BORDERS GROUP INC
10-Q, 1996-12-11
MISCELLANEOUS SHOPPING GOODS STORES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10 - Q
(Mark One)

    [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

               For the quarterly period ended October 27, 1996

                                       OR

   [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

            For the transition period from ________ to __________.

                         Commission file number 1-13740

                               Borders Group, Inc.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                       DELAWARE               38-3196915
                   (State or other         (I.R.S. Employer
                   jurisdiction of          Identification
                   incorporation or              No.)
                    organization)

            500 East Washington Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
                   (Address of principal executive offices)
                                   (zip code)

                                (313) 913-1100
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

      Indicate by check mark  whether the  Registrant  (1) has filed all reports
      required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
      of 1934 during the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that
      the  Registrant  was  required  to file  such  reports),  and (2) has been
      subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
      Yes___X___      No_______

           Title of Class                  Shares Outstanding As Of
            Common Stock                      December 6, 1996
         ($.001 par value)                       37,848,548


<PAGE>






                               BORDERS GROUP, INC.


                                      INDEX




Part I - Financial Information
                        Page

   Item 1.  Financial Statements                              1

   Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
            Financial Condition and Results of
            Operations                                       11

Part II - Other Information


  Item 1.  Legal Proceedings                                N/A

  Item 2.  Changes in Securities                            N/A

  Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities                  N/A

  Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a vote of
           Securityholders                                  N/A

  Item 5.   Other Information                               N/A

  Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                  16


   Signatures




<PAGE>


                               BORDERS GROUP, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
              (Dollars in millions except per common share data)
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                         13 Weeks Ended
                                                   October 27,       October 22,
                                                     1996               1995
                                                   -------            -------
Sales                                              $  413.5           $  362.1
Cost of merchandise sold, including
  occupancy costs                                     314.3              279.4
                                                     ------            -------
Gross profit                                           99.2               82.7
Expenses, selling, general and administrative         100.0               89.1
Pre-opening expense                                     1.8                1.4
Goodwill amortization and write-down                    0.3                0.6
Operating losses of stores identified
 for closure                                           (--)               (0.4)
                                                    -------            -------
Operating loss                                         (2.9)              (8.0)
Interest expense                                        1.8                1.8
                                                    -------            -------
Loss before income tax                                 (4.7)              (9.8)
Income tax benefit                                     (2.0)              (3.8)
                                                    -------            -------
Net loss                                           $   (2.7)          $   (6.0)
                                                   ========            ========

Loss per common share data (Pro forma for 13 weeks ended October 22, 1995 - Note
 2):
Loss per common share                              $ (0.06)           $  (0.15)
                                                   =======             ========
Weighted average common shares
  outstanding (in thousands)                        41,855              40,401
                                                   =======            =======

     See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
                                   Statements.

<PAGE>







                               BORDERS GROUP, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
              (Dollars in millions except per common share data)
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                         39 Weeks Ended
                                                   October 27,       October 22,
                                                    1996               1995
                                                   -------            -------
Sales                                             $ 1,231.8          $ 1,079.5
Cost of merchandise sold, including
  occupancy costs                                     941.6              836.6
                                                    ------             ------
Gross profit                                          290.2              242.9
Selling, general and administrative expenses          294.3              263.7
Pre-opening expense                                     3.8                3.3
Goodwill amortization and writedown                     0.8              185.1
Operating losses of stores identified
 for closure                                           (--)               (2.7)
                                                     -----             -------
Operating loss                                         (8.7)            (206.5)
Interest expense                                        5.3                2.1
                                                     -----             -------
Loss before income tax                                (14.0)            (208.6)
Income tax benefit                                     (5.6)             (10.1)
                                                     -----             -------
Net loss                                           $   (8.4)         $  (198.5)
                                                     ======            =======
Loss per common share data (Pro forma for 39 weeks ended October 22, 1995 - Note
 2):
Loss per common share                                $(0.20)          $(4.66)
                                                    =======          =======
Weighted average common shares
  outstanding (in thousands)                         41,515            42,556
                                                    =======          =======

     See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
                                   Statements.

<PAGE>


                               BORDERS GROUP, INC.
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
               (Dollars in millions except per common share data)
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                10/27/96   10/22/95    1/28/96
Assets
Current Assets
Cash                                            $   43.2   $   41.5   $   36.5
Merchandise inventories                            869.8      736.8      637.5
Accounts receivable and other current assets        50.6      104.6       66.2
                                                 -------    -------    -------
Total current assets                               963.6      882.9      740.2

Property and equipment, net of accumulated
   depreciation of $229.7,
  $188.9 and $218.5, respectively                  279.3      288.7      243.5
Other assets and deferred charges                   38.7       16.2       29.0
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of
   $41.2, $39.8, and
  $40.4, respectively (Note 3)                      38.8       74.4       39.6
                                                 -------    -------    -------
                                                $1,320.4   $1,262.2   $1,052.3
                                                 =======    =======    =======



<PAGE>


                               BORDERS GROUP, INC.
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
               (Dollars in millions except per common share data)
                                   (Unaudited)

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity          10/27/96   10/22/95  1/28/96

Current liabilities:

Short-term debt and capital lease
  obligations due within one year             $  180.5 $  195.2  $   60.5
Trade accounts payable                           498.8    381.7     304.8
Accrued payroll and other liabilities            133.4    124.8     157.0
Restructuring reserve                              3.8     21.0       7.0
Taxes, including income taxes                       --      7.7      13.6
                                               -------  -------   -------

Total  Current Liabilities                       816.5    730.4     542.9
Long-term debt and capital lease
   obligations                                     6.5      8.7       8.1
Other long-term liabilities                       25.6     46.6      29.3
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)              --       --        --
                                               -------  -------   -------

Total Liabilities                                848.6    785.7     580.3
                                               -------  -------   -------
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred Stock, par value $.001 per
   share; 10,000,000 shares authorized;
  no shares issued and outstanding                  --       --        --

Common stock, par value $.001 per share;
  200,000,000 shares authorized;
   37,832,899, 37,510,314 and 37,658,992
  issued and outstanding at
  October 27, 1996, October 22, 1995, and
   January 28, 1996, respectively                   --       --        --
Additional paid-in capital                       674.8    659.8     669.2
Officers receivables and deferred
   compensation                                   (0.8)    (2.1)     (3.4)
Retained earnings (deficit)                     (202.2)  (181.2)   (193.8)
                                               -------  -------   -------

Total stockholders' equity                       471.8    476.5     472.0
                                               -------  -------   -------
                                              $1,320.4 $1,262.2  $1,052.3
                                               =======  =======   =======
      See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
                                   Statements.




<PAGE>



                               BORDERS GROUP, INC.
            CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                     FOR THE 39 WEEKS ENDED October 27, 1996
                              (Dollars in millions)
                                   (Unaudited)



                                         Officers
                                           Rec.     Add'l   Retained
                          Common Stock   Deferred  Paid-in  Earnings
                        Shares  Amount     Comp    Capital  (Deficit)    Total

Balance at 1/28/96      37,658,992  $--    $ (3.4)  $ 669.2  $ (193.8)  $ 472.0
Net loss                    --       --         --       --      (8.4)     (8.4)
Issuance of common
   stock                   173,907   --         --      3.9        --       3.9

Tax benefit of equity
   compensation             --       --         --      1.7        --       1.7

Payment of receivable
   and deferred
   compensation             --       --       2.6        --        --       2.6
                        ----------  ---    -------  -------  --------    ------

Balance at 10/27/96     37,832,899  $--    $ (0.8)  $ 674.8  $  202.2    $471.8
                        ==========  ===    =======  =======  ========    ======


      See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
                                   Statements.


<PAGE>


                               BORDERS GROUP, INC.
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                              (Dollars in millions)
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                   39 Weeks Ended
                                              October 27,   October 22,
                                                 1996           1995
Cash provided by (used for):
Operations
Net loss                                         $(8.4)      $(198.5)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss
  to operating cash flows:
Depreciation and goodwill amortization and
   writedown                                      30.0         213.1
Other non-cash charges                             --            9.5
Increase (decrease) in other long-term assets
   and liabilities                               (12.8)          1.8
Cash provided by (used for) current assets
   and current liabilities:
Increase in inventories                         (232.3)       (209.3)
Decrease in restructuring reserve                 (2.1)        (25.3)
(Increase)decrease in property held for
  resale                                          15.4         (31.1)
Increase in accounts payable                     194.0         110.5
Other, net                                       (29.1)         10.6
                                                ------        ------
Net cash used for operations                     (45.3)       (118.7)
                                                ------        ------
Investing
Capital expenditures                             (71.9)        (89.9)
Proceeds from asset sale                           2.0           ---
                                                ------        ------
Net cash used for investing                      (69.9)        (89.9)
                                                ------        ------

Financing
Net funding from credit facility                 120.0         195.0
Issuance of common stock                           3.9           9.7
Repayment of long-term debt                       (2.0)         (6.9)
Purchase of shares held by Kmart                    --         (72.7)
Repayment of Kmart intercompany borrowings          --        (112.0)
                                                ------        ------
Net cash provided by financing                   121.9          13.1
                                                ------        ------
Net increase (decrease) in cash                    6.7        (195.5)
and equivalents
Cash and equivalents at beginning
of year                                           36.5         237.0
                                                ------        ------
Cash and equivalents at end of period          $  43.2       $  41.5
                                                ======        ======
          See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated
                              Financial Statements.


<PAGE>


                               BORDERS GROUP, INC.

                          NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED
                        CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
               (Dollars in millions except per common share data)



Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

      The accompanying  unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of
Borders  Group,  Inc. (the  Company) have been prepared in accordance  with Rule
10-01  of  Regulation  S-X and do not  include  all the  information  and  notes
required by generally  accepted  accounting  principles  for complete  financial
statements.  All adjustments,  consisting only of normal recurring  adjustments,
have been made which,  in the opinion of  management,  are  necessary for a fair
presentation  of the results of the interim  periods.  The results of operations
for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results of operations
for a full year.  The  unaudited  condensed  consolidated  financial  statements
should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  Company's  consolidated  financial
statements  and notes  thereto for the fiscal  year ended  January 28, 1996 (the
1995 consolidated financial statements).

