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Barnes & Noble: Inevitable Competitive Advantage

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Strategic Analysis

In order to appropriately utilize its resources and capabilities, Barnes & Noble needs not only to establish and maintain a competitive advantage but also value the results that come with it. To do so, the resources and capabilities must be VRIO. That is having a rare and inimitable competitive advantage that is well organized and valued by customers. Since it encounters inevitable threat from Amazon in the technology advantage, Barnes & Noble seems to be capturing the value of a brick and mortar bookstore experience. The large number of stores that Barnes & Noble own, over 600 stores in the United States alone, is the inimitable competitive advantage that they aim to retain. Even though Barnes & Noble launch the NOOK tablet, …show more content…

In fact, Demos Parneros, CEO of Barnes & Noble, envisions the company’s in-store cafe menu to include other options, like wine, which might prove to its customers that the company values its physical store experience. The shopping experience in Barnes & Noble is a competitive advantage for them as they uphold the reputation as the nation’s largest bookstore with a reliable inventory of thousands of books. They offer unique experiences to readers of all ages, from teacher to preschool children. They are equipped with knowledgeable staff to assist customers in locating the whereabouts of their desired book or in providing recommendations for their next reading. However, more and more consumers are turning to Amazon’s platform to purchase books due to the price factor. Barnes & Noble is known to have higher priced books which lead consumers to Amazon for a bargain. Therefore, creating more partnerships is ideal. Possibly by partnering with organizations such as the American Red Cross and holding first-aid training in their stores while also donating a percentage to the organization will incentivize individuals to not only visit stores and purchase items but also be a part of their community. The idea behind this strategy is to increase positive brand recognition through corporate social …show more content…

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