Barnes & Noble, Best Buy ink Nook distribution pact
Barnes & Noble's nook will be coming to a Best Buy near you in a move that shows how e-reader manufacturers are hoping some extra distribution and retail presence can halt the threat from Apple's iPad. Barnes & Noble is also playing catch-up with the Amazon Kindle.
According to Barnes & Noble and Best Buy, the nook will be stocked at the consumer electronics retailing giant April 18. The move comes as Amazon is rumored to be working on a deal to put the Kindle in Target stores.
Via the deal, Best Buy will prominently feature the nook and accessories at 1,070 stores. Couple Best Buy's distribution with the retail presence at Barnes & Noble stores and you have a big channel to sell the nook, which goes for $259.99.
Best Buy will also give Barnes & Noble's e-book store preferred status.
It remains to be seen whether the Best Buy pact is aimed more at the iPad or the Kindle. Best Buy already features the iPad and there's a regular stream of folks trying the device out. It'll be interesting to see where the nook is positioned at Best Buy and how consumers will compare it with the iPad.
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