WATERSTONES BOOKSELLERS LIMITED
Company number: 00610095
Reporting period:
4 May 2025 to 3 November 2025
Report filed on:
1 December 2025
Approved by:
James Daunt
Contracts and payments
Do any of this business's construction contracts with its suppliers include retention clauses? No
Payment statistics
Average time taken to pay invoices: 69 days
Total value paid:
- within 30 days: £62,346,513 (29%)
- in 31 to 60 days: £24,738,785 (12%)
- in 61 days or more: £127,525,016 (59%)
Invoices paid:
- within 30 days: 22%
- in 31 to 60 days: 9%
- in 61 days or more: 69%
Late and disputed:
- total value of payments due in the reporting period which have not been paid within the agreed period: £21,807,726
- payments due in the reporting period which have not been paid within the agreed period: 9%
- not made in the reporting period due to a dispute: 0%
Payment terms
Shortest standard payment periods
0 days
Longest standard payment period
90 days
Standard payment terms
The standard payment terms for the supply of books is 60 days from the end of the month in which the invoice is received , with an additional 7 working days to ensure funds have cleared through BACs. However there are a number of suppliers who fall outside the standard terms.
The company does not have standard payment terms for the supply of non book products for resale. The most frequest terms for non coffee products are 60 days from the end of month, with payment made on the next working day. The most frequent terms for coffee projects is 30 days
For trade purchases of goods not for resale and services, the company has standard written terms of purchase, which can be found here:-à, and which contain standard terms of payment. However, in certain circumstances, a supplier will seek to impose its own payment terms, and in other circumstances, a bespoke contract will be agreed. The most frequently used payment terms used for suppliers to the company of goods not for resale and services sold in its shops is 30 days from the date of the invoice.
Were there any changes to the standard payment terms in the reporting period?
No
Were suppliers notified or consulted about these changes before they were made?
N/A
Maximum contractual payment period agreed
90 days
No further comment provided
Any other information about payment terms
No further comment provided
Dispute resolution process
Resolution of disputes will be handled on a specfic case by case basis. We always see to resolve disputes as soon as possible.
Other payment information
Has this business signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices? If so, which?
For example, signatories to The Fair Payment Code must commit to paying 95% of their invoices within 60 days.
No, this business has not signed up to a code of conduct or standards on payment practices.
Does this business offer e-invoicing in relation to qualifying contracts?
This is where suppliers can electronically submit and track invoices. It's not just allowing suppliers to email them an invoice.
Yes
Does this business offer supply chain finance?
This is where a supplier who has submitted an invoice can be paid by a third-party finance provider earlier than the agreed payment date. The business would then pay the finance provider the invoiced sum.
No
Under its payment practices and policies, can this business deduct sums from payments under qualifying contracts as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
No
During the reporting period, did the business deduct sums from payments as a charge for remaining on a supplier list?
No