Observing Barnes and Nobles at Union Square

Barnes and Nobles superstores dominate the market with nearly 700 stores in 50 states. It has grown into a media heavan with its variety of books, music, DVDs, the Nook, and educational readings. One of their busiest stores is located right in Union Square. Standing 4 stories high and filled with a variety of different products, it is important that the layout of the store is strategically designed for customers to have a satisfying experience and purchase products. Barnes and Nobles succeeds with their layout because or the organization of their variety of merchandise is easy for a customer to navigate.

Right when one passes thru the heavy doors into the store, one's vision is met with a table of books on display. The first table situated front and center displays the newest books to hit the floor. The following tables feature bargain prices or featured favorites. These are the books that are most likely to be bought by an individual who is just running in quickly and not looking to browse all 4 floors. When we head deeper into the first floor of the store, we notice the register to our left and tables with gifts on display such as coffee mugs and journals. Barnes and Nobles strategically put the cards right by the gift because every present needs a card to follow. The back of the first floor features the Nook section. It invites the customer in because it is open and the nooks placed on the tables for the customer to interact with them.

First floor when entering store

Front of store when walking in and turning to left

First floor when walking in and turning to right

Gifts and accessories on first floor

Cards right next to gifts

Nook section in back of store on first floor

We then head to the escalater to head the second floor. As our vision meets the second floor, we are surrounded by toys an childrens books. It is clear that the second floor is the childrens section. Now children do not come to Barnes and Nobles alone- they accompany their parents who are possible looking for a novel to read for themselves which is on the 3rd or 4th floor. In order to get to the adult sections- one has to go thru the childrens floors. Any child who goes thru this floor is going to see the toys and run towards them and cry until they get what they want.

Children's toys on second floor 

Children's toys on second floor

The cafe on the third floor is very inviting. The large windows allow enough natural light to make it pleasant. There are many tables and a variety of treats available including Starbucks coffee. The cafe draws people in because the space performs as an area to study, read, work, or catch up with friends while enjoying a coffee beverage and a bite to eat. It was purposely placed on the third floor rather than the first or second floor because customers who are going to Barnes and Nobles just for the cafe will have to pass by the store's merchandise in order to get to the cafe. Also, the escalators provide a waiting time for consumers to gaze around the store and read any signage as they stand and rise to the next floor.

Cafe on Third floot

Cafe on third floor

The fourth floor holds the fiction, non-fiction, and other varieties of books targeting adults. Tables with books on display labeled with signs reading "Favorites" or "New" invites one to pick up one the books because it is more convinient than walking up and down the isles of bookshelves.
Atop of each of the bookshelves that are lined up in rows, are signs that label the category of books. The signs are easy to read from afar. One thing that really stands out to me is how organized the merchandise is. Barnes and Nobles makes it simple for one to find certain books, and the shelves do not go to high look other bookstores. It is pleasant the store does not feel overcrowded with merchandise, like how Strand bookstore is.

4th floor

Throughout the store, the ceilings are high and the space feels open. The dark wood bookshelves and forest green accents (signs, carpeting, etc.) provide a nature color pallet for the interiors of the store. The rows of bookshelves invites one to zig zag thru all the shelves because the low bookshelves make it less maze like and isolating.

One thing I would change is the lack of seating in the cafe. There needs to be more places to sit. Many people were looking around for a place to sit or waiting for someone to leave.