Barnes & Noble, the nation’s largest remaining book chain, has experienced a resurgence after facing near-bust conditions. CEO James Daunt attributes this revival to a renewed focus on selling books and providing a more independent-minded experience for customers. The company closed hundreds of stores around the U.S., including a location in downtown Seattle, before bouncing back by opening nearly 60 new stores last year with plans for more in the future. Barnes & Noble, which once had 726 locations nationwide, now has approximately 600 stores.
Amazon’s impact on the book industry cannot be ignored, as the company’s e-commerce dominance disrupted physical bookstores, including Barnes & Noble. Despite starting as an online bookseller, Amazon eventually opened physical Amazon Books locations, which closed in 2022 after a seven-year run. Daunt has criticized Amazon for not caring about books, describing them as just another item in a warehouse. However, he now sees Amazon as a positive influence on the industry, claiming that the online retailer has removed boring books from physical stores, allowing customers to engage with more interesting titles.
Daunt believes that the experience of shopping in a physical bookstore will ultimately prevail over online retail. He argues that customers will have a richer experience browsing books and interacting with other readers in a store, which cannot be replicated by online shopping. Additionally, he suggests that buying a book in a physical store will enhance the reading experience, making it more pleasurable for customers. Despite Amazon’s significant share of the book market, Daunt remains confident in Barnes & Noble’s ability to provide a superior experience for book lovers.
The rise of e-commerce has posed challenges for brick-and-mortar retailers like Barnes & Noble, but Daunt has managed to navigate these difficulties by focusing on the unique experience that physical stores can offer. By emphasizing the joy of browsing books in person and engaging with fellow readers, Barnes & Noble has been able to differentiate itself from online competitors like Amazon. As the company continues to expand its presence with plans for more new stores in the coming years, it is clear that Barnes & Noble is committed to providing a welcoming and engaging environment for book enthusiasts.
While Amazon remains a dominant force in the book market, Daunt believes that the company’s focus on efficient delivery and low prices has come at the expense of providing a curated and enjoyable shopping experience for customers. By contrast, Barnes & Noble aims to create a space where customers can immerse themselves in the world of books, leading to a more fulfilling and satisfying shopping experience. As the company looks towards the future with plans to open more stores and reach new customers, it is clear that Barnes & Noble is embracing its role as a key player in the book industry.
