B&N vs. Borders

by Staff -- Publishers Weekly, 10/25/2004

Borders's announcement earlier this month that it would not meet its third-quarter financial targets was quickly followed by more positive news from Barnes & Noble. That continues a trend that has been evident for all of 2004. For the six months ended July 31, sales at B&N's superstores rose 9.1%, compared to 7.2% for Borders's superstores. Comparable-store sales increased 5.1% at B&N's superstores in the six-month period, far surpassing the 1.7% gain posted by Borders. B&N's superstores sales of $116 per square foot also beats Borders's superstore sales-per-square foot of $102. And B&N's superstores average $2.8 million in sales per outlet, compared to $2.6 million for Borders's stores.

Superstore Yardsticks

	B & N	BORDERS
Sales (in millions)	$1.871	$1.170
Stores	657	450
Sales per Store (in millions)	$2.8	$2.6
Sales per Square Foot	$116	$102
Comp Sale Increase*	5.1%	1.7%
Total Sales Increase*	9.1%	7.2%
*Gains in first six months of 2004.

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