Barnes & Noble, the iconic bookseller, is experiencing a revival and making some bold moves to attract a wider audience. Recently, the New York-based chain announced its plan to open 60 new stores in 2025 as part of its comeback. In addition to this, Barnes & Noble appears to be expanding its offerings beyond books, tapping into the entertainment market with the introduction of physical media sections in some of its stores.
New Physical Media Sections Introduced
Barnes & Noble fans have recently noticed a new addition to certain stores: physical media sections. A user on social media shared a photo in a Facebook group dedicated to collectors, showing shelves filled with DVDs, Blu-Rays, and vinyl records under a sign reading “Movies & Music.” This marks a significant shift as the store once known for its extensive book selection is now broadening its entertainment offerings to include more physical media for fans of movies and music.
Customer Reactions: Nostalgia and Skepticism
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions among fans, with many commenting on the new sections and sharing their thoughts. The post in the Physical Media Collectors group quickly garnered over 1,700 reactions, with users commenting about their excitement and concerns. One user jokingly said, “OH BOY!! Now get ready to pay ridiculous prices,” poking fun at the potential for high costs on DVDs and vinyl records.
Many users recalled the past when Barnes & Noble had impressive collections of movies and music, particularly in the ’90s. One commenter shared memories of the store in Kansas City, Missouri, which used to have an entire downstairs section dedicated solely to music and movies. Unfortunately, this section has since shrunk and now features mainly vinyl records and some non-media items like “pillow pets.”
Some fans also pointed out that Barnes & Noble stores vary in size, with larger locations being more likely to feature a full section dedicated to physical media. A commenter explained that boutique-sized stores, typically found in malls, do not carry physical media at all. In contrast, medium-sized stores focus on new releases, while larger stores offer a full selection of DVDs, Blu-Rays, and vinyl records, sometimes including special collections like Criterion and Arrow titles.
A Stronger Focus on Entertainment
Barnes & Noble’s expansion into physical media is part of a larger strategy to broaden its entertainment offerings, alongside books. While the company has long been known as a go-to destination for book lovers, the addition of movies and music shows that the retailer is trying to capture a bigger slice of the entertainment market. This shift could appeal to consumers who want a one-stop shop for all things entertainment, from books to movies to vinyl.
The company’s decision to bring back physical media also comes at a time when the market for vinyl records has made a resurgence in recent years, further boosting the potential success of this new section.
Barnes & Noble’s recent move to introduce physical media sections, along with plans to open 60 new stores in 2025, signals a new chapter for the retailer. Whether or not this will prove successful remains to be seen, but it shows that Barnes & Noble is eager to evolve and expand beyond its traditional book-selling roots. As customers react with a mix of nostalgia and curiosity, it’s clear that the company is hoping to reinvigorate its brand and offer more entertainment options to a changing market.
