Barnes & Noble, BN.com Link Retail Efforts

Posted on October 26, 2000

Barnes & Noble, Inc. and Barnes & Noble.com have announced plans for building an extensive clicks-and-mortar network, linking 551 retail stores and the bn.com website. To network the two companies Internet Service Counters powered by Barnes & Noble.com will be installed in all Barnes & Noble superstores. The new counters will enable customers to order books or other product through the Barnes & Noble.com website, www.bn.com, from any Barnes & Noble store.

The service will offer customers the option of paying by cash, check or credit card. Customers may also choose to pick up their orders at the stores, or have orders delivered to their homes, offices or other addresses of choice. A membership loyalty program, called Readers' Advantage, will also be offered and will give customers discounts and benefits in Barnes & Noble stores and at Barnes & Noble.com.

``We know that multi-channel customers spend more, and we see our new Internet Service Counters as keys to increasing sales in both the retail and online channels,'' said Steve Riggio, vice chairman of Barnes & Noble, Inc. and Barnes & Noble.com. ``The counters, as well as the other initiatives announced today, leverage the real strength of Barnes & Noble - tens of millions of affluent, educated consumers who are the most desirable retail demographic group in America. We believe this is the most extensive and comprehensive deployment of technology in the clicks-and-mortar age.''