Supply Chain Operation: Barnes & Noble
Taylor Nenson
Southern New Hampshire University
QSO-630-11246-M01 Supply Chain Management
Dr. Bruce Laviolette
October 26, 2025
, Supply Chain Operation: Barnes & Noble
Introduction
While the book industry may be newer in terms of business, books are rooted in history
and have been instrumental in documenting history and cultures. Book printing is traced back to
China in the 6th century where they utilized a method called block printing, an often slow and
tedious process (Unwin & Tucker, 2025). As we have progressed into our now modern age, book
printing is a much faster and more widely available process that has created what we know as the
book industry. The current process has led to the mass production of books that are readily
available for any customer to purchase in a multitude of stores around the globe. Mass
production involves many moving parts; this is made possible through a sound supply chain
management system.
Industry and Customer Value
Industry Overview
As mentioned above, books have been around for a long time, but the book industry, as
we know, is a more modern concept. It can be broken down into two industry categories: the
publishing industry and the book-retail industry. The focus of this paper is the book-retail
industry; however, it is important to note that the two work together to form the whole of the
book industry. The publishing industry within the US, according to the Association of American
Publishers, experienced a growth of 4.1% ($32.5 billion) in dollar sales and a growth of 3.4%
($3.1 billion) in unit sales (Milliot, 2025). Total revenue for bookstores across the US in 2024
was approximately $42.8 billion, with an increase of 3.2% (Le, 2025). The book industry as a
whole is an ever increasing and growing industry as new authors enter the market every day and
as books continue to be a source of knowledge or entertainment for many.
, Top Competitors
Within the US there are bookstores all across the country ranging from indie, locally
owned stores to chain retailers like Barnes & Noble Inc (B&N) and Books-a-Million (BAM).
B&N and BAM are the only national retailer chains in the US; there are local chains and
numerous indie bookstores scattered throughout the country. B&N currently holds the largest
market share at 8.4% followed by B&N Education, Inc at 3.8%, see figure 1. Due to the very
small percentages and the vast number of other retailers throughout the country, they are lumped
together in the ‘Other Companies’ category. Other competitors for B&N would be mass
merchandisers like Target, Walmart or the online competitor Amazon. The revenue for these
companies is based on a wide variety of products that are sold, but they do offer a selection of
books for purchase.
Figure 1: Market Share
Company
Taylor Nenson
Southern New Hampshire University
QSO-630-11246-M01 Supply Chain Management
Dr. Bruce Laviolette
October 26, 2025
, Supply Chain Operation: Barnes & Noble
Introduction
While the book industry may be newer in terms of business, books are rooted in history
and have been instrumental in documenting history and cultures. Book printing is traced back to
China in the 6th century where they utilized a method called block printing, an often slow and
tedious process (Unwin & Tucker, 2025). As we have progressed into our now modern age, book
printing is a much faster and more widely available process that has created what we know as the
book industry. The current process has led to the mass production of books that are readily
available for any customer to purchase in a multitude of stores around the globe. Mass
production involves many moving parts; this is made possible through a sound supply chain
management system.
Industry and Customer Value
Industry Overview
As mentioned above, books have been around for a long time, but the book industry, as
we know, is a more modern concept. It can be broken down into two industry categories: the
publishing industry and the book-retail industry. The focus of this paper is the book-retail
industry; however, it is important to note that the two work together to form the whole of the
book industry. The publishing industry within the US, according to the Association of American
Publishers, experienced a growth of 4.1% ($32.5 billion) in dollar sales and a growth of 3.4%
($3.1 billion) in unit sales (Milliot, 2025). Total revenue for bookstores across the US in 2024
was approximately $42.8 billion, with an increase of 3.2% (Le, 2025). The book industry as a
whole is an ever increasing and growing industry as new authors enter the market every day and
as books continue to be a source of knowledge or entertainment for many.
, Top Competitors
Within the US there are bookstores all across the country ranging from indie, locally
owned stores to chain retailers like Barnes & Noble Inc (B&N) and Books-a-Million (BAM).
B&N and BAM are the only national retailer chains in the US; there are local chains and
numerous indie bookstores scattered throughout the country. B&N currently holds the largest
market share at 8.4% followed by B&N Education, Inc at 3.8%, see figure 1. Due to the very
small percentages and the vast number of other retailers throughout the country, they are lumped
together in the ‘Other Companies’ category. Other competitors for B&N would be mass
merchandisers like Target, Walmart or the online competitor Amazon. The revenue for these
companies is based on a wide variety of products that are sold, but they do offer a selection of
books for purchase.
Figure 1: Market Share
Company
