Barnes & Noble to Open 60 New Stores This Year—‘A Joyous Occasion’ for Book Lovers Everywhere

The colorful sea of artfully arranged books, the aroma of fresh coffee brewing at the in-store café, the ability to pick up a new-to-you book and flip it over to read about the plot, the magical possibility that this could be your next favorite read…there’s something so special about wandering around a bookstore. It’s a simple joy that just isn’t replicated by scrolling and shopping for books online. And if you happen to be a bookstore fanatic, we have good news for you! Following a period of immense growth, Barnes & Noble announced that it plans to open 12 new stores nationwide this month, which puts the company on track with its overall plan to open 60 new bookstores in 2024. Keep reading to find out where the stores will be located, some specific changes coming to certain stores and what the B&N CEO has to say about it all.

All about Barnes & Noble’s new store openings

This month, B&N announced that it plans to open 12 new outlets across the country in California, Florida, Kansas, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Utah, New York and Washington, D.C. Earlier this year, B&N CEO James Daunt expressed the company was doing well after a long period of sluggish sales. “A good year on top of a prior good year is particularly nice to have,” Daunt said in a statement to Publisher’s Weekly. More recently, he shared the company raised its 2024 plans from 50 new stores to 60 new stores. The decision to increase the number was made as B&N reports that it’s “experiencing strong sales in its existing stores.”

Some of these new stores will occupy brand-new locations and others will replace older stores. And all the new stores will feature the company’s new design, which was first unveiled in 2023, in addition to special sections highlighting books, toys, games and gifts. Another bonus for those who like to browse for books with a seasonal latte: Most new stores will also feature an updated B&N Café.

How Barnes & Noble bounced back after declining sales

In 2019, B&N was struggling to keep up with Amazon. With slowing sales, the company allegedly put $1 billion into its very own e-reader, the NOOK, to win back customers. Then, the company was bought by a hedge fund and named James Daunt as CEO. Daunt is most known for leading a miraculous turnaround of the UK-based bookstore chain Waterstones.

Daunt quickly got to work implementing a lot of tried-and-true business strategies (like scooping up affordable retail space across the country) and new strategies (he ended publisher deals that accepted payments for featuring books and allowed individual B&N locations to build their own curated displays based on their local communities, customer interests and current trends via social media outlets like TikTok and Instagram). 

Daunt also revamped B&N’s Premium Membership which gives customers a 10% discount in-store and on BN.com and a new spend-and-save reward on all shopping. The Premium Membership annual fee is $39.99. And Daunt’s revitalization has proven to be a massive success for the retailer.

A destination for print magazines in 2024

In recent years, it feels like a luxury to find a newsstand or bookstore brimming with print magazines and newspapers in addition to books. Between online and brick-and-mortar sales, B&N sells more than 190 million physical books a year—but, luckily for passionate print readers, they champion more than just books. B&N is also the largest retailer of magazines in the United States, carrying about 3,000 magazine titles and 400 newspaper titles. So if you’re a fan of glossy mags—from niche specialty magazines like Young Rider to national women’s service titles including Woman’s World—B&N is the only national chain that remains a true magazine destination.

Why Barnes & Noble’s expansion is great news for book lovers

One of the 12 new openings this month will include the Park City, Utah location—set to open on Wednesday, November 20th. The grand opening will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a book signing and a lot of local and national enthusiasm. “I’m so proud to open a Barnes & Noble bookstore in Park City,” said Store Manager Matt Turvey, a longtime Barnes & Noble Bookseller, in a statement. “Opening a new bookstore is a labor of love and takes tremendous teamwork and effort. Our passionate booksellers can’t wait to welcome the community into their beautiful new Park City Barnes & Noble.” 

Overall, book lovers and those in the book industry are thrilled about B&N’s brick-and-mortar expansion. According to book expert Kristin Dwyer, founder of Leo PR—which represents bestselling authors including V.E. Schwab, Veronica Roth, Anna Todd and more—it’s a win for bibliophiles everywhere. “Book lovers appreciate a bookstore—and I think it all comes down to community,” she tells Woman’s World. “Bookstores have always been these magical, welcoming spaces that foster togetherness and reading. And after a pandemic where all we wanted was to be with our people and communities, bookstores are that perfect place to have both.”

Daunt echoes this enthusiasm: “Opening a new bookstore is always a joyous occasion, and this one doubly so,” Daunt said, in a statement. “We are not only celebrating our new Park City Barnes & Noble, but also our new Murray bookstore which opened just last week. Our Park City booksellers are eager to welcome customers into their beautiful new Barnes & Noble.”

For more information about specific store openings including events, visit BN.com then click on Stores & Events.