Can Barnes & Noble's New Strategy Save It?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 มิ.ย. 2024
- Barnes and Noble has a new CEO with a back-to-basics vision. Will it be enough for it to survive against the shark-like Amazon? Let's talk about it!
🗞️ Resources Consulted 🗞️
www.theverge.com/23642104/bar...
www.nytimes.com/2023/10/17/st...
www.wsj.com/video/series/the-...
www.npr.org/2023/03/07/116129...
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/b...
thefordhamram.com/93797/opini...
www.businessinsider.com/barne...
www.barnesandnobleinc.com/man...
retailwire.com/discussion/sho...
www.forbes.com/sites/johnkott...
knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/p...
brandingstrategyinsider.com/t...
www.fastcompany.com/90834188/...
⏳ Chapters ⌛
0:00 Barnes & Noble has a new strategy
01:13 A Brief History of Barnes & Noble Booksellers
03:26 B&N Gets a New CEO
04:36 The New Strategy
08:25 The Bookstore Experience
09:58 How Barnes & Noble Can Stand Up to Amazon
11:05 Let the Experience Be the Experience
12:36 Let's Chat in the Comments!
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Mmmm. Imagine it's 1998. You're seventeen years old. It's Friday night, and being the wild thing you are, you head to Barnes and Noble with $11. You spend roughly two hours inhaling the book fumes, and at the end of the evening you have a Signet Classics edition of Walden and a copy of the latest Vogue Knitting to go home with. Your weekend is officially booked.
ahh the nostalgia 😍
In 1999, the B&N closest to me, which was one of the larger ones, had a reputation for being the weekend’s hottest pickup joint.
❤
It was Borders for me.
Unique topic discussion, but I agree. Book buying wherever is an "experience". Slow enjoyment of browsing, the thrill of the hunt for whatever that book might be, planned or a pleasant surprise find!! And making our choices is all part of the fun!! I've heard book tubers say that buying books is as much of a hobby as reading those books!!❤
Thanks for your research, Olive
I think they should focus on what Amazon can't provide: comfortable padded chairs, larger cafe, good quality coffee and deserts, good clean bathrooms with great smelling hand soap, expert customer service people, music on Fridays!!! AND books.
Love large comfy chairs but the cringe is those who sit with their feet in them or their bottoms exposed as this sit, ugh
This is true. Physical stores have to focus on customer experience first and foremost. It's the one edge they have above Amazon and other online retailers who are beating them with convenience and pricing, and the more they focus on trying to streamline the customer experience, as if customers should pop in, find what they're looking for, pay for it and get out, the worse the shopping experience becomes. Bookstores especially are a place for wandering and discovery. They cannot afford to streamline purchases, even if that's how they make their money. The truth is that you want people to keep coming back, even if they don't buy anything the first few times they come. Eventually by giving them this welcome and wide berth to explore, they'll eventually find something they really want, and that's when you have a customer. Also just keeping a high amount of traffic flowing throughout the store is good for business, as it invites more and more people to check out the "fuss". It shouldn't get too crowded, but it should have the ambience of being as stocked with people as it is with books, otherwise the store just seems abandoned.
And it's so much easier to discover new books at a real-life bookstore.
Agreed
I agree. We have a new B&N that was built late last year (they moved buildings) saddly there is no cafe and all of 4 chairs to sit in 😢
The one thing I loved about going to a Barnes & Noble when I was a teenager was that they allowed us to just read the books. We were allowed to take a book. Sit in a chair and read. It was like a library that allowed you to keep the books if you were willing to pay for them. And honestly, I loved that because it gave me the opportunity to discover books that I otherwise wouldn’t have. It was a nice way to try out a couple of books see if I liked them and wanted to bring them home. And a teenager that couldn’t afford books. It was a nice way for me to read what I wanted especially because I am a massive manga nerd and I couldn’t afford them back then. There’s something really nice about allowing us to have freedom and I love that about a brick and mortar book store.
It was a great way to study for tests. You could spend time reading test prep books.
This! I always preferred going to the library over a bookstore because I could actually get a chance to pause and see if I'd actually enjoy the book or not. Sometimes you need to read more than a few pages to decide on whether or not a book is worth buying but it's way too uncomfortable and awkward to try and read in the middle of the aisle. Unfortunately, when a B&N does have a seating area it's only 3 chairs max so they're all full.
This is it right here. You were allowed to show up, read the books, and stay as long as you like without purchasing anything. It felt very welcoming, and usually I ended up buying books anyway.
Yeah no wonder the books are all essentially used books and in crap condition
The green and gold tones are iconic. They make the stores feel cozy
Biggest issue is the price of new books. I got over my need to buy only new copies and now go to used bookstores and get gently used copies for 1/4 the price. Plus it helps a local business.
That doesn't help the authors, though. And new books have to come from somewhere.
@@ArtemisSilverBow There are thousands upon thousands of writers who would be glad to sell their books.
There will never be a shortage of authors.
The middle men are where the bloat is.
With A.I. getting better, fewer editors (and other middlemen) will be needed.
With luck, soon the authors will be able to sell directly to the readers, cutting the publishing houses out completely.
Then the authors can make a decent living.
@@kevincaruthers5412authors are already selling directly with self-publishing and make 70% instead of the paltry few percent given to traditional authors. I used to make six figures until I sold rights to my work and moved on to another career.
Have you ever been Powell's in Portland? They have new & used side-by-side. I usually come out buying both.
@@kevincaruthers5412 Self-publishing is already possible, for authors to sell directly to readers, but it's the marketing that's the bigger issue. Enough people need to actually see the book on the shelf and believe it's worth buying, so 'publishing houses' will probably always be necessary in some form.
I agree. Amazon is a transaction, a book store is an experience.
Well put!
Going to the Waldenbooks at the mall growing up used to be an experience.
I worked for B&N for over 12 years, left when they closed my store after Christmas 2010. In those 12 years B&N changed a lot! And not for the better. Brick and mortar bookstores will always hold a special place in my heart. Your video is the 1st positive thing I've heard about B&N's direction in forever. Thank you. I subscribed too!
Agreed. As a former B&N bookseller of 7 years who lost their store in 2015, this is awesome to hear. I absolutely loved working for Barnes and Noble, despite all its flaws.
Twenty-two years here and spent a few years under Daunt. He's been fantastic. He had to let the main book buyer go because he refused to give up the volume model (remember sending all those hardcovers back, only to see them returned with Bargain stickers? Not any more!) He's also allowed individual stores to run more independently and cater to their local tastes. My store reversed its downward trend a couple years ago. Also, he's brought back "lead" positions and is trying hard to retain people who love books, as opposed to just hiring pure-retail employees.
@@rbowdenscipio3408 That's awesome to hear! I was cafe my whole 12 years, but I was also the Sci-fi/fantasy guy. Because I love those genres and was always happy to share my knowledge with guests.
I was a lead at Union Square back in the 2000s. My store manager was a good guy, but the company was pretty evil under the Riggios too.
My daughter and I were Barnes & Noble junkies almost every day even after she left home and now is married and has a husband and children. Survive, please! We are book people and need that experience!!
It’s definitely refreshing that a dude that bought a large chain is legitimately trying to get away from things that make it feel like a large chain and seems to care about what customers are looking for.
Except that it still feels like a large chain when you walk into a newer store, especially with the lighter color scheme and design of the stores.
He didn’t buy it he’s the new ceo
A private equity firm bought it.. not much soul in those firms
How did your comment that is wrong in every way get 500 likes?
@@aidanmccormack5443still better than what a lot of those funds do. Red lobster was just purchased and immediately declared bankruptcy and is selling off its assets
Raised my daughter at B & N. That was the one store where I told her I would buy anything she wanted. We would spend hours shopping. Wonderful memories were created.
