Barnes & Noble College Partners with UC Berkeley for Retail Management
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 06 2026
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Barnes & Noble College announced a new partnership with the University of California, Berkeley. Under the agreement, beginning January 20, 2026, Barnes & Noble College will manage all retail, course material, and e-commerce operations for the University's Cal Student Store, the Anchor House, and the new Cal Memorial Stadium Store.
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Analyst Views on BNED
About BNED
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. is a contract operator of physical and virtual bookstores for college and university campuses and K-12 institutions across the United States. The Company also textbook wholesalers and inventory management hardware and software providers. The Company operates through two segments: Retail, and Wholesale. The Retail Segment operates 1,245 college, university, and K-12 school bookstores, comprised of 707 physical bookstores and 538 virtual bookstores. The Wholesale Segment provided a comprehensive selection of new and used textbooks to approximately 2,750 physical bookstores, including its Retail segment's 707 physical bookstores and sources, and distributes new and used textbooks to its 538 virtual bookstores. Additionally, the Wholesale Segment sells hardware and a software suite of applications that provides inventory management and point-of-sale solutions to approximately 325 college bookstores.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Barnes & Noble Plans to Open 60 New Stores in 2026
- Expansion Plan: Barnes & Noble plans to open 60 new stores in 2026, marking a significant turnaround after over a decade of reducing its retail footprint, indicating a renewed confidence in physical retail.
- Sales Growth: By granting greater control to local booksellers, Barnes & Noble has seen stronger sales across existing stores, demonstrating the effectiveness of its new strategy in driving performance recovery.
- Product Diversification: In addition to books, Barnes & Noble has begun selling music, toys, and games, and operates cafés in many locations, further enriching the shopping experience and enhancing its competitive position in the market.
- Leasing Strategy: The company has secured leases in several states, including California, Colorado, and Florida, although specific opening dates and store addresses have not been disclosed; this strategic positioning will aid its market penetration nationwide.
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Barnes & Noble Education Faces Investigation Over $23M Revenue Overstatement
- Potential Overstatement: Barnes & Noble Education disclosed that management identified issues with the recording of digital sales costs, potentially leading to an overstatement of up to $23 million in accounts receivable as of May 3, 2025, raising significant investor concerns about financial integrity.
- Stock Price Decline: Following this revelation, on July 21, 2025, Barnes & Noble's shares fell by $2.36, approximately 21%, closing at $8.87 per share, indicating market apprehension regarding the company's financial transparency.
- Legal Investigation: Kirby McInerney LLP is investigating possible violations of federal securities laws by Barnes & Noble Education and its senior management, which could impact the company's reputation and future investor confidence.
- Investor Action: The law firm is urging investors who purchased Barnes & Noble securities to provide information, highlighting that the legal risks faced by the company may lead to shareholder losses, necessitating vigilance among investors regarding future developments.
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