Business Movers Saving Barnes and Noble | Undaunted | 3
18 snips
Jan 23, 2025 James Daunt, the British bookseller known for revitalizing Waterstones and Barnes & Noble, discusses his transformative leadership during a turbulent time. The conversation highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic prompted the closure of numerous stores, pushing Daunt to accelerate a redesign and shift the business model. He also shares insights on converting Amazon's former locations into community-focused Barnes & Noble stores, emphasizing the importance of balancing corporate strategy with local engagement in the evolving bookselling landscape.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Isaac's Story
- Isaac, a Barnes & Noble employee, faced job loss due to COVID-19 store closures.
- His manager helped him secure a temporary position rearranging stock.
Opportunity in Crisis
- James Daunt saw opportunity in the Barnes & Noble store closures.
- The closures provided time to rethink the business model and store designs.
Ending Co-op Deals
- End co-op deals to avoid promoting unsold books.
- Prioritize customer preferences over publisher payments for shelf space.