Barnes & Noble to Acquire Books Inc.

 Barnes & Noble announces that it is to acquire Books Inc., the longtime Bay Area brick-and-mortar bookseller. Books Inc. has filed a motion asking the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California to allow the sale of its assets to BI Acquisition Co., LLC, an affiliate of Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Inc., for $3.25 million.

If the acquisition is approved, the 174-year-old Books Inc. will preserve its independent identity. Books Inc. will continue to trade under its brand name, preserving the company’s seven neighborhood store locations, together with two stores operated at San Francisco International Airport.

Books Inc. had filed in January 2025 a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 in response to revenue losses from steadily rising operating costs and changing consumer buying habits exacerbated by the COVID pandemic.

“This agreement will ensure that Book Inc.’s legacy will continue for the foreseeable future,” said Andy Perham, a 15-year company employee who became Chief Executive Officer in 2019. “With Barnes & Noble’s deep resources and world-class support, Books Inc. will be able to quickly modernize its operations so we can focus on what we do best: connecting people with books, ideas and each other.”

The acquisition of Books Inc. by Barnes & Noble is the second by the company, following that of Denver’s Tattered Cover Book Store in July 2024 which had also entered Chapter 11. 

“Books Inc. has a storied history and wonderful bookstores, and we are very pleased to ensure their continuity,” said James Daunt, CEO of Barnes & Noble. “We look forward to welcoming the booksellers of Books Inc. to Barnes & Noble.”

The bankruptcy court is expected to review and rule on Books Inc.’s proposed sale this fall.

Barnes & Noble, Inc. is the largest retail bookseller in the United States. The Company has more than 660 bookstores across the United States, as well as its online bookstore at BN.com, the Nook Digital business which offers both e-books and an audio book subscriptions service, the SparkNotes educational service, stationery and gift retailer Paper Source. General information on Barnes & Noble, Inc. can be found on the Company’s website at www.bn.com.

About Books Inc.

Books Inc. is a collection of locally owned and operated bookstores proudly serving and supporting the Bay Area since 1851. The privately held company operates neighborhood bookstores across the East Bay, Peninsula and San Francisco, including two in San Francisco International Airport. For more information or to shop online, visit www.booksinc.net.