Barnes & Noble has made a recent shift in its aesthetics, and many customers aren’t happy about it. An Orlando college student, for one, found a store that survived the impact of remodels and said he was “almost brought to tears” in a TikTok that has more than 7.8 million views.
Zach (@zachtose_intiktokerance) added that the store “had a cafe and everything,” pointing toward locations that have since removed their additional amenities and stripped down to more minimalistic sales approaches.
People miss the old Barnes & Noble
Many people have noticed Barnes & Noble’s shift away from its previous look, reflecting modern aesthetics taken on by companies like Target. Consumers, however, are asking for the nostalgic energy they once got from the brand’s older design. As many people pointed out, the remodeled Barnes & Noble stores now look like they “belong in an airport.”
“Way to remove the soul,” one commenter said on another video highlighting the changes. In a remodeled store, books are stacked on taller, more modular shelves that, to some viewers, feel less welcoming. TikTok users also criticized the lighting, expressing that the harsher atmosphere and lack of artwork made the store feel devoid of personality…