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Barnes & Noble Plans 60 More U.S. Stores in 2026 as Brick-and-Mortar Revival Builds

Strong sales tied to locally run shops underpin the expansion.

Overview

  • Leases for 2026 locations are confirmed in California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, Virginia, Washington state and Washington, D.C.
  • The company has not released specific addresses or opening dates, with the plan calling for new stores to come online before June 2026.
  • The new push follows 67 store openings in 2025 and 61 in 2024, marking a clear reversal from years of contraction.
  • Executives attribute momentum to giving individual stores greater autonomy, with growth targeting both new markets and communities previously served.
  • Reporting links the comeback to post-pandemic reading habits and online book communities such as TikTok’s #BookTok.