Me too until the store started displaying soft core porn covers on the way to the kids section and my kids ask me about them. Awkward. Oh its lgbt covers so I should be ok with it? NO. Wtf?!!! I don't want softcpre porn displayed no matter if its straight or gay. This is degenerate. Barnes is dead to me
Agreed. My daughter thought B&N was the library because I bought every book she wanted. I haven’t been to a B&N in 5 years. Bring back the chairs and tables and the children’s section. PLEASE.
I'm 33 and my mom did this with me. Barnes and No le is a special place to me. I'll always love it
Can you adopt me so you can buy me whatever book I want there
that's amazing, the excitement as a kid being told that they can get everything they want at one particular store and that store being a book store. 100% going to do this when i have kids
B&N closed their store in my town and I wrote them off. This video made me search out their new store about 20 minutes away. It was amazing. I think I’ve bought more books in the last month than I had in the last three years. Thanks so much for the video!
We desperately need Barnes and noble. Book stores should be calm and cozy place to study, enjoy a coffee, read, and chat with a friend. At night they should have open mics! We are losing spots like this and we are suffering because of it. It’s only work to home for most and it’s sad
Exactly! Bookstores would likely see a huge boost in popularity is they operated more like "third spaces" where you can relax, shop, and hang out. Like how malls used to be.
@@crypticcorvid yes! Third spaces. America is losing them and we’re all becoming more isolated bc of it.
@@crypticcorvida corporate book store who's sole motivation is profit is not a positive third place.
Their ultimate goal with getting you in there is to buy stuff, the longer you hang out the more chances you'll buy stuff. Malls are also terrible examples of a good third place. Buying things shouldn't be a recreational activity by itself, that's just over consumption.
@@logeinthebox I understand that, and was even considering writing a comment to mention that part too. Overconsumption is a huge issue, but honestly I don't think we'll get any new third spaces that aren't corporate backed, especially in more rural areas like mine.
We have libraries, but you have to be quiet there. There's recreational centers, by I've only ever seen exactly two in my entire life but those were when we were in a more city-based area far from home (and also in different states from where I live lol). We have parks too, but it's only a good option if the weather permits it.
Corporate is a pretty bad choice, but it's better than none. At the very least it would give an additional option for people to choose from. Malls and arcades come to mind of corporate third spaces.
I also get that it's unlikely to happen in the first place too, lol. Profit motives were the reason the chairs/resting areas left stores in the first place. My thought was that if businesses realized making a store more people friendly increased customers and profit, then maybe it would bring a bigger focus on third spaces in general, even if it's basically paid entry as a drawback.
The way America is operates as a whole kind of goes against anyone who isn't a corporate robot, so I doubt that people in charge of funding would care to put any more money towards free public spaces.
TL;DR - I totally agree with your comment but I was framing my thought along with what a business would think.
@@crypticcorvid No I feel it and get it, we take what we can get. I think it's just important to not roll over and take it. Advocate for alternatives, ECT.
There are places of business I think do make good third places. You mention arcades, that's a good one not a lot of waste. Cafe's, bars, gyms, group based guided activities. Places where you consumption tends to involve very little waste and mostly serves to enhance the social aspect of the situation.
My issue is 3rd places who's underlying motivation is to get you to buy a non consumable (sorry can't think of a better word) product. Like something that just gonna sit on a shelf and then thrown out, or worn once then thrown out.
Barnes & Noble as a publicly traded corporation, in my opinion, can not act as a positive 3rd place. Everything it does has the underlying motivation of increasing its stock price for its Venture Capital investors. Your also investing your money and I guess, emotional connection into a place that will be sold off and gutted as soon as it makes sense for the venture capitalist portfolio. Number go up, only important thing.
I love brick and mortar bookstores. And Barnes & Noble is the gold standard. There is just something magical about walking in, roaming around, and finding a gem that jumps off of a shelf at you. Amazon or other online sellers can never offer that.
Agreed. You can pick a book off a shelf, read 50 pages if you want. Not just some body’s preview of the book.
It would be a crime if they were lost
Borders was the gold standard, but B&N is still better than Amazon.
@@bradyblackburn4863Generally when I think of a gold standard the company needs to be able to stay in business through seismic market shifts. B&N has done that and is looking to grow again. Borders is gone.
@@bradyblackburn4863I loved loved loved Borders. They did it best, for sure.
I agree. I’m fortunate that I have a stand-alone B&N in my residential neighborhood that is a 10-minute walk from my house. There are also two other B&Ns in my county that are each within a 20-min driving distance. If there’s a specific book that I’m looking for, I usually first look for it at local bookstores in DC (like Politics & Prose and Kramers), but I love having a B&N near my house, and if I come across a book of interest while browsing, I’ll buy it there.
I can't stand buying from Amazon now. I try to avoid it as much as I can. Book browsing is sacred time for sure.
Only if a) you have time to waste, and b) you have no clue as to what authors you are interested in. Libraries are good for browsing, bookstores not so much. Also, there are other online bookstores besides Amazon.
Amazon has become the "Chinese Outlet" store of America. Search for something and cheap Chinese goods will be the first thing you see, if not the only thing you see.
We authors salute and bless you.
Every time I purchase a book from Amazon it arrives looking like origami. That’s the only reason I leave the house for books.
@@Daryl42yes, I have to return it and then return the replacement, and then go pick it up myself.
I agree with book store experience. 1) book signings 2) book clubs 3) dnd events 4) films based on books & novelization of movies in the same floor 5) Manga & anime same floor 6) chess books & chess sets same floor 7) game nights/ weekends
Honestly, hearing that the store managers selects the books is such a breath of fresh air for an author like me. I'm no longer trying to convince a faceless corporation to stock my book, I just have to convince one person per store.
The children's section at Barnes and Noble used to have a low round table with little chairs. After Covid, the table was removed. Okay, I get that, but now, in 2024, there is nowhere to sit in the children's area. My daughter and I brought her three kids there. She was reading a book to her youngest, sitting on the floor. An employee came by and said they couldn't sit on the floor due to safety issues. They have a little stage for different events. Tried to sit there, and we were told it wasn't allowed. My daughter left upset and said she wouldn't be returning to the store.
You just spoke volumes.
People love this COVID thing it seems like COVID is not a pandemic anymore . Idk how it is in other states but here you still have to book the dmv you can’t just go anymore, Barnes and noble can’t sit anymore. Walmarts are not 24/7 anymore. COVID’s over why we still living like COVID is a pandemic still.
I'm a record collector from the 70's. A long time ago I walked to the back where they used to have CD's. I began to peruse through them from A to Z. There were about 3 young employees in the late teens, early 20's who kept interrupting me and asking me if I were looking for something or needed help. I rebuffed them each time stating, no I'm fine or no, I'm just looking. They made a game out of it and kept coming to me about every 20 minutes, asking me the same question. I realized that they didn't get it. They were completely befuddled as to what I was doing there. I realized then, that this section was doomed. Another problem was that their idea of foreign music was a flamenco guitar from Spain. This area was subsequently replaced by toys. I don't know what it is now.
We sit on the stage all the time when we visit. I'm surprised your location was so rigid.
They never yell at the parents who do that in my area with there kids so fucking dumb
This is why I loved and miss Borders Bookstores. Their stores had the atmosphere of a cozy bookstore. It’s a shame they could not survive.
Yes! So cozy! I miss Borders.
Same ! The Borders in our town had great seating . It was a good place for me to go do homework for and hour before the drink I bought at the snack bar ran out .
We had one on the beach and it was busy but then closed down I think after almost 2 years.
