BARNESANDNOBLE COM INC - 10-K Annual Report

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). Yes þ No o

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the closing sale price of the Common Stock on June 30, 2003 as reported on the NASDAQ National Market System, was approximately $87,842,624.

Number of shares of $.001 par value Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock outstanding as of March 1, 2004 was 52,476,325, one and one, respectively.

Portions of the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report.

barnesandnoble.com inc. (the “Company”) is a holding company whose sole asset is its 29.6% interest in barnesandnoble.com llc (“B&N.com”), and whose sole business is acting as sole manager of B&N.com. Through direct membership interests in B&N.com and ownership of common stock in the Company, as of March 1, 2004 Barnes & Noble, Inc. (“Barnes & Noble”) owned a 72.9% economic interest in B&N.com and a 96.3% voting interest in the Company. Barnes & Noble increased its interest to that level on September 15, 2003 by acquiring the entire 36.8% equity interest of Bertelsmann AG (“Bertelsmann”) in B&N.com for $2.80 per share or membership unit in B&N.com (“Membership Unit”), payable in a combination of cash and notes. On January 8, 2004, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), which sets forth the terms and conditions of the proposed acquisition of the Company by a wholly owned subsidiary of Barnes & Noble. The Merger Agreement provides that at the closing of the merger, the holders of the Company’s outstanding common stock, other than Barnes & Noble and its subsidiaries, will receive $3.05 per share in cash for their shares, and the Company will become a privately held company, wholly owned by Barnes & Noble. The closing of the merger is expected to occur by early second quarter of fiscal 2004.

B&N.com is a leading internet-based retailer of books, music, DVD/video and online courses. Since opening its online store (www.bn.com) in March 1997, B&N.com has attracted more than 17.0 million customers in 230 countries. B&N.com’s bookstore includes the largest in-stock selection of in-print book titles with access to approximately one million titles for immediate delivery, supplemented by more than 30 million listings from its nationwide network of out-of-print, rare and used book dealers. The Company now receives commissions on sales of used and out of print books, through BookQuest LLC (“BookQuest”), a service that allows independent book dealers to sell their used books on the B&N.com Web site. B&N.com offers its customers fast delivery, easy and secure ordering and rich editorial content.

According to Jupiter Media Metrix, in December 2003, B&N.com’s Web site was the eleventh most-trafficked shopping site and was among the top 65 largest Web properties on the Internet. Co-marketing agreements with major Web portals such as America Online (“AOL”), Google^TM and Microsoft Network (“MSN”) as well as content sites have extended B&N.com’s brand recognition and increased consumer exposure to its site. B&N.com has also established a network of remote virtual storefronts across the Internet by creating direct links with more than 189,000 affiliate Web sites.

The Company believes that B&N.com’s relationships with Barnes & Noble, the nation’s largest bookseller, provides B&N.com with meaningful advantages relative to other online retailers in its category, including:


	•	The superior brand recognition of the Barnes & Noble trade name, which is a strong factor in attracting customers;

	•	The use of Barnes & Noble’s distribution center as its primary product supplier, which enables B&N.com to offer approximately one million in-stock book titles for immediate delivery, representing the largest standing inventory of any online bookseller; B&N.com is also able to benefit from the supplier relationships maintained by Barnes & Noble with every significant book publisher;

	•	The use of Barnes & Noble’s book database as the primary source of bibliographic data, which enables B&N.com to provide its customers with the most authoritative and accurate book data available;

	•	The enterprise value of Barnes & Noble, including its network of 842 retail bookstores nationwide, provides significant advantages in attracting strategic partnerships;

	•	Ongoing access to the substantial book selling and direct marketing knowledge and experience of the management of Barnes & Noble; and


	•	Participation with Barnes & Noble to create and maintain a book buyers’ membership loyalty program, the Barnes & Noble Membership Program (formerly the “Readers’ Advantage^TM card”), which offers discounts and other benefits to members. For a $25 annual membership fee, participating customers receive 10% additional discounts at Barnes & Noble stores and 5% additional discounts at B&N.com. In addition to discounts, member benefits include sign-up premiums and member-only events.

E-Commerce. The arena of e-commerce provides retailers with the opportunity to serve a rapidly growing market, fueled by increased consumer acceptance of the Internet as an alternative shopping channel. According to the January 2004 Forrester US eCommerce report, online shopping for 2003 was $107.0 billion. Online shopping is expected to reach $176.8 billion in the year 2006 (Forrester July 2003 US eCommerce report). In Jupiter Research’s January 2004 population model, the U.S. online buying population will grow by 14 percent in 2004 over 2003, representing 30 percent of the U.S. population. According to Jupiter Research, by 2008, one-half of the U.S. population will make purchases online.

The Book Industry. The size of the U.S. consumer book market, according to Veronis Suhler & Associates, an investment banking firm specializing in, among other things, the publishing industry, was $18.8 billion in 2002, and is expected to grow to $21.6 billion by 2007. According to the National Association of College Stores, Inc., the college textbook market for the 2001 to 2002 academic year was $7.7 billion with used textbooks representing 14.9%.

Online Shopping Forecast. Forrester Research forecasts accelerating acceptance of the Internet as a channel that consumers will use to purchase a wide range of products. Within the categories of B&N.com’s focus of books, music and DVD/video, Forrester Research forecasts significant growth in online sales for all the categories. Forrester Research estimates that North American online sales of books will grow from $2.8 billion in 2003 to $5.5 billion by 2008. In addition, Forrester Research estimates online sales in 2008 for music and DVD/video to be $2.5 billion up from $1.2 billion in 2003 and $5.6 billion up from $1.8 billion in 2003, respectively.

Products that are Well Suited for E-Commerce. The book, music and video businesses are particularly well suited for e-commerce because an online store has virtually unlimited shelf space and can offer consumers anywhere the convenience of browsing through large product information databases. The use of sophisticated search and browse engines enables users to find books and music with convenience and speed and to get advance notice about new titles in their areas of personal interest. Editorial content, such as synopses, excerpts, reviews and recommendations, downloadable music sound samples and over 10,000 movie trailers, make for a more educated and entertaining purchasing decision. In addition, B&N.com’s core categories, books, music and DVD/video, are popular and economical gift items. According to the December 2003 eSpending Report from Goldman Sachs & Co., Harris Interactive, and Nielsen/ Net Ratings, during the holiday 2003 season (November 1, 2003 to December 12, 2003) the books category increased by 33% over holiday 2002 to comprise $1.0 billion in sales or 7.7 percent of U.S. online spending; and DVD/video sales increased by 89% over holiday 2002 to comprise $1.2 billion in sales or 9.2% of U.S. online spending.

Broadband vs. Dial-up. Currently most households access the Internet through a dial-up connection, which requires use of a phone line and modem, with maximum speeds of 56 kbps. Broadband access does not use a phone line and has speeds up to ten times faster than dial-up connections, which makes the online shopping experience much faster. A December 2003 Report by ComScore Media Metrix reports that the number of home broadband users has increased by more than 30% in the past year, with 34% of home users now using a high-speed connection. ComScore research has shown that broadband users are at least 50% more likely than narrowband users to complete an online purchase in a given month.

B&N.com has aggressively pursued its strategy to be an e-commerce leader in the sale of books, music and DVD/video. It is B&N.com’s goal to be recognized as the most innovative and customer-focused of e-commerce merchants, making online purchasing a simple, secure and gratifying experience that results in

the highest levels of customer loyalty. B&N.com has made significant investments to achieve the highest possible levels of value and service, which it believes are reflected in the completeness of its product selection, the ease-of-use of its Web site, the price of its products and the speed of delivery it can offer its customers.


	Continually Enhancing the User Experience. B&N.com is committed to making every aspect of browsing and shopping on its Web site an easy and intuitive experience. It makes continual efforts to improve the design, layout and navigation of all elements of its Web site, as well as to ensure that the site’s performance metrics are competitive, especially with regard to page download times and the speed of all search functions. Introduced in 2002, BookBrowser^TM, powered by a licensed navigation technology, allows users to easily browse millions of books in more than 400,000 categories using a host of criteria including subject, author, format, price range, award winners, recommended books, bestsellers and more. Additionally, BookBrowser^TM enables users to select and combine categories that best match their interests to quickly arrive at a list of very specific and relevant books. B&N.com also strives to make the ordering and checkout process easy, intuitive, fast and secure. In 2002 and 2003, the Company implemented a number of enhancements to both the order checkout process and to the account maintenance function. These improvements continue to assist customers in quickly completing their orders and enable them to easily modify information in their customer accounts. During the first half of 2003, special processing and systems capacity were allocated to handle the hundreds of thousands of pre-orders for the fifth installment in the Harry Potter series.

	Providing Rich Editorial Content. B&N.com strives to provide its users with the most accurate and authoritative online database about books and authors. B&N.com’s online database includes editorial content such as excerpts, synopses, book reviews, author biographies and user reviews on more than one million titles. Included in this content are book reviews from many respected industry sources, such as The New Yorker, Publisher’s Weekly, and the Kirkus Reviews. B&N.com’s in-house editorial experts also write and commission feature articles, columns and interviews with popular authors.

	In 2003, B&N.com introduced the Book Clubs Center, where customers can find reading group recommendations and free, printable reading group guides for thousands of titles. The Book Clubs Center features a book club “Pick of the Week,” and exclusive free online reading groups with contemporary authors and other literary experts.

	In 2003, B&N.com expanded “Meet the Writers”, the exclusive author showcase where users can find comprehensive biographical information, author profiles and interviews, book recommendations and lists of current and forthcoming publications. Meet the Writers also features exclusive audio and video interviews with select authors and a “Writer Alert” program that tells users by e-mail when their favorite authors have published new books.

	Offering a Large Product Selection and Fast Delivery. B&N.com has access to the largest in-stock selection of in-print book titles available for immediate delivery, supplemented by more than 30 million listings from its nationwide network of out-of-print, rare and used book dealers. This includes an extensive selection of English-language books in print as well as millions of out-of-print, rare and used books. B&N.com’s online databases act as a highly searchable catalogue for the full spectrum of English-language books. The Company’s distribution network ensures speedy delivery. B&N.com’s search engine and BookBrowser^TM navigation engine allow consumers to search and browse through the Company’s database of approximately one million titles available for immediate delivery.

	Extensive Product Offering. B&N.com is focused on becoming the best place to buy books online as well as the most authoritative source for information about books and authors. While B&N.com’s major focus is and will be selling books, the Company believes that offering complementary information products such as music, DVDs/videos and online courses is a natural extension of bookselling. B&N.com’s Music Store features hundreds of thousands of titles, as well as artist biographies, artist interviews and music reviews. The site also offers free music downloads on selected songs and “The Listening Wall”, where users can listen to song samples. B&N.com’s Video Store features tens of


	thousands of movie titles available in both DVD and VHS formats. Powered by the comprehensive All-Movie Guide database, and organized into 500 genres and more than 800 sub-categories, B&N.com’s Video Store offers an extensive selection of DVD/videos. Users can also access the B&N.com Screening Room featuring over 10,000 of the newest full-length video previews. The Company’s Barnes & Noble University® offers hundreds of non-accredited online free and paid courses each year. Each online course covers a specific book or text and is taught by an author or expert in the field. The course topics include a wide range of subjects from technology and computer skills to literature, writing, business, foreign language and self-help.

	In February 2002, the Company launched Barnes & Noble, Jr., featuring a wide selection of books for children of all ages. Barnes & Noble, Jr. also has extensive video and music selections. Streamlining the shopping experience, the new store features clear links between product lines and age-based recommendations within each product line. The fully cross-merchandised Barnes & Noble, Jr. focuses on new releases, celebrated award winners and classics. New in 2003 was an expansion of non-book products for children, which included games, activity kits, puzzles, plush toys, and interactive reading devices.

	In May 2003, the Company launched a Gift Center, featuring gifts, games, plush toys, and non-book products. The Gift Center was expanded in September 2003 with over 600 items, including exclusive gift and toy products. The wide selection of gift items has been organized to allow easy browsing, with sections for gifts for readers, scrap booking, and children’s gifts. The Gift Center also features several specialty boutiques for gifts by recipient, such as “Gifts for Travelers” and “Gifts for Newborns and Mothers”.

	In September 2003, the Company introduced a Business & Technology and a Medicine & Science store, which merchandise all book titles in these categories. This new feature enables customers to easily find and purchase a comprehensive selection of books especially targeted to professionals. These stores are merchandised by a team of subject category experts in the fields of business, computers, engineering and professional science, law, education, medicine and other health-related professions. Specialized merchandising of these subjects also includes subscription newsletters in medicine, business and computers.

