Nook brings Glowlight Reader to UK

Nook has launched its latest e-reading device, the Nook Glowlight Reader, in the UK today (6th August).

The device, aimed at challenging the Kindle Paperwhite, is already Barnes & Noble’s most popular e-reader in the US, where it was launched in October last year. It holds 80% more e-books than a Kindle Paperwhite at 2,000 titles. It is also 15% lighter at 175g, the company said.

Several retailers including booksellers Blackwell’s and Foyles are set to stock the device, with Colin Eustace, general manager, of Barnes & Noble S.à.r.l, saying: “Foyles and Blackwell’s are ready to support the device and they should get a great position in the new Foyles flagship Charing Cross Store.”

The Nook Glowlight Reader is competitively priced at £89  - the new Kindle Paperwhite has an r.r.p of £109 - and will also be sold through at Argos, ASDA, Blackwells, Currys/PCWorld, Foyles, John Lewis, Sainsburys and Very.

Eustace said the e-reader was an “evolution” for the retailer and had a lighter, brighter, design than previous Nook devices with crisp sharp text, no page flashing and no advertisements. The content will be specially “curated” which B&N said played to its traditional bookselling strengths.

“The enhanced shopping experience features a ‘Now on Nook’ section on the home screen, providing instant access to a curated list of content,” Nook said. “The new shop also delivers an array of exclusive personalised lists ‘Picked Just For You,’ which combine the expert knowledge of Barnes & Noble booksellers with rich book data to deliver unparalleled recommendations.”

Earlier this week, Sony announced it would cease producing e-readers because it was no longer “economically viable”. However, Eustace argued there was still a place for the e-reader in the market despite some analysts’ warnings that tablets are rendering them obsolete.

Eustace told The Bookseller: “There is definitely a place in the market for a quality, high-spec, dedicated e-reader for book lovers.”  

The US-based Barnes & Noble recently announced the company would split its bookselling arm from its Nook Media arm in a bid to increase shareholder value after sliding devices and Nook media sales in the last 18 months. In June, the company announced it would partner with Samsung to build co-branded tablets set to be released in the US later this month.

Nook recently told The Bookseller it had won market share in the UK over the last 12 months, had seen double digit growth and was “committed” to investing in the UK market.