Apparently the reason why they died out is because they were last to the ebook market when ebooks were getting bigin the 2010s(The kindle,Barnes and noble had their ereader,books a million had one)
Borders was right next to B&N in my home town. I much preferred it. There were more places to sit. They had a proper and cozy cafe. The coffee and snacks were better. The magazine section was to notch and the books were organized in a way that made you want to browse and discover. B&Ns are old and dirty now. There are never enough places to sit. The chairs are hard and uncomfortable. They are Keats out of the books I want to read. And it’s organized like a poorly funded library. I long for the good ol days and wish we still had borders!
I think this video emphasizes an important division in the habits of book-buyers. Online sales deliver when you know exactly what book you want to buy, whereas physical book stores deliver when you don't have a specific title or author, just a vague "I want a book of the type I like" -- which usually is not at all what the next person wants.
Amazon does -- from my experience -- an *acceptable* job of delivering on the first. The reason for that adjective is that if I'm at all imprecise about what book I'm looking for, Amazon instead uses that as an excuse to lure me away from what I'm looking for in favor of whatever they are pushing at the moment. Now buy books deep into the long chain of the market: a few years ago I was looking for English translations of Kawabata Yasunari's fiction in hardback; currently I'm looking for books on Ethiopian history. Amazon sucks at delivering both. Most of the hardback editions of Kawabata's writing are out of print, & Amazon simply does not have that deep of a used book selection. (Kawabata is not a best-selling author.) So I had to turn to alternative online sources, such as Alibris or vialibri.net, where independent bookstores advertise their stock. Further, performing a search on Amazon often ends in frustration. If I did a search (for example) for all of the books Richard Pankhurst wrote about Ethiopia -- & he has written a lot of them -- the first few pages would deliver some of his more common titles in print. But after that point instead of a database query result, the search algorithm assumes "Oh, you want *something like* what you are looking for" & starts to deliver randomly related stuff. (Often based on criteria such as books written by people with the last name of Pankhurst, or high-selling books about Ethiopia or Africa, or -- often worst of all -- other books bought at the same time as a book relating to Ethiopia, especially if it happened to be a high-selling book.)
Now if I'm browsing a physical bookstore, it is possible I may not find even one book I want to buy. (It has happened.) However, if this bookstore presents an environment that makes me believe that a title I'm interested in could be there next time, I'll return. And for this environment to work, it needs to reflect the personality of the owner: authenticity always wins over marketing. It's hard to explain this in specifics, but many times I will find a messy & crowded bookstore more appealing than a well-ordered one with light wood shelving. Nonetheless the stock of a bookstore is always the determining factor.
My Local B&Ns don’t seem to want customers browsing or sitting like they used to.
I miss Borders!!
Lately I’ve been shifting to physical copies of books, movies, and games, mostly from small local stores but also places like B&N. The pandemic really highlighted for me (and probably a lot of folks) that being in a social setting, even if it’s purely commercial and even if the patrons tend toward introversion, is a thousand times more rewarding an experience than sitting at home and pressing “Buy Now.”
Also, the green....it's iconic and easily identifiable as the brand. It would not be good to change it now. The green is associated with the brand that we all have grown to know.
I totally agree! I want my bookstore to look something like a Victorian gentleman’s library. I would be heartbroken to walk in and find a modern, sterile white and grey and light wood palette.
@@GMarieWrites "Sterile" is the word I just used in my own comment! The new designs are so trendy I don't even like going to the remodeled B&N.
I agree, I like the green!
I agree, I love the warmth of the green is feeling cozy and like an old library.
@gmarie Glad all of you get it. The trend seems to be going backwards with minimalism dying (not that trends apply to someone like me). but went out of my way to check out a new barnes and noble Id never been to and it was all white and tiny location. Looked nothing like what a barnes and noble should look like, appalled me.
Agree with everything except the green color. Readers don’t mind an older look. I don’t want Walmart or ikea. As you said, we’re book people.
Dark shelves, rich and sturdy holding up leather bound books. An overstuffed armchair with a throw blanket on the back, the air laced with the smell of pipe tobacco and a whisper of ideas from authors long gone. The warm light of a lamp casting your old cat’s shadow on a shaggy rug as he curls up by your slippered feet….. you turn the final page of the novel that’s been changing your life all week, close your eyes, and breathe in that dusty green feeling of a story well-told.
I love picturing this!
Forest green is my favorite color.
I like the green color. 😞
Totally. The new store design feels more like a kitchen than a book store, but without good-smelling food.
Yes. I love the dark green and dark wood. Old library feel, rather than "shelve your books by color" feel.
I live in the Portland area and my favorite "local" bookstore is Powell's. One unique thing that Powell's does is they shelve used and new books together. This pulls me in a lot more because I never know what I will find and allows me to decide if I want new or used and also sometimes pulls me into a new author or series that I wasn't expecting to buy because the value of the used book lowers the cost in taking the risk.
I love bookstores. The feeling of being around all of those minds, the smell of the books, the calming feeling, everything that makes up a bookstore. It's almost like a slice of heaven. I just wish I had the money to buy all the books I could ever want from those stores.
Discovery. That’s it. That’s everything. Let booksellers sell books. Not effing algorithms. I’m rooting for B&N. Thanks so much for this video!
This. I'm surprised more people don't say this. I look for apps or books on Apple's stores, or on Amazon's, and it's not better than browsing the front tables of a real bookstore. You see a few things, and only the most popular things. But if you stroll the aisles, you can browse a hundred books in just a few minutes.
Amazon's recommendation algorithm used to be pretty good and fairly extensive until they switched to sponsored results. They also started prioritizing customer reviews over most helpful. Amazon's UI has not only not changed with the times, but the changes they have made have made it considerably worse.
My wife and I started going to B&N together as friends once a week, before we started dating. We have always credited it as the place we fell in love. I will always cheer for B&N!
Me too! I met my now husband in the cafe of our local B&N! This was 23 years ago! And since then he got a job with them and helped opened up their newer location on another side of our city. I am always rooting for them, too! :)
Hubby and I just celebrated our anniversary. We took a drive to Barnes and Noble. We don’t have one in our area, so it’s a 45 minute drive to the nearest one. We spent our day sipping our favorite drinks and browsing the book shelves. Just spending time together. It was wonderful day.
I went to Barns & Noble yesterday. Maybe that’s why I am seeing this video. I haven’t been to a bookstore in over 10 years, but I am tired of the digital world and I am just ready to go back to the physical world. I love the feeling of laying in bed and reading a book. I think Barnes & Noble should bring back the chairs and the cozy feeling they used to have I was surprised when I walked in the store, and there were no chairs or tables.
When I was a kid I was known to spend 4-6 hours in Waldenbooks to choose what to spend my gift certificates on, it was great. In later years I worked for Borders Book inventory system and the only stand alone Waldenbooks, which operated much like an independent. We had the corporate planning but our manager allowed us to order books that we felt our customers would enjoy. I built one of the largest RPG sections in the company, I also had some customers that if I handed them a book they would just buy without looking at the cover. It was a great experience for everyone.
Here's the thing - if you want B&N to sell more books and fewer toys, etc., you have to buy books from them. If they don't have the book you want on the shelves, let them order it for you and have it sent to your house. You'll probably get it in just a few days and that store will get some profit from it. Also, they will know that they have patrons who like those types of books.
When they can't find a book on their shelves that should be there, it frustrates them, too. Usually it's because it's been taken off the shelf by a patron and put in the wrong place. Leave the books on the tables so they can be shelved properly if you're not going to do it right yourself.
If you can't find a book, always ask for help. Often they're shelved somewhere different from where you looked. But give them a chance to find it for you. If they never have enough help at that store, then buying fewer books from them will only make the problem worse.
I don't work at B&N, but I've developed relationships with the managers and several booksellers at each of our local stores. Just being friendly and polite will go a long way. They want to help and want to sell you books. But they aren't Amazon and never will be.
