Barnes & Noble cuts staff after dismal holiday season

[Siwsan]

(One of my friends was just informed, 2 hours ago, that after 25+ years of faithful service, her presence is no longer needed.)

Barnes & Noble is trimming its staff, laying off lead cashiers, digital leads and other experienced workers in a company-wide clearing, CNBC has learned from sources familiar with the matter.

The news came abruptly for many workers who showed up Monday morning at various Barnes & Noble locations to be notified that they no longer had a job, the people said. The number of affected workers couldn't immediately be determined. As of April 29 of last year, Barnes & Noble employed about 26,000 people.

"[Barnes & Noble] has been reviewing all aspects of the business, including our labor model," a spokeswoman told CNBC about the layoffs. "Given our sales decline this holiday, we're adjusting staffing so that it meets the needs of our existing business and our customers. As the business improves, we'll adjust accordingly."

Although consumer spending was generally strong this holiday season, not all retailers reaped the rewards. At Barnes & Noble, 2017 holiday sales fell more than 6 percent to $953 million, compared with the year prior. Same-store sales fell 6.4 percent for the holiday period, while online sales dropped 4.5 percent.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/12/barnes-noble-cuts-staff-after-dismal-holiday-season.html

[BigmanPigman]

1. There have been a lot of layoffs, especially in retail

even after the great Tax Scam. Of course the fucking moron and his staff will never acknowledge it. Instead they have pep rallies going on and on about clean coal and all those jobs that were saved, which is also a lie of course.

[rogue emissary]

22. +1

[TygrBright]

2. I used to love hanging out at B&N. And was a loyal customer until...

...they started jacking their e-reader customers.

When my last Nook expired and I found out that they no longer sell ANY models with insertable memory cards or sideloading capability, they lost me.

I'm reasonably happy with my Kobo now.

I don't want B&N to fail- my daughter works for them, and says they're a pretty good employer.

But I think they've lost the tune.

Used to be, it was all about making readers happy.

wearily,
Bright

[Siwsan]

3. I kind of suspect they are in their death throws

My friend is in her early 50's. I'm very worried about her. She is an author and fantastic crochet artist so she can continue to sell these creations, but that won't support her. I'm hoping she will let me help. I'm already planning on having her and some other friends over for dinner.

I've been in her shoes - I was once out of work for nearly a year.

[crazycatlady]

14. Does your friend have an Etsy store?

I'm not in the market for anything crocheted but I'd love to check out her store and give her some favorites.

[Siwsan]

16. I know she has a booth at our local Farmer's Market. I'll ask her about Etsy

She made and sold a WHOLE LOT of hats for the local Women's March. She is always posting photos of her latest projects on Facebook - she really is extremely talented.

I'm going to have her and her housemates over for dinner, as soon as she feels up to it. I'm also going to ask if I can 'commission' some work for things I can give to my grandniece.

[crazycatlady]

19. I'm making a pussyhat now

I've made and sold a ton of pink hats too. I shipped out 4 today and one will ship tomorrow.

I sell in person at the NYC marches.

If she's on Etsy she has a follower in me.

[TheBlackAdder]

4. While I just bought DavidDvorkin's new book on Amazon, I buy all else at B&N Brick & Mortar stores.

I avoid Amazon for almost everything, as they are a predatory business with undue tax advantages over others.

I will shop as B&N or local booksellers, because it's nice to be able to just stop in one from time to time.

[Siwsan]

5. I will be sticking to our locally owned bookstores

We have a couple of really good ones in the Flint area.

[onecent]

6. WHY cannot they leave books ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My God, I used to go to the library in my town and that's where all of us went.

We were quiet,, and I was always looking for good books.

I loved the smell of books, I loved to watch what people were doing when they were reading books,
I wanted to write so much when I was much younger....

i HATE TO buy a book from over the internet....SHIT.

All the good thing from the (50, 60 and 70) are going away

Hell, if I have to go buy a new car in the next 4 or 5 years I probably won't need a KEY????????

[BumRushDaShow]

8. "Hell, if I have to go buy a new car in the next 4 or 5 years...

I probably won't need a KEY????????"

My 2014 Ford is keyless. It took me 3 years to get used to it. My BIL has a Nissan bought in 2009 that was keyless.

[onecent]

10. Now I KNOW I won't get a NEW one!!! lol

[kysrsoze]

7. Funny, we spent a lot over the holiday season at B&N.

I love their records selection. We bought more than a few books and even toys. They had some very good deals/coupons. Guess we are what they call “outliers.”

[BumRushDaShow]

9. I used to get all sorts of things from B&N and Borders

and both of the ones near me closed down. The irony is, those large stores themselves ran the smaller and local chains/indies out of business over the past 20 years. I watched Encore, B.Dalton, and Walden Books eventually fade away.

Interesting throw-back article from 2001 on this here - https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2001/07/two-make-that-three-cheers-for-the-chain-bookstores/302255/

[madinmaryland]

11. If you're ever in NYC, go to the Strand Bookstore.

It has an incredible selection of used and new books. Definitely worth the time to visit.

http://www.strandbooks.com/

[BumRushDaShow]

13. Thanks for the recommendation!

[crazycatlady]

17. that post reminds me of the movie You've Got Mail

Which is incredibly dated now

[BumRushDaShow]

18. The article I linked to referenced the movie! nt

[Algernon Moncrieff]

12. It's a problematic business model at this point

Best sellers - just as easily found and cheaper at Target, Wal-Mart, Costco, Sam's, etc.

E-reader - The nook never caught on like the Kindle, and the Kindle never caught on like the I-Pad or the Galaxy - and tablets generally have been replaced with really big phones.

Non-best sellers - Easier to order on line, or to find at off-price/pre-owned retailers like Half-Price Books

Music - Only dinosaurs like me buy CDs. Everyone else gets vinyl or digital.

Locations - I've noticed a lot of BNs are near / in malls, which are not where the shoppers they want to attract are now shopping.


Staff trimming becomes a vicious circle. You cut staff to cut costs; however customers can't get help, and the stores end up looking worse for wear for being understaffed. Then people don't enjoy shopping there. So they don't.

[JI7]

15. I really wonder if they can improve by changing their locations

Maybe if they are closer to parks or other places where people would enjoy sitting out and reading.

Maybe open up smaller stores near malls and other large shopping centers and those will mostly carry bestsellers.

[lpbk2713]

20. They want to use streamling as an excuse.

For terminating senior employees getting top pay
and getting close to receiving retirement benefits.
I hope she and the others finds a good lawyer.

[Siwsan]

21. Unfortunately, Michigan is now a 'right to work' state. And that term is such a joke

I want to ask if she got any sort of separation package, but I'm going to wait - she's still in massive shock.