Barnes & Noble to launch Nook e-readers in Britain

21 Aug 2012

Barnes & Noble, the American bookshop chain,has announced that it would introduce its successful Nook e-readers in Britain.

From mid-October the devices would be offered for sale online alongside an online store offering over 2.5 million e-books, magazines and newspapers, according to the retailer .

Barnes & Noble chief executive William Lynch said the company was confident its award-winning technology, combined with its expansive content – including books, children's books, magazines, apps, movies and more – would bring UK customers the option they had been waiting for.

The Nook range has emerged as the main rival to Amazon's Kindle range in the US, with the cheapest model costing $99, or around £63.

The cheapest Kindle costs $79 in US with advertising, while in Britain the cheapest Kindle costs £89 but is advertising-free.

Barnes & Noble did not disclose the prices for the British launch. In addition to opening an online store, Barnes & Noble said it would announce high street retail partners soon.