One of our local stores has changed a lot. They got a new manager during Covid who has really run with the changes and given her staff a lot of freedom, too. The other hasn't changed at all. I use both, because I want them both to stay in business, though I have a tight budget and buy most of my books used. We don't have a good independent bookstore here, only a few used stores that don't carry what I like to read. (Nonfiction, classics and vintage mystery, mostly.) But I love a physical bookstore, so I pop in a lot and give them what $ I can afford. I really hope they continue to grow and thrive!
I worked at a B&N for almost 5 years, and this is very well said. I'll also say for the "shop at B&N, buy from Amazon" crowd because B&N is "too expensive", the Membership often makes books from B&N CHEAPER than Amazon. $25.00 for a B&N Membership over $99.00 for an Amazon Prime or whatever it is (and with Express shipping for every purchase, not just those over $25.00, you get it just as quickly) is so worth it. I do hope this CEO brings back the stackable coupons, though - those were the best and made my dollar go SO much farther than Amazon ever could.
I’m a former bookseller at Canada’s largest indie. My son works there now, my daughter did a stint there between other jobs, and this is solid gold advice. There isn’t a single thing I’d add to it. Thank you for being our kind of customer 🙏
Or you can just order it from your house and have it turn up at your door the next day
So well said. Also, people can order from BN's website just as easily as ordering from Amazon's. Throw B&N some online love.
She didn't mention the increased amount of real estate devoted to educational toys and games at the expense of book selection.
I have a Barnes and Noble near my house and they are getting better. Personally, I preferred Borders Bookstore back in the day, they were a vibe. Big comfy sofas and leather armchairs made you sit down and stay a while and their cafe and bakery was the best. A true third place for me, behind home and work. Barnes and Noble would do well to add on and steal that concept, I really miss that in my life!!!
Yes! As hard as the chairs in Barnes and Noble were, I loved just being able to sit down and read for a while when I was a kid. It would be great to have some more chairs for adults
Facts! Borders is cemented as part of my upbringing and memories. Can’t say the same about B&N. I also used to work at Borders in Glendale CA back in the day.
I miss Borders so much.
YES! My borders had Indy Artist musicians putting on little concerts, it was AMAZING. NERD NIGHTLIFE
The cafe at Borders was better than B&N, IMO, as well.
My boyfriend and I got into the habit of going to our favourite Barnes and noble to read, because we found that we focused a lot more there, rather than getting constantly distracted at home. I was pretty sad when recently that Barnes and noble downsized… completely getting rid of the cafe and anywhere to even sit down. We lost that place, that environment away from home. I really hope in the future that Barnes and noble focuses on bringing that back.
Rittenhouse Square in Philly?
I have echoed this sentiment with my friends, that it feels like since 2020 many B&N feel less inviting. Sometimes missing anyplace to sit down together unless there is a cafe.
It surprises me to hear that other locations are being remodeled to feel more like a bookstore and that the brand is on an upswing. Makes me wonder when the above mentioned cafe was removed and if there are more changes in store.
during the late 90's before I had kiddos, my days off were Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and the first thing I did on my day off was ride my motorcycle to barnes and noble and spend like 5 hours looking, sitting, shopping and having a coffee. Now the one I live the closest to has changed back to a real book store, no dvd's, no music section, and now my youngest daughter loves going there and the two of us can spend hours there just like I did, still love going, hope they keep it up.
I live in an urban area close to a mall and the nearest B@N is 45 minutes away, which is a shame as it used to be more than a weekly ritual for me. I like indie and used book stores but they either have very little inventory or are not ideal for browsing. The most recent one I went to had a bookshelf that went up to the ceiling.
@@politefan8141 the closest one to me now is about 30 minutes away so same, we don't get over there very often, we have a half price books about 10 minutes away, but it's just not the same vibe as a B&N
I like the green and gold of B&N. If they "update" to pastels and that dumb brush script that is ubiquitous in marketing these days, I will throw up on them and walk away. Happy with the deep tones and serifed letters, thank you.
That’s a very silly reaction and sentiment. It’s not that serious.
goodbye don't let the door hit you on the way out loser
Same. I’m over the trendy bright colors everywhere. It just looks sterile and without character.
Raising the "Culture Vulture" stereotype to new levels of defensive realism are we?
Back in the day I met a friend who lived two hours away from me, whose father was dying. That day there was an emergency and he had to take him to the hospital he was upset and asked if I could wait for him. He left me waiting for five hours. Near his house was a huge Borders Bookstore. I made a “nest” in the Seattle’s Best coffee shop/snack bar and began my book shopping. I found seven books that I pared down to four and was just about ready for check out when he finally arrived. He was so upset about leaving me for 5 hours. But apart from being worried about his father, I had a fantastic day. THAT’S what bookstores are supposed to be.
I worked for B&N for 10 years. It was very apparent to those of us that worked there for years that we needed to be given control of inventory. We would waste so much time and effort on setting up displays that didn’t matter to our community, while struggling to stock things people actually wanted. If they can pay B&N booksellers a living wage, thereby retaining a core staff, the strategy of allowing each store to have control of their stock will be successful.
In portland, OR we have independent bookstores from the 80’s that still run today because we valued small businesses over corporations. I think they’re getting a taste of what they did when they put a lot of small independent bookstores out of business. Bring back the independent bookstores! Create more commerce for small businesses. Look up Powells Books, largest used and new bookstore in the world. Still an independent bookstore. They didn’t get greedy. They just wanted a really good bookstore. 1 was enough to create wealth and offer used, buy backs and new books. 😮
As soon as you said local managers get to manage their own store, I really want to go to my local Barnes and Noble.
It wasn't mentioned, but it was this policy that is credited with the turn-around at Waterstones
My first B&N experience was amazing and feels like yesterday. I grew up in a very poor inner city area and the only bookstore around was a tiny Waldenbooks in the mall where I spent any allowance I ever had as a child. I remember when they tried cleaning up the city and the first Barnes and Noble I ever saw opened soon after. I was 18 and I remember stopping in after my fast food shift for the grand opening and it was utterly magical. The biggest bookstore I’d ever been in and the yummy cafe… I remember getting a chocolate chip muffin and staying there for hours and spending my measly paycheck. Now, 20 years later, I go on mommy daughter dates with my little one. We browse books, each pick out a book, and of course always stop in the cafe for a cupcake for her and coffee for me. B&N will FOREVER have a soft spot for me.
I remember Walden books. i also would go borders when the still opened. On vacation I would to to the local bookstore
Great story. Thanks for sharing .
Precious memory. Thanks for giving it to us. 🥰
@@noble604 B&N is a big help when you're raising a bookworm . Good for you .
I remember Waldenbooks. When we went to the mall, my parents never had to wonder where I was. If they lost sight of me, they just went down to the Waldenbooks, and they would find me somewhere between the shelves, browsing, and occasionally sitting on the floor with one that caught my eye. I was there so much, the workers just left me alone. My dad would have to come in and get me because my mom (who I got my love of reading from) would start browsing with me lol. Nothing will ever replace an actual physical bookstore. You can't make memories with an online store like Amazon.
I was shocked when I walked into a SFL B&N the other weekend and it was absolutely packed. I thought they were in decline, and the only other time I’ve been in one since before the pandemic was one in Manhattan. The coolest thing to me was that there were several groups of people and couples just hanging out in the manga section and reading books on the floor. Haven’t seen that since the early 2000s!
My wife and I met in a Barnes & Nobles and ten years later got married in the same Barnes & Nobles. The video is on TH-cam somewhere...
The biggest complaint I have for B&N - and what mystifies me to this day - is how obscenely expensive they are when it comes to movies and music. I can't imagine they have much in the way of sales in that media. It's one thing if you're 10% or even 20% higher, like they are with books and like retail tends to be over online ordering in general... but they are usually 50% to 100% higher when it comes to movies and music and that's inexplicable.
