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That became a greater concern in January 1997, when Barnes & Noble entered into an agreement to become the exclusive bookseller on America Online, where it would have access to AOL’s more than 8 million subscribers. Like Amazon.com, B&N boasted a database of more than 1 million titles, speedy delivery of about half a million books and 30 percent discounts off the cover price of hardcover books—a steeper discount than it offered to customers who shopped in its stores. B&N also announced that it was going to launch its own website in early spring 1997 after hiring a staff of 50.
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