Barnes and Noble Optimal Grand Strategy …show more content…
Barnes and Noble have attempted to form a strategic partnership with Microsoft, who ultimately invested $300 million in Barnes and Noble Nook devices (Papavasileiou, 2016). However, this joint venture did not turn things around as the Nook did not attract any new customers for Barnes and Noble. As a result, Barnes and Noble and Microsoft parted ways (Papavasileiou, 2016).
Despite failed efforts of joining with Microsoft, Barnes and Noble teamed up with Google's Shopping Express (Papavasileiou, 2016). This partnership will allow Barnes to Nobles to offer free same day delivery of books to their customers utilizing Google sites, even though the company already offered free express shipping from their own website. (Papavasileiou, 2016). Yet, another strategy enacted by Barnes and Noble to combat the competition imposed by Amazon with their downloadable digital e-books. However, this partnership was viewed as a desperate move by Barnes and Noble to regain its momentum through attracting customers from Google (Papavasileiou, …show more content…
The once powerful bookstore giant has been forced to rethink its business strategies to remain competitive in this ever-changing environment. In a review of their business strategies, Barnes and Noble must quickly find ways to increase their market share and generate growth. The company is faced with retrenchment and have closed several hundred stores because of profit loss. They appear to be slow to innovate and unable to adjust to the advancements in technology. Any company that does not innovate or fails to keep up with the technological trends will be left behind. It is my opinion that Barnes and Noble is not employing the optimal strategy or strategies that will allow them to regain a sustainable position in the market. Instead, it appears as if the company has been unable to bounce back from the failed attempt of the Nook, their e-reader. If they don’t act quick their only strategy will be to liquidate their assets and close their