"So, Has B&N Stopped Carrying Wargames Magazines?" Topic

When my Barnes and Noble re-opened from That Thing, they had the same issues of Wargames Illustrated and Wargames: Soldiers and Strategy on the shelf as when they closed. And weeks later, still do.

I have been buying both from them since they started stocking them ages back (excepting the occasional issue that didn't show up for whatever reason). I have always considered subscribing, to both, but like to pick them the rack in the Old Way, so have always supported the store that carried them. But I've now missed several issues each, and I'm ticked off. With their history section shrinking all the time, I now have little incentive to even go there anymore. Which makes me sad, as they are more or less game in town for new books.

And no one THERE can tell me jack about when/if the will stock them again. i don't know if this is an import issue (though small online stockist seem to have gotten copies), or just another sign that B&N is on borrowed time.

Does anyone else have any experience or input on the matter?

When they reopened here, they had the same issues of quite a number of magazines. Things here are slowly returning to normal. Also, much of the help was laid off--again, slowly coming back--so there may not be anyone to talk to who knows what's going on yet.

My favorite bit was where they moved all the books and then decided they were too short-handed to leave anyone at the help desk to tell you where the books now were.

Most have closed, in my area.

My B&N only carries WSS, but they have been carrying the latest releases.

My BN said they had not been getting updated magazines. During the COVID shutdown, many publications stopped publishing and everyone is catching up.

Wow, I've never seen either of those at B&N in my area.

My favorite bit was where they moved all the books and then decided they were too short-handed to leave anyone at the help desk to tell you where the books now were.

I love the constant shuffling that most big retail insists in. Stores with wearily predictable layouts bore me so. Is there some business course that promotes Cool Hand Luke Merchandising?

During the COVID shutdown, many publications stopped publishing and everyone is catching up.

As I said, the magazines in question have been and gone elsewhere, sold out by many stockists who would presumably have less pull than the largest (remaining) bookstore in the US.

They carry most of them out here.

Beast, I'm pretty sure it links to efficiency reports. Hiding the merchandise from the customers is a bullet point on the ER. It's probably called something else, though.

The one I want to find is the business school professor who told them all they had to have a "mission statement" and a "vision." It's bled over now into military units, where you'd like to think someone else provides them with a mission, and churches, where I can guarantee both the mission and the vision are provided Elsewhere.

Try On Military Matters (www.onmilitarymatters.com), he carries the magazine, including subscriptions.

Not sure about the back issues he may or may not have. E-mail him first: militarymatters@att.net

(note that his e-mail does *not* have the "on" in it…

OMM was ultimately my back-up plan, Russ. I will probably be going that route, thanks.

I'm with the Beast. My local B&N has had the same issues on the shelf for months. Losing interest in going there for same reasons as above. Shrinking history section, etc. And I certainly don't want to subscribe, because frequently, such as the latest WSS in my local B&N, all the articles don't interest me. I think it was all Samurai. Prefer the old fashion way of skimming the pages and buying if the issue has interest to me. Back in the day when I was stationed in the UK, I head for WH Smith and walk out with with WI, MW and more. wonder if its still like that now….

A bit late with this, but last Saturday or maybe the Sat before that, the WSJ had a profile on B&N and CEO Daunt. Apparently, B&N went through 5 CEOs in 6-7 years or so, but most were from chain department stores -- Daunt apparently is a bookseller who started Daunt's in the UK and still has 9 (?) stores in the UK.

Anyway, the point is that in the article, Daunt says he is actively encouraging individual store managers to start stocking the books that sell instead of getting marching orders from B&N corporate in NYC. Apparently, Daunt fired half the corporate book buyers and regional managers because their guesses about what would make good sellers resulted in too many returns.

So, if you want your local B&N to carry a specialty magazine of any type, or a particular author, this is probably as good a time as any to drop a suggestion to the manager.

A couple years ago, my "local" B&N decided to downsize its square footage while ramping up games and the coffee bar. I know business is business and square footage must produce, but I would go there to see what's new in the sci-fi world and since that is not as big a seller as cookies, the "what's new" shelves disappeared, forcing me to prowl the alphabetized authors in the hope I find something. Forget about customer service there. You're on your own.

My purchases fell off, and with them, other gift book purchases. Just about all of them went to Amazon, although this year I did order one book from B&N online because Amazon was out of stock. There is a fantastic local murder mystery book store that I order from due to great gift book suggestions over the years, but that closed this year (and I hope re-opens next year). For military books, I order from my FLBS (Favorite Local Book Store) OMM, which remains open and indeed called today to let me know a book I ordered came in.

Anyway, whether B&N can avoid the fate of Borders and other chain stores remains to be seen. But at least thi guy's giving the store managers more say in what gets put on the shelves.