Update: It is now being reported that Burkle has NOT reached an agreement with Barnes & Noble.

Burkle, Barnes & Noble, Find Antidote to ‘Poison Pill’ Suit

As part of the settlement, Barnes & Noble will add two independent directors to the board, in addition to a director affiliated with Yucaipa Cos., the investment firm run by Burkle.

Burkle has also agreed to call off a threatened proxy fight for Barnes & Noble board seats, and will support the board’s recent decision to seek strategic alternatives for the company, including a sale, people familiar with the matter said. In addition, Yucaipa will be represented on the special committee overseeing the possible sale of the company. In effect, said a person familiar with the matter, Yucaipa was able to achieve its goals of board representation without a costly and time-consuming proxy fight.

Article: http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2010/08/12/burkle-barnes-noble-find-antidote-to...

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Barnes & Noble Seeking New Future With New Owners

B&N's chairman Leonard Riggio, its largest shareholder with about 30% of the company's stock, told its board that he intended to consider participating in an investor group to acquire the company.

A report from Reuters, however, said Mr. Riggio has not found any backers.

Article: http://www.forbes.com/2010/08/10/ebook-private-amazon-intelligent-invest...

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Barnes & Noble: The Next Blockbuster?

While Barnes & Noble's timeline in fact dates all the way back to 1873, it wasn't until the early 1990s that the company rolled out its superstores in earnest. In 1989 Barnes & Noble had just 23 of these superstores in its portfolio, but by 1992 the number had more than quadrupled to 105 locations. In just one day in August 1992, the company opened five superstores, and three months later launched three more.
Around the same time, Blockbuster was rolling out new stores at a rate of about one per day.

Article:

http://www.thestreet.com/story/10833910/1/barnes-noble-the-next-blockbus...

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No Room for the Little Guy in E-Reader Industry

At a $140 with more than 630,000 e-books on a small, easy-to-use device, the Amazon Kindle is blowing through much of its competition in the emerging e-reader segment.

Devices like the Amazon Kindle are pricing out upstart e-reader competitors.
Plastic Logic appears to be the first victim. The company is canceling its QUE Reader due to "a changing marketplace." However, many analysts say this is code for getting priced out by the Kindle. The company said in a press release it was working on a next-generation project, however a spokesperson would not offer any further details.

The only contenders likely left to be standing are the similarly economical, user-friendly Barnes & Noble Nook and Borders' Kobo, which both offer expansive libraries. Add in all-in-one tablets like the iPad, which also feature e-book apps, and there is little room at the table for upstarts looking to make a dent in the industry or even stay in business.

Article:
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/42885/20100812/e-reader-amazon-kindle-ba...

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Barnes and Noble Textbooks Rentals and eTextbooks Program Details

How to Rent Textbooks: Details of the B&N Textbook Program
Instead of making textbook rentals exclusive to B&N College, textbooks can now be rented from the main Barnes and Noble online store in an area called "Textbooks: Anyway You Want Them." To rent textbooks, there are a few program highlights to understand.

•Renters have 21 days to change their minds about renting a textbook; textbooks can be returned within the three week period and only the shipping fee is charged.
•Textbooks can be rented for 60, 90, or 130 days.
•Textbook rentals can be extended by 15 to125 days.
•Books that are not returned by the due date get a 15 day extension. After that, the renter is charged for the book.
•According to the B&N Textbook FAQ, "excessive highlighting or writing" is a reason that the book will not be accepted back as a rental, which would cause the renter to be charged the full price of the book.
•After the rental period, there is an option to buy the textbook.
•eTextbooks can be rented, and when the rental period is over, the book is no longer accessible.

Article:
http://news.suite101.com/article.cfm/barnes-and-noble-textbooks-rentals-...

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