Offering over two million titles, the Web site will feature a blend of content, community, and commerce. It will include book news and reviews from The Globe and Mail, a national calendar of book-related events, and discussion forums.

At the site, readers will have access to a full range of titles not otherwise available from U.S.-based online book sites such as Amazon.com.

In addition, readers will receive Canadian editions when available, thereby supporting Canadian publishers and distributors. Currently, Canadians purchasing books from amazon.com often receive U.S. editions, even if the titles are Canadian.

The design and development of the Web site is a joint project for Chapters and The Globe and Mail. Content will be managed by Globe Information Services which is the electronic affiliate of The Globe and Mail.

This initiative by Chapters will be supported by a newly-created business division to maintain the commerce portion of the site. The company will work with CYBERplex, a Toronto-based Internet business solutions company.