Barnes & Noble and Barnes & Noble.com are doing their part to make more Spanish-language books available with new initiatives this month: B&N is adding thousands of titles to the Libros en Español sections in its superstores, while B&N.com has launched a Libros en Español section on its site.
"I think as retailers, we're so far from meeting the customer demand that this is something still in the high-growth stage," said Mike Ferrari, director of merchandising for B&N. "I think that as more books become available and word gets out there, it will have the possible effect of adding to that demand." Nationwide, 488 B&N stores, out of a total of 634, have Spanish book sections. The influx of new titles will dramatically increase the number of Spanish-language books available at these stores, though the actual number of additional titles will vary by store, Ferrari said.
The online initiative includes an expanded assortment of books, music and movies in Spanish. In addition, the site will publish bestseller lists for Spanish-language titles and feature profiles and interviews with Hispanic authors in its Meet the Writers section.
