Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble is the largest brick-and-mortar bookstore chain in the United States, operating approximately 700 retail stores across all 50 states. Its flagship store on Union Square in New York City spans multiple floors and serves as a cultural hub for book lovers, hosting frequent author events and signings. The chain is known for its spacious layouts, in-store Starbucks cafes, and a wide selection of books, magazines, toys, gifts, and Nook e-readers.

The company's roots trace back to 1873 when Charles M. Barnes started a book business in Wheaton, Illinois. The modern Barnes & Noble was born in 1917 when William Barnes partnered with G. Clifford Noble to open a bookstore in New York City. But the company's true transformation began in 1971, when Leonard Riggio acquired the trade name and flagship store, merging it with his college bookstore chain. Riggio pioneered the superstore model with large floor spaces and discount prices, taking the company public in 1993 and launching BN.com in 1997.

After facing intense competition from Amazon and losing billions on the Nook e-reader, Barnes & Noble was acquired by Elliott Advisors in August 2019 for $683 million and taken private. Under CEO James Daunt, the company has staged a remarkable comeback. Daunt granted local store managers control over inventory, eliminated publisher payments for shelf placement, and focused on creating a welcoming browsing experience. In 2024, Barnes & Noble opened 57 new stores, more than in the entire decade from 2009 to 2019, with another 60 openings in 2025 and 60 more planned for 2026. The membership program has surged from 1 million to 18 million members in the past year. [edit]