Selected Consolidated Financial Data
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The selected consolidated financial data of Barnes & Noble, Inc. and its
wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) set forth on the following
pages should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements
and notes included elsewhere in this report. The Company's fiscal year is
comprised of 52 or 53 weeks, ending on the Saturday closest to the last day of
January. The Statement of Operations Data for the 53 weeks ended February 1,
1997 (fiscal 1996) and for the 52 weeks ended January 27, 1996 (fiscal 1995) and
January 28, 1995 (fiscal 1994) and the Balance Sheet Data as of February 1, 1997
and January 27, 1996 are derived from, and are qualified by reference to,
audited consolidated financial statements which are included elsewhere in this
report. The Statement of Operations Data for the 52 weeks ended January 29, 1994
(fiscal 1993) and January 30, 1993 (fiscal 1992) and the Balance Sheet Data as
of January 28, 1995, January 29, 1994 and January 30, 1993 are derived from
audited consolidated financial statements not included in this report.



- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year                                                        1996          1995           1994          1993          1992
(Thousands of dollars, except per share data)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                 
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues
   Barnes & Noble stores(9)                                    $ 1,861,177     1,349,830        952,697       614,646       328,766
   B. Dalton Bookseller(10)                                        564,926       603,204        646,876       688,220       706,862
   Other                                                            22,021        23,866         23,158        34,520        51,075
                                                               -----------    ----------     ----------    ----------    ----------
     Total revenues                                              2,448,124     1,976,900      1,622,731     1,337,386     1,086,703
Cost of sales, buying and occupancy                              1,569,448     1,269,001      1,050,011       874,038       711,845
                                                               -----------    ----------     ----------    ----------    ----------
   Gross profit                                                    878,676       707,899        572,720       463,348       374,858
Selling and administrative expenses                                456,181       376,773        311,344       262,861       221,266
Rental expense                                                     225,450       182,473        147,225       120,326        91,792
Depreciation and amortization                                       59,806        47,881         36,617        29,077        25,082
Pre-opening expenses                                                17,571        12,160          9,021         8,940         6,004
Restructuring charge(8)                                               --         123,768           --            --            --
                                                               -----------    ----------     ----------    ----------    ----------
   Operating profit (loss)                                         119,668       (35,156)        68,513        42,144        30,714
Interest expense, net and amortization of
   deferred financing fees(1)                                       38,286        28,142         22,955        25,807        26,858
                                                               -----------    ----------     ----------    ----------    ----------
   Earnings (loss) before provision (benefit) for income
     taxes, extraordinary item and cumulative effect of
     a change in accounting principle                               81,382       (63,298)        45,558        16,337         3,856
Provision (benefit) for income taxes                                30,157       (10,322)        20,085         8,584         3,646
                                                               -----------    ----------     ----------    ----------    ----------
   Earnings (loss) before extraordinary item and
     cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle          51,225       (52,976)        25,473         7,753           210

Extraordinary loss(2)                                                 --            --             --            --           6,663
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle(3)              --            --             --            --           2,052
                                                               -----------    ----------     ----------    ----------    ----------
   Net earnings (loss)(4)                                      $    51,225       (52,976)        25,473         7,753        (8,505)
                                                               ===========       =======         ======         =====        ====== 

Net earnings (loss) per common share(7)                        $      1.48         (1.70)          0.81          0.30          0.01
Weighted average common shares outstanding(5)(7)                34,576,000    31,217,000     31,344,000    26,194,000    20,528,000

Store Operating Data:
Stores open at end of period
   Barnes & Noble stores(9)                                            431           358            268           203           135
   B. Dalton Bookseller(10)                                            577           639            698           734           781
                                                               -----------    ----------     ----------    ----------    ----------
     Total                                                           1,008           997            966           937           916
                                                               ===========    ==========     ==========    ==========    ==========



                                                                              17
                                                            Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Selected Consolidated Financial Data (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year                                                 1996             1995            1994             1993            1992
(Thousands of dollars, except per share data)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                 

Comparable store sales increase (decrease)(6)
   Barnes & Noble stores(9)                                     7.3%            6.9%           12.6%            8.6%            5.2%
   B. Dalton Bookseller(10)                                    (1.0)           (4.3)           (2.3)           (0.3)            2.5

Capital Expenditures                                    $   171,885         154,913          88,763          81,116          64,987

Balance Sheet Data (at end of period):
Working capital                                         $   212,692         226,500         155,976         182,403         114,677
Total assets                                            $ 1,446,647       1,315,342       1,026,418         895,863         712,055
Long-term debt, less current portions                   $   290,000         262,400         190,000         190,000         190,000
Preferred stock subject to redemption, including
   cumulative dividends in arrears                      $      --              --              --              --            66,248
Shareholders' equity                                    $   455,989         400,235         358,173         328,841         146,754
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


(1)  Interest  expense  for fiscal  1996,  1995,  1994,  1993 and 1992 is net of

     interest income of $2,288, $2,138, $3,008, $1,838 and $2,228, respectively.

