James Daunt Looks to Clarify B&N's Position on AI-Generated Books - Publishers Weekly

AI is definitely a fighting word for some people.

In a post yesterday Panzer gave you a link to a Today post about an interview with James Daunt, CEO of Barnes and Noble bookstores.

 

 In the interview James Daunt was asked about AI-Generated book sales. Apparently, some people were unhappy with his response, so he clarified the bookstores' stance and the Publishers Weekly posted about it. 

 

Panzer says, "Like this little kitty told you yesterday, 'Read the post all the way to the end'."

 

Note: This is a short-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea to drink. 

 

To read the post tootle over to James Daunt 

To read yesterday's post trundle over to Barnes and Noble CEO 

James Daunt Sees a Bright Future For B&N- Publishers Weekly

I see what he's talking about.

Panzer's first stop today was at the Publishers Weekly site. There he found a post about Barnes and Noble's plans for 2026.

 

In Jim Milliot's interview with James Daunt the CEO lay's out his plans for 2026 based on Barnes and Noble's 2025 foundation. Links to other information are included in the post.

 

Panzer says, "Last year was a good year for the company."

 

Note: This is a long post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on. 

 

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble 

Five Years In at Barnes and Noble, James Daunt Says He's Not Done Yet - Publishers Weekly

He's got big plans for 2025.

Today's trip into the Catosphere took Panzer to the Publishers Weekly site. There our intrepid traveling kitty found a post about Barnes and Noble (B&N) bookstores.

 

According to Jim Milliot's post, 2024 was a good year for Barnes and Noble bookstores. The post covers book sales, bookstores, authors, new bookstores, physical books, and CEO James Daunt's plans for 2025. Several links are included to other information about B&N.

 

Panzer says, "It's an interesting interview."

 

Note: This is a long medium length post. You'll need to decide what to bring to snack on while you read.

 

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble

Waterstones Shows Profit, But B&N Is a 'Big Mess' - Publishers Weekly

Today Panzer decided to make a stop at the Publishers Weekly site. With some digging in the posts pile, our traveling kitty discovered one about Barnes and Noble.

According to the post by Ed Nawotka, in Waterstones' recently released financial reports the company posts a profit. The figures cover Waterstones' sales from the time of Elliott Advisors' purchase of the company in April 2018 to April 2019.  However, Waterstones' CEO James Daunt reports Barnes and Noble is a 'big mess.' CEO Daunt took over running Barnes and Noble after Elliott Advisors' June 2019 purchase of the company. Barnes and Noble's Christmas retail sales were down. Daunt attributed this to the company's exit from some sales models and the return to its core bookselling business.

Alcohol and books?

Panzer says, "This little kitty wonders if the Barnes and Noble restaurants will go away."

Note: This is a long-short length post. Bring a cup of tea for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble

Equity Firm Agrees to Buy B&N - Publishers Weekly

Panzer decided to make a quick stop at the Publishers Weekly site today. With no digging at all our adventuresome kitty boy found a post about Barnes and Noble.

According to the Publishers Weekly post by Jim Milliot, Barnes and Noble has agreed to an acquisition by the equity firm Elliot Advisors. The purchase will close in the third quarter of this year. James Daunt will then become CEO. The equity firm has also announced that after the acquisition the Barnes and Noble headquarters will stay in New York. Barnes and Noble sales declined recently. The company has tried various efforts to turn sales around ranging from opening new eating venues in the stores to changing CEOs. The company is in the midst of a lawsuit and counter suit with the last CEO, Demos Parneros.

Guess I'll have to find another online store.

Panzer says, "Umm ... This might not be good news for this little kitty. There's no mention of Barnes and Noble's online store or the Nook ereader. Most of my ebook sales are through Barnes and Noble's online store."

Note: This is a medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Barnes and Noble

To read the post about the Demos Parneros lawsuit tootle over to Parneros lawsuit

Waterstones Sold, Daunt to Stay CEO - Publishers Weekly

Panzer had barely gotten into the Catosphere when suddenly the Panzermobile was buffeted by the sounds of crying and shouting. Following all the noise took our brave kitty to the Publishers Weekly (PW) site. There he discovered a post about the sale of Waterstones.

Just curious about what's next.

According to the Publishers Weekly post by Ed Nawotka, Waterstones has been sold to American investment group Elliot Advisors. No information about the purchase price is available. The U.K. bookstore chain promises no stores will close. The rumor about a future purchase by Amazon was denied by CEO James Daunt.

Panzer says, "Hmm ... This little kitty was wondering about that rumor too."

Note: This is a shortish-medium length post. Bring a cup of tea and a muffin for today's reading selection.

To read the post tootle over to Waterstones