I used to live going to Barnes &Noble. The reason was the seating, which had completely disappeared the kast time I walked in the store. I would fill my basket and tgen find a seat to look through my selections before purchasing. I hope his plan includes bringing seating back. I can no longer stand around for long.
I was in one last week and it had seating.
Although I agree with your comment, our local B&N store found that people sitting in the chairs were doing far more eating, sleeping (putting 2 chairs together and using as a bed), and watching online content, than actually reading or discussing books.
Hopefully your store has ample seating in their cafe.
In our area homeless people would come in and sleep or sit in the chairs all day. Bookstore employees don't like having to chase them out, so they took out the comfy chairs. But the cafe is there and you buying a small drink while you peruse the books helps the store out, too.
Both of our locations got rid of all seating except for cafe seating. But that only has about 10 small tables. And you feel obligated to buy a drink if you go in. I miss the comfy chairs or even the wooden benches. I understand the homeless person thing, but there’s gotta be a middle ground.
@@hospitalfood6621that’s the thing though it’s like anything if it starts to get abused then obviously its a failure as a business strategy. There are some stores that still have soft seating but in areas where they don’t have a homeless situation so that would be your middle ground solution on a wider level. Also having homeless people seated on the majority of seating isn’t giving the vibe that most people expect from a bookshop so I would do the same to at least protect the store from losing any customers due to that by removing seating as in high density homeless areas there is no middle ground unfortunately. Better than losing the store altogether.
I am an avid reader and used to buy books until I discovered that the library can order any book I am interested in reading without me ever having to buy it. I can put it on my hold list and when it comes in (if it's not yet on the shelf), I get notified. The best deal for those not interested in owning, just reading.
Your lucky I live in a rural area with no library
I also get many books this way, though they must have been published at least a year ago for me to request them, so really new books are out. But I read a lot of older books, and so far my library has found everything I requested. I just never know when they'll show up!
@@user-iz6cc6lz3j-Vickieyou can do online library
I find it better that I can get almost any book from the library and not even actually have to go to the library.
Book stores are for books you want to own. Libraries are for books you actually want to read.
I have noticed that in my local Barnes and noble they started adding little hand written notes by books explaining a bit about why they were favored by staff. I love that 🤗
I worked for Barnes & Noble for 13 years, beginning in 2004.
My final four years there were some of the bleakest moments of my life, yet i still have nostalgia
and warm memories of the first half of my tenure.
We were stationed in a very large store in a wealthy mall, but we became a "show-room" for Amazon,
or even worse, just a place where people could kill time & make a huge mess.
Daunt took over right before the Pandemic, and i left a couple years later.
The business was failing rapidly at that point, so i have no idea why he decided to captain a sinking ship.
First, I'm sure they paid him a lot. Second, he probably has enough ego (rightly or wrongly) to think he's up to the job.
This reminds me of You've Got Mail...except that Barnes & Noble is now the Shop Around the Corner. I worked at Borders Bookstore (very similar to B & N) and to this day it was my favorite job. I am actually kind of a fan of the 90's hunter green. The color always reminds me of this store. I hope they bring back the quirky and cozy vibes of the old Starbucks and Central Perk.
Ohh wait I thought you meant fox books is like Barnes. Well..yea..now amazon is the big bad fox books and Barnes is the book store worth saving
A few shops around the corner still exist and are still struggling.
Meanwhile y'all are waxing poetic about a company that is on the New York Stock Exchange.
How romantic....
James Daunt is turning Barnes&Noble into the Borders of the 80s and 90s
I dunno - we are getting a new B&N. Im guess excited to see it - it will be in a very cool empty space. However, on the same street within walking distance, there is an amazing used bookstore, a comic book store + 2 independent bookstores.
For me B&N will offer some things that the other dont (for me International design mags + wifi and workspace) but hope the other guys survive as they do bring lots to our community. I will do my best to order from the independent guys, and not B&N + Amazon
I still shop at B&N, but I remember the golden age - a time when you’d hear the latest early 2000’s Nora Jones album playing while looking through piles of books in a cozy seat in the corner.
Interesting. I must dissent - I find any music in a bookstore distracting.
@@ichirofakenameyeah, I get it. It has to be just right. A lot of music is distracting.
Our music has a coffeehouse feel--and not too loud. So it works.
Those were the days! Norah Jones was the perfect music choice for B&N!
I live in a town that B&N just returned to after closing 20 years ago. The new store opened just 3 weeks ago, I am happy to have them back.
OK, I just watched a TH-camr do a walk-through at the new Barnes & Noble in Paramus New Jersey. It is the complete opposite of what this video is portraying about the new strategy. In that, the store was completely uninviting and focused more on non-book related items, staged for people to rush in, buy and leave. It was certainly uninviting, hectic, and not the “experience” you’re expecting in a physical bookstore environment. It’s more like, if Amazon had a physical bookstore, this is what it would look like. Very disappointing. Just doesn’t feel right.
One of my favorite things about going to the bookstore, besides wandering around and finding new books, is chatting with other book people. I get so many great recommendations and learn so many interesting things and that really adds to the sense of community that I associate with bookstores.
Last time I was in B&N I was impressed with the number of families, especially those with tweens. Great to see all these book buyers.
Because of the manga probably 😂
I love seeing children in B&N getting excited over a book they found or just having fun browsing through the books. I once talked to a 3rd grade teacher and told her about the Boxcar Children Series. She never heard of it, when I got done talking to her I later saw her buying the first 2 or 3 books of the series for her class.
@@thewalruswasjason101 I buy manga from B&N - editions with the full text of Shakespeare's plays. You might be surprised at what manga is out there.
I visited the US for the first time last year, specifically NYC. I was so excited to see B&N, a friend recommended it… it was a mixed experience. The vibe was not it. It felt kind of warehousey, not cozy, obviously hasn’t changed the decor/refurbished, but the range was spectacular and can definitely see it was stocked by the store owner. A huge range of books specific to NYC, and heard the staff discussing stock and what was selling well and what they were excited to stock. They had the best stocked horror section I’ve EVER seen in any bookstore. I spent a very happy hour or so there sitting in between the stacks and perusing.
In my small town, there is only two indie bookstores which are wonderful, but B&N was still an experience well worth it and I left with several new “souvenirs” 📚 of my trip!
The B&N at Union Square large anime section as well.😎
I love the fact that the manga sections are very large now. Manga is super popular now. I also love how they aren’t just sticking to action shonen, but are having all genres, such as seinen, shoujo, and the like.
Also, the little cards that mention the recommendations of the staff.
If I had the money, I’d buy physical books and manga and the Kindle version (because Kindle is simply _better_ for me and my failing eyesight) and donate the physicals to my local library. 😊
As a child, I used to go to visit the only Barnes and Noble...in New York City. I was so excited when they expanded. They used to be open until 11pm, and I would go with a friend hang out there after my kids went to sleep. (My husband, an author, was at home with the kids while he wrote.) It's never been the same since they changed their closing time to 9pm.
there are fewer and fewer third spaces and its becoming sad.
I agree completely! It's not the same. Thank you for posting this, as my husband didn't believe me and was shocked when i said they used to be open until 11pm about 10 plus years ago.
I spent many a Friday or Saturday night there in my 20s getting a drink from Starbucks and enjoying the books. It was always pretty busy there, too. I miss those book nights with friends so much!
I loved the late night hanging out at Barnes and Noble. I’d always walk out with a book or magazine. Bring back 11pm!!!!
@@nandamari Yes!!! I wish they'd bring it back, too!
Yeah, I used to work there, Union Square, we wouldn’t get out until close to 12.
I am book people. I love browsing the bookstores and I don't want to be disturbed unless I want help. Book buying, book collecting, and book reading are all important to me equally.
I could spend hours in a bookstore. 📚
I agree with this sentiment. My local b&n always has attendants around if you need them who are more than happy to help, but they don't hound you around the store. Makes for a much better experience.
