Quote:
Originally Posted by SensualPoet
Kindle was relentless with very simple mass advertising: the Kindle is wonderful and its $79. The moment someone wonders into Best Buy looking for a Nook and it's drastically more than $79 -- never mind it is more capable -- the sales conversation gets muddied, diverted or lost altogether.
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The problem is the current *volume* customer base is the recreational reader. At $200-plus, it was dedicated readers; at $79, it expands to include younger readers and the occasional reader. Neither audience really *needs* the added capabilities. Talking about "more capable" pales before "solid, simple, and capable-enough" plus mindshare. (and "cheaper" sure doesn't hurt.)
And now, to the mix, add in the chilling FUD-effect of "B&N is going to sell off Nook because sales fell short". (Even if that's not quite what they said.)
B&N had a disappointing fourth quarter? Wait until the *next* quarter...
Whatever they're going to do, they'd better do it quickly. They can't afford a repeat of last year's "B&N is up for sale... and nobody want to buy".
And whatever they do, yes, they need to discuss what they're going to do with the 700-plus storefronts. One thing Indigo did right: they acted first, announced later.
The reverse is NOT.A.GOOD.MOVE.