(2)  Reflects a net  extraordinary  charge  during  fiscal 1992 due to the early
     extinguishment  of debt,  consisting  of:  (i) a  pre-tax  charge of $6,509
     associated   with  the   redemption   premiums  on  the  Company's   senior
     subordinated notes and debentures;  (ii) the associated write-off of $5,179
     of unamortized  deferred finance costs related to the early  extinguishment
     of the Company's senior  subordinated  notes and debentures;  and (iii) the
     related tax benefits of $5,025 on the extraordinary charges.

(3)  Reflects  the  cumulative  effect of a change in  accounting  principle  of
     $2,052 (net of tax  benefits of $1,548)  during  fiscal 1992 related to the
     adoption of new accounting standards for post-retirement benefits.

(4)  Net  earnings  (loss) does not give effect to  preferred  stock  dividends.
     Holders  of the  Company's  Series  C  Preferred  Stock  were  entitled  to
     dividends of $4,466 and $1,375 during  fiscal 1993 and 1992,  respectively.
     Such  accumulated  dividends  were paid from the proceeds of the  Company's
     initial  public  offering  completed on October 4, 1993 (IPO).  Accumulated
     dividends  on all  other  series of  preferred  stock  outstanding  for all
     periods were converted into common stock or waived.

(5)  The pro forma  weighted  average number of shares  outstanding  used in the
     computation of pro forma earnings before  extraordinary item and cumulative
     effect of a change in accounting principle per common share gives effect to
     an approximate  2.058-for-1  stock split  completed by the Company prior to
     the  consummation of the IPO, the effect of certain  employee stock options
     using the  treasury  stock  method,  the number of shares  issued  upon the
     conversions  of preferred  stock and the exercise of warrants in connection
     with the IPO and the number of shares issued which is equal in value to the
     redemption price of the Series C Preferred Stock, including accumulated and
     unpaid dividends.

(6)  Comparable  store sales  increase  (decrease) is calculated  using sales of
     stores  that have been open for 12 months for B. Dalton  Bookseller  and 15
     months for Barnes & Noble stores (due to the high sales  volume  associated
     with grand openings).  The comparable  store sales increase  (decrease) for
     fiscal 1996 has been adjusted to reflect the elimination of the fifty-third
     week.  Comparable  store sales for fiscal 1996 include  relocated  Barnes &
     Noble  stores and exclude B.  Dalton  Bookseller  stores  which the Company
     closed in fiscal 1996 or has a formal plan to close during fiscal 1997.

(7)  Computed on a pro forma basis for fiscal 1993 and 1992. Earnings per common
     share are before  extraordinary  item and cumulative  effect of a change in
     accounting principle for fiscal 1992.

(8)  Restructuring  charge includes  restructuring  and asset impairment  losses
     recognized  upon  adoption of Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards
     Board No. 121  "Impairment  of Long-Lived  Assets and Assets to be Disposed
     Of."

(9)  Also includes Bookstop and Bookstar stores.

(10) Also includes  Doubleday  Book Shops,  Scribner's  Bookstores  and discount

     bookstores  operated under the Barnes & Noble  tradename  representing  the
     Company's original retail strategy.


18
Barnes & Noble, Inc.






Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The  Company's  fiscal year is comprised  of 52 or 53 weeks,  ending on the
Saturday  closest to the last day of January.  As used in this section,  "fiscal
1996"  represents the 53 weeks ended February 1, 1997,  "fiscal 1995" represents
the 52 weeks ended  January 27, 1996 and "fiscal 1994"  represents  the 52 weeks
ended January 28, 1995.

GENERAL

     Barnes & Noble,  Inc. (Barnes & Noble or the Company),  the world's largest
bookseller,  operates 431 "super"stores, 91 of which were opened in fiscal 1996,
under the Barnes & Noble Booksellers,  Bookstop and Bookstar tradenames, and 577
mall  bookstores  under  the B.  Dalton  Bookseller,  Doubleday  Book  Shops and
Scribner's  Bookstore  tradenames,  as of  February  1,  1997.  Barnes  &  Noble
publishes  books  under its own imprint for  exclusive  sale  through its retail
stores and mail-order catalogs.  The Company is also the exclusive bookseller in
America  Online's  Marketplace  and has plans to  launch a World  Wide Web site,
operating the "world's  largest  bookseller  online,"  during 1997.  The Company
employed  approximately 24,000 full and part-time booksellers and created nearly
2,600 new jobs nationwide during fiscal 1996 primarily in relation to its Barnes
& Noble store expansion.

     Barnes & Noble is the largest operator of book "super" stores in the United
States with 431 Barnes & Noble  stores  located in 47 states and the District of
Columbia  as of February 1, 1997.  With more than  thirty  years of  bookselling
experience,  management has a strong sense of customers'  changing needs and the
Company leads book retailing with a "community store" concept.  Barnes & Noble's
typical  store  offers a  comprehensive  title  base,  a cafe and a calendar  of
ongoing events - author  appearances and children's  activities - that make each
Barnes & Noble store an active part of its community.  Management estimates that
as  much  as 80% of the  sales  generated  by a new  Barnes  &  Noble  store  is
incremental  to the  community  in which the store is located -  representing  a
combination of previously unfulfilled and newly created demand.