@BlackCatBritt Yes, I like that about Barnes and Noble. There's help if needed, but no hounding you.
A previously closed B&N reopened in the same exact location in my town. People love it. I go weekly if not more than once per week to sit and read, study, etc. I'm a premium member and now prefer buying my books there! It feels comfortable and I love the design of the store. There's nooks with sections and extra seating throughout, and tons of practical sections so I also go in to grab gifts frequently. There's a kids storyline and author events...all around a win!
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Barnes and Noble. There was a movie theater attached to the Barnes & Nobles that used to be near my house. I was there all the time, ALL day. It had 3 floors. Go see a movie, then hang out in the book store reading. Or hang out in the book store before the movie. Saw quite a few celebrities in there as well. It was always full. When they were closing, I asked one of the employees why? He said it wasn't the revenue. They were making plenty of money. He said corporate just didn't want to pay the sky high rent in that location anymore. They closed down. Sad. I miss BORDER'S as well. Both places were my second home. And yes, I spent a lot of money there as well. Brick and mortar Book Stores should be protected landmarks. Pipe dream I know but one can wish.
When I was a teenager in the 80's, their was a private owned bookstore in my neighborhood, the mall had both a Waldenbooks and a B. Dalton, plus right up the street from the mall was a 2 floor Borders. Great times.
And you could walk in and look at all the latest D&D stuff :)
I loved Borders. They were my alternative bookstore if B&N didn’t have the book
Also , in Champaign , Il. there was a great store " Pages For All Ages " . 📚💙
I never saw Borders until it was struggling against BN. The dominant large bookstore around me was Bookstop. I even got a book signed by Douglas Adams at a Bookstop. Good times. Eventually, BN killed Bookstop with its sofas and Starbucks.
There was a Waldenbook right across the street from my house. My dad would take me there and let me buy any books I wanted them we would go to TCBYs for icecream...wish I could give my kids those memories ❤
I currently work for Barnes & Noble. I work at one of the older, larger stores that the company is sort of shifting away from. I will say that yes, the majority of what we sell daily are books, but I do honestly believe that bringing in things like lego, DVD's, and most of all vinyl, is helping a lot, especially with vinyl. My store is closing, not because of poor business, my store is actually very profitable, rather because of a jerk face property owner that clearly doesn't give a damn about workers losing a job they love. Going for smaller stores is fine, but if they shift away from things like lego, DVD's, and vinyl, it will hurt more than many realize, so I hope they're smart about that and keep it, because it sells.
I know a number of grandparents who buy legos and science kits for their grandkids at B&N. The kids don't want or read books much, but they can support the store buying those other items instead, or in addition.
I don't care for the toys but I love the large selection of board and party games B&N has in their stores. You can always find something interesting.
My biggest problem with Barnes and Noble is all the toys and merch. My indie book seller has a far better book selection in a much smaller space because they don’t sell toys. Nevertheless, I shop at B&N all the time and am very happy to have one near me. Long live the bookstore.
I'm in Ontario, Canada and our major book retailer Indigo Books, also has the toys and music, but also paper and Journaling items, home decor like candles and drink ware, gift items, reading socks and cozy blankets and pillows, pajamas and robes. Stuff to sit back relax, set the mood to read in comfort. More than half the store is now that stuff. I suspect it's why they can stay open.
I tend to pick up my books at smaller independent shops around here though.
Yes! ESPECIALLY the vinyl records!!!
There's this comic called Matchmaker I used to read on Twitter - just a person uploading art telling a (super lovely) story every week. They finished the story and announced a preorder for their self published version of that comic, which was awesome! A few months later I saw a copy of that self published book at a Barnes and noble - my mind was blown. For so long their comic/graphic novel selection has been a bit dry and corporate... knowing that an employee who worked there got to choose that comic and put it there is awesome
I'm convivned that manga is keeping B&N stores afloat. My local store shut down for renovations & reopened with all new decor & sections. The largest section? Manga. I talked with the manager after they reopened, and she said that manga outsells everything in the store, period. Its not even a close margin. I checked some other B&N stores in my area and they said the same thing. Manga is the biggest seller & the stotes are starting to have more community events around that genre: book clubs, cosplay events, art events all centered around manga.
It's true. Manga, merch, toys, and anything related to the hottest trending shows on Netfllix
The demise of the physical bookstores over the past 30 or so years is an absolute tragedy. First came the big chains (i.e. Waterstones, Barnes & Noble and the like) who killed off the independents (or most of them) where the staff/owners actually knew what they were selling because they were of the reading rather than the selling kind. And now , quite ironically, it is the big chains fighting Amazon to give us readers the last few places where we can still browse at our leisure (if not discuss books with equally minded staff!). Thirty years ago I would have said "Go to hell, James Daunt". Now I can only hope he succeeds. It's a sad story!
I think the elephant in the room is the price difference between Amazon and BN. You can save up to 50%+ buying from Amazon vs BN who is going to charge full list price in stores. Last time I ordered from BN about two years ago, their online pricing was competitive but in store pricing was not. My nearest BN is about 50 minutes away, the selection isn’t that great, AND it was more expensive. Where is the incentive to actually BUY at BN, rather than browse/read without buying (which is why I think they got rid of seating to prevent people from doing that), or standing in BN and placing an order on Amazon to save money?
They will need to figure out how to be competitive price-wise if they’re going to make it with brick and mortar stores. I’m not paying a premium to shop at a big bookstore chain.
I agree wholeheartedly. In addition add the fact their website is not user friendly and I almost always use Amazon even when I would prefer not to.
@@betsyharnish6962 At least as a guest, you can place an order at Barnes and Noble without signing up from their website. With Amazon, You’re forced to sign up with their service to order anything and pay for it.
Yeah, this probably is a major factor. I don’t even buy that much on Amazon because I like the experience of physically browsing, but I mostly shop at used bookstores or borrow from the library rather than at B&N because of the price.
Bm should run discounts more like Amazon yes
Bravo!! Exactly! Don't even get me started with their dvd selection....😳💥🤣
I work at a Barnes and Noble in my area. It is new and it’s so much brighter inside! We don’t have a coffee shop, but we do have a couple chairs in different areas which I see others complaining about missing, and I really love! I am absolutely obsessed with my job and my store, along with being allowed to give my ideas to our social media manager and give suggestions about books we should be featuring! I hope my new store lasts a long time because I’m sure to be shopping there for a long time!
Bring back the oversized chairs and tables, please.
Amazon doesn’t let you browse through a book to see if it’s really the one you want. I buy art books, art magazines and a good mystery! I walk in with one book in mind and walk out with 3 magazines and 4 books! I can browse my new purchases with a latte or just sit in a comfy spot and read a bit.
The children’s section is amazing. I have been taking three generations of children to B & N for gifts. I let them pick out the books they want.
My daughter, her daughter, and her daughter’s children.
We need book stores! And B & N has always been my favorite one!!
Absolutely could not agree more with all of your points. As an artist, a book lover, manga collector, and an accountant, your video touched on so many important points that make sense emotionally through an experience and also on paper. I think the most genius thing is allowing each individual bookstore’s management to handle which books they want to stock and how to lay them out. ❤I think that’s such a genius and unique approach and I’m very proud of Daunt for choosing that route.
My local B&N, in a shopping center 5 minutes from my house, has done a great job the past year or so to appeal more to the engagement of book lovers without the pressure to buy. Weekly game nights, local author panels, local author book signings (there was an event in November featuring four local - 3 Milwaukee and 1 Madison - female authors. . I bought a book from each and had them sign/personalize so I could give as holiday gifts to four of my girlfriends for Christmas which was a BIG hit), etc. Bookstores large or small have always been and will always be a sanctuary for me, and books the best gifts.
