Books retailer Barnes & Noble aims to launch 60 new bookshops by the year 2025.
Barnes & Noble, the iconic American bookseller, is making a significant comeback in the U.S. retail book market. The company has announced an ambitious expansion strategy, aiming to open over 60 new bookstores in 2025 alone. This aggressive move marks a significant shift after more than 15 years of decline in store numbers, as the company is now capitalising on strong sales in existing locations and the success of a new model that gives local booksellers more control over individual stores.
The company currently operates over 600 bookstores nationwide, with 23 new stores already opened in the first half of 2025. The plan is to open around 60 more by year-end, surpassing the number of new stores opened in a single year since 2009. The new stores are opening in a diverse range of states, including Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, Colorado, California, Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska, and Washington. Most new locations include a full range of books, toys, games, gifts, and often feature a B&N Café.
Barnes & Noble's key strategy involves delegating control of each bookstore to local booksellers, a move that has proven particularly successful in driving sales and community engagement. This local control approach helps tailor each store to its community’s tastes and preferences, making the stores more relevant and adaptive. The company also maintains a strong online presence through BN.com and its NOOK Digital division, along with educational and gift businesses like SparkNotes and Paper Source, supporting an omni-channel growth strategy.
Michael Kozlowski, a renowned writer who has been covering audiobooks and e-readers for the past fifteen years, has had his articles picked up by numerous reputable publications such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post, and the New York Times. Kozlowski resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
In addition to its physical and online bookstores, Barnes & Noble also operates the stationery and gift retailer Paper Source. The company's NOOK Digital business offers eBooks and audiobook services, further expanding its reach in the digital market.
This period of tremendous growth for Barnes & Noble represents a notable turnaround after years of contraction. The company's renewed prominence in the U.S. retail book market is a testament to its innovative strategies and commitment to meeting the needs of its diverse customer base.
Barnes & Noble's ambitious expansion includes not only physical bookstores but also the growth of their e-reader services, as the NOOK Digital division continues to offer eBooks and audiobook services. As the company's new home-and-garden, lifestyle, books, entertainment, and stationery stores open in various states, Barnes & Noble aims to cater to its customers' diverse tastes and preferences, ensuring that their e-reader collection remains a relevant part of modern reading lifestyle.
