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Business Movers
Saving Barnes and Noble | Industry Expert Jane Friedman Discusses The Resurgence Of Barnes & Noble And The Future Of Bookselling | 4
Jan 30, 2025
Jane Friedman, a publishing consultant and author, dives into the transformative journey of Barnes & Noble under CEO James Daunt. She outlines how Daunt's leadership style revitalized the chain, focusing on local engagement and tailor-made book selections. The discussion highlights the impact of digital platforms and social media, especially TikTok, on book sales. Friedman also addresses the challenges traditional booksellers face against giants like Amazon and the importance of creating a compelling in-store experience to foster community.
43:49
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Quick takeaways
- James Daunt's hands-on management and empowerment of local store managers revitalized Barnes & Noble by fostering unique, community-centric shopping experiences.
- The shift towards local curation and engaging environments helped Barnes & Noble differentiate itself from Amazon and attract loyal customers.
Deep dives
James Daunt's Leadership Approach
James Daunt significantly impacted the success of Waterstones and later Barnes & Noble by adopting a hands-on approach to management, valuing local input. He emphasized empowering store managers to operate independently, allowing them to tailor inventories and layouts to their specific markets. His strategy not only revitalized Waterstones, pulling it from bankruptcy, but also helped Barnes & Noble reinvent itself in an increasingly competitive landscape dominated by Amazon. Daunt's conviction was that bookstores should feel unique and local, drawing in customers seeking personalized experiences.
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