Barnes & Noble Education Announces Surge in New Campus Store Partnerships
Barnes & Noble Education (NYSE: BNED) has announced significant expansion with over 20 new campus store partnerships across the United States, more than doubling their growth rate compared to the previous two years. The new partnerships, spanning 17 states, include notable institutions like Villanova University, Georgia Southern University, and the University of Denver.
These stores will open between February and August 2025 for the 2025-2026 academic year. More than half of the new partners will implement BNC's First Day® Complete affordable access program. The company's offering includes omnichannel retail experiences, innovative technology solutions like Bookshelf e-reader and CoachMe study tools, and comprehensive course material delivery systems.
Barnes & Noble Education (NYSE: BNED) ha annunciato una significativa espansione con oltre 20 nuove collaborazioni per negozi universitari negli Stati Uniti, raddoppiando il tasso di crescita rispetto ai due anni precedenti. Le nuove partnership, che coprono 17 stati, includono istituzioni di rilievo come Villanova University, Georgia Southern University e University of Denver.
Questi negozi apriranno tra febbraio e agosto 2025 per l'anno accademico 2025-2026. Più della metà dei nuovi partner adotterà il programma di accesso conveniente First Day® Complete di BNC. L'offerta dell'azienda comprende esperienze di vendita omnicanale, soluzioni tecnologiche innovative come il lettore e-book Bookshelf e gli strumenti di studio CoachMe, oltre a sistemi completi per la distribuzione dei materiali didattici.
Barnes & Noble Education (NYSE: BNED) ha anunciado una expansión significativa con más de 20 nuevas asociaciones para tiendas universitarias en Estados Unidos, duplicando su tasa de crecimiento en comparación con los dos años anteriores. Las nuevas colaboraciones, que abarcan 17 estados, incluyen instituciones destacadas como Villanova University, Georgia Southern University y University of Denver.
Estas tiendas abrirán entre febrero y agosto de 2025 para el año académico 2025-2026. Más de la mitad de los nuevos socios implementarán el programa de acceso asequible First Day® Complete de BNC. La oferta de la compañía incluye experiencias de venta omnicanal, soluciones tecnológicas innovadoras como el lector electrónico Bookshelf y las herramientas de estudio CoachMe, y sistemas integrales para la entrega de materiales de curso.
Barnes & Noble Education (NYSE: BNED)는 미국 전역에서 20개 이상의 새로운 캠퍼스 스토어 파트너십을 발표하며 지난 2년간 성장률을 두 배 이상 끌어올렸습니다. 이번 파트너십은 17개 주에 걸쳐 있으며, 빌라노바 대학교, 조지아 서던 대학교, 덴버 대학교 등 주요 기관들이 포함되어 있습니다.
이 매장들은 2025-2026 학년도에 맞춰 2025년 2월부터 8월 사이에 오픈할 예정입니다. 신규 파트너 중 절반 이상이 BNC의 First Day® Complete 저렴한 접근 프로그램을 도입할 예정입니다. 회사의 서비스는 옴니채널 소매 경험, Bookshelf 전자책 리더와 CoachMe 학습 도구 같은 혁신적인 기술 솔루션, 그리고 종합적인 교재 제공 시스템을 포함합니다.
Barnes & Noble Education (NYSE : BNED) a annoncé une expansion majeure avec plus de 20 nouveaux partenariats pour des boutiques universitaires à travers les États-Unis, doublant ainsi leur taux de croissance par rapport aux deux années précédentes. Ces nouveaux partenariats, répartis dans 17 États, incluent des établissements renommés tels que Villanova University, Georgia Southern University et University of Denver.
Ces boutiques ouvriront entre février et août 2025 pour l'année universitaire 2025-2026. Plus de la moitié des nouveaux partenaires mettront en œuvre le programme d'accès abordable First Day® Complete de BNC. L'offre de l'entreprise comprend des expériences de vente omnicanales, des solutions technologiques innovantes comme le lecteur e-book Bookshelf et les outils d'étude CoachMe, ainsi que des systèmes complets de distribution de matériel de cours.
Barnes & Noble Education (NYSE: BNED) hat eine bedeutende Expansion mit über 20 neuen Partnerschaften für Campus-Shops in den Vereinigten Staaten angekündigt und damit die Wachstumsrate im Vergleich zu den letzten zwei Jahren mehr als verdoppelt. Die neuen Partnerschaften erstrecken sich über 17 Bundesstaaten und umfassen renommierte Institutionen wie Villanova University, Georgia Southern University und University of Denver.
Diese Geschäfte werden zwischen Februar und August 2025 für das akademische Jahr 2025-2026 eröffnet. Mehr als die Hälfte der neuen Partner wird das erschwingliche Zugangprogramm First Day® Complete von BNC einführen. Das Angebot des Unternehmens umfasst Omnichannel-Einzelhandelserlebnisse, innovative technologische Lösungen wie den Bookshelf E-Reader und die CoachMe Lernhilfen sowie umfassende Systeme zur Bereitstellung von Kursmaterialien.