      The  Company's  fiscal year ends on the Sunday  immediately  preceding the
last Wednesday in January.  At October 27, 1996, the Company operated a chain of
966 mall-based bookstores,  142 book superstores,  and 5 music stores throughout
the United States.

      Certain reclassifications of previously reported October 22, 1995 balances
have been made to conform with the 1995 change in reporting presentation.

Note 2 - Public Offering of Common Stock

      An initial  public  offering of the  Company's  common stock (the IPO) was
completed  June 1, 1995.  Prior to the IPO,  the  Company  was a  majority-owned
subsidiary  of  Kmart.  As a  result  of the  IPO and a  subsequent  transaction
completed  in August 1995,  Kmart no longer  holds an interest in the  Company's
common  stock.  See the  1995  consolidated  financial  statements  for  further
discussion.


<PAGE>


      Weighted average shares outstanding are calculated as follows:
                                                                       Pro Forma
                                                  13 Weeks      13 Weeks
                                                    Ended        Ended
                                                  10/27/96      10/22/95
                                                  --------      --------
Shares outstanding at beginning of period          37,776         42,867
Purchase of Kmart's remaining interest                            (3,981)
Shares issued during the period                        38             15
Common stock equivalents                            4,040          1,500
                                                   ------         ------
Weighted average common shares outstanding         41,854         40,401
                                                   ======         ======
The pro forma  earnings per common share data are based on actual  common shares
outstanding  after the IPO and  assume the IPO took  place at the  beginning  of
fiscal 1995.

Note 3 - Accounting for Goodwill

     In the second and fourth  quarters  of 1995 the  Company  recorded  pre-tax
charges to operations of $182.0 and $19.8,  respectively,  to reflect the change
in the method of  evaluating  the  recoverability  of goodwill and its continued
application.  These noncash  write-downs in goodwill were the result of a change
in policy  by the  Company  after  the IPO to  evaluate  the  recoverability  of
goodwill  based on a fair value method.  There was no write-down  required under
this policy in the quarter or year-to-date period ended October 27, 1996.

Note 4 - Restructuring Program

      In 1993, the Company implemented a restructuring plan pursuant to which it
planned  to close 187  underperforming  Walden  stores  and to  combine  certain
distribution  and  headquarters  functions  of Borders and  Walden.  The Company
recorded a restructuring  charge of $142.8 to provide for the estimated costs of
implementing the plan. The Company recorded an additional  charge of $6.4 in the
fourth  quarter of 1994 to reflect  revised  estimates of the cost of completing
the  restructuring  plan. As of January 28, 1996, the program was  substantially
complete. For the 13 weeks and 39 weeks ended October 27, 1996, $0.5 and $2.1 of
cash expenditures were charged to the restructuring reserve.



<PAGE>



Note 5 - Commitments and Contingencies

      There are  various  claims,  lawsuits,  and  actions  pending  against the
Company and its subsidiaries  which are incident to their operations.  It is the
opinion of  management  that the ultimate  resolution  of these matters will not
have a material effect on the Company's liquidity, financial position or results
of operations.

      During  1994,  the Company  entered into an agreement in which leases with
respect to four  Borders'  locations  serve as collateral  for certain  mortgage
pass-through  certificates.  These mortgage pass-through  certificates include a
provision  requiring the Company to repurchase the underlying  mortgage notes in
certain  events,  including  the failure by the Company to make payments of rent
under the related leases,  the failure by Kmart to maintain required  investment
grade  ratings or the  termination  of the  guarantee by Kmart of the  Company's
obligations  under the related  leases  (which would require  mutual  consent of
Kmart and Borders).  In the event the Company is required to  repurchase  all of
the  underlying   mortgage  notes,   the  Company  would  be  obligated  to  pay
approximately  $36.6. Kmart has failed to maintain  investment grade ratings and
therefore these notes are now subject to put by the holder.  To date, the holder
has not exercised its rights to put the notes.

      The  Company  does not  believe  that the note  purchase  would have had a
material effect on the Company's financial position or earnings.

Note 6 - Financing

     Credit Facility:  The Company has a credit agreement which provides a $300,
five-year  working capital  facility.  Borrowings under the credit facility bear
interest at a base rate or an increment over LIBOR at the Company's option.  The
credit agreement contains operating  covenants which limit the Company's ability
to  incur  indebtedness,  make  acquisitions,   dispose  of  assets  and  issue,
repurchase  in excess of $50 million of its common  stock,  pay dividends on its
common  stock,  and  require  the  Company to meet  certain  financial  measures
regarding fixed charge  coverage,  leverage and tangible net worth.  The Company
had borrowings  outstanding  under the credit  facility of $180.0 at October 27,
1996 and $215.0 at December 9, 1996.

Lease Financing  Facility:  On November 26, 1995 the Company entered into a five
year, $150 lease financing  facility ("the  Facility") to finance new stores and
other property through operating leases.  The Facility will provide financing to
Lessors through loans from a third party lender for up to 95% of a project cost.
It is expected that Lessors will make equity  contributions  approximating 5% of
each  project.  Independent  of its  obligations  as lessee,  the  Company  will
guarantee payment when due of all amounts required to be paid to the third party
lender.  The principal amount guaranteed will be limited to approximately 89% of
the  original  cost of a project so long as the Company is not in default  under
the lease relating to such project.  There was $84.1 outstanding under the lease
facility at October 27, 1996 and $95.5 at December 9, 1996.

      In February  1996,  the Company  entered into  interest  rate swaps with a
total  notional  amount  of $140,  which  effectively  converted  variable  rate
borrowings  to a fixed rate based on 3 month LIBOR.  These swap  agreements  all
expire within 12 months of the date the Company entered into the agreements.



<PAGE>






ITEM 2.     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
            CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

General

      The Company,  through its subsidiaries,  is the second largest operator of
book superstores and the largest operator of mall-based bookstores in the United
States  based upon both sales and number of stores.  At October  27,  1996,  the
Company operated 142 book superstores under the Borders name, 966 mall-based and
other  bookstores  primarily under the Waldenbooks  name, and 5 stores under the
names Planet Music and CD Superstore.

      The  Company's  third  quarter of 1996 and 1995  consisted of the 13 weeks
ended October 27, 1996 and October 22, 1995, respectively.

Reporting  Format.  During 1995, the Company  changed its reporting  format from
prior years to reclassify  certain occupancy costs and exclude buying costs from
cost  of  sales.  Previously  reported  October  22,  1995  balances  have  been
reclassified to conform to the revised presentation.

Results of Operations

      The following table presents the Company's  statement of operations  data,
as a percentage of sales, for the periods indicated:

                                       13 Weeks Ended            39 Weeks Ended
                                       ---------------           ---------------
                                      10/27/96   10/22/95    10/27/96  10/22/95
                                       -----      -----       -----     -----


Sales                                    100.0%     100.0%    100.0%     100.0%
Cost of merchandise sold, including
occupancy costs                           76.0       77.2      76.4       77.5
                                         -----      -----     -----      -----
Gross margin                              24.0       22.8      23.6       22.5
Selling, general and administrative
expenses                                  24.2       24.6      23.9       24.4
Pre-opening expense                        0.4        0.4       0.3        0.3
Goodwill amortization and writedown        0.1        0.2       0.1       17.1
Operating losses of stores identified
for closure (1)                            --        (0.1)      --        (0.3)
                                          -----      -----    -----      -----
Operating loss                            (0.7)      (2.2)     (0.7)     (19.1)
Interest expense                           0.4        0.5       0.4        0.2
                                          -----      -----    -----      -----
Loss before income tax                    (1.1)      (2.7)     (1.1)     (19.3)
Income tax benefit                        (0.5)      (1.0)     (0.5)      (0.9)
                                          -----      -----    -----      -----
Net Loss                                  (0.7)%     (1.7)%    (1.6)%    (18.4)%
                                          =====      =====    =====      =====
Net Loss excluding writedown              (0.7)%     (1.7)%    (1.6)%     (1.5)%
                                          =====      =====    =====      =====

(1)  Operating  losses from stores  included  in the  Waldenbooks  restructuring
program are charged against the reserve for such losses in 1995.

<PAGE>



Store Activity

The Company's store activity is summarized below:

                                          Quarter Ended         Year Ended
                                       October 27,  October 22, January 28,
                                           1996        1995         1996
                                         --------     -------     -------
Borders Superstores
Beginning number of stores                   127          88           75
Openings                                      15           9           41
                                           -----       -----        -----

Ending number of stores                      142          97          116
                                           =====       =====        =====

Walden Mall Bookstores
Beginning number of stores                   966       1,037        1,102
Openings                                       5           3            5
Closings                                      (5)        (17)        (115)
                                           -----       -----        -----
Ending number of stores                      966       1,023          992
                                           =====       =====        =====

CD Superstores/ Planet Music
Superstores:
Beginning number of stores                     7          10           10
Closings                                      (2)        ---           (1)
                                           -----       -----        -----
Endings                                        5          10            9
                                           =====       =====        =====


13 Weeks Ended October 27, 1996 and October 22, 1995

      Sales in the third quarter of 1996 were $413.5  million,  a $51.4 million,
or 14.2%,  increase  over  third  quarter  1995  sales of $362.1  million.  This
increase  reflects  a $63.0  million,  or  42.3%,  increase  in  Borders'  sales
resulting from new store openings and a comparable store sales increase of 8.6%.
This  increase  was  offset in part by a decline  in  Waldenbooks  sales of $7.8
million due to store closings and a 0.2% decrease in comparable store sales.

      Cost of merchandise sold, including occupancy costs, was $314.3 million in
the third quarter of 1996, as compared with $279.4  million in the third quarter
of 1995. Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 24.0% in 1996 versus 22.8% in
1995. This 1.2%  improvement  reflects the impact of  consolidated  distribution
operations  and improved  buying  resulting in higher  initial  product  margin,
reduced  depreciation  as a result of the fourth quarter 1995 SFAS 121 write-off
and tighter control of inventory shrinkage.

      Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses in the third quarter
of 1996 were up $10.9 million, or 12.2%, over SG&A expenses in the third quarter
of 1995 ($100.0  million versus $89.1 million).  As a percentage of sales,  SG&A
expenses  fell from 24.6% to 24.2% in 1996.  This 0.4% decrease is primarily due
to the leveraging of corporate overhead over the Company's expanding sales base,
as well as headcount and wage savings resulting from the move of the Waldenbooks
headquarters  from  Stamford,  Connecticut  to Ann Arbor,  Michigan in the third
quarter of 1995 and higher marketing allowances.

      Pre-opening  expense  in the third  quarter  of 1996 was $1.8  million  as
compared to $1.4 million in 1995.  Pre-opening  expense consists  principally of
grand-opening  advertising expense and store payroll related to the opening, and
is expensed in the first full fiscal month of a store's operations.  Pre-opening
expense per store  varies  primarily  as a result of  differing  levels of grand
opening  advertising,   depending  on  the  presence  of  the  Company  and  its
competitors in the market and differing  levels of labor costs  associated  with
merchandising  the  store.  The  Company  opened 15  Borders  superstores  and 5
Waldenbooks  mall-based  store in the third  quarter  of 1996 as  compared  to 9
Borders  superstores  and 3 Waldenbooks  store in the third quarter of 1995. The
increase  in  pre-opening  expense  is a result of the  timing of the 1996 store
openings.

      Goodwill  amortization  was $0.3  million  in the  third  quarter  1996 as
compared to $0.6  million in 1995.  The decrease in goodwill  amortization  is a
result of the goodwill write-down taken in 1995.

      Interest  expense was $1.8 million in both the third quarter of 1996 and
1995.

       Income  tax  benefit  in the third  quarter  of 1996 was $2.0  million as
compared to a benefit of $3.8 million in 1995.

39 Weeks Ended October 27, 1996 and October 22, 1995

      Sales for the 39 weeks ended October 27, 1996,  were $1,231.8  million,  a
$152.3 million, or 14.1%, increase over sales for the 39 weeks ended October 22,
1995, of $1,079.5 million.  This increase  reflects a $194.0 million,  or 46.0%,
increase in Borders'  sales  resulting  from new store openings and a comparable
store sales  increase of 9.2%.  This increase was offset in part by a decline in
Waldenbooks  sales of $34.5 million due to store closings and a 1.2% decrease in
comparable store sales.

      Cost of merchandise sold, including occupancy costs, was $941.6 million in
the first 39 weeks of 1996, as compared  with $836.6  million in the same period
of 1995. Gross margin as a percentage of sales was 23.6% in 1996 versus 22.5% in
1995. This 1.1% improvement  reflects the impact of higher initial margin due to
improved  buying,  tighter  control of  inventory  shrinkage  and  savings  from
consolidated distribution operations.

      Selling,  general  and  administrative  ("SG&A")  expenses in the 39 weeks
ended October 27, 1996 were $294.3  million  versus $263.7  million for the same
period of 1995. As a percentage of sales,  SG&A expenses fell from 24.4% in 1995
to 23.9%  1996.  This  0.5%  decrease  is  primarily  due to the  leveraging  of
corporate overhead over the Company's expanding sales base, as well as headcount
and wage savings  resulting from the move of the Waldenbooks  headquarters  from
Stamford,  Connecticut  to Ann Arbor,  Michigan in the third quarter of 1995 and
higher co-op advertising rebates.

      Pre-opening  expense  in the  first 39  weeks  of 1996  was  $3.8  million
compared to $3.3 million in the same 1995 period.  The Company opened 26 Borders
superstores and 8 Waldenbooks  mall-based  store by the end of the third quarter
of 1996 as compared to 22 Borders  superstores  and 4  Waldenbooks  store in the
first 39 weeks of 1995.

     Goodwill  amortization  was $0.8  million  in the first 39 weeks of 1996 as
compared to $185.1 million of goodwill  amortization  and writedown in the first
39 weeks of 1995,  which  included  the  $182.0  writedown  taken in the  second
quarter  of 1995.  The  decrease  in  goodwill  amortization  is a result of the
goodwill write-down taken in 1995.

      Interest expense was $5.3 million in 1996 as compared to $2.1 in 1995. The
increase is due  primarily  to  borrowings  outstanding  during the period ended
October 27, 1996 used to fund the Kmart share  purchase in the third  quarter of
1995.

       Income  tax  benefit  for the first 39 weeks of 1996 was $5.6  million as
compared to a benefit of $10.1 million in the same 1995 period.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

      The Company's  principal capital  requirements are to fund working capital
needs, the opening of new stores and the refurbishment and expansion of existing
stores.

      Net cash used for  operations  for the 39 weeks ended October 27, 1996 was
$46.3 million as compared to $118.7 million in the  corresponding  period in the
prior year.  The current  year  activity  primarily  reflects a net loss of $8.4
million  combined with an increase in payables of $194.0  million and a decrease
in  property  held for resale of $15.4  million  offset by a  decrease  in other
current  liabilities  of $27.1 million and an increase in  inventories of $232.8
million.  The decrease in cash used for operations as compared to the prior year
is primarily attributable to the decrease in inventory, net of accounts payable,
over the prior year  representing the Company's focus on reducing its investment
in inventory at mall stores and improving inventory  management  resulting in an
increase  in vendor  funded  inventory.  Other  operating  cash  flow  primarily
represents  decreases  in  accrued  liabilities  and  other  non-trade  accounts
payable.  The Company  expects to complete  the sale of  properties  included in
property held for resale during 1996 and 1997.

      Net  cash  used for  investing  for the  first 39 weeks of 1996 was  $69.9
million as compared to $89.9 million in the first 39 weeks of 1995.  The Company
opened 26 new superstores and 8 new Waldenbooks  stores in the first 39 weeks of
1996 versus 22 new  superstores  in the first 39 weeks of 1995.  The decrease is
due primarily to the use of the company's lease facility to construct  developer
financed store locations.

      Net cash  provided by  financing  in the first 39 weeks of 1996 was $121.9
million versus cash used for financing of $13.1 million in the first 39 weeks of
1995.  Net cash  provided  by  financing  in 1996  resulted  primarily  from net
borrowings under the credit facility.

      The Company  anticipates that planned closings of Waldenbooks  stores will
decrease  Waldenbooks'  annual working capital  requirements.  On a consolidated
basis,  the Company  expects its working  capital  requirements to increase as a
result of its expansion program for its Borders books and music superstores.

      In 1995 the Company entered into a $300 million, five-year working capital
line of credit,  with a syndicate  of banks.  The Company had $180.0  million in
outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility as of October 27, 1996

      On November  26, 1995 the Company  entered  into a five year $150  million
lease  financing  facility  to finance  new stores  and other  property  through
operating  leases.  The lease facility will provide financing to Lessors through
loans from a third party lender for up to 95% of a project  cost. It is expected
that Lessors will make equity  contributions  approximating  5% of each project.
Independent  of its  obligations as lessee,  the Company will guarantee  payment
when due of all  amounts  required  to be paid to the third  party  lender.  The
principal amount guaranteed will be limited to approximately 89% of the original
cost of a  project  so long as the  Company  is not in  default  under the lease
relating to such project.  There were 24 properties  financed  through the lease
facility,  with a  financed  value  of  $84.1  million,  at  October  27,  1996.
Management believes that the rental payments for properties financed through the
lease facility may be lower than those which the Company could obtain  elsewhere
due to, among other  factors,  (i) the lower  borrowing  rates  available to the
Company's  landlords  under the facility,  and (ii) the fact the rental payments
for properties financed through the facility do not include  amortization of the
principal  amounts of the  landlords'  indebtedness  related to the  properties.
Rental  payments  relating to such  properties  will be adjusted when  permanent
financing is obtained to reflect the interest rates available at the time of the
refinancing and the amortization of principal.

      During  1994,  the Company  entered into  agreements  in which leases with
respect to four  Borders'  locations  serve as collateral  for certain  mortgage
pass-through  certificates.  These mortgage pass-through  certificates include a
provision  requiring the Company to repurchase the underlying  mortgage notes in
certain  events,  including  the failure by the Company to make payments of rent
under the related leases,  the failure by Kmart to maintain required  investment
grade  ratings or the  termination  of the  guarantee by Kmart of the  Company's
obligations  under the related  leases  (which would require  mutual  consent of
Kmart and Borders).  In the event the Company is required to  repurchase  all of
the  underlying   mortgage  notes,   the  Company  would  be  obligated  to  pay
approximately  $36.6 million.  The Company would expect to fund this  obligation
through  its line of  credit.  Kmart has  failed to  maintain  investment  grade
ratings,  and  therefore,  these notes are now subject to put by the holder.  To
date, the holder has not exercised its right to put the notes.

      In addition to the  contingent  repurchase  obligations  described  above,
leases relating to two other Borders  locations served as collateral for certain
mortgage  pass-thru  certificates.  On March  11,  1996  Kmart was  required  to
repurchase the underlying  notes. The Company purchased the notes from Kmart for
approximately  $12.1 on June 18,  1996,  which  fully  satisfied  the  Company's
contingent obligation.

      The Company  does not believe  that the note  purchase  has had a material
effect on the Company's financial position or earnings.


<PAGE>






                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. Exhibits and reports on form 8-K

Exhibits:

(a)   Exhibits: 11.1  Statement of Computation of per share earnings
                27.0  Financial Data Schedule
                10.35 Amendment No. 7 and Consent to Credit Agreement among
                      Borders Group, Inc., its Subsidiaries and Parties Thereto

(b)   Reports on Form 8-K: None



<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES


Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereto duly authorized.

                               BORDERS GROUP, INC.
                                  (Registrant)



Date:   December 10, 1996                 By:         /s/
                                             -------------------------
                                             George R. Mrkonic
                                              Vice Chairman and President
                                              (Principal Financial and
                                                Accounting Officer)
<PAGE>



                               AMENDMENT NO. 7 TO
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


            THIS  AMENDMENT  NO. 7 TO  CREDIT  AGREEMENT  (the  "Amendment")  is
entered  into as of the 2nd day of  December,  1996  by and  between  PNC  BANK,
NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION,  as  Administrative  Agent  under  the  Credit  Agreement
described below, on behalf of the Lenders,  and BORDERS GROUP,  INC., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), on behalf of the Borrowers.

