Books-A-Million
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (Bookstores) |
| Founded | 1917 in Florence, Alabama, United States |
| Founder | Clyde W. Anderson |
| Headquarters | Birmingham, Alabama , United States |
Area served | 32 states in the United States |
Key people | Clyde B. Anderson (Chairman) |
| Products | Books, magazines, manga, collectibles, toys, electronics, gifts, frozen yogurt (via Yogurt Mountain) |
| Website | booksamillion |
Books-A-Million, Inc., commonly referred to as BAM!, is a prominent American bookstore chain with 260 locations spread over 32 states. Store footprints vary between 4,000 and 30,000 square feet, featuring a diverse inventory that includes books, magazines, manga, collectibles, toys, electronics, and gift items. Numerous branches incorporate "Joe Muggs" cafés—coffee and espresso bars—although several of these were shuttered in 2025. The retail outlets operate under multiple banners such as Books-A-Million, Bookland, Books & Company, and 2nd & Charles.
The enterprise also owns Yogurt Mountain Holding, a frozen yogurt chain encompassing 40 stores, alongside Preferred Growth Properties, which focuses on commercial property development and management. Additionally, it manages American Wholesale Book Company (AWBC), an online book wholesaler accessible via booksamillion.com, and NetCentral, a Nashville-based internet services firm.
In December 2015, chairman Clyde B. Anderson and his family completed a $21 million buyout to take the company private once more.
History
The origins of Books-A-Million trace back to 1917 in Florence, Alabama, when 14-year-old Clyde W. Anderson launched a newsstand after leaving school to support his family following his father's passing. Anderson recognized a demand from workers at the nearby Wilson Dam for hometown newspapers.
Expansion began in 1950 under Charles C. Anderson, the founder’s son, who transformed the single store into a growing chain. The business incorporated as Bookland in 1964.
By 1980, the chain had grown to operate 50 stores. In 1988, Bookland acquired Knoxville-based Gateway Books and introduced its first superstore model.
The company adopted the name Books-A-Million, Inc. in 1992 and conducted an initial public offering of 2.6 million shares priced at $13 each.
In 1998, the company launched its online platform booksamillion.com. During the dot-com bubble, its stock price experienced extreme fluctuations—rising from $3 to an intraday peak of $47 before returning to around $3 by the year 2000—with notable volatility and insider selling activity.
Books-A-Million acquired NetCentral, its web development partner, in 1999 and began operating American Wholesale Book Company as a book wholesaler and distributor.
In April 2010, the company invested $3 million to acquire a 40% ownership stake in Yogurt Mountain, a frozen yogurt franchisor and retailer; subsequently, Yogurt Mountain outlets were launched within select bookstore locations.
The debut of 2nd & Charles, a retailer specializing in used media products, occurred in September 2010 with its first store opening near Riverchase Galleria in Hoover, Alabama.
In December 2015, Clyde B. Anderson and his family privatized the company for $21 million, leading to its removal from the Nasdaq exchange.
By November 2016, Books-A-Million expanded its inventory by incorporating self-published titles into its offerings.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- 1917 establishments in Alabama
- 1992 initial public offerings
- Chain bookstores of the United States
- Book selling websites
- Dot-com bubble
- Companies based in Birmingham, Alabama
- Florence, Alabama
- Retail companies established in 1917
- American companies established in 1917
- 2015 mergers and acquisitions