Barnes & Noble is the largest bookselling retail chain store American company. G. Clifford Noble, William Barnes, and Charles M. Barnes founded the company in 1886. Today, we’ll discuss the SWOT analysis of Barnes & Noble; it outlines strengths and weaknesses; opportunities and threats that the company has to face; as business strategy analysis example company.
Products and services portfolio of Barnes & Noble
- Encyclopedias
- Board games
- Magazines
- Gift packs
- Calendar
- Stationary
- Games
- Toys
- CDs and DVDs
- Maps
- Books
Brands of Barnes & Noble
- Sterling Publishing
- Nook Digital
- Barnes and Noble Booksellers
- SparkNotes
- Nook
Statistical facts and figures of Barnes & Noble
- Annual revenue – 1.54 billion USD (2024)
- Net income – -68.93 million USD (2023)
- Employees – 24000
- Market Capital – 11.13 million USD (2023)
- Network – 614
Competitors of Barnes & Noble
- Amazon
- Wiley
- McGrew Hills
- Cengage Group
The SWOT analysis of Barnes & Noble would analyze the internal strengths and weaknesses of the company; and external opportunities and threats that the brand has to face. Here’s Barnes & Noble SWOT analysis as a business strategy analysis example company as follows;
Strengths of Barnes & Noble
Some of the main internal strengths in the Barnes & Noble SWOT analysis example company as business strategy analysis are as follows;
Large Network
Barnes & Noble has established a very large network comprising over 608 retail chain bookstores in 50 states of the US. The large network of brick-and-mortar physical bookstores allows the company to connect with the customers in person and take feedback. As a result, it strengthens the company’s market and brand positioning.
Product & books Variety
Barnes & Noble offers a great variety of products and books in its bookstores. They range from magazines, encyclopedias, a vast collection of books on almost every subject, stationery, and many other items. In fact, customers are usually certain that they will find the required book from its stores.
Booking Loving Community Connection
Barnes & Noble bookstores have established a great connection with the books-loving community. They often visit the store to find out the latest collection of books at its stores. In other words, the chain bookstore brand is promoting healthy habits of learning, education, and book reading.
Loyalty Program
In order to increase the repetitive purchase of customers; Barnes & Noble offers various types of loyalty programs to attract the attention of new customers and retain the existing ones. They’re like discounts, gifts, and other incentives to the repetitive visitors. It allows the company to develop a strong connection with its users.
Experience Brand
Barnes & Noble is a well-experienced brand because of the fact that the company has been operating its chain bookstore business for the past 140 years. A strong legacy and long history help the company to increase its brand value and earn the trust and confidence of the customer market.
Weaknesses of Barnes & Noble
Some of the main internal weaknesses in the Barnes & Noble SWOT analysis example company as business strategy analysis are as follows;
e-Book Trending
The trend of e-books and online reading has been increasing significantly for the past decade. Technological development is shifting the cultural dynamics of traditional book reading to Kindle e-book reading. They’re flexible and easy to carry and contain a great collection of books within a single device. As a result, the digital trends are decreasing the sale of physical books.
Pricing Issue
Barnes & Noble can’t increase its price to a certain limit; because the book-reading customer market is highly price-sensitive. If the company charges higher prices for books, then they would switch to an online reading option that is free and easily available.
Opportunities for Barnes & Noble
Some of the main available opportunities in the Barnes & Noble SWOT analysis example company as business strategy analysis are as follows;
Market Expansion & Online store
Barnes & Noble should consider expanding its customer market by launching new bookstores in other countries across the world. Along with a bookstore network, the brand should also launch its e-commerce store and e-books for the customers. It would help the company to increase its customer market share by offering e-books worldwide through its online store.
e-Books
Speaking of e-books, Barnes & Noble should launch electronic versions of various old books along with the new ones. The e-books would have lower prices and it would increase the company’s e-books sales in the global market.
Strategic Alliance
Barnes & Noble should develop strategic alliances with other chain bookstore brands and e-book stores. The joint venture and sharing of knowledge, expertise, and resources would help the company to increase its global network and influence in the book manufacturing industry.
Sustainability Initiative
The environmental sustainability trends have been increasing significantly. Barnes & Noble should develop low carbon emission methods of books; it is a great competitive edge and helps the company to strengthen its position in the global market.
Threats to Barnes & Noble
Some of the main potential threats in the Barnes & Noble SWOT analysis example company as business strategy analysis are as follows;
Tough Competition
The chain bookstore and bookselling business is facing tough competition both from other chain bookstore brands and online bookstores. They have earned a significant market share, and their market presence is making it difficult for the company to strengthen its position in the market.
Digital Interruption
Social and digital media platforms have interrupted and disrupted the attention of readers to a great extent. Their focus on booking reading has decreased significantly due to the consistent bombardment of online notifications.
Economic Recession
Education is a luxury. When people don’t have food to eat and jobs to fund their luxury habits, then it becomes highly difficult for them to keep studying and reading.
Conclusion: Barnes & Noble SWOT Analysis Example Company |SWOT Analysis of Barnes & Noble |Business Strategy Analysis
After an in-depth study of the swot analysis of Barnes & Noble; we have realized that Barnes & Noble is the world’s leading retail chain bookstore brand. If you are learning about Barnes & Noble SWOT analysis example company; then you should keep in mind the abovementioned internal strengths and weaknesses; external opportunities and threats as brand strategy analysis.
Ahsan Ali Shaw is an accomplished Business Writer, Analyst, and Public Speaker. Other than that, he’s a fun loving person.