	In September 2003 the Company significantly expanded its selection of books in Spanish and launched Libros en Español. Customers can browse Spanish-language titles in thousands of categories by subject, format and price, and get detailed information including first chapters and excerpts. Libros en Español also offers thousands of Latin-music CDs, DVDs and video titles produced in Spanish or with Spanish language tracks. The area also features weekly bestseller lists for Spanish-language adult and children’s books, and its “Meet the Writers” section will feature profiles and interviews of Hispanic authors.

	During the 2003 holiday season, the Company featured its annual Holiday Gift Guide. This comprehensive guide featured nearly 3,000 guaranteed in-stock products organized into hundreds of subject and interest categories including art and photography, food and wine, fiction and literature, home and garden, religion and science and nature. Also featured were special, handpicked collections, including Christmas and holiday books, coffee table books and gift books. Music and video selections included music and DVD box sets, bestsellers and holiday selections. Children and teen selections were categorized by age and included special interest collections. New in 2003 was an expanded non-book section featuring products in categories such as games, puzzles, plush toys, home and office, and yoga and wellness.

	Building Brand Awareness and Driving Customer Acquisition Through Online Advertising and Promotion. B&N.com will continue to invest in building its online brand through its key relationships. The Company began 2003 with 13.6 million customers and grew this base to more than 17.0 million by year-end. In its advertising and promotion initiatives, B&N.com seeks to continuously drive down the new customer acquisition cost, as well as to get customers to return to the site more frequently and to increase the size of their average purchase per visit. B&N.com has formed significant strategic marketing


	relations with Google^TM, AOL and MSN and has established an extensive affiliate network, all designed to build brand awareness and increase customer acquisition.

	Maintaining High Levels of Customer Service. The Company believes that high levels of customer service and support are crucial to retaining and expanding B&N.com’s customer base. For the fourth quarter of 2003, B&N.com received one of the top two scores in customer satisfaction of the 70 companies contained in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), a quarterly survey of consumer attitudes by the University of Michigan. In addition, B&N.com’s score of 86 out of a possible 100 is an increase of nearly 12.0% since the survey’s inception in 2000. This represents one of the largest gains of any company in the survey. B&N.com monitors orders from the time they are placed through delivery by providing numerous points of electronic, telephonic and personal communication to its customers.

Online Strategic Alliances. Since inception, B&N.com has aggressively pursued strategic alliances with premier online companies and high-traffic Web sites to drive traffic to its own site. The Company has major affiliations with Google^TM as well as with AOL’s proprietary service and MSN which are among the world’s largest online shopping destinations.

Affiliate Network. In addition to securing alliances with the nation’s three highest-trafficked Internet properties, B&N.com has established an affiliate network of more than 189,000 Web sites operated by third parties, whereby Web site operators can earn referral fees by linking users from their sites to the B&N.com site.

B&N.com believes that it has built a leading interactive e-commerce platform, and plans to continue to invest in technologies that will enable B&N.com to offer its customers the most convenient and user-friendly online shopping experience. B&N.com has licensed existing commercial technology when available and has focused its internal development efforts on those proprietary systems necessary to provide the highest level of value and service to its customers. The overall mix of technologies and applications in use by B&N.com allows it to support a distributed, scalable and secure e-commerce environment.

B&N.com uses Intel-based server technology in a fully redundant configuration to power its Web site, which is hosted in two locations. At these locations, B&N.com maintains computers that store its Web pages in electronic form and transmits them to requesting users. Such storage and transmittal is called hosting. B&N.com operates two hosting locations. Each of the hosting locations is “co-located” within leading edge hosting facilities that are maintained by two different hosting vendors. Either site has sufficient capacity to support the volume of traffic directed toward B&N.com during peak periods. Both hosting locations are configured with excess Internet telecommunications capacity to ensure quick response time and three separate Internet service providers are used. By maintaining redundant host locations, B&N.com has significantly reduced its exposure to downtime and service outages. Additionally, the Company believes its technology investments are scalable.

B&N.com’s integrated systems and tools provide functionality in the following areas:

Book Database and Search Functionality. B&N.com has seamlessly incorporated the Barnes & Noble book database into the Web site. The Barnes & Noble book database is a comprehensive synthesis of multiple sources of data and content that feeds from publishers and third party sources. B&N.com has also developed a powerful proprietary search engine. Search results can be sorted by user-defined sequences including “bestseller”, “date published”, or in alphabetical sequence. In addition, in 2002 B&N.com introduced BookBrowser^TM, a navigation technology that allows customers to easily browse millions of books in more than 400,000 categories. BookBrowser^TM also enables customers to select and combine categories that best match their interests to quickly arrive at a list of very specific and relevant books. B&N.com uses licensed technology to power BookBrowser^TM.


	e-Commerce. B&N.com has developed its e-commerce applications using the Microsoft Windows 2000 Server Architecture. B&N.com has created a set of server applications that allow customers to securely establish accounts and to store address books, credit cards and ordering preferences. A customer needs to set up an account only once and then has the ability to easily modify the components of their account setup. When the account has been established, the customer can shop the traditional “e-commerce” path by adding items to their shopping cart. Gift certificates, gift cards, gift-wrap, gift message and the ability to select from a variety of shipping methods are available options.

	Order Processing. B&N.com has created a proprietary application to expedite orders into the fulfillment process. This application has real-time connectivity to B&N.com’s and Barnes & Noble’s distribution centers as well as other third party suppliers. In addition to immediately securing the inventory for customers, application logic determines the best possible choice of shipping warehouse by evaluating purchase margin, postage cost and customer delivery time.

	Order Fulfillment and Customer Service. B&N.com has developed proprietary applications that enable it to receive products and assign them to customers based upon various ordering, handling and shipping criteria. B&N.com utilizes licensed technology and has also developed proprietary applications that are used for customer service.

	Sales Tracking and Analysis. B&N.com licenses technology to support its affiliate program. The software provides sophisticated sales tracking for the members of the affiliate network with real time reporting and analysis tools. B&N.com has built a comprehensive data warehouse to store and analyze customer sales and online activity data.

	Leveraging Technology. B&N.com invested extensively in its Web site, order processing, and fulfillment and customer service technologies through 2000. While the Company continues to invest in technology to maintain its industry-leading technological infrastructure, since 2001 a lower rate of investment has been required, providing opportunities to leverage fixed technology expenses and capital investments.

Both the e-commerce market and retail bookselling business are highly competitive. Following the introduction of e-commerce to the Internet, a significant number of e-commerce Web sites were launched. Despite recent failures in other areas of the e-commerce sector, the Company expects online bookselling competition to remain intense. The Company believes that the primary differentiating factors in e-commerce are brand recognition, ease of use, price, fulfillment speed, customer support, product availability, web site reliability and site content. The Company believes that B&N.com’s success will depend heavily upon its ability to provide a compelling and satisfying shopping experience. The Company believes the other factors that will affect B&N.com’s success include B&N.com’s continued ability to attract experienced marketing, technology, operations and management talent. The nature of the Internet as an electronic marketplace (which may, among other things, facilitate competitive entry and comparison-shopping) may render it inherently more competitive than traditional retailing formats. Despite the Company’s ability to gain market share, increased competitiveness among online retailers may result in reduced operating margins and a potential loss of market share.

With respect to the sale of books, which constitutes B&N.com’s largest source of revenue, B&N.com currently competes with numerous booksellers including other Internet-based companies such as Amazon.com and traditional book retailers. With respect to the sale of music and DVD/video, B&N.com competes with numerous merchants including other Internet-based companies, such as Amazon.com and traditional retailers. B&N.com’s main online competitor, Amazon.com, has a longer online operating history and a larger existing customer base than B&N.com. B&N.com is aware that Amazon.com has and may continue to adopt aggressive pricing and marketing strategies. B&N.com is also aware of other online retailers that offer substantial discounts on products, including books, music and DVD/video, which are subsidized by advertising revenue from their Web sites. An increase in the prevalence of this type of business model could lead to additional pricing pressures on B&N.com’s products.

B&N.com experiences seasonality in its business, reflecting Internet usage fluctuations and traditional retail holiday patterns.

E-commerce is rapidly changing, and federal and state regulation relating to the Internet and e-commerce is evolving. Currently there are few laws or regulations uniquely applicable to the access of the Internet or e-commerce on the Internet. Laws and regulations may be enacted with respect to the Internet, covering issues such as user privacy, pricing, taxation, content, copyrights, distribution, antitrust and quality of products and services. Additionally, the growth of e-commerce may trigger the development of stricter consumer protection laws. The adoption of such laws or regulations could reduce the rate of growth of the Internet, which could potentially decrease the usage of B&N.com’s Web site or could otherwise have a material adverse effect on B&N.com’s business. In addition, applicability to the Internet of existing laws governing issues such as taxation, libel, obscenity and personal privacy is uncertain. The vast majority of such laws were adopted prior to the advent of the Internet and related technologies and, as a result, do not contemplate or address the unique issues of the Internet and related technologies.

Further, several telecommunications carriers have requested that the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) regulate telecommunications over the Internet. Due to the increasing use of the Internet and the burden it has placed on the current telecommunications infrastructure, telephone carriers have requested that the FCC regulate Internet service providers and online service providers and impose fees on those providers. If the FCC imposes access fees, the costs of using the Internet could increase significantly. This could result in the reduced use of the Internet as a medium for commerce, which could have a material adverse effect on B&N.com’s business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

As of February 27, 2004, B&N.com employed 1,001 full-time and part-time employees. B&N.com also employs independent contractors to perform duties in various departments. B&N.com’s employees are not represented by unions, and B&N.com considers its relationship with its employees to be excellent. B&N.com believes that its success is dependent on its ability to attract and retain qualified personnel in numerous areas.

Our investor relations Web site is http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ir. We make available on this Web site under “SEC Filings,” free of charge, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file or furnish such material to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

B&N.com’s principal administrative, marketing and technical facilities are situated in New York, New York, and are covered by one lease which is for approximately 90,000 square feet of office space and expires in 2015. Additionally, we have 64,750 square feet of vacant office space that we remain obligated under a lease agreement that expires in 2006.

Barnes & Noble leases a 300,000 square foot facility located in Dayton, New Jersey, of which B&N.com uses approximately 100,000 square feet for its fulfillment operations. This lease expires in February 2005; however, Barnes & Noble has an option to extend the lease for up to two additional successive two-year periods.

B&N.com leases a 380,000 square foot building in Memphis, Tennessee for distribution purposes. The lease term is five years expiring January 2005.

B&N.com leases 30,000 square feet in Secaucus, New Jersey for its customer service operations. The lease term is 10 years expiring June 2009. The lease may be renewed for one five-year period at an agreed upon prevailing fair market value rate.

We believe that our properties are suitable and adequate for our present and anticipated near term needs.

In August 1998, The Intimate Bookshop, Inc. and its owner, Wallace Kuralt, filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against a predecessor of the Company, Barnes & Noble, Borders Group, Inc. and others, alleging violation of the Robinson-Patman Act and other federal law, New York statutes governing trade practices and common law. In March 2000, a Second Amended Complaint was served on the Company and other defendants alleging a single cause of action for violations of the Robinson-Patman Act. The Second Amended Complaint claims that The Intimate Bookshop, Inc. has suffered damages of $11,250,000 or more and requests treble damages, costs, attorneys’ fees and interest, as well as declaratory and injunctive relief prohibiting the defendants from violating the Robinson-Patman Act. The Company served an Answer in April 2000 denying the material allegations of the Second Amended Complaint and asserting various affirmative defenses. On January 11, 2002, the Company and the other defendants filed a motion for summary judgment. A hearing on that motion was held on March 22, 2002. On September 30, 2003, the court granted defendants’ motion and dismissed all of plaintiff’s claims. Plaintiff filed a notice of appeal of that decision, which was withdrawn on February 10, 2004.

There is a class action lawsuit entitled In Re Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation pending since April 2002 in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (the “Action”). The Action named over one thousand individuals and 300 corporations, including Fatbrain (a Company subsidiary) and its former officers and directors. The Amended Complaints in the Action all allege that the initial public offering registration statements filed by the defendant issuers with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the one filed by Fatbrain, were false and misleading because they failed to disclose that the defendant underwriters were receiving excess compensation in the form of profit sharing with certain of its customers and that some of those customers agreed to buy additional shares of the defendant issuers’ common stock in the after market at increasing prices. The Amended Complaints also allege that the foregoing constitute violations of: (i) Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) by the defendant issuers, the directors and officers signing the related registration statements, and the related underwriters; (ii) Rule 10b-5 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “1934 Act”) by the same parties; and (iii) the control person provisions of the 1933 and 1934 Acts by certain directors and officers of the defendant issuers. A motion to dismiss by the defendant issuers, including Fatbrain, was denied. After extensive negotiations among representatives of plaintiffs and defendants, a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”), outlining a proposed settlement resolving the claims in the Action between plaintiffs and the defendant issuers, has been entered into. A draft settlement agreement has been prepared and circulated among the defendants and plaintiffs in the action, the terms of which are consistent with the MOU and which, after execution, will be submitted to the court for approval. The proposed settlement is not expected to have any material adverse impact on the Company.

