In case book buyers felt limited by stores, direct mail and online options, Barnes & Noble is adding one more: mobile phones.
The Manhattan-based book retailer announced the launch of B&N mobile (wwww.bn.com/mobile), an e-commerce site accessible via any mobile device with a Web browser, but tailored for Blackberrys and Apple Inc.’s iPhone.
“Our goal is to serve customers from wherever they are, in a multitude of platforms,” said B&N Chief Executive Marie Toulantis.
The site allows users to search for books, DVDs and CDs available through B&N. Customers can place and track orders and browse bestseller and other lists. In addition, the site allows customers to locate the nearest Barnes & Noble, and find out whether B&N stores have a certain item in stock.
Shares of Barnes & Noble were flat Wednesday, one day after rival bookseller Borders Group Inc. reported a $31.7 million first-quarter loss on a 4% decline in same-store sales. Earlier this year, Borders began exploring alternatives that could include a potential sale, and has since stepped up growth efforts to appear an attractive acquisition target. On Tuesday, the company re-launched its Borders.com after seven years of conducting e-commerce through a partnership with Amazon.com.
Those efforts aren’t going unnoticed. Earlier this month, B&N executives formed a group to consider a potential bid for Borders.
Kira Bindrim is a reporter for Crain’s New York Business, a sister publication to RCR Wireless News. Both publications are owned by Crain Communications Inc.