                                   WITNESSETH:

            WHEREAS,  the Borrowers,  the Lenders,  the Administrative Agent and
the Syndication  Agent have entered into that certain Credit  Agreement dated as
of March 28, 1995 (as heretofore amended, the "Agreement";  terms defined in the
Agreement, as amended hereby, which are used herein shall have the same meanings
as are set  forth in the  Agreement  for such  terms  unless  otherwise  defined
herein);

            WHEREAS, the Borrowers have requested that the Lenders amend certain
provisions of the  Agreement,  and the Lenders are willing to do so on the terms
and subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth; and

            WHEREAS,   pursuant  to  Section   12.01  of  the   Agreement,   the
Administrative  Agent,  with the written  consent of the Required  Lenders,  may
enter into  certain  prescribed  amendments  to the  Agreement  on behalf of the
Lenders, and the Company may enter into amendments of the Agreement on behalf of
the Borrowers;

            NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration of the premises set forth above,
the  terms  and  conditions  contained  herein,  and  other  good  and  valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
Lenders and the Borrowers hereby agree as follows:

            1.     Amendment  to  Agreement.   Upon  the  Effective  Date  (as
defined in Section 2 below), the Agreement is amended as follows:

                  a.     Clause (xiii) of the  definition of "Permitted  Lien"
in Section 1.01 is amended by deleting  the words  "Section  8.02(a)(xv)"  and
inserting in lieu thereof the following: "Section 8.02(a)(xi)".

                  b.     The definition of "Consolidated  Funded Indebtedness"
in Section 1.01 is amended by inserting the following  after "Lease  Financing
Guarantee": "or permitted by Section 8.02(c)(viii)".

                  c.     The   definition  of  "Fee  Letters"  is  amended  by
inserting the following immediately after "Syndication Agent":

                   and all other letter  agreements  between the Company and any
party  hereto  under  which the  parties  thereto  designate  that  such  letter
agreement is a fee letter for  purposes of this  Agreement,  including,  without
limitation,  the letter  agreements  dated as of November  14, 1996  between the
Company and the Administrative Agent or the Syndication Agent.

                  d.     The  definition  of "Fees" in Section 1.01 is amended
by inserting  the following  immediately  after "Usage Fee":  "the  Repurchase
Fee".

                  e.     Section  1.01 is amended by  amending  and  restating
the definitions set forth below as follows:

                         Financed  Lease shall mean a lease of real  property,
improvements on real property or real property and  improvements  thereon by the
Company  or  any  of  its   Subsidiaries   entered  into  (i)  pursuant  to  the
Participation  Agreement or (ii) in connection  with the  Supplemental  Facility
(including  without  limitation any lease with respect to Indebtedness under the
Project Loan Agreements (as defined in the Lease Credit Agreement)  purchased or
assigned as part of the Supplemental Facility).

                         Foreign  Joint Venture  shall mean  individually  and
Foreign Joint Ventures shall mean  collectively  any  corporation,  partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture or other entity (i) incorporated in any
jurisdiction  other  than a state of the  United  States  of  America  or formed
primarily  for the  purpose of doing  business  outside of the United  States of
America and (ii) in which the Company and its  Subsidiaries own less than 50% of
the  capital  stock,  partnership  interests,   membership  interests  or  other
ownership interests.

                         Lease  Financing  Payment  shall mean any  payment by
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries  (i) under the Lease Financing  Guarantee
or  any  Supplemental  Lease  Financing   Agreement  in  respect  of  Contingent
Obligations  described in Section  8.02(c)(viii) (other than in respect of Basic
Rent (as  defined  in the Lease  Credit  Agreement  and the  Supplemental  Lease
Financing  Agreements  (or  if  the  term  Basic  Rent  is  not  defined  in the
Supplemental Lease Financing Agreements, as the amount represented by Basic Rent
as  defined  in  the  Lease  Credit  Agreement  is  otherwise   defined  in  the
Supplemental Lease Financing Agreements)), (ii) to purchase or otherwise acquire
all or any portion of any  Property  subject to any Financed  Lease,  including,
without limitation,  all payments pursuant to the exercise by the Company or any
of its  Subsidiaries  of any Purchase Option (as defined in a Financed Lease) or
similar  option as provided in any  Supplemental  Lease  Financing  Agreement or
(iii)  that  constitutes  a  payment  of the  Termination  Value or the  Maximum
Residual  Guarantee  Amount (as each such term is  defined  in the Lease  Credit
Agreement  or the  Supplemental  Lease  Financing  Agreements  (or a  comparable
payment under the Supplemental Lease Financing  Agreements if such terms are not
defined therein)).

                         Lease  Financing  Rent  Expense  shall mean all Basic
Rent (as  defined  in the Lease  Credit  Agreement  and the  Supplemental  Lease
Financing  Agreements  (or  if  the  term  Basic  Rent  is  not  defined  in the
Supplemental Lease Financing Agreements, as the amount represented by Basic Rent
as  defined  in  the  Lease  Credit  Agreement  is  otherwise   defined  in  the
Supplemental  Lease  Financing  Agreements))  payable  by the  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries, as lessee or sublessee under a Financed Lease.

                         Restricted  Subsidiary  shall mean  individually  and
Restricted  Subsidiaries  shall mean  collectively any Subsidiary of the Company
(other than  Unrestricted  Subsidiaries) of which 50% or more of the outstanding
shares of capital stock, partnership interests or membership interests are owned
by the Company  (whether  directly or through  one or more  Subsidiaries  of the
Company).

                  f.     Section  1.01 is amended by inserting  the  following
definitions in their proper alphabetical sequence:

                         Capitalized  Rent Expense  shall mean an amount equal
to four times the sum of Rent Expense and Lease Financing Rent Expense.

                         Distributions  shall  have the  meaning  assigned  to
such term in Section 8.02(e).

                         Domestic  Joint Venture shall mean  individually  and
Domestic Joint Ventures shall mean  collectively any  corporation,  partnership,
limited liability company, joint venture or other entity (i) incorporated in any
state of the United  States of America for the purpose of doing  business in the
United States of America and (ii) in which the Company and its  Subsidiaries own
less than 50% of the capital stock, partnership interests,  membership interests
or other ownership interests.

                         Investments  shall have the meaning  assigned to such
term in Section 8.02(d).

                         Joint  Venture  shall mean any Foreign  Joint Venture
or Domestic  Joint  Venture,  and Joint  Ventures shall mean all Foreign Joint
Ventures and Domestic Joint Ventures.

                         Leverage  Ratio shall mean the ratio  (expressed as a
percentage)  of  Consolidated  Funded  Indebtedness  plus four times Annual Rent
Expense  plus eight times Annual Lease  Financing  Rent Expense to  Consolidated
Total  Capital plus four times Annual Rent Expense plus eight times Annual Lease
Financing Rent Expense.

                         Permitted  Joint Venture  Activity shall mean (i) any
Investment by any Borrower in any Joint Venture or any Contingent Obligations of
any Borrower in respect of any Indebtedness of any Joint Venture,  provided that
(a) the aggregate amount of all such Investments and Contingent Obligations does
not at any time exceed 15% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth,  determined as of
the last day of the Fiscal Quarter most recently ended, (b) the aggregate amount
of all such Investments and Contingent Obligations in all Foreign Joint Ventures
does not at any time exceed 10% of Consolidated  Tangible Net Worth,  determined
as of the  last day of the  Fiscal  Quarter  most  recently  ended,  and (c) the
aggregate  amount of all such  Investments  and  Contingent  Obligations  in all
Domestic Joint Ventures does not at any time exceed 10% of Consolidated Tangible
Net Worth,  determined  as of the last day of the Fiscal  Quarter most  recently
ended and (ii) any  Contingent  Obligations  of Borrowers,  or  Indebtedness  of
Borrowers  constituting  reimbursement  obligations  under  letters  of  credit,
relating to leases executed, as lessee, by a Joint Venture,  provided,  that the
aggregate  amount of such Contingent  Obligations and Indebtedness is limited to
lease payments  (whether such amounts are fixed or percentage  rent, fees, costs
or  otherwise)  not in excess of an aggregate of (x)  $15,000,000  in any Fiscal
Year with respect to all Joint Ventures, (y) $10,000,000 in any Fiscal Year with
respect to all Foreign  Joint  Ventures and (z)  $10,000,000  in any Fiscal Year
with respect to all Domestic Joint Ventures.

                         Permitted  Restricted  Subsidiary Activity shall mean
(i)  any  Investment  by  any  Borrower  in  any  Restricted  Subsidiary  or any
Contingent  Obligations  of any Borrower in respect of any  Indebtedness  of any
Restricted  Subsidiary,  provided  that  (a) the  aggregate  amount  of all such
Investments  and  Contingent  Obligations  does  not at any time  exceed  20% of
Consolidated  Tangible  Net Worth,  determined  as of the last day of the Fiscal
Quarter most recently ended, (b) the aggregate amount of all equity  investments
and capital  contributions  made by the Borrowers in any  Restricted  Subsidiary
does not exceed 15% of  Consolidated  Tangible Net Worth,  determined  as of the
last day of the Fiscal Quarter most recently ended,  (c) the aggregate amount of
all loans or advances  by the  Borrowers  to  Restricted  Subsidiaries  does not
exceed 15% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth,  determined as of the last day of
the Fiscal  Quarter  most  recently  ended and (d) the  aggregate  amount of all
Contingent Obligations of the Borrowers in respect of Indebtedness of Restricted
Subsidiaries does not exceed 15% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth,  determined
as of the  last day of the  Fiscal  Quarter  most  recently  ended  and (ii) any
Contingent  Obligations of Borrowers,  or Indebtedness of Borrowers constituting
reimbursement  obligations under letters of credit, relating to leases executed,
as lessee, by a Restricted Subsidiary,  provided,  that, the aggregate amount of
such  Contingent  Obligations  and  Indebtedness  is limited  to lease  payments
(whether such amounts are fixed or percentage  rent,  fees,  costs or otherwise)
not in excess of an aggregate of  $15,000,000 in any Fiscal Year with respect to
all Restricted Subsidiaries.

