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After losing more than $1 billion in market value in five years, hedge fund Elliott Management announced it is buying the company for $683 million including debt. The only thing that surprises me is the fact that they are still in business at all.
Well, this will be the beginning of the ending chapter of B&N.
In addition, this puzzles me: "The company has said its prototype stores encourage shoppers to buy books online or from a tablet." Say what? If I've gone to the bookstore, I want the book in my hands. I decided to buy it, most likely, because it was there and I picked it up and looked through it and want to bring it home with me then and there. If I *still* have to order it online, or even through a tablet and wait to have it delivered to me, why wouldn't I just buy it from my couch on amazon? Why would I get a book at a bookstore if the book isn't there?
Well, this will be the beginning of the ending chapter of B&N.
In addition, this puzzles me: "The company has said its prototype stores encourage shoppers to buy books online or from a tablet." Say what? If I've gone to the bookstore, I want the book in my hands. I decided to buy it, most likely, because it was there and I picked it up and looked through it and want to bring it home with me then and there. If I *still* have to order it online, or even through a tablet and wait to have it delivered to me, why wouldn't I just buy it from my couch on amazon? Why would I get a book at a bookstore if the book isn't there?
Exactly. The whole advantage of a physical store is being able to buy in-store. This is why many retail stores are having problems. They want to have it both ways. The shopper comes in the store to be told to "Go online and buy the item." Then they leave and buy it on eBay or Amazon.
I really like Barnes and Noble. Its a very clean and welcoming store in any city. Its also family friendly and a nice place to hang out. The nook also is fantastic, but I wonder with this buyout, if they'll still be supported.
Hopefully Barnes and Noble finds a way to keep the doors open, its one of my favorite places to go for an hour or two.
By the way, for the past few years many folks keeps saying their going to close, why? Don't you all like having a decent bookstore to buy books? Besides Amazon?
Last edited by Wintergirl80; 06-08-2019 at 12:24 AM..
I really like Barnes and Noble. Its a very clean and welcoming store in any city. Its also family friendly and a nice place to hang out. The nook also is fantastic, but I wonder with this buyout, if they'll still be supported.
Hopefully Barnes and Noble finds a way to keep the doors open, its one of my favorite places to go for an hour or two.
By the way, for the past few years many folks keeps saying their going to close, why? Don't you all like having a decent bookstore to buy books? Besides Amazon?
I do.
We have a very nice one in our town, and it's always full of shoppers when I'm there. The chains - Waldenbooks, B. Dalton, Borders, Barnes and Noble, etc. - have really been hurt by Amazon. The independent bookstores? Not so much. They were hurt by the rise of the chains in the 1990s, but now they're filling the niche left by the gutting of the mall stores.
Amazon hurt the chains because the chains offer inventory, inventory, inventory. Well, so does Amazon, and to a greater extent than a brick-and-mortar ever could. Also, immediacy. But with next-day-shipping and the ability to shop from home, Amazon has more advantages.
But the independent bookstore? It offers customer service but a local owner/operator. Amazon can't compete with that. Boutique businesses offer service. There's always a niche for that.
.... this puzzles me: "The company has said its prototype stores encourage shoppers to buy books online or from a tablet." Say what? If I've gone to the bookstore, I want the book in my hands. I decided to buy it, most likely, because it was there and I picked it up and looked through it and want to bring it home with me then and there. If I *still* have to order it online, or even through a tablet and wait to have it delivered to me, why wouldn't I just buy it from my couch on amazon? Why would I get a book at a bookstore if the book isn't there?
You're in the minority, however. Many people browse at Barnes and Noble, sit in those chairs, buy coffee, go through books, then walk out. Apparently a lot of them want to see the book before they order it online.
It will be a sad day if the Barnes and Nobles goes out of business in our town. It is a great place to buy and peruse books, to congregate, drink coffee and meet friends.
Try that with Amazon.
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