Barnes & Noble.com reported last week that it expects sales for the first quarter ended March 31, 2001, to be up 23% over last year's first period, to about $109 million. The gain was larger than expected and was in marked contrast to Amazon.com's preliminary figures that showed only a "very slight" gain in sales in its books/music/video group for the first quarter. BN.com will release its complete results on April 26.
Shortly after the close of the first quarter, BN.com pulled the plug on its attempt to sell software and gifts through its Web site. The move followed weeks of speculation that the e-retailer was preparing to exit the two fields in order to improve its chances of achieving profitability by focusing on core areas.
