Barnes and Noble Bookstore entrance showing store name and logo, Spokane Valley, Washington, a national bookstore established in 1880 and having outlets in all states, headquartered in New York. (Photo by: Don and Melinda Crawford/UCG/Universal Image …
Barnes & Noble will phase out its current membership program with two new options it just rolled out.
The premium membership plan gives participating Barnes & Noble customers access to certain perks at the company’s bookstores and on its website, according to the Barnes & Noble webpage about its memberships. It costs $39.99 annually.
With the premium membership, benefits available to customers include a 10% discount on eligible online and in-store purchases, complimentary size upgrades on B&N Cafe drinks, free standard shipping and "exclusive early access to special titles and events," according to the Barnes & Noble website. They also get special birthday offers and free tote bags, among other things.
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The other membership option that the bookseller unveiled – B&N Rewards – comes at no cost, the company said on its website.
It awards participants "1 stamp for every $10 spent on eligible items in a single transaction in stores or online," Barnes & Noble said. For every 10 stamps a member earns, the company said they can convert it to a $5 reward "that can be used in stores or online."
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Book lovers who enroll in the premium option receive the B&N Rewards benefits as well, according to the company’s website.
"If you opt not to join Premium Membership or B&N Rewards before your current term expires, your Member benefits will end at the conclusion of your term and your Membership can no longer be renewed," Barnes & Nobles said online.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the news earlier Friday.
"If you’re interested in ornithology or cookbooks, we’ll be in a position to offer you recommendations and special offers," CEO James Daunt told the outlet. "It allows us to be much more intelligent and engaging and interesting."
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Companies including Amazon and Walmart have previously launched membership programs that customers must join to participate in and access certain benefits.
Barnes & Nobles has reported operating a total of about 600 stores in the U.S.
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