Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt’s Leaner, Meaner Strategy for Success

May 10, 2026 - 05:17

James Daunt, the man running Barnes & Noble, has a blunt approach to the book business. He does not treat every dusty volume on the shelf like a sacred object. Instead, he is focused on cutting costs and making the chain profitable enough to attract investors ahead of a potential public stock offering. Daunt, who also runs the UK chain Waterstones, has been squeezing expenses out of the company since taking over. He has closed underperforming stores, reduced inventory, and pushed for better deals with publishers. The goal is a leaner operation that can survive in an era where Amazon dominates book sales.

Daunt is known for being unsentimental about the product. If a book does not sell, it goes back to the publisher. If a store cannot turn a profit, it shuts down. This hard-nosed strategy has helped stabilize Barnes & Noble after years of decline. The chain was bought by hedge fund Elliott Management in 2019, and Daunt was brought in to turn things around. Now, with the company looking healthier, there is talk of an IPO. Daunt has not confirmed a timeline, but the cost-cutting moves suggest he is preparing the business for public scrutiny. Investors want to see a company that can generate steady returns, not one that clings to romantic ideas about literature. For Daunt, that means treating books like any other retail product.