Nook reader gets retail help to fight iPad

Barnes & Noble today confirmed rumors that it would bring the Nook to Best Buy retail stores. The large-scale chain should carry the e-reader on April 18th at all of its US stores and sell it for $260. Best Buy will also sell gift cards and highlight the apps on computers and smartphones.

The expansion is the first since the Nook was announced in the fall and reflects pressure on Barnes & Noble to expand its reach. Officially, it has claimed that the reaction to the Nook has 'exceeded expectations' but has refused to provide specific sales numbers. Sales of the e-reader have been limited to the bookseller itself and may especially hurt its reach compared to the iPad, which already has a presence in Best Buy in addition to Apple stores.

Amazon is already poised to follow suit and should sell the Kindle in Target stores just a week after Barnes & Noble, again with Apple as a probable factor in breaking with tradition.

By Electronista Staff