What’s Next for Barnes & Noble?

The sudden and unexpected dismissal of Barnes & Noble CEO Ron Boire by the retailer’s board last week shocked publishers, who had no inkling that the head of the country’s largest bricks-and-mortar bookstore chain would be out of a job less than one year after taking the B&N helm. B&N announced the firing late Tuesday afternoon, issuing a brief statement from the company board describing Boire, who had been the head of Sears Canada, as “not a good fit for the organization.”

As a result of Boire’s abrupt departure, Len Riggio, B&N’s founder and chairman, is postponing his retirement.