While Barnes & Noble did not hold a conference call to discuss the year-end results that were issued yesterday, the retailer did file its 10-k report with the Securities & Exchange Commission. That report showed the 1.9% decline in comparable store sales in fiscal 2019, ended April 29, was led by a 3.9% drop in sales in the book category. Sales in the chain's non-book segments rose 1.9%.
Overall, sales at B&N fell 3.0% in fiscal 2019. Nonetheless, the retailer did post a small profit in the year.
The decline in comp store book sales dropped the media group’s share of B&N revenue to 68% of total company sales, down from 69% in fiscal 2018 (the media group includes books). Sales in the other segment, which includes toys and games (where B&N has said sales have improved since the closing of Toys R Us), as well as café and gifts, accounted for 30% of sales, up from 28%. Digital sales represented 2% of fiscal 2019 revenue, down from 3%.
The retail segment includes results from BN.com and the 10-K filing said online sales fell 6.7% ($18.5 million), compared to the prior year.