Books-A-Million pulls ahead of Barnes & Noble with curbside pickup

Books-A-Million is expanding its existing buy-online-pick-up in store (BOPIS) offering with a new, free curbside pick-up option. 

This service allows Books-A-Million customers to shop online, alert the store when they arrive, and pull curbside to have their purchase brought directly to their vehicle by a store associate. Chief Books-A-Million rival Barnes & Noble offers a BOPIS service but does not currently provide curbside pickup. 

The curbside offering will be available at nearly all Books-A-Million locations. Post-purchase communication via email and text message will provide status updates of when orders are ready for pick-up and contact information to alert the store upon arrival.

Executives from Books-A-Million stressed both the convenience and health of its customers when explaining why the retailer is rolling out curbside pickup.

“This new service not only provides an added convenience to our shoppers, but it also helps the community during a time when social distancing has become a necessary measure,” said Scott Kappler, chief marketing officer, Books-A-Million.

“At Books-A-Million, we are doing all we can to assure that our stores are a clean and safe environment for both our customers and our associates,” said Terrance Finley, CFO, Books-A-Million. “Reading, sharing stories, supporting our children’s educational needs, playing games and connecting as families has never been more important than it is during these times of challenge and disruption. Serving our communities has and will continue to be our focus.”

Books-A-Million, headquartered in Birmingham, Ala., is the second-largest chain of bookstores in the U.S., operating over 200 stores in 32 states and an e-commerce site.