The bookseller is modifying its longstanding membership program, making it more…complicated. The $25 membership is turning into a $40 “premium” program. The main enhancements are extending the 10 percent discount to most online purchases, some additional cafe enhancements, and a “free” tote bag every year. A new initiative offers a free rewards program, providing rewards “stamps” in exchange for your personal data and letting the store market to you. (“Stamps” is the same term used for rewards points in Waterstones’ long-running program, if you’re wondering why they chose that paradigm.) The WSJ tries to position it as having something to […]
Bookstores
Bookselling: More Barnes & Noble News
On Wednesday Barnes & Noble opens a new, modestly-sized 7,000-square-foot store in the Paddock Shops in Louisville, KY, a day after they close a much larger 25,000-square-foot store in the same shopping center. Separately, another longtime BN in Rochester Hills, MI closed on Sunday after 27 years in that location.
ABA Buy Buttons Will Link to Bookshop Starting March 1
As of March 1, the American Booksellers Association will switch from IndieBound buy buttons to links to Bookshop, as part of a partnership with the latter retail site. The move was initially planned for 2020, but delayed by the pandemic. They write in an announcement that the aims of the shift are to “help eliminate consumer confusion, improve data for the indie channel, convert more consumers, generate more revenue for booksellers (thanks to a simpler purchase flow and higher conversion rate), and optimize the impact of Bookshop for independent bookstores.” Indiebound.org will remain active and continue initiatives like Indie Store Finder, […]
Booktopia to Cut Staff and Expenses
Australian retailer Booktopia announced that it would cut 30 to 40 jobs (or 10 to 15 percent of employees) and implement other cost-cutting plans, “to improve shareholder returns and in response to changing consumer sentiment, greater competition online and inflation.” A company spokesperson told the Brisbane Times that the layoffs are predominantly in “administrative roles.” Booktopia chairman Peter George said, “Letting some of our talented staff go as part of these cost-cutting initiatives is a disappointing but necessary step in these economic times.” He also noted, “Booktopia is focused on building a profitable, sustainable business in the interests of all […]
Bookselling: More Barnes On the Move
There may be a lot of these short items this year, as Barnes & Noble adjusts their real estate portfolio — opening, but also closing, a number of stores. In Philadelphia, the chain will close their big two-story Walnut Street store in Rittenhouse on February 15 after more than 25 years there. They will move to a smaller location on Chestnut Street in the spring. Near Sacramento, CA, later this month they will close their store at The Promenade at Sacramento Gateway in Natomas.
Bookselling: Another Longtime BN Closes
The latest closing announcement: The Barnes & Noble in Paramus, NJ will close February 11 after 28 years in that location because “the landlord has chosen not to renew our lease and will be redeveloping the site.” The store said online, “Unfortunately we don’t have a location for our new building yet, but we will be back.”