In recent years, printed books are in decline due to readers preferring e-books. This has led to many brick-and-mortar bookstores struggling or closing down. However, Barnes & Noble is about to open the most new stores in a single year since 2009.
The well-known bookstore has already opened 32 stores across 20+ states since January. This is impressive, given their original plan to open 30 stores in the whole year of 2023.
The company declared it was on track to opening 58 new locations before 2025.
In the late 2000s, Barnes & Noble was struggling as Amazon gained traction and e-commerce grew. When Kindle appeared in 2007, Barnes & Noble responded by launching its Nook e-reader in 2009. Given the increased interest in digital media, the bookstore used some of its shelves to put their e-readers on.
The rise of social media is actually helping printed books. Several online groups, like book clubs on Facebook and TikTok’s popular #booktok hashtag, are promoting physical bookstores.
Barnes & Noble’s New US Locations in 2024 (so far)
January
- Estero, FL
- Ledgewood, NJ
- Redding, CA
- Visalia, CA
- Kalispell, MT
February
- Jonesboro, AR
- Panama City Beach, FL
- American Fork, UT
March
- Columbia, SC
- Victor, NY
- Gainesville, FL
- Meriden, CT
April
- Concord Mills, NC
- New Orleans, LA
May
- Dubuque, IA
- Dawsonville, GA
- Mooresville, NC
- South Portland, ME
- Sandy Commons, Southtown, UT
- Clark & Diversey, IL
June
- Oswego, IL
- Lehigh Valley, PA
- Selma, TX
- Northbrook, IL
- Rochester Hills, MI
July
- Wesleyan Plaza, TX
- Flowood, MS
- Conroe, TX
- Lake Orion, MI
- Denham Springs, LA
August
- Santa Fe, NM
- Fayette, KY
