Barnes & Noble to Open Utica, New York, Superstore in November 2002; Barnes & Noble's Readers' Advantage Program Will Offer Additional Discounts And Other Benefits.

Business Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 13, 2002

Barnes & Noble, Inc., the nation's largest bookseller, today announced it has signed a lease agreement to open a new superstore in Utica, New York. The 24,000-square-foot store, expected to open in November 2002, will be located in the new Commercial Square shopping center on Commercial Drive.

"We are excited by the prospect of becoming a vital part of this dynamic community," said Alan Kahn, chief operating officer of Barnes & Noble, Inc. "Customers at the new Utica Barnes & Noble will have access to thousands of books in every imaginable subject, and a comprehensive range of CD, video and DVD titles. As a community institution, a significant percentage of the store's books will reflect the local lifestyles and interests of Mohawk Valley customers."

"Readers' Advantage," Barnes & Noble's new membership loyalty program, will offer additional discounts and benefits at the new Utica Barnes & Noble. For a $25 annual fee, members will receive an additional 10 percent discount at the store. The program benefits also include invitations to members-only events.

The Utica Barnes & Noble will carry an extensive selection of children's books in an area designed especially for kids. The store's music department will offer more than 25,000 CD, video and DVD titles. Its Red Dot electronic music catalog, a touch-sensitive customer kiosk, features information on the actual location of CDs in the store. Listening stations will be available for customers to preview selected recordings. The store will also feature a Barnes & Noble Cafe, serving in a classic bistro setting Starbucks coffee, cappuccino, espresso; the full-leaf teas of The Republic of Tea; cold drinks; and a variety of reasonably priced gourmet sandwiches and desserts.

The Utica Barnes & Noble bookstore will develop an ongoing calendar of events, including poetry readings, book discussion groups, author signings, and children's story-telling hours, often featuring special guests. These events are designed to respond to the specific interests of the Mohawk Valley community.

About Barnes & Noble, Inc.

Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) operates 582 Barnes & Noble and 328 B. Dalton bookstores, and GameStop (NYSE: GME), which is the nation's largest operator of video game and entertainment software stores with 1,011 stores. Barnes & Noble stores stock an authoritative selection of book titles and provide access to more than one million titles. They offer books from more than 50,000 publisher imprints with an emphasis on small, independent publishers and university presses. Barnes & Noble is one of the world's largest booksellers on the World Wide Web (http://www.bn.com), and the premiere bookseller on America Online's (Keyword: bn) proprietary network. Barnes & Noble.com has the largest standing inventory of any online bookseller. Barnes & Noble also publishes books under its own imprint for exclusive sale through its retail stores and Web site.

General financial information on Barnes & Noble, Inc. can be obtained via the Internet by visiting the company's corporate Web site: http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/financials.