On August 16, 2002, B&N.com, along with 17 other defendants, was sued in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas by Charles E. Hill Associates for patent infringement of United States Patent Nos. 5,528,490 (the “490 Patent”), 5,761,649 and 6,029,142. On November 7, 2002, B&N.com and the other defendants answered and filed counterclaims for a declaratory judgment of non-infringement, invalidity and unenforceability of all three patents. On November 27, 2002, B&N.com joined the other defendants in filing a motion to change venue to the United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, where an earlier filed case against Compuserve, one of the defendants in the Texas case, was pending involving only the 490 Patent. On January 23, 2003, the court granted the motion to transfer and the transferred case was assigned to Judge McKinney in Indianapolis. On November 24, 2003, the Indiana court dismissed the case which Hill had filed against Compuserve alone (Cause no. IP97-0434-C-M/S, Indiana) with prejudice based on the filing of a covenant not to sue by Hill. Consequently, on November 25, 2003, the Indiana court granted Hill’s motion to retransfer the case back to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern

District of Texas. Compuserve has appealed the dismissal with prejudice and made a motion to stay the retransfer pending the outcome of the appeal, which motion was denied. The retransferred case has been reassigned to Judge Ward in the Eastern District of Texas. B&N.com intends to vigorously defend this action.

On November 19, 2002, Half Price Books, Records, Magazine, Inc. filed a complaint against B&N.com in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. The complaint alleges trademark infringement and related claims against B&N.com for its use of the term “Half Price Books” on its Web site. B&N.com has responded to the complaint denying plaintiff’s claims. The plaintiff’s motion for preliminary injunction was denied. B&N.com’s motion for summary judgment for dismissal of all of plaintiff’s claims is currently pending before the court. Settlement discussions are occurring through a court appointed mediator. B&N.com intends to vigorously defend itself against this action.

Following the November 7, 2003 announcement of Barnes & Noble’s proposal to purchase all of the outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $2.50 per share in cash, fifteen substantially similar putative class action lawsuits were filed by individual stockholders of the Company against the Company, the Company’s directors and Barnes & Noble in the Delaware Court of Chancery. The complaints in these actions, which purported to be brought on behalf of all of the Company’s stockholders excluding the defendants and their affiliates, generally alleged (i) breaches of fiduciary duty by Barnes & Noble and the Company’s directors, (ii) that the consideration offered by Barnes & Noble was inadequate and constituted unfair dealing and (iii) that Barnes & Noble, as controlling stockholder, breached its duty to the Company’s remaining stockholders by acting to further its own interests at the expense of the Company’s remaining stockholders. The complaints sought to enjoin the proposal or, in the alternative, damages in an unspecified amount and rescission in the event a merger occurred pursuant to the proposal. The complaints were eventually consolidated under the caption In re BarnesandNoble.com, Inc. Shareholders Litigation, Consolidated Civil Action No. 042-N.

On January 8, 2004, the parties executed a Memorandum of Understanding reflecting the parties’ agreement to settle the action. Pursuant to the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding, the parties agreed in good faith to execute as soon as practicable a Stipulation of Settlement providing for, among other things, the release of all claims of the plaintiffs and other members of the class against defendants that were or could have been asserted in the action or in any way arise out of or in connection with the merger. The Stipulation of Settlement also is to expressly provide that the defendants in the action deny that they have committed any violation of law whatsoever and are entering into the Stipulation of Settlement solely to eliminate the burden, expense and distraction of further litigation and to permit the merger to proceed as scheduled.

The parties subsequently agreed that plaintiffs’ counsel will apply to the court for an award of attorney’s fees and costs in the amount of $600,000 and that defendants will not object to a fee award up to that amount. It was further agreed that defendants would pay or reimburse the costs of mailing. The settlement is contingent upon, among other things, court approval, the merger consideration being $3.05 per share in cash and consummation of the merger.

In addition to the litigations described above, the Company and B&N.com are involved in various legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of their business. The Company does not believe that any of those legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of the Company or B&N.com.

The Company’s Class A Common Stock is listed on the NASDAQ National Market under the symbol “BNBN” and began trading on May 25, 1999. On March 1, 2004, the Company had 1,190 shareholders of record for the Class A Common Stock. The Company’s Class A Common Stock price at the close of business on March 1, 2004 was $3.04 per share. The Company’s Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock, owned by Barnes & Noble, are not listed or traded on any securities exchange.

The table below sets forth the high and low sale prices of the Company’s Class A Common Stock for the periods indicated, as reported by the NASDAQ National Market.

The Company has not declared or paid any dividends on its Common Stock and B&N.com has not made any distributions to its members, since their respective dates of initial contribution. Neither the Company nor B&N.com anticipates paying any dividends or distributions, except for amounts that may be distributed by B&N.com to cover income tax liabilities, if any, of its members arising from the taxable income of B&N.com. Cash distributions by B&N.com may also be restricted by future debt covenants. The Company has not had any recent sales of unregistered securities. The Company intends to cause B&N.com to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the expansion of the business of B&N.com.

For equity compensation plan information, see note 12 to the consolidated financial statements.

The selected financial data set forth below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated Financial Statements and consolidated notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Historical results are not necessarily indicative of future results.


(1)	Includes the historical results of barnesandnoble.com llc for the entire year and the historical results of the Company from May 25, 1999. barnesandnoble.com inc. was incorporated on March 10, 1999, but had no activity until the Company’s initial public offering on May 25, 1999.

(2)	The proforma amounts do not give effect to the assumed charges to operating results which might have resulted had the Company’s Initial Public Offering occurred at the beginning of the respective periods.


(3)	Includes the historical results of barnesandnoble.com llc and its predecessor.

(4)	Represents the approximate 80% interest of Barnes & Noble and Bertelsmann in the net loss of barnesandnoble.com llc for periods prior to May 25, 1999.

(5)	For periods prior to May 25, 1999, reflects the proforma effect of the shares issued in the Company’s Initial Public Offering assuming they were issued at the beginning of 1998.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This report (including but not limited to factors discussed below, in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results Of Operations,” as well as those discussed elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) may contain certain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) and information relating to the Company and B&N.com that are based on the beliefs of the management of the Company as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the management of the Company. When used in this report, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan” and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, B&N.com or the management of the Company, identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of the Company with respect to future events, the outcome of which is subject to certain risks, including among others general economic and market conditions, changes in product demand, the growth rate of Internet usage and e-commerce, possible disruptions in the Company’s or B&N.com’s computer or telephone systems, possible increases in shipping rates or interruptions in shipping service, the Company’s ability to maintain strategic alliances with AOL, Google^TM and MSN, effects of competition, possible work stoppages or increases in labor costs or labor shortages, unanticipated adverse litigation results or effects, the performance of B&N.com’s current and future investments and new product initiatives, unanticipated costs associated with B&N.com’s warehouse or the failure to successfully integrate that warehouse into B&N.com’s distribution network, the level and volatility of interest rates, the successful integration of acquired businesses, the factors described below under “Results of Operations,” changes in tax and other governmental rules and regulations applicable to the Company or B&N.com, the successful imposition by state tax authorities of sales or use taxes on products sold by B&N.com to customers in such states, and other factors that may be outside of the Company’s control. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated, expected, intended or planned. Subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company, B&N.com or persons acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph and elsewhere described in this report and other reports filed by the Company with the SEC.

The Company is a holding company whose sole asset is its 29.6% equity interest in B&N.com and whose sole business is acting as sole manager of B&N.com. B&N.com launched its initial online store in March 1997 and is currently ranked the eleventh most-trafficked shopping site, based on the Jupiter Media Metrix December 2003 report.

B&N.com has pursued a strategy of focusing on the sale of books, music, DVD/video and online courses. Since opening its online store (www.bn.com) in March 1997, B&N.com has sold products to more than 17.0 million customers in 230 countries. B&N.com’s online bookstore includes the largest in-stock selection of in-print book titles, supplemented by more than 30 million listings from its nationwide network of out-of-print, rare and used book dealers. B&N.com offers its customers fast delivery, easy and secure ordering and rich editorial content.

The results of operations discussed hereafter include the results of the Company and B&N.com for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001. In view of the rapidly changing nature of B&N.com’s business and its limited operating history, the Company believes that period-to-period comparisons of the

operating results of B&N.com, including gross profit margin and operating expenses as a percentage of net sales, are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance.

SEC Financial Reporting Release No. 60 requires all companies to include in this item a discussion of critical accounting policies or methods used in the preparation of financial statements. Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements includes a summary of the significant accounting policies and methods used by the Company in the preparation of its Consolidated Financial Statements. The following is a brief discussion of the more critical of these accounting policies and methods.

Revenue Recognition. The Company’s product sales, including outbound shipping and handling charges, are recognized, net of estimated returns and discounts, at the time the products are shipped to customers. Commissions received on sales of magazine subscriptions are recorded at the net amount earned as the Company is acting as an agent in such transactions. The Company continuously monitors and tracks product returns and records a provision for the estimated amount of future returns, based on historical experience. While returns have historically been within the Company’s expectations and the provisions established, the Company cannot guarantee that it will continue to experience the same return rates that it has in the past. Any significant increase in product return rates could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s operating results for the period or periods in which such returns materialize.

As of April 2003, the Company now receives commissions on sales of used and out of print books, through BookQuest, a service that allows independent book dealers to sell their used books on the B&N.com Web site. In accordance with EITF Issue No. 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal Versus Net as an Agent,” revenues are recorded at the net amount earned as the Company is acting as an agent in such transactions.

Impairment of Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets. The Company’s long-lived assets include fixed assets and goodwill. At December 31, 2003, the Company had $48.5 million of fixed assets, net of accumulated depreciation, and $13.8 million of net goodwill, accounting for approximately 31.5% of the Company’s total assets. B&N.com reviews its fixed assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (“SFAS No. 144”). In valuation, assets held and used are measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to undiscounted pre-tax future net cash flows. Future events could cause B&N.com to conclude that impairment indicators exist and that long-lived assets may be impaired. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. As required by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS No. 142”), which the Company implemented in 2002, the Company completed its annual impairment test on the goodwill as of November 30, 2003 and deemed that no impairment charge was necessary. The Company has noted no subsequent indicators of impairment. In 2001, the Company recorded an impairment and special charges of $88.2 million of which $29.9 million was related to the impairment of goodwill and $24.8 million was related to the impairment of long-lived assets.

Net sales are comprised of sales of books, music, DVD/video and online courses including outbound shipping and handling charges, net of returns and discounts. In 2003 net sales increased 0.5% to $424.8 million from $422.8 million in 2002. The Company has been recording used and out-of-print sales on a net

commission basis since April 2003 due to the launch of a new business arrangement for the used and out-of-print business whereby the company acts as an agent on those sales. Comparable sales reflect the gross amount of used and out-of-print sales, consistent with how these sales were recorded in the prior year. Full-year comparable sales for 2003 were $437.2 million, a 3.4 % increase compared to the prior year. In 2002 sales increased 4.5% to $422.8 million from $404.6 million in the previous year as a result of incremental units sold to new customers as well as repeat purchases from B&N.com’s existing customer base. International sales represented 3.3%, 4.1% and 5.2% of net sales for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The Company expects net sales to range between $435.0 million and $475.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.

Gross profit is net sales less the cost of sales, which consists of the cost of merchandise sold to customers, and outbound and inbound shipping costs. In 2003 gross profit increased to $104.2 million from $95.6 million as a result of the Company’s net sales increase and decrease in cost of sales. The Company’s gross margin improved to 24.5% from 22.6% due to increased efficiencies realized from internal fulfillment operations, the change in the model for used and out-of-print books, as well as less promotional activity during the holiday season. In 2002 gross profit increased to $95.6 million from $91.2 million as a result of the Company’s 4.5% increase in net sales. The gross margin for 2002 was 22.6% as compared with 22.5% for 2001. The Company’s gross margin improved due to an increase in internal fulfillment which was offset by the full year impact of the Company’s “free shipping” promotion, which began in July 2001, and resulted in a reduction to shipping revenue as a percentage of net sales.

