Business Movers Saving Barnes and Noble | The Emperor of Little Italy | 1
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Jan 9, 2025 
Leonard Riggio, the mastermind behind the transformation of Barnes & Noble, shares his journey from aspiring bookseller to retail titan. He discusses the challenges he faced in adapting to Amazon's rise, contrasting his successful business strategies with the hurdles of the digital age. Riggio reflects on his ambitious plans for revitalizing the Barnes & Noble flagship store and the importance of brand strength. The conversation highlights the intriguing dynamics of a changing marketplace and the enduring love for physical bookstores.
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Early Amazon Lawsuit
- Leonard Riggio, Barnes & Noble's chairman, wanted to sue Amazon in 1997.
- He was upset about their tagline "Earth's Biggest Bookstore", considering it false advertising.
Shifting Fortunes
- Barnes & Noble's success peaked in the late 1990s, becoming the dominant US bookseller.
- However, the rise of Amazon's online model challenged their brick-and-mortar dominance in the early 2000s.
Leonard's First Bookstore
- In 1964, Leonard Riggio proposed opening a bookstore to his father, who wanted him to finish college.
- Despite his father's disapproval, Leonard dropped out of NYU and opened SBX, his first bookstore.