The description of the new Barnes & Nobles doesn't match the store near me. Half of it is still a cafe which looks like the last place I'd like to enjoy a cup of coffee or glass of wine. When I walk by the cafe is always 3/4 empty. The article talks about local staff now deciding what books to select to feature prominently. When I went inside my local store 2 months ago the prominently featured books consisted of those required by our local high school curriculum. The store had very few actual books overall especially in relation to the number of puzzles, toys and tchotchkes being offered. In other words it was the complete opposite of what is described in the article. This store is located in a prominent position in the premier retail center in my immediate local area. The type of location you would think B&N would prioritize on making a showcase of their new concept.
I'm left wondering if B&N has turned itself around or is simply riding a wave of post pandemic reading which will crest leaving B&N once again over built and in trouble
Part of the challenge of this approach is that not every store will either be well run or meet aspirations of those who go to bookstores for a particular experience.
Some will do very badly! Others will be successful but unattractive. But on average the result will be better and if that ensures the survival of the chain the that's probably a good thing.
The particular store in question occupies a prime location within a prime retail destination in an affluent area. It should be a showcase location for the new strategy but isn't. If they can't get this store course corrected then it signals to me and likely others that nothing has changed with B&N overall. Enough locations like that and you doom the chain even if other locations have changed.
So you’re saying that someone at the centre should judge that this is a great store and then make sure that it is run in a certain way?
Can you see how this completely contradicts the approach - leaving aside the fact it’s a sample size of one and that none of us have access to financials etc.
The retail complex in question draws a lot of traffic from outside the area and the chain stores do in fact tend to run their locations there as model examples because they know it can drive traffic at people's home locations. B&N seems to be the exception.
I'm left wondering if B&N has turned itself around or is simply riding a wave of post pandemic reading which will crest leaving B&N once again over built and in trouble