Designed to wet the palette of investors and shareholders alike, New
York-based Barnes & Noble.com has recorded guidance for
the first quarter ending March 31, 2001 that includes a sales projection
falling in the neighborhood of $109 million. The projection is an increase
of 23 percent from the corresponding period a year ago.
While most companies, including computer business-to-consumer sales company
Outpost.com, have weakened under the pressure of shipping items for free,
Barnes & Noble.com credits the increase in sales of its books and music
merchandise with free shipping, and an absence of off-line advertising.
In a prepared statement, Steve Riggio, vice chairman of Barnes & Noble.com,
said “In an environment where the flattening of e-commerce sales is being
widely reported, especially in the book industry, our sales continue to
grow, which is a clear indication that e-commerce is an important component
of the bookselling retail marketplace.
And as the e-commerce market continues to consolidate, we believe Barnes &
Noble.com is well positioned to grow sales and market share going forward.”
Barnes & Noble.com expects to release complete first quarter 2001 results on
April 26, 2001, after the markets close.
The dot-com is majority owned by bookseller Barnes & Noble Inc. and German media giant Bertelsmann AG.
In early morning going, shares in Barnes & Noble.com were trading at $1.27,
up 3 cents from yesterday’s close at $1.24 and well-off its 52-week high of
$11.12.