Fulfillment and customer service expenses consist primarily of the cost of operating and staffing distribution and customer service centers. In 2003 fulfillment and customer service expenses increased 1.7% to $36.6 million or 8.6% of net sales from $36.0 million or 8.5% of net sales in 2002. The slight increase in fulfillment and customer service expenses was more than offset by the improved profit margin achieved through internal product sourcing. During 2002 fulfillment and customer service expenses decreased 19.4% to $36.0 million from $44.6 million and improved as a percentage of net sales to 8.5% from 11.0%, respectively, as the Company maximized efficiencies from the consolidation of its operations while increasing net sales year over year. B&N.com anticipates that its fulfillment and customer service costs will decrease as a percentage of net sales in 2004 based on anticipated further productivity improvements and expected sales growth.

Marketing, sales and editorial expenses consist primarily of advertising and promotional expenditures, as well as payroll and related expenses for personnel engaged in marketing and selling activities. In 2003, marketing, sales and editorial expenses decreased in absolute dollars to $30.4 million or 7.2% of net sales from $35.8 million or 8.5% of net sales in 2002 primarily due to the improvement in terms of online marketing deals. In 2002, marketing, sales and editorial expenses decreased in absolute dollars to $35.8 million from $61.4 million, and as a percentage of net sales to 8.5% from 15.2%, due to the Company’s increased focus on more targeted and measurable marketing programs as well as the renegotiation of many of the Company’s online marketing deals at more advantageous terms. The Company expects to continue to reduce these expenses as a percentage of net sales in 2004.

Technology and web site development expenses consist principally of payroll and related expenses for Web page production, network operations personnel and consultants, and costs of infrastructure related to systems and telecommunications. In 2003, technology and web site development expenses decreased to $30.7 million or 7.2% of net sales from $35.8 million or 8.5% of net sales due to a reduction in personnel, lower infrastructure costs and less reliance on consultants for on-going operations. In 2002, technology and web site development expenses decreased to $35.8 million or 8.5% of net sales from $45.3 million or 11.2% of net sales, due to increased infrastructure efficiencies, the elimination of expenses associated with operating Fatbrain’s Web site, and rate reductions in many expense categories. B&N.com expects technology and web site development expenses to decrease slightly as a percentage of net sales in 2004.

General and administrative expenses primarily consist of payroll and related expenses for executive, finance and administrative personnel, recruiting, professional fees and other general corporate expenses, including costs to process credit card transactions. In 2003, general and administrative expenses decreased to $25.5 million or 6.0% of net sales from $26.3 million or 6.2% of net sales primarily due to improved efficiencies. In 2002, the decrease in general and administrative expenses, to $26.3 million or 6.2% of net sales from $32.4 million or 8.0% of net sales, was a result of the Company’s efforts to consolidate operations as well as the result of its continued effort to improve efficiency.

The depreciation and amortization expenses decreased in 2003 due to assets purchased in 2000 being fully depreciated throughout the year. The decrease in depreciation and amortization expenses in 2002 is the result of lower capital expenditures in fiscal 2002 and 2001 as compared with fiscal 2000. In 2002 the Company no longer amortized goodwill due to the adoption of SFAS No. 142. Accordingly, the carrying

In the fourth quarter of 2001, B&N.com recorded an impairment of assets and other special charges of $88.2 million ($0.56 per share assuming conversion of Membership Units) as a component of operating expenses. These charges are primarily related to the following:


	Closure of Facilities — B&N.com consolidated administrative and functional operations by closing Fatbrain’s Santa Clara, California office. Fatbrain’s two retail stores in San Jose and Sunnyvale, California were also closed. Charges include exit costs related to the remaining term of non-cancelable lease obligations of the retail and Santa Clara facilities, related severance costs, as well as the abandonment of related fixed assets that will not be suited for future use in other remaining B&N.com facilities. Furthermore, B&N.com determined it could not effectively utilize the full capacity of its Reno, Nevada distribution center. Accordingly, following Board approval on January 29, 2002, B&N.com agreed to transfer the Reno warehouse lease and sell the Company’s inventory located in Reno to Barnes & Noble. The Board of Barnes & Noble also approved Barnes & Noble’s assumption of the lease obligation and the hiring of all the employees at the Reno facility. The Reno lease assignment and the transfer of the operations of the Reno facility to Barnes & Noble was completed in April 2002. Charges related to the Reno facility include the abandonment of fixed assets that are not suitable for use at other B&N.com facilities.

	Impairment of Fixed Assets — As of December 31, 2001, B&N.com wrote-off certain fixed assets that were no longer used in operations.

	Impairment of Other Non-Current Assets — B&N.com concluded that the carrying amount of certain equity investments, including Powered.com, goodwill and other investments exceeded their fair value and that the decline was other than temporary. The impairment loss was precipitated by the significant decline in the value of Internet sector entities, material changes in business models, and significant, recurring operating losses.

The consolidation of the Fatbrain administrative and functional operations was completed in the first half of 2002, although the lease on the Santa Clara office expires in 2006.

Equity in Net Loss of Equity Investments Including Amortization of Intangibles

Equity in net loss of equity investments consists of losses from the Company’s equity investments in enews, inc. (“enews”), a retailer of magazine subscriptions on the Internet. In July 2002, the Board of Directors and stockholders of enews approved a Plan of Complete Liquidation (the “Liquidation Plan”). As of December 31, 2003, the implementation of the Liquidation Plan had been substantially completed and was concluded by February 29, 2004. As of December 31, 2002, the Company had written off its entire investment in enews of $3.3 million. Equity in net loss of equity investments decreased in 2002 in comparison with the prior year period as enews ceased operations in the fourth quarter of 2002. In addition, the 2001 period

included other equity investments, which the Company no longer holds, as well as goodwill related to those investments. As of December 31, 2003, there was no remaining goodwill related to equity investments.

Interest income has continued to decrease year over year from 2002 and throughout 2003 when compared to 2001 as cash and marketable securities balances decreased on average due to their use as a source of funding the Company’s operations. In addition, all through 2003, 2002 and 2001, interest rates on investments significantly decreased compared to rates earned in 2000. Currently, available cash is invested in money market funds containing highly liquid U.S. Treasury Securities, U.S. government agency securities and investments in high quality corporate issuers.

The Company has not generated any taxable income to date and therefore has not paid any federal income taxes since inception. The Company has provided a full valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset, consisting primarily of net operating loss carryforwards, because of uncertainty regarding its realizability.

The Company expects that B&N.com may experience significant fluctuations in its future quarterly operating results due to a variety of factors, many of which are outside B&N.com’s control. Factors that may adversely affect B&N.com’s quarterly operating results include: (i) B&N.com’s ability to retain existing customers, attract new customers at a steady rate and maintain customer satisfaction; (ii) B&N.com’s ability to acquire product and to manage fulfillment operations; (iii) B&N.com’s ability to maintain gross margins in its existing business and in future product lines and markets; (iv) the development, announcement, or introduction of new sites, services and products by B&N.com and its competitors; (v) price competition; (vi) B&N.com’s ability to upgrade and develop its systems and infrastructure; (vii) the level of use of the Internet and increasing consumer acceptance of the Internet for the purchase of consumer products such as those offered by B&N.com; (viii) B&N.com’s ability to attract new and qualified personnel in a timely and effective manner; (ix) the level of traffic on B&N.com’s online stores; (x) B&N.com’s ability to manage effectively its development of new business segments and markets; (xi) B&N.com’s ability to successfully manage the integration of operations and technology of acquisitions and other business combinations; (xii) technical difficulties, system downtime or Internet brownouts; (xiii) the amount and timing of operating costs and capital expenditures relating to expansion of B&N.com’s business, operations and infrastructure; (xiv) the level of returns experienced by B&N.com; (xv) governmental regulation and taxation policies; (xvi) disruptions in service by common carriers due to strikes or otherwise; (xvii) general economic conditions including those specific to the Internet, e-commerce and book industry; (xviii) the ability to secure or continue ongoing relationships with premier online companies; and (xix) the factors described above under “Forward Looking Statements.”

The Company finished 2003 with a debt-free balance sheet. At December 31, 2003, the company’s cash and cash equivalents were $68.3 million. At December 31, 2002, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were $70.1 million, compared with cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $115.3 million on December 31, 2001. In addition, at December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 the Company had no long-term marketable securities.

Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2003. Net cash flows used in operating activities were $39.6 million and $85.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Cash provided by operating activities in 2003 was due to depreciation and amortization of $25.9 million, an increase in payable to affiliates of $23.7 million, an accrued liabilities increase of $6.7 million a decrease in receivables of $9.3 million. This was offset by a net loss of $11.3 million after minority interest of $33.7 million. Additionally, merchandise inventories increased $9.6 million, accounts payable decreased $2.8 million and prepaid expenses and other current assets increased $0.1 million. Cash used in 2002 was due to a net loss of $20.1 million after minority interest of $53.5 million. Additionally, accrued liabilities decreased $20.1 million and prepaid expenses and other current assets increased $0.1 million. This was offset by depreciation and amortization of $33.3 million, an increase in payable to affiliates of $4.7 million, a decrease in receivables of $1.1 million, a decrease in merchandise inventories of $0.3 million, equity in net loss of equity investments including amortization of intangibles of $3.5 million and an increase in accounts payable of $11.4 million. Cash used in 2001 was due to a net loss of $67.4 million after minority interest of $177.0 million. Additionally, accounts payable decreased $14.4 million, accrued liabilities decreased $13.9 million and merchandise inventories increased $0.3 million. This was offset by depreciation and amortization of $42.0 million, an increase in payable to affiliates of $16.4 million, a decrease in receivables of $10.4 million, a decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $2.0 million, impairment and special charges of $88.2 million and equity in net loss of equity investments including amortization of intangibles of $28.7 million.

Net cash flows used in investing activities were $15.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, due to purchases of fixed assets. Net cash flows from investing activities were $4.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2002, due to a $10.1 million redemption of marketable securities, a decrease in acquisition and investments of businesses, net of cash acquired of $0.8 million and a decrease in other non-current assets of $0.1 million; offset by purchases of fixed assets of $6.4 million. Net cash flows from investing activities were $10.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2001, due to a $27.6 million redemption of marketable securities; offset by purchases of fixed assets of $10.5 million, an increase in acquisition and investments of businesses, net of cash acquired of $4.4 million and an increase of $1.9 million in other non-current assets.

Net cash flows from financing activities were $5.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2003, due to proceeds from the exercise of stock options. There were no cash flows from financing activities in 2002 and 2001.

At December 31, 2003, the Company’s principal sources of liquidity consisted of $68.3 million of cash and cash equivalents. At December 31, 2002, the Company’s principal sources of liquidity consisted of $70.1 million of cash and cash equivalents. At December 31, 2001, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $105.1 million and $10.1 million of short-term marketable securities. As of December 31, 2003 the Company’s remaining principal commitments consisted of obligations outstanding under operating leases. The Company expects to gain leverage on previous investments in capital associated with operations, infrastructure and personnel. The Company has no unconsolidated majority owned subsidiaries and no interests in special purpose entities.

The following summarizes the Company’s contractual obligations as of December 31, 2003 (in thousands):


(1)	The Company has pledged a portion of its cash equivalents as collateral for stand-by letters of credit that guarantee certain of the Company’s real property lease obligations. At December 31, 2003, the total amount of collateral pledged under these agreements was $4,353.

(2)	The Company has entered into agreements with service providers, which are transaction based and have no minimum commitments.

The Company believes that current cash and cash equivalent balances will be sufficient to meet its anticipated cash needs for at least 12 months. However, any projection of future cash needs and cash flows is subject to substantial uncertainty. If current cash and short-term investments in addition to cash generated from operations are insufficient to satisfy the Company’s liquidity requirements, the Company may seek to sell additional equity or debt securities or to obtain a credit facility. The sale of additional equity or convertible debt securities could result in additional dilution to the Company’s stockholders. There can be no assurance that financing will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to the Company, if at all. In addition, the Company will, from time to time, consider the acquisition of or investment in complementary businesses, products and technologies, which might increase the Company’s capital requirements or cause the Company to issue additional equity or debt securities.

The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements (as defined in Item 303 of Regulation S-K).

