Borders Group Names Oprins Vice President, Merchandising for Non-Book Categories

Borders Group Names Oprins Vice President, Merchandising for Non-Book Categories

ANN ARBOR, Mich., April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE:BGP) today announced that Michael J. Oprins has been named vice president, merchandising for non-book products. Oprins, who has been with the company for more than 18 years, is responsible in this newly created position for leading buying teams in non-book categories including: music, DVD, bargain, digital, newsstand, calendars, games, trend gifts and candy.

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Oprins, 45, brings more than 25 years of retail experience to the position, including several leadership posts at Borders Group that have ranged over nearly two decades from Waldenbooks district manager and divisional merchandise manager to director of merchandising within the children's and calendar businesses. In 2002, Oprins was named vice president, cafe operations, and two years later, was appointed vice president, Paperchase operations, where he developed and led the introduction of Paperchase gift and stationery shops in U.S. Borders superstores.

"Mike is a seasoned leader with strong institutional knowledge of our company as well as a breadth of merchandising and operations experience," said Anne Kubek, executive vice president of merchandising and marketing for Borders Group. "He has successfully developed several business categories here and will play an important role in providing the strategic direction to drive the non-book areas of our business as well."

Prior to joining Borders Group, Oprins served in a variety of management positions with retailers such as Toys R Us and McDonalds.

Since 2002, Oprins has been on the Board of Directors for the Borders Group Foundation, a non-profit organization that assists employees in need. During his term as president of the foundation board, Oprins set strategic direction for fundraising, programs and services, financial investments and succession planning. He also held the positions of vice president and secretary and is currently serving as a member-at-large on the foundation board.

About Borders Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE:BGP) is a leading retailer of books, music and movies with approximately 25,000 employees worldwide. Through its subsidiaries, the company operates more than 1,000 stores primarily under the Borders(R) and Waldenbooks(R) brand names and offers online shopping through Borders.com. For more information about the company, visit www.borders.com/aboutus.

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Source: Borders Group,Inc.

CONTACT: Anne Roman, +1-734-477-1392, aroman@bordersgroupinc.com

Web Site: http://www.bordersgroupinc.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment