Origins and Early Development

The company's roots can be traced to 1873, when Charles M. Barnes started a book business from his home in Wheaton, Illinois. In 1917, his son William Barnes moved to New York City and, in partnership with G. Clifford Noble, established the bookstore that would become Barnes & Noble. They opened their first store at 31 West 15th Street in Manhattan during World War I. Wikipedia+5Barnes & Noble+5Back Then History+5Wikipedia+6Back Then History+6Back Then History+6Simple Wikipedia+1Wikipedia+1

Expansion Under Leonard Riggio

In 1971, bookseller Leonard Riggio acquired the Barnes & Noble trade name and flagship store in New York City, merging it with his own bookselling business. Riggio transformed the company by introducing the "superstore" concept, combining a vast selection of books with a comfortable, inviting atmosphere. In 1987, Barnes & Noble acquired B. Dalton Bookseller's 797 retail bookstores, making it a nationwide retailer and the second-largest bookseller in the United States. Wikipedia+14Barnes & Noble+14Back Then History+14Wikipedia+6Back Then History+6Back Then History+6

Technological Innovations and Challenges

In the 1990s, Barnes & Noble expanded its presence online with the launch of BN.com in 1997. The company also ventured into the e-book market in 2009 with the introduction of the NOOK e-reader. However, the rise of online retailers, particularly Amazon, posed significant challenges, leading to increased competition and market share erosion. Vulture+5Back Then History+5Back Then History+5

Recent Developments

In 2019, Barnes & Noble was acquired by Elliott Advisors (UK) Limited and taken private. James Daunt, managing director of Waterstones, was appointed CEO, bringing a renewed focus on enhancing the in-store experience and revitalizing the brand. Business Insider+2Barnes & Noble+2Back Then History+2Business Insider+1Barnes & Noble+1