One of the new Barnes and Noble Bookstores has opened in my neighborhood in the past few months and it is GREAT! I have decided that I am going to buy books as gifts regularly as a means of supporting them.
I remember the 80's and the 2 Barnes & Nobles stores on the corners of 5th and 18th in NYC. Being a teen, I had no money but didn't stop me spending hours in there. Good times.
I dont mind the green. I hate the cold feeling theyve had in the last decade. I want some comfy chairs. Our only seating is metal chairs in the starbucks area. I know they want to get you in and out, but if i had somewhere to sit and read id be more likely to stay longer and therefore buy more. My b&n is definitely going the right way. I can tell the booksellers have more leeway, theres fun displays set up like right now one for the eclipse (were only 2 hours from the path of totality). Theres a lot of non book stuff too but im okay with that. They do need to pay the bills.
Little inside secret about B&N comfy chairs: When they had them 20 odd years ago, they almost never get cleaned-like in 5 years I never heard of them getting cleaned-they capture dust, dirt, and any other thing you can think of from a human body, more than the carpet, which they did have cleaned regularly.
Now think about the gross, nasty people who sit in those comfy chairs.
Stick with hardwood chairs or those industrial stools-you’ll be glad you did.
@@Summalogicae I wish we had wood or even decent metal chairs. The ones mine has are only in the Starbucks area and they're like slatted metal not even solid so they pinch when you move. Even foldable metal chairs are more comfortable 😂
@@CodexPotterI know those kind you’re talking about; yeah, those suck.
You can get comfortable wooden chairs. Both of our stores eliminated virtually all seating. The new tiny B&N has 1 wooden bench. The other seating is in the tiny cafe. Older shoppers need a place to have a seat . I’m there for about an hour or a little more. With health issues and age, I like to sit a bit every half hour or so.
@@SummalogicaeLittle inside secret… Chairs at almost anyplace never get cleaned. At restaurants, the staff wipes down the tables, but almost never wipe the chairs/booths. Ever sit down at the doctor’s office waiting room? Most of those chairs don’t get cleaned, either. Also, gas pumps. No one ever cleans gas pump handles. And I rarely see anyone wash their hands or use hand sanitizer after pumping their gas. They get in their car and put their hands right on their steering wheel.
I just went to my "local" Barnes & Noble yesterday (an 1 1/2 away,) and have to say I did notice some changes that align with what you're saying the new CEO is trying to do. I will also say, that while a lot of the popular booktube/TikTok books where front and center, it also was not promoting regional interests like it should. Hoping that changes as it grows. Personally, I'm not looking forward to lighter colored shelves and stores, I've always associated dark colored shelves and deep color atmosphere with cozy, intriguing reads. But it is what it is😊. Like the vast majority of serious readers, I love, LOVE, browsing the bookstore to find new and intriguing stories / authors. I hope, like you said, Barnes & Noble keeps up the trend to be more small seller/reader oriented. Much thanks for the update!
I love Barnes and Noble. Been a patron for many decades. Please, may Barnes and Noble thrive for decades to come. Keep the Green, its back in mode.
My girlfriend and I love going to B&N! We sometimes randomly decide to go, grab coffee, spend an hour or two, maybe buy a book, maybe not. It’s like a mini date and we love it
I think they should incorperate used books into the store as well. A section of the store that has used. Quality used books and even some older used like late 19th century cloth books. Also downloading stations were people can download books directly onto thier devices for a reduced fee using B&N services. Maybe only B&N brand books that would be discounted for download. Like really cheap classics and stuff like that. Also I would have a fireplace in every store and a mascot cat for every store. Also, I would have massive windows for window displays that are reflective of the individual neighborhoods and their tastes. Each store can do its own window. And lots of readings. Author readings.
Wonderful suggestions!
I agree! I was thinking the same thing as I was watching this video. I'd be very inclined to buy a new book at full price if I was already there browsing the used books.
What about people who have allergies or nasty people that might poison the cat. Maybe fishtanks in the seating area, very relaxing and can be inaccessible to people (no way to bang on it or drop stuff in it)
I know what you're getting at but the fireplace would have to be fake. A lot of places that have the fake ones don't even turn them on all the time. The reason some indie bookstores have cats is they belong to the owner. B&N would still be a corporate entity not individually owned. Then there are ppl who have allergies. For every aesthetic you mention it has to have upkeep, and B&N doesn't even clean those chairs they have (had). Bathrooms get custodial care once, maybe twice a week.
Not cats! Allergies.
Im a former independent bookstore owner in the Midwest. Im so excited to see B&N coming back! Love the new strategy and agree with all it’s nuances! Getting rid of that corporate feel will make it a wonderful place to hang out! Thanks for a great video!
I worked in bookstores in the early 1980s and I loved being able to order what was local and what was selling. Post pandemic people are lonely, what would be good would be bookstores would offer what you can't get online: poetry readings, book clubs, author signing events, things that get people into the store and engaged with each other - heck even a crochet club would be fun
I worked for Crown Books in the late 90s. Their managers were allowed to order whatever and organize their stores however they wanted, and it killed the stores. Giving them that power is overestimating the abilities and qualifications of retail store managers. They aren't "book sellers," they are service industry workers looking for the best paycheck they can get. There is also a fair amount of turnover in retail, which means chaos for a store every time there is a change in management.
I will agree that B&N stores have almost non-book garbage in their stores as books and that needs to change.
I recently asked for help at B&N and was astonished at the service. It was definitely at the same level of a small bookstore.
Yes. I am a frequent shopper and recently went in and found two sales clerks who obviously were readers. One was wandering through the stores and actually offering suggestions to customers. There were a lot of young people and I actually saw them buying books! Did my heart well to see an active B&N. The only thing that would improve it would be comfy reading chairs to look through books before purchase. We have a homeless problem here and they would sleep.there. Still have hope for B&N
The B&N in Champaign , Il. has great service !
At B&N ? Good service without a doubt .
I’ve been in one of the new stores and I hated it! The maze style of the bookshelves is confusing and I just got frustrated looking for something specific. It felt too cold and the cafe felt like a hospital cafeteria. It feels like they’re trying to be a book Apple Store. Very unwelcoming and not the kind of place I wanted to linger for long. As someone with ADHD, the design literally gave me anxiety. I feel like bookstores should feel cozy and warm. Just my two cents.
Used bookstores with well-read and knowledgeable staff is so much better-looks, feels, and smells like a bookstore. Hopefully those don’t give you anxiety
@@Summalogicae Yes! I feel the same way. I love a good used book store. I love being able to smell the books and find a cushy arm chair to curl up in. As long as the store doesn’t have a cat (I’m allergic), I could stay in one all day. I’ve found that lots of used bookstores have cats. 😉
@@tracyfitch4873My two favorite used bookstores have cats. 🐱
if he wants to turn things around he better do it fast. My wife and i have been disillusioned abt the company bc it feels so much more cold and inhospitable than it used to be when we were growing up. It honestly has the vibe of “pick a book and leave” and what we value is the ability to have a nice long outing of research for our craft, sitting somewhere comfortable and going thru our stacks of art books.
My fave memory of barns and nobles is that my local one would let my jazz club play in it once a month, and I absolutely loved it in grade school.
Our nearest Barnes & Noble is an hour away, so I get there once a year or less. My tiny town no longer has an indie bookstore. So, I buy from the evil Amazon. Thank God for the library, where I can hang out with book lovers!
Try thrift books
Lots of independent sellers on ebay.
After awhile I've found a few that consistently return to.
The whole Amazon is evil is just backwards. America is billed of the land of opportunity and the place where you work and you can make it. The moment someone does it seems like Americans want to just pull them down. Do I agree with everything that Amazon does nope but then I don’t agree with what Apple does. But I only have so much money and if a book is £20 in the bookstore but I can get it for £10. I am going to buy it for £10 as I can take that £10 and do something else. I get to a bookstore when I can and there is a Waterstones in my town and I will buy as they are so lovely people and really know books. I just don’t buy that Amazon is the demon of books
You can also order from B&N online.