The Company previously invested in enews primarily for strategic purposes, which had been accounted for under the equity method as it gave the Company the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the investee. This is generally defined as an ownership interest in voting stock of the investee between 20% and 50%, although other factors, such as representation on the investee’s Board of Directors and the impact of commercial arrangements, are considered in determining whether the equity method is appropriate. The Company regularly reviews the carrying value of its investments and identifies and records impairment losses when events and circumstances indicate that such assets are permanently impaired. In July 2002, the Board of Directors and stockholders of enews approved the Liquidation Plan. As of December 31, 2003, the implementation of the Liquidation Plan had been substantially completed and was concluded by February 29, 2004. As of December 31, 2002, the Company had written off its entire investment in enews of $3.3 million and had no remaining investments accounted for under the equity method.

B&N.com invests certain of its excess cash in money market funds consisting of debt instruments of the U.S. Government and its agencies, and of high quality corporate issuers. All highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less are considered cash equivalents; those with original maturities greater than three months and less than one year are classified as short-term marketable securities. Long-term marketable securities mature in periods greater than one year. B&N.com is exposed to interest rate risk on the debt instruments that it holds. The value of the Company’s marketable securities is subject to market price volatility. As of December 31, 2003, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled approximately $68.3 million.

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Disclosure

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within the Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in the Company’s periodic reports.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fourth quarter of 2003 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

The information required in this item is incorporated herein by reference to portions of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the close of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

The information required in this item is incorporated herein by reference to portions of the Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of the close of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.

All schedules are omitted because the required information is not present or is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule or because the information required is given in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.

On October 29, 2003, the Company furnished a Report on Form 8-K pursuant to Items 7 and 12 of such form announcing third quarter 2003 financial results.

On November 12, 2003, the Company filed a Report on Form 8-K pursuant to Items 5 and 7 of such form relating to Barnes & Noble’s proposal to purchase in a merger transaction for $2.50 in cash each share of the Company’s common stock that Barnes & Noble does not currently own.

Subsequent to the end of the fourth quarter, on January 9, 2004, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K pursuant to Items 5 and 7 of such form announcing a definitive merger agreement with Barnes & Noble for $3.05 in cash per share of the Company’s common stock that Barnes & Noble does not currently own and the subsequent dismissal of lawsuits filed with respect to the proposed merger, subject to customary conditions.

Subsequent to the end of the fourth quarter, on January 30, 2004, the Company furnished a Report on Form 8-K pursuant to Items 7 and 12 of such form announcing fourth quarter 2003 and fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 financial results.

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of barnesandnoble.com inc. and subsidiaries, as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of barnesandnoble.com inc. and subsidiaries at December 31, 2003 and 2002, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.”


(1)	All periods exclude the assumed conversion of Membership Units and the elimination of minority interest, as it is not dilutive.

barnesandnoble.com inc. (the “Company”) is a holding company whose sole asset is a 29.6% equity interest in barnesandnoble.com llc (“B&N.com”), an online retailer of books, music and DVD/video, and whose sole business is currently acting as sole manager of B&N.com. As sole manager of B&N.com, the Company controls all of the affairs of B&N.com and as a result, B&N.com is consolidated with the Company. As of December 31, 2003, Barnes & Noble, Inc. (“Barnes & Noble”) beneficially owned an equity interest of 73.0%, (or 115,000 membership units and 4,139 shares of Class A Common Stock) in B&N.com. Barnes & Noble increased its interest to that level on September 15, 2003 by acquiring the entire 36.8% equity interest of Bertelsmann AG (“Bertelsmann”) in B&N.com for $2.80 per share or membership unit ($164,000 total), payable in a combination of cash and notes. Each membership unit in B&N.com (“Membership Unit”) held by Barnes & Noble is convertible into one share of the Company’s Class A Common Stock. As reflected in the consolidated statements of operations, the loss before minority interest represents the total loss for the period and the net loss represents the portion of the loss attributable to the Company subsequent to the commencement of its activities.

Prior to October 31, 1998, the business of B&N.com was conducted by a wholly owned subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, which subsidiary was originally incorporated on January 14, 1997 in the State of Delaware under the name Barnes & Noble Online, Inc. (“B&N Online”). Effective October 31, 1998, Barnes & Noble and Bertelsmann completed a transaction that established B&N.com as the owner and operator of the business (the “Formation Transaction”). In connection with the Formation Transaction, B&N Online contributed substantially all of its assets and liabilities to B&N.com at their historical cost and Bertelsmann contributed $150,000 and contributed an additional $50,000 in cash prior to the effective date of the public offering. B&N.com accounted for the investment made by Bertelsmann in B&N.com as a capital contribution. The completion of the foregoing transactions resulted in Barnes & Noble and Bertelsmann each having a 50% beneficial interest in B&N.com, and B&N Online changing its name to B&N Sub Corp.

On March 10, 1999, Barnes & Noble caused B&N Sub Corp. to establish the Company. On May 24, 1999, B&N Sub Corp. transferred its ownership of the Company to B&N.com Holding Corp (“BN.com Holding Corp.”). This resulted in Barnes & Noble owning 100% of BN.com Holding Corp., which owns 100% of the Company. Subsequent to that, the Company filed an amended charter that, among other things, reclassified its outstanding common stock to one share of Class B Common Stock. The Company then issued one share of Class C Common Stock constituting a 50% interest in the Company to a wholly owned subsidiary of Bertelsmann. The completion of the foregoing transactions resulted in Barnes & Noble and Bertelsmann each having a 50% beneficial interest in the Company through their ownership of all of the outstanding Class B and Class C Common Stock.

On May 25, 1999 the Company sold 28,750 shares of Class A Common Stock in a public offering (the “Offering”). The Company used the $484,382 in proceeds of the Offering to acquire its interest in B&N.com. The acquisition of the ownership interest in B&N.com was treated as a reorganization of entities under common control in a manner similar to a pooling of interests, analogous to the type of transaction described in Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 97-2 (“EITF 97-2”). Accordingly, the net assets of B&N.com contributed by Barnes & Noble were reported in the consolidated financial statements at Barnes & Noble’s historical cost, and the minority interests in B&N.com were based on the net book equity of B&N.com (after contribution of the proceeds from the Offering) multiplied by the ownership percentages of Barnes & Noble and Bertelsmann.

Subsequent to the Offering, the Company issued a total of 12,474 shares in connection with an acquisition by merger of Fatbrain.com, Inc. (“Fatbrain”). In the first half of 2002, Fatbrain’s operations were consolidated into B&N.com. In October 2002, Barnes & Noble and Bertelsmann initiated a stock acquisition program to acquire up to $10,000 of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.

On January 8, 2004, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”), which sets forth the terms and conditions of the proposed acquisition of the Company by a wholly owned subsidiary of Barnes & Noble. The Merger Agreement provides that at the closing of the merger, the holders of the Company’s outstanding common stock, other than Barnes & Noble and its subsidiaries, will receive $3.05 per share in cash for their shares, and the Company will become a privately held company, wholly owned by Barnes & Noble. The closing of the merger is expected to occur by early second quarter of fiscal 2004.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Company’s investment in Fatbrain has been presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, as a consolidated wholly owned subsidiary beginning after the effective date of the merger, November 16, 2000. As of April 2003, the Company now receives commissions on sales of used and out of print books, through BookQuest LLC (“BookQuest”), a service that allows independent book dealers to sell their used books on the B&N.com Web site. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company has no unconsolidated majority owned subsidiaries and no interests in special purpose entities.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

B&N.com is subject to concentrations of credit risk from its holdings of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. B&N.com’s credit risk is managed by investing its cash in high-quality money market instruments and securities of the U.S. government and its agencies, foreign governments and high-quality corporate issuers.

Merchandise inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market as determined on a weighted average basis. B&N.com purchases a majority of its products from two major vendors, Barnes & Noble and AEC One Stop Group, Inc. (“AEC”). Barnes & Noble accounted for 34.5%, 34.2% and 45.2% of B&N.com’s inventory purchases during the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. AEC accounted for the bulk of the Company’s music and DVD/video purchases and for 15.9%, 13.1% and 10.7% of total inventory purchases during the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The Company receives volume-based rebates from certain third party vendors, which is recorded as a reduction to cost of sales.

Fixed assets are carried at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Computers and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of 3 to 10 years. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the remaining terms of the respective leases. In accordance with Statement of Position 98-1 “Accounting for the

Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use”, direct internal and external costs associated with the development of the features and functionality of B&N.com’s online store, transaction-processing systems, telecommunications infrastructure and network operations, incurred during the application development stage, have been capitalized, and are amortized over the estimated useful lives of three years. B&N.com expects to complete and put in service the remaining software development projects that existed as of year-end.

All highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase are classified as cash equivalents.

Effective July 1, 2001, the Company adopted certain provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 141 “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141”), and effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted the full provisions of SFAS No. 141 and SFAS No. 142 “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS No. 142”). SFAS No. 141 requires business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001 to be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, and broadens the criteria for recording intangible assets apart from goodwill. SFAS No. 142 requires that purchased goodwill and certain indefinite-lived intangibles no longer be amortized, but instead be tested for impairment at least annually. As a result of adopting SFAS No. 142, the Company ceased amortization of goodwill beginning January 1, 2002. Prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 142, the Company amortized goodwill on a straight-line basis over three years. The Company has no other intangible assets.

SFAS No. 142 prescribes a two-step process for impairment testing of goodwill. The first step of this test, used to identify impairment, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount including goodwill. The second step (if necessary) measures the amount of the impairment. Using the guidance in SFAS No. 142, the Company has determined that the Company, as a whole, is a reporting unit. The Company’s annual impairment test indicated that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the reporting unit’s carrying amount; accordingly, the second step was not necessary. The Company has noted no subsequent indicators that would require testing goodwill for impairment.

There were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002. In 2001, the Company determined that the carrying value of the goodwill was impaired, resulting in a charge of $29,976 against goodwill. (See Note 4).

Supplemental comparative disclosure, as if the change had been retroactively applied, is as follows:

The Company has made certain investments in business entities accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The Company accounts for an investment under the equity method if the investment gives the Company the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of such entity. An investment of 20% or more of the voting stock typically denotes such influence, in the absence of other evidence to the contrary.

The Company has periodically evaluated whether the declines in fair value of its equity investments are other-than-temporary. This evaluation consisted of reviewing qualitative and quantitative factors including operating results and trends, as well as market prices of public companies operating in the same sector. As of December 31, 2003, all investments in equity method investees have no carrying value as the business entities invested in have ceased all operations and are dissolved.

B&N.com reviews its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable in accordance with SFAS No. 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”. Recoverability of assets held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to undiscounted pre-tax future net cash flows expected to be generated by that asset. An impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets.

The carrying amounts for the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable, amounts due to affiliates and other liabilities approximate fair value. The fair value for marketable securities is based on quoted market prices that approximate cost.

The Company uses the guidelines set forth in FASB’s Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 99-19 “Reporting Revenue Gross, as a Principal, versus Net as an Agent,” in recording revenue. Sales of B&N.com’s products are recognized, net of estimated returns and promotional discounts, at the time the products are shipped to customers. The Company now receives commissions on sales of used and out of print books, through BookQuest, a service that allows independent book dealers to sell their used books on the B&N.com Web site. Allowances for doubtful accounts are nominal.

The Company uses guidelines set forth in EITF Issue No. 00-10 “Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs”. Net sales reported by the Company include revenue generated from shipping and handling charges. Costs related to inbound and outbound shipping are classified as cost of sales. Fulfillment and customer service costs include distribution center expenses for activities such as receiving of goods, picking of goods for shipment and assembly for shipment, as well as expenses to run the Company’s customer service center.

B&N.com expenses the costs of advertising for magazines, television, radio and other media the first time the advertising takes place. Expenses for such advertising were $5,307, $3,554 and $3,297 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Technology and web site development expenses included in the accompanying statements of operations consist principally of payroll and related expenses for Web page production, network operations personnel and consultants, and costs of infrastructure related to systems and telecommunications.

Basic net loss per share is computed by dividing net loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.

Diluted net loss per share is computed in a manner consistent with basic net loss per share after giving effect to potentially dilutive securities. Diluted net loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 excludes the assumed conversion of the outstanding Membership Units of B&N.com into 115,000 shares of Class A Common Stock of the Company and the minority interest in the net loss, because it is not dilutive. Diluted net loss per share for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 also excludes the effect of outstanding stock options, none of which are dilutive.

B&N.com is a limited liability company and as such is not considered a taxable entity for federal income tax purposes and most state income tax purposes. The members report any taxable income or losses. As a result, no tax benefits have been allocated to B&N.com for its losses for all periods presented. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to be recovered. The Company provides a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets for which it does not consider realization of such assets to be more likely than not.

