Barnes and Noble Evolves

Barnes and Noble Evolves

By Panagiotis Michael

University of Phoenix of Axia College

Advances in technology seem to happen quicker and quicker with each passing day forcing change to what may or may not be a standard in today’s society. Not so long ago cell phones were new and the size of bricks. Only the elite were fortunate to have a cell phone. Today kids younger than ten have cell phones but the impact is the elimination of pay phones. When was the last time you saw a pay phone? Gone are the days when you ask do you have a cell phone? Now the question is what is your cell number?

With the advancement of technology businesses must adapt and evolve to survive or risk being, “phased out,” not intentionally but as a side affect to not offering things either quickly enough or efficient enough. The internet is a wonderful thing and what is even more wonderful is the ability to shop at home and never have to leave your house. One area of the retail store market which has seen much conflict is the book industry. Barnes and Nobles one of or even the biggest retail book store in the country had to make several changes to compete with Amazon.com, one of the largest book sellers on the internet. Some of the changes made to adapt to an internet crazed community over the years include, establishing coffee houses next or in their book stores, the ability to publish their own books, opening up a site of their own, price slashing, increased customer service, member cards, providing a bright lit and comfortable atmosphere to browse and read, community involved reading programs, and increased variety of all types of reading material.

Before Amazon came on to the scene in 1997, Barnes and Noble was a major power house in the book selling industry. To become so, the company purchased one of its biggest rival companies, B. Dalton books, combining their customer base. B. Dalton at the time was a popular fixture in malls and shopping centers. The acquisition...