Barnes & Noble is opening its largest Chicago store at 150 N. State St. this summer, taking over a former Old Navy space, as part of a broader expansion in the city. The new 30,000-square-foot store will be a significant addition to the struggling State Street corridor and is one of four new locations opening in Chicago, including stores in Hyde Park, Skokie, and Oak Park. While the expansion is welcomed by some, local independent bookstores are concerned about losing business, with some closing or experiencing declines in sales.
A 65-year-old woman was fatally stabbed at a Barnes & Noble in Florida, and the suspect, Antonio Moore, was quickly apprehended and charged with first-degree murder. The motive remains under investigation.
Barnes & Noble is set to open its seventh San Antonio store in summer 2026 at the Huebner Oaks Shopping Center, as part of a nationwide expansion plan to open 60 stores in 2026, following a period of decline due to competition from Amazon and Kindle devices.
Elliott Investment Management, owner of Waterstones and Barnes & Noble, is considering an IPO in London or New York to list the bookstores, which could boost the UK stock market; no final decision has been made yet, and the IPO is likely after the summer.
Barnes & Noble is experiencing a resurgence, opening 61 new stores this year after years of decline. Under new CEO James Daunt, the chain has adopted strategies from independent bookstores, giving local stores more autonomy to cater to regional preferences. This expansion comes as the company capitalizes on pandemic-era retail opportunities and a growing interest in books, despite skepticism from some customers about its new approach.
Barnes & Noble is experiencing a revival under CEO James Daunt, who has shifted the company's focus to a "books first" approach, allowing individual stores to curate their selections based on local customer preferences. This strategy, along with the influence of the BookTok community on TikTok, has increased foot traffic and sales, leading to the opening of over 60 new locations this year. The company's success contrasts with Amazon's failed attempt to enter the physical bookstore market, highlighting a renewed consumer interest in physical books and community-driven retail experiences.
Barnes & Noble, the largest brick-and-mortar bookseller in the US, is undergoing a back-to-basics redesign with a stronger emphasis on books. The new layouts feature lighter, brighter interiors with modular shelves designed for maximum flexibility. The company's CEO, James Daunt, who previously rescued Waterstones, aims to make Barnes & Noble more like independent bookstores and encourage browsing. The redesigned stores have separate alcoves for different subjects and shoppers, allowing for a more personalized shopping experience. The company has introduced the new look at several dozen locations and plans to open its largest new-format store next month.
Calese Crowder, a serial sex predator known as the "Barnes & Noble sniffer," has been repeatedly arrested and released, causing frustration among his victims. One victim, Michaela Witter, expressed concern that authorities are not taking the situation seriously enough, as Crowder continues to pose a threat to the community. Despite numerous incidents and evidence, including viral videos of him following women in the bookstore, Crowder has not been charged with a crime in those specific incidents. Witter and other victims are calling for Crowder to be kept in a facility or jail to prevent further harm. Los Angeles County District Attorney's office cited insufficient evidence to prosecute Crowder for failing to register as a sex offender, and he was released again. Glendale Police, who have arrested Crowder multiple times, did not comment on the situation.
A man in California, believed to be Calese Carron Crowder, was caught on a viral TikTok video sniffing women's butts at a Barnes & Noble store. Despite having a lengthy criminal record, he was released after being arrested for a separate misdemeanor incident. The Burbank Police Department is still investigating the Barnes & Noble incident and has yet to file charges against Crowder.
Barnes & Noble is set to open a new store at Eastview Mall, expanding its presence in the retail market and offering book lovers a new destination for their reading needs.
Barnes & Noble is attempting to reinvent itself under new CEO James Daunt, focusing on its brick-and-mortar stores and embracing an independent spirit. However, its e-reader division, Nook, has not received the same attention. The Nook lineup, including the Nook Glowlight 4 and upcoming GlowLight 4 Plus, lacks the sleek design and features of competitors like Kindle and Kobo. While Barnes & Noble could differentiate itself by offering an e-reader that supports multiple platforms, it currently struggles to compete with Amazon's dominance in the e-book market.
