Those who love frequenting Barnes and Noble stores will enjoy learning about some of the new offerings that will be tested at four upcoming concept locations—Barnes and Noble will be experimenting with expanded restaurant and bar spaces that will serve a selection of wine, beer and food.
These concept stores across New York, California, Minnesota and Virginia will serve standard cafe items, as well as offer full breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, complete with waiter service.
Now that many consumers have made the switch to reading e-books, it has become a challenge for many bookstores to compete. In general, many brick-and-mortar businesses are expanding with hybrid retail and experiential spaces in order to compete with the many types of products that can be purchased with such ease from the Internet.
Bookstore Brand Bars
Four New Barnes and Noble Stores Will Feature Bar Spaces
Trend Themes
1. Hybrid Retail - Expanding retail spaces with experiential components to enhance the shopping experience and compete with online retailers.
2. Restaurant-bars - Integrating restaurant and bar spaces within traditional retail stores to attract customers with dining options and create a social experience.
3. Experiential Shopping - Creating immersive and engaging experiences within stores to encourage customers to visit physical locations and explore products firsthand.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - The retail industry could explore opportunities to incorporate restaurant and bar spaces into their stores to provide additional value and attract customers.
2. Hospitality - The hospitality industry can partner with retail stores to create unique dining experiences and capitalize on the trend of integrating restaurants and bars within retail spaces.
3. Publishing - The publishing industry could adapt by collaborating with bookstores to create hybrid spaces that combine the traditional selling of books with experiential components like restaurant and bar spaces.