- Significant business expansion with over 20 new campus partnerships, doubling previous years' growth
- More than 50% of new partners adopting First Day® Complete program, indicating strong product adoption
- Geographic diversification across 17 states with major institutions
- Successful conversion of both self-operated stores and competitors' locations
- None.
Insights
Barnes & Noble Education's doubling of new campus partnerships signals strong business growth and market share gains in the collegiate retail space.
BNED has secured over 20 new campus store partnerships for the 2025-2026 academic year, more than doubling the pace of new store additions compared to each of the previous two years. This acceleration demonstrates significant market share gains against competitors and self-operated campus stores.
The partnership diversity is impressive, spanning 17 states with a mix of two-year and four-year institutions, both public and private. Notable wins include Villanova University, Georgia Southern University, and the Colorado Community College System, indicating BNED's solutions appeal across the higher education spectrum.
What's particularly notable is that more than half of these new partnerships will implement First Day® Complete, BNED's affordable access program. This suggests strong adoption of BNED's higher-margin recurring revenue offerings rather than just traditional retail operations.
This business momentum reflects BNED's strategic pivot toward becoming a comprehensive education solutions provider rather than just a campus bookstore operator. Their emphasis on omnichannel retail experiences, technology solutions, and affordable course materials appears to be resonating with educational institutions seeking modernized approaches to student services.
The timing of these store openings (February through August) positions BNED to capture the critical back-to-school revenue period, which typically represents a substantial portion of annual sales. This expansion should contribute meaningfully to fiscal 2026 performance if properly executed.
Over 20 new institutions across a mix of two- and four-year public and private colleges and universities turn to Barnes & Noble College for innovative, customer-focused solutions
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED), a leading solutions provider for the education industry, today announced a wave of new campus store partnerships with colleges and universities across the country. These institutions, representing a diverse mix of two- and four-year public and private schools, have selected Barnes & Noble College (BNC) to operate their campus stores ahead of the 2025–2026 academic year, with over 20 campus stores scheduled to open from February through August this year. This total is more than double the number added during the same period in each of the prior two years.
This momentum highlights the growing demand for BNC’s innovative, customer-focused approach as colleges and universities seek trusted partners that can support improved access, affordability, and the omnichannel retail experience.
The Barnes & Noble College Difference
BNC is redefining the collegiate retail experience through a powerful partnership model that helps institutions ignite change and reach new levels of success. Backed by the financial strength of BNED, we deliver unmatched support for academic excellence while offering unique capabilities to enhance each institution’s brand and reputation. Our uncompromised, community-focused service model ensures schools receive personalized support, on-campus expertise, and a consistent partner committed to their success. From tech-enabled course material delivery to dynamic retail experiences, BNC fosters innovation, elevates the campus experience, and drives sustainable growth.
BNC’s unique and differentiated capabilities enable us to deliver more relevant and customized support to our partners through:
- Unmatched Access to Affordable Course Materials - the industry’s largest selection of print and digital formats, delivered seamlessly through traditional and affordable access models.
- Unmatched Omnichannel Retail Experiences - innovative store design, curated merchandise, exclusive school-branded collections and collaborations, and an elevated online experience.
- Innovative Technology - designed to support both students and faculty throughout the academic journey, including seamless course material delivery, Bookshelf e-reader, CoachMe study tool, faculty Adoption & Insights portal (AIP), and more.
- Best-in-Class Service Model - featuring dedicated on-campus management and tailored campus engagement strategies and service, as well as local decision-making.
“Our highly differentiated solutions are delivering real value to institutions nationwide,” said Jonathan Shar, Chief Executive Officer, Barnes & Noble Education. “From affordability and access to deeper engagement and measurable outcomes, we’re delivering results that matter to schools, students, alumni, fans, and faculty. We're proud to welcome these new partners and look forward to helping them elevate the customer experience and achieve their highest priority goals.”
New Partnerships Across a Broad Mix of Institutions
The mix of two- and four-year public and private colleges and universities spans 17 states and includes both former self-operated stores and those transitioning from other vendors — all choosing BNC for its proven ability to deliver innovation and operational excellence. Notable new partners include Villanova University, Georgia Southern University, Oral Roberts University, the Colorado Community College System, UNC Pembroke, Xavier University, the University of Denver, and more.
More than half of the new institutions will launch First Day® Complete, BNC’s rapidly growing, industry-leading affordable access program, beginning Fall Term 2025.
ABOUT BARNES & NOBLE EDUCATION, INC.
Barnes & Noble Education, Inc. (NYSE: BNED) is a leading solutions provider for the education industry, driving affordability, access, and achievement at hundreds of academic institutions nationwide and ensuring millions of students are equipped for success in the classroom and beyond. Through its family of brands, BNED offers campus retail services and academic solutions, wholesale capabilities, and more. BNED is a company serving all who work to elevate their lives through education, supporting students, faculty, and institutions as they make tomorrow a better and smarter world.
For more information about Barnes & Noble Education, visit www.bned.com.
For more information about Barnes & Noble College, visit www.bncollege.com.
Media Contact:
Judith Buckingham
Corporate Communications
Barnes & Noble Education
jbuckingham@bned.com
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