                         Repurchase  Amount  shall mean  $50,000,000,  as such
amount may be reduced by the Company pursuant to Section 2.03(d).

                         Repurchase  Fee shall have the  meaning  assigned  to
such term in Section 2.03(d).

                         Supplemental   Facility   shall   have  the   meaning
assigned to such term in Section 8.02(c)(viii).

                         Supplemental  Lease Financing  Agreements  shall mean
all agreements executed in connection with the Supplemental Facility, including,
without  limitation,  any guarantee or reimbursement  obligation in respect of a
letter of credit or other  agreement under which  Contingent  Obligations of the
Borrowers are created in respect of the Supplemental Facility.

                         Unrestricted  Subsidiary shall mean  individually and
Unrestricted  Subsidiaries shall mean collectively any Subsidiary of the Company
(i) of which 80% or more of the outstanding shares of capital stock, partnership
interests or membership  interests are owned by the Company (whether directly or
through one or more  Subsidiaries of the Company) and (ii) that has executed and
delivered  a  letter  agreement  in  form  and  substance  satisfactory  to  the
Administrative  Agent  under  which  such  Subsidiary  agrees to be bound by the
provisions  of Article IX hereof,  together  with such legal  opinions and other
documents and instruments as the Administrative Agent may request.

                         Wholly-owned  Subsidiary shall mean  individually and
Wholly-owned  Subsidiaries shall mean collectively any Subsidiary of the Company
of which  all of the  outstanding  shares  of  capital  stock  or  other  equity
interests  are owned by the  Company  (whether  directly  or through one or more
Wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the Company).

                  g.     Section 2.03 is amended by adding the  following as a
new clause (d) and renumbering the existing clause (d) as clause (e):

                         (d)  Repurchase  Fee.  The  Borrowers   hereby  agree
that,  upon the purchase by the Company of any common stock of the Company,  the
Borrowers  shall have an  irrevocable  obligation  to pay to the  Administrative
Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, a nonrefundable fee (the "Repurchase Fee")
calculated on a daily basis by multiplying  .2667% per annum by the gross amount
paid by the Company  for such stock.  With  respect to each such  repurchase  of
stock,  the Repurchase Fee shall accrue from the date of any such purchase until
the later of (a) the date that is 2 years from the date of such purchase and (b)
the date on which the  Leverage  Ratio,  calculated  as of the end of any Fiscal
Quarter, is less than 60%, provided,  that in calculating the Leverage Ratio for
purposes of this Section, the Company shall be deemed to have repurchased common
stock  of the  Company  and  paid  the  full  Repurchase  Amount  therefor.  The
Repurchase Fee shall be allocated  among the Lenders in proportion to the amount
of the Commitment  provided by each Lender. Such Repurchase Fee shall be payable
in arrears on the last Business Day of each March, June,  September and December
after  the  date  hereof,   provided,  that  on  the  Expiration  Date  or  upon
acceleration  of the  Obligations,  the  Repurchase  Fee  accrued  to such  date
together with the  Repurchase  Fee that would be payable  thereafter but for the
occurrence of the Expiration Date or acceleration of the  Obligations,  shall be
immediately due and payable.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the amount payable
under this clause (d) by the Company on the Expiration Date or upon acceleration
of the  Obligations  shall not exceed the Repurchase Fee that otherwise would be
payable for a full Fiscal Quarter  during the two years  referred to above.  The
Company  may upon  five (5)  Business  Days  written  irrevocable  notice to the
Administrative Agent permanently reduce the Repurchase Amount in whole multiples
of $5,000,000 to an amount not less than the aggregate  amount  theretofore paid
by the Company with respect to  repurchases  of its common stock as permitted by
Section 8.02(e).

                  h. Section 6.01(j) is amended by inserting  immediately  after
the term "margin stock" the first time such term appears in the second  sentence
thereof the following:  "(other than common stock of the Company  repurchased in
accordance with Section 8.02(e))".
                  i.     Section  6.02 is  amended  by  inserting  immediately
after the reference to "12.11" the following:  "and the amendment of Schedule
6.01(c) in  connection  with any new  Subsidiary  of the Company as  permitted
herein".

                  j.     Section  8.01(j)  is  amended  and  restated  in  its
entirety as follows:

                         (j)  Use of  Proceeds.  The  Borrowers  will  use the
proceeds  of the Loans only for working  capital  purposes,  repurchases  of the
Company's  common stock in  accordance  with Section  8.02(e) and  Purchases and
Investments as permitted by this  Agreement,  and such uses shall not contravene
any applicable Law or any other provision thereof.

                  k.     Section  8.01(m)  is  amended  and  restated  in  its
entirety as follows:

                         (m)  Subsidiary  Guarantees.  If (i)  any  Restricted
Subsidiary's  total assets  determined in accordance with GAAP at the end of any
Fiscal  Quarter  constitute  more than 10% of  Consolidated  Tangible  Net Worth
determined at the end of such Fiscal Quarter or (ii) any Restricted Subsidiary's
net income  determined  in  accordance  with GAAP for any  rolling  four  Fiscal
Quarter  period  exceeds  10% of  Consolidated  Net Income for such four  Fiscal
Quarters,  the Company  shall cause such  Restricted  Subsidiary  to agree to be
bound by the  provisions of Article IX hereof and to execute a letter  agreement
to such effect in form and substance  satisfactory to the  Administrative  Agent
and to deliver such legal  opinions and other  documents and  instruments as the
Administrative Agent may request.

                  l.     Section 8.01(n) is deleted in its entirety.

                  m.     Section  8.02 is amended and restated in its entirety
as set forth in Schedule  1 hereto.

                  n. Exhibit  8.03(c) is hereby  deleted and replaced by Exhibit
8.03(c)  attached  hereto,  or such other form of compliance  certificate as the
Agents and the Company may otherwise agree from time to time.

                  o.     Section   8.03(c)  is  amended   by   inserting   the
following as a new clause (iii):

             and (iii)  describing  any  Permitted  Joint  Venture  Activity  or
Permitted  Restricted  Subsidiary  Activity  engaged in, or any  Purchase  made,
during the period covered by such financial statements.

                  p.     Section 8.03(j) is amended and restated as follows:

                   (j)  Notices  Regarding  Lease  Financing  Agreements  and
Supplemental  Lease  Financing  AgreementsNotices  Regarding  Lease Financing
Agreements and Supplemental Lease Financing Agreements.

                         (i)  promptly  upon  the   occurrence  of  any  event
requiring the Company or any  Subsidiary of the Company,  or any election by the
Company or any Subsidiary of the Company,  to make any Lease Financing  Payment,
and in any event not less than ten (10) days prior to the date of any such Lease
Financing Payment, written notice thereof setting forth the details thereof; and

                         (ii) promptly,  and in any event within five (5) days
after the occurrence thereof, written notice of any matured or unmatured default
under  the  Lease  Credit  Agreement,  the  Lease  Financing  Guarantee  or  any
Supplemental Lease Financing Agreement or any matured or unmatured default under
any Financed Lease.

                  q.     Section 8.03 of the  Agreement is amended by adding a
new clause (k) as follows:

                   (k) Notices Regarding Repurchases of Stock.  Promptly, and in
any event within five (5) Business Days,  after the repurchase by the Company of
any its common stock,  written  notice  thereof  (including the number of shares
repurchased,  the amount paid by the Company with respect to such repurchase and
the date of such repurchase).

                  r.     Section 10.01(p) is amended and restated as follows:

                   (p) Any matured  default shall have occurred  under the Lease
Credit  Agreement,  any Supplemental  Lease Financing  Agreement or any Financed
Lease, whether or not any obligations thereunder have been accelerated.

            2.     Conditions  of   Effectiveness.   The   amendments  to  the
Agreement  contained  in  Section 1 shall  become  effective  (the  "Effective
Date")  when and only when  each of the  conditions  specified  below has been
satisfied:

                  a. no  Event  of  Default  or  Potential  Default  shall  have
occurred and be continuing  on the date hereof or on the Effective  Date and the
representations  and  warranties  made in the  Agreement and in Section 3 hereof
shall be true and correct on the date hereof and on the  Effective  Date and the
Borrowers  shall have delivered to the  Administrative  Agent for the benefit of
each Lender an officer's certificate to both such effects;

                  b.     the Administrative  Agent shall have received for the
benefit of each Lender all of the following documents,  each document being in
form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

                         (1)  written Approval Memos from the Required Banks;

                         (2)  this Amendment, duly executed by the Company;

                         (3)  the officer's  certificate  referenced in clause
a. above;

                         (4)  a consent to this Amendment  executed by each of
Borders  Properties,  Inc.  and  Waldenbooks  Properties,  Inc. in the form of
Exhibit A hereto; and

                         (5)  such   instruments,   agreements,   opinions  of
Thomas D. Carney,  General  Counsel of the  Borrowers,  and other items as the
Administrative Agent may request; and

                  c. the  Administrative  Agent shall have  received (i) for the
benefit of the  Lenders  $300,000,  which  amount  shall be  distributed  to the
Lenders that have executed and delivered  Approval  Memos to the  Administrative
Agent (and to Bankers Trust Company as Agent under the Lease Credit Agreement if
such Lender is  participating  in such lease  financing  facility) prior to 5:00
p.m. Chicago time on November 25, 1996 (such distribution shall be made based on
each such Lender's pro rata share of the total  commitments of all lenders under
the Agreement and such lease financing  facility) and (ii) the fees set forth in
the Fee Letters executed in connection with this Amendment.

            3. Representation and Warranties.  Each of the Borrowers  represents
and warrants as follows: (i) it has all necessary power and authority to execute
and deliver this Amendment and to perform its  obligations  hereunder;  (ii) the
execution,  delivery and performance of this Amendment have been duly authorized
by it; (iii) this Amendment and the Agreement, as amended hereby, constitute the
legal,  valid and  binding  obligations  of such  Borrower  and are  enforceable
against such  Borrower in  accordance  with their terms;  and (iv) the approval,
execution, delivery and performance of the terms hereof and of the Agreement, as
amended hereby, do not violate any contractual  provision to which it is a party
or by which it is or its properties are bound or any Law applicable to it.

