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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 If6dnWooYi04tadvfdCB47qezoxWbof1ovwKVyiZJ4XtVs8NloxA6udffRoji+ZX
 4NqJCp4FBhxe0h7U9qRmmg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000940510-08-000012.txt : 20080103
<SEC-HEADER>0000940510-08-000012.hdr.sgml : 20080103
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080103160550
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000940510-08-000012
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080102
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080103
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080103

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BORDERS GROUP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000940510
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-MISCELLANEOUS SHOPPING GOODS STORES [5940]
		IRS NUMBER:				383294588
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MI
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0202

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 PHOENIX DRIVE
		CITY:			ANN ARBOR
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48108
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(734) 477-1100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 PHOENIX DRIVE
		CITY:			ANN ARBOR
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48108

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Light Brian T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001334065

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13740
		FILM NUMBER:		08506540

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7344771100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		BORDERS GROUP, INC.
		STREET 2:		100 PHOENIX DRIVE
		CITY:			ANN ARBOR
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48108
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-01-02</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000940510</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BORDERS GROUP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BGP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001334065</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Light Brian T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>100 PHOENIX DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ANN ARBOR</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MI</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>48108</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-01-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4694</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>10.65</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11933</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable></derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These shares are Restricted Shares granted under the issuer's 2004 Long-Term Incentive Plan.  They constitute a portion of the fees payable for services as a Director during the year 2008.  The restrictions on these shares are due to lapse on December 31, 2008.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By Mark D. Schairer, Authorized Representative</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-01-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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