, has sent a letter to the Minister of Culture asking for clarification of the government’s position on foreign ownership in the book sector. She said she wanted to know “whether this is a fundamental change in the government policy”. She told the Globe & Mail that the move had the “potential to reshape the landscape”.

Under Canadian law bookselling is one of a number of cultural trades protected from foreign ownership so that American influences do not overpower Canada’s culture. Reisman told G&M: “Our request was to determine whether this is a change in policy indicating that book retailing no longer needs to be controlled by Canadians.” The government had previously blocked Reisman entering into a partnership with the US-owned bookseller Borders.

The move could lead to a huge shake-up of Canada’s book trade. Moving into the country would mean the company could ship to Canadian consumers more quickly and cost-effectively. Amazon’s proposal was issued on 27th January, and could take 45 days to “determine if it will be of direct cultural benefit to Canada”, Tim Warmington, media relations officer for Canadian Heritage, told The Bookseller earlier in the week.

“Reshape the landscape…” and “huge shake-up…” I know. I KNOW! It’s too funny, right?

Yet all hope is not lost for you, Head… Do you mind if I call you Head? See, it’s pretty close to common knowledge that now that you’ve nearly accomplished your long-term goal of completely destroying of the Canadian bookselling trade, you’re looking for a way to escape the disease-ridden monster you’ve created, presumably to go on to another hobby that will keep you busy dreaming up ways to separate disposable income from people in the most brain-dead ways possible. See, there might be an out that allows you to do what you live for, Head: appear to win. Moby links to an article on INDEX//mb that postulates the following:

It is news because it means Amazon could dominate on-line sales of general merchandise in Canada. The Bay and Canadian Tire would be screwed.

It is news because it would mean Canadian Heritage would finally clarify the ownership provisions in the book trade that have been fuzzy ever since Simon and Schuster set up in Canada and Little Brown Canada went away.

But it is huge news because it gives Heather Reisman — owner of Indigo/Chapters and Coles — the opportunity to sell her chain of ‘cultural department’ stores thereby, dodging the bullet everybody knows is coming.

Think about it.

The chain has too much square footage and it inherited some bad leases during the Chapters merger. It is in a sector with low margins and insane returns. Attempts to diversify have been mixed –  toy sales have been successful but Pistachio has failed. The online book business has been hemorrhaging money. And the digital wave hasn’t even hit yet. If Tower Records and Blockbuster are any indication, big-box bookstores need to prepare themselves for the day when the customers don’t come in anymore.