            4.     Reference to the Effect on the Agreement.

                  a.     On the  Effective  Date:  (i) each  reference  in the
Agreement to "this  Agreement,"  "hereunder,"  "hereof,"  "herein" or words of
like import shall mean and be a reference to the  Agreement as amended  hereby
and  (ii) each  reference to the Agreement in all other Loan  Documents  shall
mean and be a reference to the Agreement, as amended hereby.

                  b.     Except as specifically  amended above,  the Agreement
and all other  Loan  Documents  shall  remain in full force and effect and are
hereby ratified and confirmed.

                  c. The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment
shall not, except as expressly  provided herein,  operate as an amendment to any
provision  of the  Agreement  nor a waiver of any right,  power or remedy of any
Lender or Agent,  nor constitute a waiver of, or consent to any departure  from,
any provision of the Agreement or any other Loan Document.

            5.     Governing  Law.  This  Amendment  shall be  governed by and
construed in  accordance  with the  internal  laws (as opposed to conflicts of
law provisions) of the State of Illinois.

            6.     Headings.  Section  headings in this Amendment are included
herein for  convenience  of reference  only and shall not constitute a part of
this Amendment for any other purpose.

            7.     Counterparts.  This  Amendment  may be  executed  by one or
more of the parties to this  Amendment on any number of separate  counterparts
and all of said counterparts  taken together shall be deemed to constitute one
and the same  instrument.  Delivery  of a duly  executed  counterpart  copy of
this Amendment may be made by telecopy.

            8.  Expenses.  The  Borrowers  will upon  demand  pay to each of the
Agents the amount of any and all  expenses,  including the  reasonable  fees and
expenses of each Agent's  attorneys (which attorneys may be an Agent's employees
to the extent agreed to in advance by Borrowers)  which any such Agent may incur
in  connection  with  the  preparation,  negotiation  and  enforcement  of  this
Amendment  and each of the  agreements,  instruments  and other  documents to be
delivered to the Agents or the Lenders in connection herewith.


                                           [Signature pages to follow]


<PAGE>






AMENDMENT NO. 7

                   IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  this Amendment has been duly executed as
of the day and year first above written.

                                           PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,  as
Administrative  Agent  acting on behalf of the  Lenders  pursuant  to  Section
12.01 of the Agreement


                                           By:      _______\s\__________

                                           Title:_____________________________


                                           BORDERS  GROUP,   INC.,  acting  on
behalf of the Borrowers pursuant to Section 12.01 of the Agreement


                                           By:      _______\s\_________________

                                           Title:_____________________________







<PAGE>


                                           EXHIBIT A

                                           CONSENT

             Each of the  undersigned,  as a Guarantor under that certain Credit
Agreement dated as of March 28, 1995, among PNC Bank, National  Association,  as
Administrative Agent, Borders Group, Inc. (the "Company"), and each of the other
Borrowers and Lenders a party thereto (as heretofore  amended,  the "Agreement";
terms defined in the Agreement, as amended by Amendment No. 7 referred to below,
which are used herein shall have the meanings as are set forth in the  Agreement
for such  terms  unless  otherwise  defined  herein),  hereby  (i)  consents  to
Amendment No. 7 to Credit Agreement,  dated as of December 2, 1996,  between the
Administrative  Agent, on behalf of the Lenders,  and the Company,  on behalf of
the Borrowers (the "Amendment"),  and the amendments  contained therein and (ii)
confirms and agrees that, notwithstanding the Amendment and the effectiveness of
the amendments contained therein, the Agreement is, and shall continue to be, in
full force and effect and is hereby  confirmed  and  ratified  in all  respects,
including,  without  limitation,  each of the  undersigned's  obligations  under
Article IX thereof.  Nothing  herein is intended or shall be deemed to limit any
Agent's or Lender's  rights  under the  Agreement  to take  actions  without the
consent of the undersigned.

       Dated as of December 2, 1996

       Borders Properties, Inc.

       By: _______\s\______________

       Title: _____________________


       Waldenbooks Properties, Inc.

       By: ________\s\_____________

       Title: _____________________




<PAGE>









                                           SCHEDULE 1


             8.02 Negative CovenantsNegative  Covenants. The Borrowers,  jointly
and  severally,  covenant and agree that until  payment in full of the Loans and
interest   thereon,   expiration  or  termination  of  all  Letters  of  Credit,
satisfaction of all of the Borrowers'  Obligations  under the Loan Documents and
termination of the Commitments, the Borrowers shall comply at all times with the
following negative covenants:

                   (a)  IndebtednessIndebtedness.  Each of the  Borrowers  shall
not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, at any time create, incur,
assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

                               (i)  Indebtedness under the Loan Documents;

                               (ii) Indebtedness  existing on the Closing Date
as set forth on Schedule  8.02(a)  (including any extensions or renewals thereof
provided there is no increase in the amount thereof or other significant  change
in the terms thereof unless otherwise specified on Schedule 8.02(a));

                               (iii)      Capitalized   Lease  Obligations  as
and to the extent permitted under Section 8.02(o);

                               (iv) interest rate swap,  cap,  collar or floor
agreements  or  other  interest  rate   management   devices  with  any  Lender,
referencing an aggregate notional amount not to exceed,  based on the reasonable
business judgment of the Company,  the maximum  principal amount  outstanding at
any  time  of  all  Indebtedness  of  the  Company  and  its  Subsidiaries  on a
consolidated basis plus an amount equal to 30% of Capitalized Rent Expense, with
such interest rate  management  devices to be entered into for hedging  purposes
only and not for speculation;

                               (v)  Indebtedness  secured  by  Purchase  Money
Security  Interests so long as the amount of such  Indebtedness  does not exceed
the  purchase  price of the  Property  which is subject to such  Purchase  Money
Security Interests;

                               (vi) Indebtedness     of    an     Unrestricted
Subsidiary to another Unrestricted  Subsidiary or to the Company or Indebtedness
of the Company to an  Unrestricted  Subsidiary so long as such  Indebtedness  is
unsecured;

                               (vii)      Contingent  Obligations  as  and  to
the extent permitted under Section 8.02(c);

                               (viii)     obligations  of the Company to Kmart
as contemplated by the Stockholder Agreement;

                               (ix) additional  Indebtedness with an aggregate
principal amount outstanding not to exceed $6,000,000,  which is secured by real
property of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided that the principal amount
of any such  Indebtedness  shall not  exceed the fair  market  value of the real
property securing such Indebtedness;

                               (x)  additional  unsecured  Indebtedness of the
Borrowers  with  an  aggregate  principal  amount  outstanding  not to  exceed
$15,000,000;

                               (xi) Indebtedness of  Subsidiaries  (other than
the  Borrowers) to third  parties,  so long as the holders of such  Indebtedness
have no  contractual  or  legal  recourse  to the  Company  or any of its  other
Subsidiaries,  except as otherwise permitted by this Agreement,  provided,  that
notwithstanding  any other provision in this Agreement,  the aggregate principal
amount of all Indebtedness for all such Subsidiaries (other than Indebtedness of
WPI and BPI  outstanding  as of November 30, 1996 to third parties) shall not at
any time exceed $20,000,000;

                               (xii)      Permitted     Sutro      Refinancing
Indebtedness,  so  long  as (A)  the  aggregate  principal  amount  of any  such
Indebtedness  outstanding  does  not  exceed  $36,000,000,   (B)  the  aggregate
principal amount of any such Indebtedness  incurred,  at the date of incurrence,
is at least 85% of the face value of the amount of  "Notes"  (as  defined in the
Note Put Agreements) purchased by Borders as required by Section 2.2 of the Note
Purchase  Agreements,  (C) any such  Indebtedness is incurred no sooner than the
relevant "Tenant Purchase Date" (as defined in the Note Put Agreements), (D) the
representations,  warranties and covenants  contained in the documentation  with
respect to any such Indebtedness are no more  restrictive,  as determined in the
reasonable  discretion of the  Administrative  Agent, than the  representations,
warranties or covenants hereof, (E) the maturity of any such Indebtedness is not
less than two years from the date of  incurrence,  and (F) on or before the date
of  incurrence,  the  Borrowers  shall have  delivered  to the Lenders  proforma
financial statements, in form and substance satisfactory to the Lenders, showing
that, during the term of such Indebtedness,  based on reasonable  projections of
the  financial  performance  of the  Borrowers,  the  Borrowers  will  not be in
violation of any of the financial covenants contained in Section 8.02;

                               (xiii)     other   Indebtedness   for  borrowed
money of the  Borrowers,  provided  that (A) the  terms and  conditions  of such
Indebtedness are no more restrictive than those of this Agreement,  (B) no Event
of Default or Potential  Default  would occur as a result of the  incurrence  of
such Indebtedness, (C) the interest rate on such Indebtedness (after taking into
account all other fees payable in  connection  with such  Indebtedness)  is less
than  the  interest  rate  payable  on  the  Loans,  (D)  such  Indebtedness  is
subordinated  to the Obligations  upon terms and conditions  satisfactory to the
Agents and (E) such Indebtedness is unsecured;

                               (xiv)      Indebtedness  of the Borrowers under
the Lease Financing Guarantee,  so long as the conditions specified in Section
8.02(c)(vii) have been satisfied; and

                               (xv) Indebtedness    of   the    Borrowers   in
connection with the Supplemental  Facility,  so long as the conditions specified
in clauses (A) through (E) of Section 8.02(c)(viii) have been satisfied.

                   (b) Liens.  Each of the  Borrowers  shall not,  and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, at any time create,  incur,  assume or suffer
to exist any Lien on any of its  Property now owned or  hereafter  acquired,  or
agree or become liable to do so, except Permitted Liens.