The Company has one stock-based employee compensation plan in effect, which is described more fully in Note 12. The Company accounts for all transactions under which employees receive shares of stock or other equity instruments in the Company based on the price of its stock in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees”. Options which have been repriced have been treated as variable options. No stock-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net loss, as all options granted under the plan had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant and the market price of the stock subsequent to the repricing has not exceeded the exercise price. The following table illustrates the effect on net loss and earnings per share if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS No. 123”).

The fair value for each option granted was estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, one of the allowable valuation methods under SFAS No. 123, with the following assumptions:

The weighted-average fair value of the options granted during the years 2003, 2002 and 2001 was estimated to be $1.03, $1.06 and $1.06, respectively, for options granted at fair market value.

B&N.com invests certain of its excess cash in money market funds which invest in debt instruments of the U.S. Government and its agencies, and of high quality corporate issuers. All highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less are considered cash equivalents; those with original maturities greater than three months and less than one year are classified as marketable securities. Long-term marketable securities mature in a period greater than one year. B&N.com classifies investments in accordance with SFAS No. 115 “Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities”.

On November 16, 2000, the Company acquired Fatbrain, the third largest online bookseller, specializing in professional and technical titles for the corporate marketplace, for $61,956 (paid 25% in cash and 75% in stock totaling 12,474 shares). The shares of Fatbrain were transferred to a wholly owned subsidiary of B&N.com in exchange for additional Membership Units. Subsequent to the acquisition Fatbrain had been operated as Fatbrain.com, LLC. The acquisition was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and, accordingly, the results of operations for the period subsequent to the acquisition are included in the consolidated financial statements of the Company. The excess of purchase price over the net assets acquired, in the amount of $59,557, was recorded as goodwill and was amortized using the straight-line method over an estimated useful life of three years until the Company adopted SFAS No. 142 in 2002. In the fourth quarter of 2001, the Company determined that the carrying value of the goodwill was impaired, resulting in a charge

against the goodwill. The total impairment of $29,976 was determined by basing its fair value calculation on cash flows from Fatbrain over a five-year period. As of December 31, 2003, the net balance of the goodwill on the Fatbrain purchase was $13,777 (net of amortization and impairment charges).

In connection with the acquisition of Fatbrain in 2000, B&N.com assessed and formulated plans to restructure certain operations of Fatbrain. These plans involved the closure of the Fatbrain fulfillment facility in Kentucky as well as a consolidation of administrative operations reducing the workforce at Fatbrain’s office in Santa Clara, California. The objectives of the plans were to consolidate operations and leverage overhead expenses. The costs associated with the consolidation effort were recorded as liabilities in the purchase business combination and consisted of severance and other employee costs of $1,059 and closure of the facility of $1,876, all of which has been paid by the end of 2002.

In January 2000, the Company acquired an approximate 32% interest in enews, inc. (“enews”), a retailer of magazine subscriptions on the Internet, and warrants to acquire additional common stock, for $26,428 in cash and 714 shares of the Company’s stock valued at $12,857. During 2001, the Company increased its investment in enews to approximately 49.5%. Due to market conditions and operating expense requirements, it was determined in 2002 to cease operations of enews. In July 2002, the Board of Directors of enews approved a Plan of Complete Liquidation (the “Liquidation Plan”), which was then approved by stockholders of enews owning at least a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock of enews. As of December 31, 2003, the Liquidation Plan had been substantially completed and was concluded by February 29, 2004. As of December 31, 2002, the Company had written off its remaining investment in enews of $3,320.

Enews ceased all operations in October 2002. Summarized statement of operations information for enews, for the period during which the Company had an investment, is as follows:

In June 2000, B&N.com invested $20,000 in cash for a 25% equity interest in MightyWords, Inc. (“MightyWords”), a provider of digital content. As a result of the purchase of Fatbrain, the Company owned approximately 53% of the shares in MightyWords. The Company had accounted for this acquisition using the equity method of accounting, as control of MightyWords was deemed temporary by the management of B&N.com. In December 2001, MightyWords’ Board of Directors voted to dissolve MightyWords effective as soon as possible. The Company determined that its investment in MightyWords was impaired and took an impairment charge of $2,907 based on the estimated net liquidation value of $3,228. Liquidation of MightyWords was completed in 2002 with a net liquidation value of $3,408.

Impairment and Special Charges were $88,213 for the year ended December 31, 2001. In the fourth quarter of 2001, B&N.com initiated a company-wide assessment of its cost structure, investments, and other long-term assets including goodwill. In connection with that assessment an impairment of fixed assets and other special charges of $88,213 ($0.56 per share assuming conversion of Membership Units) were recorded as a component of operating expenses during the fourth quarter of 2001. These charges are primarily related to the following:

Closure of Facilities — B&N.com consolidated administrative and functional operations by closing Fatbrain’s Santa Clara, California office. Fatbrain’s two retail stores in California were also closed. Charges include exit costs related to the remaining term of non-cancelable lease obligations of the retail and Santa Clara facilities, related severance costs, as well as the abandonment of related fixed assets that will not be suited for future use in other remaining B&N.com facilities. Furthermore, B&N.com recently determined it could not effectively utilize the full capacity of its Reno, Nevada distribution center. Accordingly, following Board approval on January 29, 2002, B&N.com agreed to transfer the Reno warehouse lease and sell the Company’s inventory located in Reno to Barnes & Noble. The Board of Barnes & Noble also approved Barnes & Noble’s assumption of the lease obligation and the hiring of all the employees at the Reno facility. The Reno lease assignment and the transfer of the operations of the Reno facility to Barnes & Noble was completed during the first half of 2002. Charges related to the Reno


	facility include the abandonment of fixed assets that were not suitable for use at other B&N.com facilities.

	Impairment of Fixed Assets — As of December 31, 2001, B&N.com wrote-off certain fixed assets that were no longer used in operations.

	Impairment of Other Non-Current Assets — B&N.com concluded that the carrying amount of certain equity investments, including Powered.com, goodwill and other investments, exceeded their fair value and that the decline was other than temporary. The impairment loss was precipitated by the significant decline in the value of Internet sector entities, material changes in business models, and significant, recurring operating losses.

The consolidation of the Fatbrain administrative and functional operations was completed in the first half of 2002, although the lease on the Santa Clara office expires in 2006.

A summary of the impairment and special charges for the years ended December 31, 2001 is as follows:

The components of the accrued liability associated with the special charges are as follows:

The Company did not provide any current or deferred US federal or state income tax provision or benefit for any of the periods presented because it has experienced operating losses since inception. At December 31, 2003, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $137,028 related to U.S. federal and state jurisdictions. Utilization of net operating loss carryforwards, which begin to expire at various times starting in 2010, may be subject to certain limitations under the Internal Revenue Code.

The deferred tax asset as of December 31, 2003 was approximately $51,424, which consisted of net operating loss carryforwards. The Company has provided a full valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset because of uncertainty regarding its realization.

There are three classes of common stock authorized: Class A Common Stock (“Class A Common”), Class B Common Stock (“Class B Common”) and Class C Common Stock (“Class C Common”). The holders of Class A Common generally have rights identical to holders of Class B Common and Class C Common (collectively “High Vote Stock”), except that each holder of Class A Common is entitled to one

vote per share and each holder of High Vote Stock is entitled to the number of votes per share equal to: (i) 10, multiplied by the sum of (a) the aggregate number of High Vote Stock owned by such holder and (b) the aggregate number of Membership Units owned by such holder; divided by (ii) the number of shares of High Vote Stock owned by such holder. Pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Amended Charter”), each share of High Vote Stock entitles the holder to directly elect three of the Company’s directors. Otherwise, holders of Class A Common and High Vote Stock (collectively “Common Stock”) generally will vote together as a single class on all matters (including the election of the directors who are not elected directly by the holders of the High Vote Stock) presented to the stockholders for their vote or approval, except as otherwise required by applicable Delaware law.

The Board of Directors, currently consisting of six members, is authorized to issue up to an aggregate of 50,000 shares of Preferred Stock. The rights and characteristics of the Preferred Stock are at the discretion of the Board of Directors. There is no Preferred Stock outstanding.

B&N.com currently leases warehouse facilities, office space and equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. Rental expense under operating lease agreements was $5,049, $6,055 and $7,772 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2003 are:

The Company has pledged a portion of its cash equivalents for stand-by letters of credit that guarantee certain real property leases. Obligations under Letters of Credit as of December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 were $4,353, $3,809 and $3,989, respectively.

As of June 30, 2000, substantially all employees of the Company were covered under the Company’s Employees’ Retirement Plan (the “Retirement Plan”). The Retirement Plan is a defined benefit pension plan. As of July 1, 2000, the Retirement Plan was amended so that employees no longer earn benefits for subsequent service. Subsequent service continues to be the basis for vesting of benefits not yet vested at June 30, 2000 and the Retirement Plan will continue to hold assets and pay benefits. The amendment was treated as a curtailment in fiscal 2000.

Actuarial assumptions used in determining the funded status of the Retirement Plan are as follows:

The following table sets forth the funded status of the Retirement Plan and the pension liability recognized for the Retirement Plan in the accompanying balance sheets:

The Company’s Retirement Plan allocation at December 31, 2003 and 2002, target allocation for 2004 and expected long-term rate of return by asset category are as follows:

The Company’s investment strategy is to obtain the highest possible return commensurate with the level of assumed risk. Investments are very well diversified within each of the major asset categories.

The expected long-term rate of return is figured by using the target allocation and expected returns for each class as in the table stated above. The actual historical returns are also relevant. Annualized returns for periods ending December 31, 2003 have been as follows: 23.7% for one year and 6.7% for five years.

We expect that there will be no regulatory funding requirements that will need to be made during the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004. It is also expected that the maximum tax-deductible contributions will be $0 under Internal Revenue Service rules.

B&N.com is a participating employer in a defined contribution plan (the “Savings Plan”), sponsored by Barnes & Noble, for the benefit of substantially all of its employees who meet certain eligibility requirements, primarily age and length of service. The Savings Plan allows employees to invest up to 15% of their current gross cash compensation on a pre-tax basis. B&N.com’s contributions to the Savings Plan are generally in amounts based upon a certain percentage of the employees’ pre-tax contributions. B&N.com provides matching contributions to participants in the amount of 100% of the first 3% of earnings and 50% of the next 2% contributed by them, which contributions are made consistent with the employees direction. The Fatbrain Savings Plan was merged into the Savings Plan on November 1, 2001. Charges for the Savings Plan were $741, $796 and $794 for each of the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

B&N.com’s Deferred Compensation Plan is a non-qualified plan, eligibility for which is limited to “Eligible Executives,” who include: (i) the Company’s employees who became B&N.com employees on November 1, 1998 and were eligible to participate in the Barnes & Noble deferred compensation plan on October 31, 1998; and (ii) the Company’s employees whose base salary for a calendar year exceeds $130. An Eligible Executive may elect in each year he or she is an Eligible Executive to defer no less than $5 and no more than 50% of his or her base salary to a Deferral Account. The Deferral Account of each Eligible Executive who elects to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan (a “Participant”) is credited or debited with investment earnings or losses based upon the performance of the investment fund or index selected by the Participant from among alternatives selected by an Administrative Committee appointed by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

A participant is entitled to a distribution of his or her Deferral Account upon retirement or following termination of employment, as elected by the Participant, but no later than the beginning of the year in which the Participant would attain age 70 1/2. A Participant may elect whether to receive the distribution in a lump sum or, at retirement, in annual installments over not more than fifteen (15) years.

Amounts payable under the Deferred Compensation Plan are general unsecured obligations of B&N.com, payable out of B&N.com’s general assets to the extent not paid by a grantor trust that the Company may establish. The Company may amend or terminate the Deferred Compensation Plan at any time without affecting any of the rights granted prior to termination. In 2003 the Company paid $25 in relation to the Deferred Compensation Plan.

As of December 31, 1998, B&N.com had one incentive plan (the “1998 Plan”) under which stock options were granted to key officers, employees, consultants, advisors, and managers of B&N.com and its subsidiaries and affiliates. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Managers was responsible for the administration of the 1998 Plan. Generally, options were granted at fair market value, began vesting one year after grant in 25% increments, were to expire 10 years from issuance and were conditioned upon continual employment during the vesting period. Options granted under the 1998 Plan were replaced with options to purchase shares of the Class A Common of the Company under the Company’s 1999 Incentive Plan (the “1999 Plan”). The 1999 Plan is substantially the same as the 1998 Plan, and is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. The 1999 Plan allows the Company to grant options to purchase 25,500 shares of the Company’s Class A Common.

