B. Dalton
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (Bookstores) |
| Founded | 1966 |
| Founder | Bruce Dayton |
| Fate | Acquired by Barnes & Noble; stores closed by 2010 (except a few until 2013); brand revived in 2022 |
| Headquarters | United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Bruce Dayton (founder) |
| Products | Books (hardcover and paperback) |
| Parent | Barnes & Noble (since 1987) |
B. Dalton Bookseller was a prominent American bookstore chain established in 1966 by Bruce Dayton, a member of the family behind the Dayton's department stores. It grew to become the largest retailer specializing in hardcover books across the United States, eventually operating 779 outlets at its height. Most locations were situated inside enclosed shopping malls, with its main competitor being Waldenbooks. In 1987, Barnes & Noble acquired B. Dalton and managed the chain until announcing the closure of the remaining 50 stores by January 2010. The brand experienced a brief resurgence in 2022 when a Barnes & Noble store was rebranded under the B. Dalton name.
History
Bruce Dayton, affiliated with the family that ran Dayton's department stores in Minneapolis, launched B. Dalton in 1966. He chose the name as a variation of his own to evoke a sense of quality and reliability. The inaugural store debuted in Edina, Minnesota, followed shortly by another in St. Louis, Missouri. While the original plan targeted downtown and suburban retail spaces, most outlets were eventually established within regional shopping malls. In 1969, Dayton's merged with Detroit-based Hudson's to form Dayton Hudson Corporation, which is now known as Target Corporation.
The chain experienced rapid growth, expanding from 12 stores in 1968 to 125 by 1973, and reaching an apex of 798 locations by 1986. B. Dalton acquired Pickwick Books in 1968 and completed its integration by 1979, operating stores across 43 states by 1978. Although Waldenbooks had more stores, B. Dalton reported superior profitability during this era. A flagship store opened in Manhattan in December 1978, and between 1983 and 1986, the Pickwick brand was revived for discount bookstore outlets.
1980s and 1990s
By the mid-1980s, increased discounting from rival book retailers and a slowdown in new mall developments contributed to declining profits for B. Dalton. As a result, Dayton Hudson Corporation sold the chain to Barnes & Noble.[1][2] Under Barnes & Noble’s ownership, B. Dalton acquired Scribner Book Stores from Rizzoli International in 1989,[3] and launched Software, Etc., a video game retail concept that would later evolve into GameStop.[2] During this period, numerous stores were either closed or relocated as the company experimented with various store formats. By 1997, the number of locations had dropped to 528,[2] with further reductions occurring over the next decade.
In January 2010, Barnes & Noble shuttered the final 50 B. Dalton outlets,[4] except for those located at Union Station and Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, New York.[5] The Roosevelt Field store ceased operations in January 2012, followed by Union Station’s closure in February 2013.
In February 2022, Barnes & Noble brought back the B. Dalton brand by renaming its store at Oviedo Mall as B. Dalton.[6]
Format
B. Dalton initially aimed to attract middle-class suburban shoppers with stores featuring parquet floors and spacious aisles.[2] The chain later shifted towards a mass-market approach by expanding its inventory selection and was among the pioneers to display hardcover and paperback books together.[2] From 1985 to 1987, B. Dalton also sponsored the PBS program Reading Rainbow, boosting its brand recognition during that time.
Software Etc.
In 1985, B. Dalton introduced Software Etc., a retail outlet dedicated to computer-related books, magazines, and software titles. Originally operating within B. Dalton's bookstores, it separated in 1987 to concentrate on independent store locations. By 1994, Software Etc. combined forces with rival Babbage's, broadening its market reach.
By 1996, NeoStar Retail Group Inc., which owned both chains at the time, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and intended to shut down all 707 stores due to financial losses. Nevertheless, a consortium of investors led by retailer Leonard Riggio purchased NeoStar's holdings, preventing the planned closures. In 1999, the merged company adopted the name Babbage's Etc., introduced the GameStop brand, and was sold to Barnes & Noble—bringing Software Etc. back under its original parent company.
In 2000, Barnes & Noble acquired Funco, Inc. and incorporated Babbage's Etc. as a subsidiary within it. Funco subsequently changed its name to GameStop, Inc., gaining independence by 2004. Since then, GameStop has gradually retired the Software Etc. brand as part of its strategy to unify its market presence under the GameStop identity.
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- ↑ Fuller, Austin (2022-02-28). "Oviedo Mall Barnes & Noble becomes only B. Dalton Bookseller store". orlandosentinel.com.