                     (c) Contingent Obligations. Each of the
Borrowers  shall not,  and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to, at any
time,  directly or indirectly,  become or be liable in respect of any Contingent
Obligations, except for:

                               (i)  Contingent  Obligations of any Borrower or
Unrestricted  Subsidiary  in  respect  of  obligations  of  the  Borrowers  or
Unrestricted Subsidiaries;

                                (ii) Permitted Lease  Contingent  Obligations,
provided that the portion of all such  Permitted  Lease  Contingent  Obligations
which constitute current  liabilities  determined and consolidated in accordance
with GAAP,  shall not exceed Fifteen  Million Dollars  ($15,000,000)  at any one
time;

                                (iii)   Contingent   Obligations   arising  by
operation of any applicable law which  individually  or in the aggregate could
not reasonably be expected to have Material Adverse Effect;

                                (iv) any Contingent  Obligations arising under
the Note Put Agreements;

                                (v) any Contingent  Obligations  arising under
any  computer  leases with respect to which Kmart is the lessee and any of the
Borrowers is the user of such computer equipment;

                                (vi) any Contingent  Obligations arising under
any of the Kmart Agreements;

                                (vii)  Contingent  Obligations  arising  under
the Lease Financing Guarantee,  provided,  however, that the aggregate amount of
Indebtedness   permitted  by  Section   8.02(a)(xiv)  the  aggregate  amount  of
Contingent Obligations permitted hereunder shall not exceed $200,000,000;

                                (viii)  Contingent  Obligations of the Company
and its  Subsidiaries  pursuant  to a facility  established  for the  purpose of
purchasing  Indebtedness  outstanding  under the  Project  Loan  Agreements  (as
defined in the  Participation  Agreement) or constructing  new retail stores for
the Borrowers  (the  "Supplemental  Facility"),  provided that (A) the aggregate
amount of  Indebtedness  permitted  by Section  8.02(a)(xv)  plus the  aggregate
amount  of  Contingent  Obligations  permitted  hereunder,   together  with  the
aggregate  amount of  Indebtedness  permitted by Section  8.02(a)(xiv)  plus the
aggregate amount of Contingent  Obligations  permitted by Section  8.02(c)(vii),
does not exceed  $250,000,000,  (B) the terms and conditions of the Supplemental
Facility  are  satisfactory  to any two of PNC Bank,  First  Chicago and Bankers
Trust  Company,  (C) no Event of Default or Potential  Default  would occur as a
result of the closing of the Supplemental Facility, (D) the maturity date of the
Indebtedness  outstanding  under the  Supplemental  Facility is not prior to the
Expiration Date and (E) the structure of such financing is substantially similar
to the  structure of the  financing  under the  Participation  Agreement,  Lease
Credit Agreement and the Lease Financing Guarantee;

                                (ix)  Contingent  Obligations  constituting  a
Permitted  Joint  Venture  Activity,  provided no Event of Default or  Potential
Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom; and

                                (x)  Contingent  Obligations   constituting  a
Permitted  Restricted  Subsidiary  Activity,  provided  no Event of  Default  or
Potential Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom.

                   (d) Loans and InvestmentsLoans  and Investments.  Each of the
Borrowers  shall not,  and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to, at any
time make or suffer to remain  outstanding  any loan or advance to, or purchase,
acquire or own any stock,  bonds,  notes or  securities  of, or any  partnership
interest  (whether  general or limited) in, or any other  investment or interest
in, or make any capital  contribution to, any other Person, or agree,  become or
remain liable to do any of the foregoing (collectively, "Investments"), except:

                                 (i)trade   credit   extended   on  usual  and
customary terms in the ordinary course of business;

                                 (ii)     advances   to   employees   to  meet
expenses incurred by such employees in the ordinary course of business;

                                 (iii)    Permitted Investments;

                                 (iv)     Investments  by the  Company  or any
other  Borrower  in  any  Unrestricted   Subsidiary  or  by  any  Unrestricted
Subsidiary in a Borrower or an Unrestricted  Subsidiary,  so long as any loans
or advances are unsecured;

                                 (v)Purchases  (a)  so  long  as no  Potential
Default or Event of Default  has  occurred  and is  continuing  or would  result
therefrom,  (b) to the extent that the  aggregate of all  Purchases  made in any
rolling four Fiscal Quarter period as permitted under this Section 8.02(d)(v) do
not exceed 20% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth (determined as of the last day
of the Fiscal Quarter most recently  ended),  (c) so long as the amount equal to
(1) the  aggregate  amount of all  Purchases  made in any  rolling  four  Fiscal
Quarter period, as permitted under this Section 8.02(d)(v),  in excess of 10% of
Consolidated  Tangible  Net Worth  (determined  as of the last day of the Fiscal
Quarter most recently  ended) plus (2) all Capital  Expenditures in such rolling
four Fiscal  Quarter  period  permitted  under  Section  8.02(o) does not exceed
$150,000,000  period,  (d) so long as the  assets or  business  subject  to such
Purchase  is in  substantially  the same or a similar  type of  business  as the
Company and its  Subsidiaries  and (e) so long as the Board of  Directors of any
Person to be acquired has approved the terms of the Purchase;

                              (vi)  loans and  advances,  in addition to those
permitted under Section  8.02(d)(ii),  to employees in an aggregate  principal
amount not to exceed $10,000,000;

                              (vii) Investments  constituting  Permitted Joint
Venture  Activities,  provided  no Event of Default  or  Potential  Default  has
occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom;

                              (viii)      Investments  constituting  Permitted
Restricted  Subsidiary  Activities,  provided  no Event of Default or  Potential
Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom; and

                              (ix)  repurchases of the Company's  common stock
in accordance with Section 8.02(e).

Dividends and Related Distributions. The Company shall not, and shall not permit
any of its  Subsidiaries to, make or pay, or agree to become or remain liable to
make or pay, any dividend or other  distribution of any nature (whether in cash,
property,  securities or otherwise) on account of or in respect of its shares of
capital  stock  or  partnership   interests  or  on  account  of  the  purchase,
redemption,  retirement  or  acquisition  of its  shares  of  capital  stock (or
warrants, options or rights therefor) (collectively, "Distributions"), except:

                                 (i)the   Company   may   make   open   market
repurchases  of shares of its common stock so long as the aggregate  amount paid
by the Company with respect to all such  repurchases does not at any time exceed
the  Repurchase  Amount in effect  from time to time and no Event of  Default or
Potential Default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom;

                                 (ii)     the  Company  may  engage  in  stock
splits (including reverse stock splits) or pay dividends in stock;

                                 (iii)    Wholly-owned  Subsidiaries  may make
Distributions to the Company or another Wholly-owned Subsidiary;

                                 (iv)     Subsidiaries        other       than
Wholly-owned  Subsidiaries  may make  Distributions so long as (a) the aggregate
amount of Distributions made by any such Subsidiary to any Person other than the
Company or a Subsidiary of the Company in any Fiscal Year does not exceed 50% of
such  Person's pro rata share (based on the  percentage of stock or other equity
interests owned by such Person) of such  Subsidiary's net income for such Fiscal
Year as determined  in accordance  with GAAP and (b) no later than ten (10) days
prior to any such  Distribution,  the Company shall have given written notice to
the Lenders and the Agents  thereof,  together with  calculations  demonstrating
that such Distribution complies with this clause (iv); and

                                 (v)      the  Company  may pay  dividends  on
its preferred  stock so long as the dividend rate on such preferred stock (after
taking into account all other fees and amounts payable on such preferred  stock)
is less than the interest rate payable on the Loans.

Liquidations,  Mergers,  Consolidations.  Each of the  Borrowers  shall not, and
shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, dissolve,  liquidate or wind-up its
affairs,  or become a party to any merger or  consolidation,  provided  that any
Borrower (other than the Company) may consolidate or merge into another Borrower
and any  Subsidiary of a Borrower may  consolidate or merge into any Borrower or
any  Wholly-owned  Subsidiary  of a  Borrower  so  long  as  the  Borrower  or a
Wholly-owned  Subsidiary is the surviving  corporation of such  consolidation or
merger.

Dispositions  of Assets or  Subsidiaries.  Each of the Borrowers  shall not, and
shall not  permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,  sell,  convey,  assign,  lease,
abandon or otherwise transfer or dispose of,  voluntarily or involuntarily,  any
of its Property  (including sale,  assignment,  discount or other disposition of
accounts,  contract rights, chattel paper, equipment or general intangibles with
or  without  recourse  or any  shares of  capital  stock,  shares of  beneficial
interest or partnership interests of a Subsidiary of such Borrower), except:

                                 (i)transactions   involving   the   sale   of
inventory in the ordinary course of business;

                                 (ii)     any  sale,   transfer  or  lease  of
Property,  including  without  limitation  any store  closures,  in the ordinary
course of business  which are no longer  necessary or required in the conduct of
the Borrower's or Subsidiary's business;

                                 (iii)    any sale or  transfer of Property in
order to concurrently or subsequently lease as lessee such Property,  so long as
such sale and leaseback occurs in the ordinary course of business;

                                 (iv)     any  sale,   transfer  or  lease  of
Property,   by  any   Subsidiary  of  an   Unrestricted   Subsidiary  to  such
Unrestricted Subsidiary or another Unrestricted Subsidiary;

                                 (v)any sale,  transfer  or lease of  Property
in the ordinary  course of business which are replaced by substitute  Property
acquired or leased within the parameters of Section 8.02(o);

                                 (vi)     any  sale or  transfer  of the  real
property located in Stamford, Connecticut; and

                                 (vii)    any    transfers    to    Kmart   of
"Premises"  pursuant to the Kmart Indemnity (as such term is defined therein) if
and to the  extent  that any such  transfer  does not cause an Event of  Default
under Section 10.01(f) hereof.

Affiliate  Transactions.  Each of the Borrowers  shall not, and shall not permit
any of its Subsidiaries  to, enter into or carry out any transaction  (including
purchasing  property  or  services  from or selling  property or services to any
Affiliate of any Borrower (other than another  Borrower) or other Person) unless
such  transaction  (i) is not otherwise  prohibited by this  Agreement,  (ii) is
entered  into in the  ordinary  course  of  business  upon  fair and  reasonable
arm's-length   terms  and   conditions   which  are  fully   disclosed   to  the
Administrative Agent and (iii) is in accordance with all applicable Law.

