While the industry celebrates the arrival of a book that is driving the national agenda and sending customers to stores all over, Barnes & Noble continues to suffer from underperformance, low store traffic, and sluggish online sales. The chain disclosed holiday sales in contrast to industry trends after the close of the market on Thursday. Perhaps more importantly, those poor holiday sales will impact earnings: BN reduced their earnings guidance from EBITDA of $180 million — the minimum chairman Len Riggio had said BN needs to ensure “a future” — down to a range of $140 million to $160 million. […]
