Top Business News
Barnes & Noble Scores an App
Jeanine Poggi
06/29/09 - 05:18 PM EDT
Barnes & Noble(BKS) is looking for any way to make its digital presence known.
Case in point: The book seller launched an eponymous online application for Apple's(AAPL) iPhone and iPod touch, allowing readers access to exclusive content and customer reviews, as well as information about the more than 50,000 events in stores.
Similar to an Amazon.com(AMZN) application in the works, Barnes & Noble has partnered with LinkMe Mobile, from Evryx Technologies, and Spotlight Mobile so users can simply snap a photo to search millions of products.
The application sure sounds fun and useful -- but how it will help the company's struggling book sales remains to be seen.
Barnes & Noble continues to widen its loss as consumers cut back on book and music purchases and turn to digital outlets. In the first quarter, the company recorded a loss of $2.7 million during the quarter, or 5 cents a share, compared with a loss of $2.2 million, or 4 cents, a year earlier.
Its revenue fell 4% to $1.11 billion, while same-store sales sank 5.7%.