James Daunt

Waterstones managing director James Daunt said social media is reinforcing the reading of "proper" paper books among young people.

Mr Daunt, who is also chief executive of Barnes & Noble, said social media trends such as 'BookTok' on TikTok had been "hugely positive", as he was made a CBE for his services to publishing by the Princess Royal.

Waterstones managing director and Barnes & Noble c.e.o. James Daunt has hailed the "wonderfully robust" market as sales and footfall increase in the UK and US, but has said he expects book prices will increase due to rising costs.

Despite a slow December due to the omicron surge, 2021 was "another year of solid growth" at Barnes & Noble, according to CEO James Daunt, who spoke with PW from a hotel in Stamford, Ct., where he was on the final leg of a national tour to meet with store managers. Daunt, with the financial backing of Elliott Advisors, took over B&N in September 2019.  Read more

When U.K. bookseller James Daunt took over as CEO of Barnes & Noble a year ago, after a sale that landed it in private hands, he faced the formidable challenge of rescuing the chain from troubles largely of its own making, in the shadow of Amazon's prowess in the segment.  Read more

Shoppers will be cautious about returning to the high street but Waterstones will emerge from the coronavirus crisis and eventually have a wider range of shops, the firm's c.e.o. James Daunt has said.  Read more