Subsidiaries,  Partnerships  and Joint  Ventures.  Each of the Borrowers shall s
not, and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries to, become or agree to become
a general or limited partner, joint venturer or member in any partnership, joint
venture or limited  liability  company,  as the case may be,  provided  that the
Company  or any of its  Wholly-owned  Subsidiaries  may  own or  create  (A) any
Wholly-owned  Subsidiary,  (B) any Unrestricted  Subsidiary,  (C) any Restricted
Subsidiary  so long as (1) the aggregate of all Purchases by the Company and its
Subsidiaries of or Investments in or to such Restricted  Subsidiary is otherwise
permitted by this Agreement,  and (2) no such Restricted  Subsidiary  shall have
Indebtedness  which is  recourse to or  guaranteed  by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries  except as otherwise  permitted by this Agreement and (D) any Joint
Venture so long as (1) the  aggregate  of all  Purchases  by the Company and its
Subsidiaries of or Investments by the Company and its  Subsidiaries in or to any
such Joint Ventures is otherwise  permitted by this  Agreement,  and (2) no such
Joint Venture shall have Indebtedness  which is recourse to or guaranteed by the
Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  except  as  otherwise  permitted  by  this
Agreement.

                           (j)  Continuation  of or Change in  Business.  Each
of the  Borrowers  shall not, and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,
engage in any  business  other than (a) with respect to the  Borrowers,  BPI and
WPI,  substantially  as conducted  and operated by such Person during the Fiscal
Year  prior to the  Company's  1996  Fiscal  Year and (b)  with  respect  to any
Subsidiary of a Borrower (other than WPI or BPI), substantially as conducted and
operated by a Borrower,  in a business  reasonably  incidental and complementary
thereto or in an educational related retail business.

Plans and Benefit  Arrangements.  Each of the  Borrowers  shall not, and shall
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to:

                                 (i)adopt,    sponsor,    maintain   or   make
contributions to any Plan, any Multiemployer Plan, any Multiple Employer Plan or
except as set forth on Schedule 6.01(t),  any Benefit  Arrangement that provides
benefits to retirees; or

                                 (ii)     engage in a  Prohibited  Transaction
with any  Benefit  Arrangement  which,  alone or in  conjunction  with any other
circumstances or set of circumstances  resulting in liability under ERISA, would
have a Material Adverse Effect.

Fiscal Year.  Each of the  Borrowers  shall not, and shall not permit any of its
Subsidiaries to, change its Fiscal Quarter or change its Fiscal Year.

Issuance  of  Stock.  Each of the  Borrowers  (other  than the  Company  and any
Unrestricted Subsidiary) shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries
(other than  Unrestricted  Subsidiaries)  to, issue any additional shares of its
capital  stock or any  options,  warrants  or other  rights in respect  thereof,
except to the Company or any Wholly-owned  Subsidiary,  provided,  however, that
the Company shall not issue any preferred stock unless the dividend rate thereon
is permitted by Section 8.02(e)(v).

Changes in Organizational  Documents. Each of the Borrowers shall not, and shall
not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to, amend in any respect its certificate of
incorporation  (including  any  provisions  or  resolutions  relating to capital
stock), by-laws or other organizational documents in the event such change would
be adverse to the Lenders.

Capital Expenditures.  Each of the Borrowers shall not, and shall not permit any
of  its   Subsidiaries   to,  make  any  payments  on  account  of  any  Capital
Expenditures,  except  to the  extent  that the  aggregate  of all such  Capital
Expenditures  do not exceed  $140,000,000  in any rolling  four  Fiscal  Quarter
period, and except to the extent that such Capital Expenditures, when aggregated
with all Purchases  permitted under Section 8.02(d)(v) during the preceding four
Fiscal  Quarters (but only to the extent the aggregate  amount of such Purchases
exceeds 10% of Consolidated Tangible Net Worth, determined as of the last day of
the Fiscal Quarter most recently ended),  do not exceed  $150,000,000.  All such
Capital  Expenditures  shall be made under usual and customary  terms and in the
ordinary course of business. For purposes of this covenant, Capital Expenditures
shall not include assets purchased or acquired,  or expenditures made in respect
of assets,  which are held for  resale in  accordance  with GAAP,  except to the
extent that such a Capital  Expenditure is made at a time when, or to the extent
that as a result of such Capital Expenditure, the aggregate value of assets held
for resale exceeds or would exceed $30,000,000.

Minimum Fixed Charge  Coverage  Ratio.  The Borrowers shall not permit the Fixed
Charge Coverage  Ratio,  calculated as of the end of each Fiscal Quarter for the
previous four Fiscal Quarters then ended, to be less than 1.45 to 1.0.

Maximum  Leverage  Ratio.  The Borrowers shall not permit the Leverage Ratio (i)
calculated  as of the end of any first or second  Fiscal  Quarter  of any Fiscal
Year to exceed 75%, (ii) calculated as of the end of any third Fiscal Quarter of
any Fiscal Year to exceed 77.5%, or (iii) calculated as of the end of any fourth
Fiscal Quarter of any Fiscal Year to exceed 72.5%, provided, that beginning with
the fourth Fiscal Quarter of the Company's 1998 Fiscal Year, the percentages set
forth in  clauses  (i),  (ii) and (iii)  above  shall be 70%,  72.5% and  67.5%,
respectively.

Minimum  Tangible  Net  Worth.  The  Borrowers  shall  not  at any  time  permit
Consolidated Tangible Net Worth to be less than the sum of (i) $470,000,000 plus
(ii) 50% of the  Consolidated  Net Income for each  Fiscal  Quarter in which net
income was earned (with no deduction for a net loss) during the period from July
29, 1996 through the last day of the Fiscal  Quarter  immediately  preceding the
date of  determination,  plus (iii) 100% of the net cash proceeds to the Company
of any public or private issuance of equity securities, minus (iv) the aggregate
amount paid by the Company with respect to any repurchase of its common stock.

Modifications  of Other  Documents.  The Borrowers shall not permit or otherwise
consent  to any  amendment  to or  modification  of any of the Kmart  Agreements
(after their respective execution),  the Stockholder Agreement, the Lease Credit
Agreement,  the Lease Financing  Guarantee,  the  Participation  Agreement,  any
Financed Lease or any other Operative  Agreement (as defined in the Lease Credit
Agreement),  any Supplemental  Lease Financing  Agreement or any of the Note Put
Agreements which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect,
which  would have the effect of  materially  increasing  the  obligations  of or
burdens on the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries  thereunder or which would
have the effect of shortening or deleting any notice or cure period provided for
therein.

Prepayment of Note Put Agreement Obligations. Each of the Borrowers shall s not,
and shall not permit any of its  Subsidiaries to, make any payment or prepayment
in respect of Borders'  obligations  under any of the Note Put Agreements at any
time before a "Tenant Purchase Date" as defined in the Note Put Agreements.

Lease Financing Payments.  Each of the Borrowers shall not, and shall not permit
any of its  Subsidiaries  to,  directly or indirectly,  make any Lease Financing
Payment,  provided,  however, that a Borrower may make a Lease Financing Payment
if (i) both before and after giving effect to such Lease Financing  Payment,  no
Event  of  Default  or  Potential   Default   exists  or  would  exist  and  the
representations and warranties  contained in Article VI are and will be true and
correct,  and the Company shall have  delivered to the  Administrative  Agent an
officer's  certificate to both such effects, (ii) the notice required by Section
8.03(j)(i) of this Agreement has been given to the Administrative Agent and each
of the Lenders,  (iii) the Company  shall have  delivered to the  Administrative
Agent no later than ten (10) days prior to the date of any such Lease  Financing
Payment  cash flow  projections  for the  twelve  months  following  such  Lease
Financing  Payment,  in  form  and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to  the
Administrative   Agent,   (a)  showing  that  the  Borrowers'   working  capital
requirements  and borrowing needs are not and will not be adversely  affected by
such Lease  Financing  Payment and (b)  containing  calculations  in  sufficient
detail to  demonstrate  on a pro forma  basis  compliance  as of the end of each
Fiscal  Quarter  within such twelve  month period with all  financial  covenants
contained  in Section  8.02,  (iv) after giving  effect to such Lease  Financing
Payment,  the  aggregate  amount of all  Lease  Financing  Payments  made by the
Borrowers as permitted by this Section 8.02(u) is less than  $20,000,000 and (v)
the Lease  Financing  Payment is  otherwise  permitted  by this  Agreement.  For
purposes  of  clause  (iv) of this  Section  8.02(u),  the  amount  of any Lease
Financing  Payment  made by the  Borrowers to purchase  Property  subject to any
Financed  Lease shall not be included in  determining  the  aggregate  amount of
Lease Financing Payments made by the Borrowers once all of such Property is sold
by such Borrower to any Person that is not an Affiliate of the Company.



                                                                    Exhibit 11.1



Statement of Computation of Per Share Earnings
(dollars in millions except per share data)



                              For the 13-weeks Ended     For the 39-weeks Ended
                                October 27, 1996             October 27, 1996

Primary Earnings per
   Common Share:
Net loss                       $     (2.7)                   $   (8.4)

Pro forma weighted
average shares
outstanding (000's)                 41,855                        41,515
                                   ---------                     --------

Primary E.P.S.                           $  (0.06)                  $    (0.20)
                                        ==========                   ==========


Fully Diluted Earnings per
   Common Share:
Net Loss                        $     (2.7)                   $   (8.4)

Pro forma weighted
average shares
outstanding (000's)                  41,564                        41,418
                                    ---------                     --------

Fully Diluted E.P.S.                     $  (0.06)                  $    (0.20)
                                        ==========                   ==========

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                          5
<MULTIPLIER>                                               1,000,000
       
<S>                                                  <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                      3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                  JAN-26-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                     JUL-29-1996
<PERIOD-END>                                       OCT-27-1996
<CASH>                                                            43
<SECURITIES>                                                       0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                     51
<ALLOWANCES>                                                       0
<INVENTORY>                                                      870
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                 964
<PP&E>                                                           509
<DEPRECIATION>                                                   230
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                  1320
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                            817
<BONDS>                                                            0
                                              0
                                                        0
<COMMON>                                                           0
<OTHER-SE>                                                       472
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                    1320
<SALES>                                                          414
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                 414
<CGS>                                                            314
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                    314
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                   0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                   0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                 2
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                   (5)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                      (2)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                               (3)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                     0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                    0
<CHANGES>                                                          0
<NET-INCOME>                                                      (3)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                     (0.06)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                     (0.06)
        


</TABLE>


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