I miss when there were lots of competing chain bookstores along with independent bookstores. Waldenbooks, Borders, Barnes and Noble, at least one of each in every mall. Now it’s B&N or your local indie, and most local indies near me carry maybe 50-100 books, none of which ever interest me. I do have HPB which is my go to for used books. And when I lived in Austin, BookPeople was the best place - think: the large inventory and size of Barnes and Noble but the care and vibe of an indie bookstore. Exactly what B&N tried to be.
I will say though, in my trip to the UK last year, I visited a lot of book stores and from the biggest Waldenbooks to the smallest basement bookshop, all of them had a special reverence and excitement about books that I’ve never felt here in the US. And there’s so many of them. They definitely do it differently over there, the whole literary culture is different.
I'm sorry but I HATE the new Barnes and Nobles. They feel so ugly and uninviting. The old stores felt like a nice, slightly dated but in a nostalgic and comforting way, libraries where you could go and shop but also sit down and read. The new stores feel like a hostile overly sanitized and personalityless beige void where walking around and shopping is prioritized over sitting down and staying for awhile at the cafe
This was quite enlightening. It was recently reported that our 2-story Barnes & Noble was giving up its space at a swanky outdoor mall and moving to a single story space in a business that recently closed. It is encouraging to find that the move has purpose and is part of an overall plan to ensure the company has a fighting chance to keep serving the bookworm community. 😊
As a board gamer, not a book reader, they upped the ante on modern European board games at B&N. For the past 15 years board games have been having a Golden Era and I’m glad they are focusing on it. Other local places don’t carry their stock. Target is dabbling in modern board games, but not like B&M. Good move.
Love your video! I can't believe I sat and watched one person speak for 15 minutes in a video! And without annoying stock photos spinning around in between interrupting the video! Love your expressions while speaking! Awesome research! Definitely love the links you have in the description.
They closed a local B&N that used to be open until 11pm, and opened a new one that now closes at 9pm, often the time I’m getting off work.
The old store was cozy and comfortable - a place you'd want to hang out at and buy some books.
The new store has an open floor plan - probably to deter homeless squatters and shoplifters - and isn’t nearly as enjoyable to spend time in.
They also seem to focus on recent bestsellers, toys, and tchotchkes rather than classic volumes I’d want to buy.
Love that Barnes & Noble green, lol. But then I've always found dark, rich, and earthy color schemes cozier: my ideal rooms are usually colored dark green, moss or tea green, burgundy, burnt orange, coffee/mahogany, etc. So the push these days to make retail & public spaces always "brighter" and "airier" with massive windows and neutral or light colors doesn't really appeal to me
I was partial to Borders growing up (+ a local bookstore), but it went out of business when I was still fairly young, so I don't remember the experience too vividly, just that it was a very comfortable bookstore to hang out in with a better cafe than what you get at B&N. I took a break from bookstores for a long period of time, but in the past few years have started revisiting them (although my first stop for books is still my wonderful public library), and have been generally pleased with the interior layout, book selection & organization at my local Barnes & Noble...plus the staff recommendations are a nice, personalized touch.
As a former Barnes and Noble book seller and book store lover I cheered when I listened to this program. Everything you said was spot on! Well said and well done! HURRAY for a much needed change And for a manager that GETS IT!!
Great video! I hadn't thought about it, but yes, bookbuying in a book store IS an experience! I haven't done it in a while, but I remember if I had time on a Saturday afternoon, I'd be like, "I want to go to a bookstore and look around." And then I'd find a few books that piqued my interest, take them to a table, sit down and read a few pages. I did find joy in going home with something I had no idea existed before I went in! Great video!
This is great to hear! I worked at B&N over 20 years ago and am a loyal customer.
For me, I go to BN every couple months because I tend to spend too much. My favorite thing to buy there is magazines, so first I hit the clearance then magazine section, grab 6 or so magazines and head over to the coffee area where I get a drink and a cookie and go through them making yes, no, and maybe piles. I buy 2-4 Then I pay at the coffee shop. For me the sitting area and coffee shop is essential
But $28-$32 for a hardcover book? Imagine if B&N price matched with Amazon!! I’d be there every weekend!! 😮 we’d get the best of both worlds.
It’s insane! 100% agree!
So, Amazon sells books at a loss. They literally lose money on them. These are called "loss leaders" and are meant to make the customer buy more from the company and go to that store first. B&N even dabbled in this with the Nook ereader/tablet. The tablet itself was a loss leader, with the intention being the customer would buy a lot of ebooks and get a membership for it. Jeff Bezos has said that he wants to put every other book seller out of business. My heartfelt plea is to buy books you want to read and reread from your local indie shop or B&N, and get everything else from your library. Libraries are amazing and criminally underused.
I love B&N for being such a great introvert hang out place, someplace you can go at night and feel comfortable, get lost, discover something. The changes I noticed were earlier closing hours, removing chairs, and it basically becoming a toy store. A move away from those things would be very welcome. I haven't noticed much change in our local stores but looking forward to it!
The city I grew up in lost it’s Barnes&Noble, in 2012. Thankfully there were still a couple stores relatively close by, depending on where in the city you were. However, towns and cities that relied on our B&N were screwed.
My teens and twenties, my hangout spot was funny enough, a B&N store. I could sit and do homework while enjoying a coffee. It was also a bonding experience with my mom. We’re VERY heavy readers, and getting her to buy me a book was easier than anything else as a teenager. Escaping into another reality for a while is a nice break for me. I favor fantasy or sci-fi for that reason, but I think a favorite of mine is urban fantasy. Taking the world we live in, and finding something unique and mysterious about it.
One fond memory I have is the midnight release of the 5th Harry Potter book and going with my whole family. My sister and I both got a copy of the book so we attack each other for it. 😂 While my sister and I did activities, my parents hid in the back reading all night. 🤣 We walked out of the store with maybe $200 dollars worth of books. Did I mention we’re heavy readers? 😅
One thing that is more recent I would say is the recommendations from the book sellers. I always wanted to work at a B&N store, but this is one retail place that is VERY hard to get a job at, because they want you to have particular skills. With what you spoke about, it makes sense that you need to know your customers products very well, like a librarian.
I loved Borders, so BN has never been my favorite. The store nearest to me just doesn't have a great variety of the books I like to read. I've been using my library and Kindle more, as well as ordering physical books from the UK. They are cheaper and I usually like the covers better. I do hope they survive.
RIP Borders ☹️.
The Borders near us was absolutely horrible in every way. It was stores like that one that closed the chain.
I miss Borders 📚
I love books and I always loved browsing in Barnes & Noble, Waldenbooks, Borders (my old favorite), etc. I have fond memories of Saturday bookstore browsing with my daughter back in the 90's. Those others are gone, and I must admit I haven't been inside my local B&N in years. I've transitioned over to getting a lot of my books electronically, but nothing beats the feel of a book in my hand. Speakiing of local bookstores - if you've ever been fortunate enough to visit Powell's in Portland, Oregon, it's a real experience. I think it's a bit of heaven. You can stay all day and browse the new books and the used ones - you get so immersed that you forget what floor you're on. Comfortable and a little bit funky - now that's a bookstore. I wish B&N could get some of that vibe, but more than anything I'm glad to hear that they're fighting back.
ex barnes and noble employee here. My biggest critique is seeing the seating slowly disappear through the years at my old store. Now, the only seating is in the cafe. I think adding some more seating would be more inviting and homey to guests to want to explore the book for a chapter then buy it. It might make people even come back as a routine, buying more books
I can't stand when most of a bookstore's wares are items that are not books. I do not go to a bookstore to buy overpriced potpourri.