Books-A-Million will open 41 new stores in early November (see the complete list of new BAM locations here). During the third quarter, the company also closed 21 "underperforming" locations. It's likely the busiest season ever for the company, which is increasing its net store count by about 10% and expanding far outside its traditional Southern base.
Some 14 of the stores are former Borders sites BAM won in bankruptcy court and many others were obtained from former Borders landlords.
"Our expansion into these markets represents a substantial opportunity for our company," said president and CEO Terrance G. Finley. "We have been working diligently in the last several months to find ways to keep a number of former Borders store locations in operation under the BAM brand, and these store openings are the culmination of that work. These 41 stores will also benefit local economies by providing and sustaining jobs in and around our new locations. To BAM, it's about forging a lifetime partnership with all bookstore lovers."