Incorporated in 1986, Barnes & Noble Inc., a Fortune 500 company, is one of the world s largest booksellers and the highest-rated bookselling brand in the United States. The company operates 717 retail bookstores in regional shopping malls, major strip centers and freestanding locations in 50 states. It is a content, commerce and technology company that provides customers access to books, magazines, newspapers and other content across its multi-channel distribution platform. Barnes & Noble Inc. also operates approximately 637 college bookstores serving nearly four million students and faculty members at colleges/universities across the nation.