A summary of the status of stock options as of December 31, 2003 is presented below:

The following table summarizes information as of December 31, 2003 concerning outstanding and exercisable options:

Grants during 2003, 2002 and 2001 were at fair value; therefore, no compensation expense was recorded.

Equity Compensation Plan information for the year ended December 31, 2003 is as follows:

In August 1998, The Intimate Bookshop, Inc. and its owner, Wallace Kuralt, filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against a predecessor of the Company, Barnes & Noble, Borders Group, Inc. and others, alleging violation of the Robinson-Patman Act and other federal law, New York statutes governing trade practices and common law. In March 2000, a Second Amended Complaint was served on the Company and other defendants alleging a single cause of action for violations of the Robinson-Patman Act. The Second Amended Complaint claims that The Intimate Bookshop, Inc. has suffered damages of $11,250 or more and requests treble damages, costs, attorneys’ fees and interest, as well as declaratory and injunctive relief prohibiting the defendants from violating the Robinson-Patman Act. The Company served an Answer in April 2000 denying the material allegations of the Second Amended Complaint and asserting various affirmative defenses. On January 11, 2002, the Company and the other defendants filed a motion for summary judgment. A hearing on that motion was held on March 22, 2002. On September 30, 2003, the court granted defendants’ motion and dismissed all of plaintiff’s claims. Plaintiff filed a notice of appeal of that decision, which was withdrawn on February 10, 2004.

after execution, will be submitted to the court for approval. The proposed settlement is not expected to have any material adverse impact on the Company.

The parties subsequently agreed that plaintiffs’ counsel will apply to the court for an award of attorney’s fees and costs in the amount of $600 and that defendants will not object to a fee award up to that amount. It was further agreed that defendants would pay or reimburse the costs of mailing. The settlement is contingent upon, among other things, court approval, the merger consideration being $3.05 per share in cash and consummation of the merger.

B&N.com has entered into agreements with Barnes & Noble, Bertelsmann and their affiliates. The Company believes that the transactions and agreements discussed below (including renewals of any existing agreements) between B&N.com and its affiliates are comparable to B&N.com as could be obtained from unaffiliated parties. The Board of Directors and the Audit Committee must approve in advance any proposed transaction or agreement with affiliates and will utilize procedures in evaluating the terms and provisions of such proposed transaction or agreement as are appropriate in light of the fiduciary duties of directors under Delaware law.

B&N.com entered into a Supply Agreement, dated October 31, 1998, as amended, with Barnes & Noble (the “Supply Agreement”), whereby Barnes & Noble has agreed to supply inventory to B&N.com through Barnes & Noble’s distribution facilities and purchasing departments. Pursuant to the Supply Agreement, Barnes & Noble charges B&N.com its actual cost to acquire the inventory plus any incremental overhead incurred by Barnes & Noble in connection with providing such merchandise supply services. B&N.com purchased $114,172, $106,167 and $126,217 from Barnes & Noble representing 35%, 34% and 45% of its purchases for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The charges for incremental overhead for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 were $3,705, $2,519 and $2,369, respectively.

Under a Services Agreement, dated October 31, 1998, as amended, between B&N.com and Barnes & Noble (the “Services Agreement”), B&N.com receives various administrative services from Barnes & Noble, including, among other things, services for payroll processing, benefits administration, insurance (property and casualty, medical, dental and life) and tax administration. In accordance with the terms of the Services Agreement, B&N.com reimburses Barnes & Noble in an amount equal to the third-party expenses it incurs to fund and provide such services, plus any incremental internal costs. B&N.com was charged $1,990, $3,491 and $4,144 for such services during the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

B&N.com purchased merchandise directly from Calendar Club, L.L.C. (“Calendar Club”), a company engaged in the wholesaling and retailing of calendars, in which Barnes & Noble owns a 73.9% interest. B&N.com’s purchases from Calendar Club were $1,320, $1,740 and $1,110 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

B&N.com subleases from Barnes & Noble approximately one-third of a 300,000 square foot warehouse facility located in New Jersey. B&N.com was charged by Barnes & Noble $561, $498 and $486 for such subleased space during the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The amount paid to Barnes & Noble by B&N.com approximates the cost per square foot paid by Barnes & Noble as tenant pursuant to its lease of the space from an unaffiliated third party.

Since 1999, B&N.com has used AEC One Stop Group, Inc. (“AEC”) as its main music supplier, and as one of its suppliers of DVD/ video. AEC is among the largest wholesale distributors of music, videos and DVDs in the United States. AEC also provides B&N.com with a music, DVD and video product database.

Subsequent to the initial supply arrangement between AEC and B&N.com, AEC’s parent corporation was acquired by an investor group in which Leonard Riggio, Chairman of the Board of the Company and B&N.com, became a minority investor. B&N.com was charged by AEC $52,257, $40,536 and $29,759 in connection with this agreement for merchandise purchased during the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. In addition, B&N.com was charged by AEC $490, $403 and $279 for database services during the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively. At December 31, 2003 and 2002, $7,939 and $9,008, respectively, remained payable to AEC.

B&N.com licenses the “Barnes & Noble” name under a royalty-free license agreement, dated October 31, 1998, as amended, between B&N.com and B&N College (the “License Agreement”), of which Leonard Riggio is the principal stockholder. Pursuant to the License Agreement, the Company has been granted an exclusive license to use the “Barnes & Noble” name and trademark for the purpose of selling books over the internet (excluding sales of college textbooks). Under a separate agreement dated as of January 2001, between the Company and Textbooks.com, Inc. (“Textbooks.com”), a corporation owned by Leonard Riggio, B&N.com was granted the right to sell college textbooks over the Internet using the “Barnes & Noble” name. Pursuant to this agreement, B&N.com pays Textbooks.com a royalty on revenues (net of product returns, applicable sales tax and excluding shipping and handling) realized by the Company from the sale of books designated as textbooks. The term of the agreement is for five years and renews annually for additional one-year periods unless terminated 12 months prior to the end of any given term. For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, the Company recorded royalty expense of $3,984, $3,485 and $5,981, respectively, under the terms of this agreement.

B&N.com has various royalty-free non-exclusive licenses dated October 31, 1998, as amended, from Barnes & Noble, and Bertelsmann’s Books Online (“BOL”). B&N.com licenses from Barnes & Noble the right to use Barnes & Noble’s database of book bibliographic data as well as certain software applications. B&N.com licenses from BOL, the subsidiary through which Bertelsmann conducts its Internet business, its name and trademark for use in B&N.com’s operations. Under Technology Sharing License Agreements, B&N.com was granted a royalty-free license to view, access and use BOL’s computer technology and systems, and B&N.com granted BOL a license to view, access and use B&N.com’s computer technology and systems. All of the agreements described in this paragraph were terminated as of September 16, 2003.

B&N.com and Barnes & Noble commenced a marketing program in November 2000, whereby a customer purchases a subscription to the Barnes & Noble Membership Program (formerly the “Readers’ Advantage^TM card”) for an annual membership fee of $25.00, which is non-refundable after the first 30 days of the membership term. With this membership card, customers can receive discounts of 10% on all Barnes & Noble purchases and 5% on all B&N.com purchases. B&N.com and Barnes & Noble have agreed to share the expenses, net of revenue from the sale of the cards, related to this program in proportion to the discounts customers receive on purchases with each company. B&N.com’s share of the card revenue generated from this program for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 was $2,691, $1,359 and $636, respectively.

In 2002, B&N.com entered into an agreement with Marketing Services (Minnesota) Corp. (“Marketing Services Corp.”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, for marketing services, which includes the issuance of gift cards. Under this agreement B&N.com has received $10,568 and $2,669 as of December 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively from Marketing Services Corp., which represents reimbursement for purchases made with gift cards in a Barnes & Noble store and redeemed on the B&N.com Web site.

B&N.com ships, through its fulfillment centers, customer orders on behalf of Barnes & Noble to Barnes & Noble retail stores as well as to Barnes & Noble customers’ homes. B&N.com charges Barnes & Noble the costs associated with such shipments plus any incremental overhead incurred by B&N.com to process these orders. For the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, B&N.com recorded $2,357, $1,792 and $987, respectively, as a reimbursement for shipping and handling from Barnes & Noble. In

addition, during 2001, B&N.com and Barnes & Noble entered into an agreement whereby B&N.com receives a commission on all items ordered by customers at Barnes & Noble stores and shipped directly to customers’ homes by B&N.com. Commissions for these sales were recorded as revenue and amounted to $1,434, $1,280 and $383 for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively.

Barnes & Noble subleased warehouse space from B&N.com in Reno, Nevada. B&N.com charged Barnes & Noble $500 and $1,882 for such subleased space for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Additionally, Barnes & Noble reimbursed B&N.com $6,186 for fixed assets purchased on behalf of Barnes & Noble for the Reno warehouse. The equipment was sold to Barnes & Noble at its original cost. In January 2002, the Company determined it could not effectively utilize the full capacity of its Reno, Nevada distribution center. Accordingly, following Board approval on January 29, 2002, the Company agreed to transfer the Reno warehouse lease and sell B&N.com’s inventory located in Reno to Barnes & Noble. Barnes & Noble purchased the inventory from B&N.com at cost for approximately $9,877. The Board of Barnes & Noble also approved Barnes & Noble’s assumption of the lease obligation and the hiring of all of the employees at the Reno facility. The Reno lease assignment and the transfer of the operations of the Reno facility to Barnes & Noble was completed in April 2002. In connection with the transfer, B&N.com agreed to pay one-half of the rent charged for the facility through December 31, 2002. B&N.com paid $943 in relation to these expenses for the year ended December 31, 2002.

In 2000, B&N.com began purchasing new and used textbooks directly from MBS Textbook Exchange, Inc. (“MBS”), a corporation majority-owned by Leonard Riggio and one of the nation’s largest wholesalers of college textbooks. B&N.com’s total purchases for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 were $13,829, $17,223 and $13,206, respectively. In addition, B&N.com maintains a link on its Web site called “Sell Your Textbooks” which is hosted by MBS and through which B&N.com customers are able to sell used books directly to MBS. B&N.com is paid a commission based on the price paid by MBS to the consumer. Total commissions received and recorded as revenue for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001 were $75, $58 and $16, respectively.

Under a Strategic Relationship Agreement, dated as of May 1, 2001 (the “Strategic Relationship Agreement”), between B&N.com and GameStop Corp. (“GameStop”), a majority-owned subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, B&N.com’s Web site refers customers to the GameStop Web site for purchases of video game hardware, software and accessories and PC entertainment software. GameStop pays B&N.com a referral fee based on its net sales revenue from certain eligible purchases made by customers as a result of the redirection from the B&N.com Web site. Either party may terminate the Strategic Relationship Agreement on 60 days’ notice. Commissions of $8, $65 and $33 were recorded as revenue for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, respectively, under this agreement.

B&N.com has an approximate 46.8% equity stake in enews, a company previously engaged in selling magazine subscriptions on the Internet, and accounted for this investment under the equity method. Substantially all of the balance of the shares are owned by Barnes & Noble. In July 2002, the Board of Directors and stockholders of enews approved the Liquidation Plan. As of December 31, 2003, the implementation of the Liquidation Plan had been substantially completed and was concluded by February 29, 2004. Prior to the implementation of the Liquidation Plan, B&N.com fulfilled a majority of orders for magazine subscriptions through enews and recorded a commission on these sales. B&N.com recorded commissions of $909 and $590 for the years ended December 31, 2002 and 2001, respectively, and was reimbursed $488, $524 and $295, respectively, for expenses incurred on behalf of enews for the years ended December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001.

At December 31, 2003 and 2002, $71,957 and $48,261, respectively, remained payable to Barnes & Noble in connection with the transactions described above.

In July 2003, Barnes & Noble announced that it reached an agreement with DirectGroup Bertelsmann, the direct-to-customer division of German-based media company Bertelsmann, to acquire all of Bertelsmann’s interest in B&N.com for $164,000 in a combination of cash and notes, equivalent to $2.80 per share or Membership Unit. The transaction closed on September 15, 2003.

Michael N. Rosen, a director and Secretary of the Company, is also a member of Bryan Cave LLP, outside counsel to the Company and B&N.com.

The following tables set forth, for the periods indicated, selected unaudited financial data.


(1)	Assumed conversion of Membership Units or exercises of stock options are not included, as it does not result in dilution.

(2)	Includes impairment and other special charges of $88,213 for the three months ended December 31, 2001.


