The founder of UK book chain Waterstone’s has made an offer to buy back the company from HMV. “Mr Waterstone conceded that he was paying a very full price to regain control, especially as Waterstone’s was facing an uphill struggle to win back market share from online booksellers such as Amazon and supermarkets. But relationships with the publishing industry had been badly damaged by the bid battle for Ottakar’s and HMV would not be as well-placed to repair them, he said.”