(Mark One)
þ		ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

		For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003

or

o		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

		For the transition period from to


Delaware		13-4048787
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

76 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY (Address of Principal Executive Offices)		10011 (Zip Code)


		Page

PART I
Item 1.	Business		2
Item 2.	Properties		8
Item 3.	Legal Proceedings		9
Item 4.	Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders		11
PART II
Item 5.	Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters		11
Item 6.	Selected Financial Data		12
Item 7.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		13
Item 7A.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		20
Item 8.	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data		21
Item 9.	Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure		21
Item 9A.	Controls and Procedures		21
PART III
Item 10.	Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant		21
Item 11.	Executive Compensation		21
Item 12.	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters		21
Item 13.	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions		21
Item 14.	Principal Accountant Fees and Services		21
PART IV
Item 15.	Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, Reports on Form 8-K		22
	Signatures		25
LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES
CONSENT OF BDO SEIDMAN, LLP
302 CERTIFICATION: CEO
302 CERTIFICATION: CFO
906 CERTIFICATION: CEO
906 CERTIFICATION: CFO


	High		Low

2003
First Quarter	$	1.62	$	0.97
Second Quarter		3.00		1.28
Third Quarter		2.85		1.97
Fourth Quarter		2.95		2.17
2002
First Quarter	$	2.44	$	1.34
Second Quarter		1.69		0.86
Third Quarter		0.99		0.43
Fourth Quarter		2.20		0.46



		barnesandnoble.com inc. and subsidiaries


		(Consolidated)																		barnesandnoble.com llc
																				and its predecessor
														Proforma
		Year ended			Year ended			Year ended			Year ended			year ended			May 25, 1999 to			January 1, 1999
		December 31,			December 31,			December 31,			December 31,			December 31,			December 31,			to May 24,
		2003			2002			2001			2000			1999(1)(2)			1999			1999(3)


		(thousands of dollars, except share data)
Statement of Operations Data:
Net sales		$	424,815		$	422,827		$	404,600		$	320,115		$	193,730		$	139,930		$	53,800
Cost of sales			320,627			327,258			313,365			261,801			159,937			117,850			42,087

	Gross profit		104,188			95,569			91,235			58,314			33,793			22,080			11,713
Operating expenses:
	Fulfillment and customer service		36,595			35,990			44,637			49,880			19,395			11,743			7,652
	Marketing, sales and editorial		30,390			35,760			61,418			82,620			81,682			59,181			24,140
	Technology and web site development		30,725			35,787			45,298			40,397			21,006			15,058			5,948
	General and administrative		25,548			26,265			32,362			31,270			18,842			12,582			4,622
	Depreciation and amortization		26,167			33,502			41,981			36,088			15,510			10,183			5,327
	Impairments and other special charges		—			—			88,213			75,051			—			—			—
	Stock-based compensation		—			—			—			11,740			—			—			—
	Equity in net loss of equity investments including amortization of intangibles		—			3,537			28,733			30,728			—			—			—

	Total operating expenses		149,425			170,841			342,642			357,774			156,435			108,747			47,689

Loss from operations			(45,237	)		(75,272	)		(251,407	)		(299,460	)		(122,642	)		(86,667	)		(35,976	)
	Interest income, net		226			1,615			7,041			23,737			20,238			18,615			1,623

Loss before minority interest			(45,011	)		(73,657	)		(244,366	)		(275,723	)		(102,404	)		(68,052	)		(34,353	)
Minority interest			33,665			53,525			176,980			210,320			54,253			54,253			—

Net loss — historical		$	(11,346	)	$	(20,132	)	$	(67,386	)	$	(65,403	)		(48,151	)	$	(13,799	)		(34,353	)

Proforma adjustment to minority interest(4)															27,534						27,534

Net loss — proforma														$	(20,617	)				$	(6,819	)

Basic net loss per common share		$	(0.28	)	$	(0.46	)	$	(1.54	)	$	(2.02	)	$	(0.72	)	$	(0.48	)	$	(0.24	)
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding(5)			40,707			43,790			43,787			32,386			28,778			28,797			28,750
Basic net loss per share(5)		$	(0.28	)	$	(0.46	)	$	(1.54	)	$	(2.02	)	$	(0.72	)	$	(0.48	)	$	(0.24	)
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	68,344		$	70,144		$	105,125		$	179,609		$	247,403
Long-term marketable securities			—			—			—			5,000			71,852
Working capital (deficit)			(26,747	)		2,281			44,628			156,649			429,674
Total assets			197,958			209,734			287,376			528,935			679,518
Minority interest			22,556			52,305			105,845			282,804			482,896
Equity			12,971			22,641			42,758			110,144			120,682


Item 4.	*Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders*


Item 5.	*Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters*



	Year ended December 31,

	2003		% Change			2002		% Change			2001


	(in thousands of dollars)
Net sales	$	424,815		0.5	%	$	422,827		4.5	%	$	404,600



	Payments due by period

			Less than						More than
Contractual Obligations	Total		1 year		1-3 years		3-5 years		5 years

Long-term debt	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Capital lease obligations		—		—		—		—		—
Operating leases(1)		40,799		5,041		11,474		7,165		17,119
Purchase obligations		7,252		4,251		3,001		—		—
Service arrangements(2)		—		—		—		—		—
Other long-term liabilities reflected on the Company’s balance sheet under GAAP		3,367		1,616		1,751		—		—

Total	$	51,418	$	10,908	$	16,226	$	7,165	$	17,119


Item 10.	*Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant*


Item 12.	*Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management*


Item 13.	*Certain Relationships and Related Transactions*


Item 15.	*Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K*


	Page(s)

Reports of Independent Certified Public Accountants		F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets		F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations		F-3
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity		F-4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows		F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements		F-6


Exhibit
No.		Description

	2.1	Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 8, 2004, by and among the Company, Barnes & Noble, B&N.com Holding Corp. and B&N.com Acquisition Corp. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1 in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 9, 2004)
	3.1	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, filed April 2, 2001)
	3.2	Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, filed April 2, 2001)
	10.1	Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of barnesandnoble.com llc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, filed April 2, 2001)
	10.2	Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of barnesandnoble.com llc. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.30 in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, filed March 30, 2000)
	10.3	Stockholders Agreement between Barnes & Noble, Inc. and Bertelsmann AG. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000, filed April 2, 2001)
	10.4	1999 Incentive Plan of the Company. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 in Amendment No. 3 of the Company’s Registration Statement No. 333-64211, filed May 24, 1999)
	10.5	Deferred Compensation Plan of the Company. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.25 in Amendment No. 3 of the Company’s Registration Statement No. 333-64211, filed May 24, 1999)
	10.6	Retirement Plan of the Company. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.26 in Amendment No. 3 of the Company’s Registration Statement No. 333-64211, filed May 24, 1999)
	10.7	Agreement of Lease, dated as of October 1, 1999, between 111 Chelsea LLC, as landlord, and barnesandnoble.com llc, as tenant. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.33 in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, filed March 30, 2000)
	10.8	Indenture of Lease and Amendments thereto, dated as of June 7, 1994, between SDI Technologies, Inc., as Landlord, and B. Dalton Bookseller, Inc., as Tenant. (Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.22 in Amendment No. 1 of the Company’s Registration Statement No. 333-64211, filed March 18, 1999)


	*Employees*


	*Available Information*


Item 2.	*Properties*


Item 3.	*Legal Proceedings*



Name	Capacity	Date


/s/ LEONARD RIGGIO Leonard Riggio	Chairman of the Board	March 15, 2004

/s/ STEPHEN RIGGIO Stephen Riggio	Vice Chairman	March 15, 2004

/s/ MARIE J. TOULANTIS Marie J. Toulantis	Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)	March 15, 2004

/s/ KEVIN M. FRAIN Kevin M. Frain	Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Operations (Principal Accounting and Financial Officer)	March 15, 2004

/s/ MICHAEL N. ROSEN Michael N. Rosen	Secretary and Director	March 15, 2004

/s/ JAN MICHIEL HESSELS Jan Michiel Hessels	Director	March 15, 2004

/s/ PATRICIA HIGGINS Patricia Higgins	Director	March 15, 2004

/s/ WILLIAM F. REILLY William F. Reilly	Director	March 15, 2004


	Common
	Stock		Paid-in		Accumulated
	Series A		capital		deficit


	(in thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2000	$	44	$	189,279	$	(79,179	)
Net loss, for the year, net of $176,980 minority interest		—		—		(67,386	)

Balance, December 31, 2001	$	44	$	189,279	$	(146,565	)
Exercise of stock options		—		15		—
Net loss, for the year, net of $53,525 minority interest		—		—		(20,132	)

Balance, December 31, 2002	$	44	$	189,294	$	(166,697	)

Exercise of stock options, net of $3,975 minority interest		4		1,672		—
Net loss, for the year, net of $33,665 minority interest		—		—		(11,346	)

Balance, December 31, 2003	$	48	$	190,966	$	(178,043	)



		For the years ended December 31,

		2003			2002			2001

Net loss		$	(11,346	)	$	(20,132	)	$	(67,386	)
Add back: Amortization of goodwill ($20,129 in 2001) net of minority interest			—			—			5,556

Net loss, as adjusted		$	(11,346	)	$	(20,132	)	$	(61,830	)

Net loss per share:
	Net loss	$	(0.28	)	$	(0.46	)	$	(1.54	)
	Amortization of goodwill		—			—			0.13

Net loss per share, as adjusted		$	(0.28	)	$	(0.46	)	$	(1.41	)


		December 31,
		2001

Facility closure costs		$	33,442
Impairment of Fatbrain goodwill			29,976
Impairment of equity investments			9,158
Impairment of fixed and other assets			15,637

	Total	$	88,213


	Balance		2002			Balance		2003			Balance		Due within		Due after
	31-Dec-01		Payments			31-Dec-02		Payments			31-Dec-03		12 Months		12 Months

Facility/ Lease Termination Costs	$	6,997	$	(2,428	)	$	4,569	$	(1,202	)	$	3,367	$	1,616	$	1,751
Employee Termination Benefits		4,436		(4,356	)		80		(30	)		50		50		—
Accrued Settlement Agreements		2,014		(1,370	)		644		(9	)		635		635		—

	$	13,447	$	(8,154	)	$	5,293	$	(1,241	)	$	4,052	$	2,301	$	1,751


	Future
	minimum lease
Year Ending December 31,	payments

2004	$	5,041
2005		3,872
2006		3,801
2007		3,801
2008		3,801
Thereafter		20,483

	$	40,799



				Percentage of
				plan assets at
	Target			December 31,						Weighted average
	allocation									expected long-term rate
Asset Category	2003			2003			2002			of return — 2004

Large Capitalization Equities		25.0	%		24.9	%		21.5	%		2.9	%
Mid Capitalization Equities		15.0			14.9			15.0			1.7
Small Capitalization Equities		15.0			15.1			15.2			1.7
International Equities		5.0			5.5			5.1			0.6
Fixed Income Core Bonds		35.0			33.1			34.4			1.9
Global Bonds		5.0			4.4			5.6			0.3
Cash		0.0			2.1			3.2			0.0

Total		100.0	%		100.0	%		100.0	%		9.1	%


1/1/2004 — 12/31/2004	$	6
1/1/2005 — 12/31/2005		8
1/1/2006 — 12/31/2006		10
1/1/2007 — 12/31/2007		12
1/1/2008 — 12/31/2008		22
1/1/2009 — 12/31/2013		144



		Outstanding options

					Weighted average
		Number of			exercise price
		shares			per share

Balance December 31, 2002			18,172		$	3.11
	Options granted		2,421			1.48
	Options forfeited		(1,173	)		4.46
	Options exercised		(4,478	)		1.29

Balance December 31, 2003			14,942		$	3.29



			Options outstanding
							Options exercisable
			Weighted average
Range of			remaining		Weighted average				Weighted average
exercise price	Number		contractual		exercise price		Number		exercise price
per share	outstanding		life (in years)		per share		exercisable		per share

0.8000 — 2.4300		8,439		7.74	$	1.25		8,292	$	1.22
2.5000 — 4.9062		3,385		4.55		3.79		3,385		3.79
5.1250 — 8.0000		2,563		5.61		7.93		2,563		7.93
8.1250 — 18.3750		555		6.33		9.43		555		9.43

		14,942		6.60	$	3.29		14,795	$	3.28



	Three months ended

	December 31,			September 30,			June 30,			March 31,
	2003			2003			2003			2003

Net sales	$	133,382		$	98,993		$	86,476		$	105,964
Gross profit		32,670			24,305			21,217			25,996
Net loss		(1,405	)		(3,069	)		(3,551	)		(3,321	)
Basic net loss per common share(1)	$	(0.03	)	$	(0.08	)	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.08	)
Weighted average shares		42,527			40,247			39,772			43,802