     Barnes & Noble  stores  range in size from  10,000 to  60,000  square  feet
depending upon market size, and each store features an  authoritative  selection
of books,  ranging between 60,000 to 175,000  titles.  The  comprehensive  title
selection  is diverse and  customized  to the local  community's  interests  and
demands. To further this diversity,  Barnes & Noble funds the Discover Great New

Writers program supporting the work of newly published  authors,  and emphasizes
books published by small and independent  publishers and university  presses. In
addition to the extensive on-site  selection,  each store will special order any
book from the more than 1.2 million books in print.

     The  book  "super"  store  concept  originated  in  the  mid-1970s  when  a
predecessor to the Company  joined  together the Barnes & Noble "Main Store" and
"Sale Annex" which became the "World's Largest Bookstore," with close to 100,000
square feet of total retail space.  Based on the success of this retail  format,
several  Barnes & Noble  stores were opened in midtown  Manhattan  and  downtown
Boston.  However, the Company did not begin to expand nationally until 1987 when
several Barnes & Noble store  prototypes were tested in suburban  locations.  In
late 1989,  with four Barnes & Noble stores  already in  operation,  the Company
acquired 23 stores from Bookstop,  Inc.  thereby  gaining market  penetration in
Texas,  Florida and Southern California.  Subsequently,  the Company accelerated
its  expansion  adding eight new stores in fiscal 1990; 28 in fiscal 1991; 78 in
fiscal 1992; 72 in fiscal 1993; 70 in fiscal 1994; 97 in fiscal 1995;  and 91 in
fiscal 1996.

     Although the early  prototypes  of the Barnes & Noble and  Bookstop  stores
were highly  profitable,  their smaller store size (roughly  10,000 square feet)
limited sales potential and created opportunity for competition. As a result, 12
of the Company's  original  Barnes & Noble or Bookstop  stores were relocated or
expanded  during  fiscal  1996 to conform to the new  prototype  which has grown
steadily in size since 1990,  reaching an average of 27,000 square feet by 1995.
The Company  plans to complete its  modernization  program  during  fiscal 1997.
Barnes & Noble stores opened  during fiscal 1996 added 2.54 million  square feet
to the Barnes & Noble base,  bringing  the total  square  footage to 9.3 million
square  feet,  a 33%  increase  over the prior year.  The Company  plans to open
approximately  70 Barnes & Noble  stores in 1997 which are  expected  to average
26,000 square feet in size.


                                                                              19
                                                            Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     At the end of fiscal 1996, the Company  operated 577 B. Dalton stores in 46
states,   and  the  District  of  Columbia.   These  mall-based   stores  employ
merchandising strategies that target the "middle-American" consumer book market,
offering a wide range of bestsellers and general-interest  titles. Doubleday and
Scribner's  bookstores  utilize a more  upscale  format  aimed at the  "carriage
trade" in higher-end  shopping  malls and place a greater  emphasis on hardcover
and gift books.  Most of the B. Dalton  stores range in size from 2,800 to 6,000
square  feet,  and,  while they are  appropriate  to the size of  adjacent  mall
tenants,  the stores  continue  to be  significantly  impacted by the opening of
superstores in nearby locations.


     During the past six years, the Company has pursued a two-pronged  strategy
to maximize returns from its B. Dalton division in response to declining sales
attributable primarily to superstore competition and, to a lesser extent, weaker
overall consumer traffic in shopping  malls. The first part of the Company's
strategy has been to rigorously identify and close underperforming stores. Since
1989, the Company has closed more than 50 B. Dalton stores per year. At the end
of fiscal 1995, the Company accelerated its store closing strategy, and provided
for these closing costs as part of the non-cash restructuring charge of $123.8
million ($87.3 million after tax or $2.65 per common share), with the aim of
forming a core of more-profitable B. Dalton stores for the future. During fiscal
1996 the Company closed 72 underperforming  B. Dalton stores identified during
fiscal 1995 as part of the B. Dalton business restructuring. This two-pronged
business strategy is beginning to stabilize B. Dalton's store operations. During
fiscal 1996, same-store sales for the B. Dalton stores improved from a decline
of 4.3% during fiscal 1995 to a decline of 1.0%.

     Concurrent  with the  implementation  of the store  closing  strategy,  the
Company has been  expanding  the size of some of its new B. Dalton stores and is
seeking  better  locations  within  malls for  increased  visibility  and higher
traffic  flow. A new B. Dalton  prototype was developed for this purpose in 1993
and, since that time, more than 100 new or converted stores have been opened and
are performing, on average, better than the remaining store base.

     Complementing  its leadership  position as the world's largest  bookseller,
Barnes & Noble is the world's largest  supplier of books through  catalogs.  The
Company mails over 20 million catalogues each year and enjoys a list of over one
million customers.  Barnes & Noble's extensive catalog mailings over the past 13
years have created substantial name recognition in the U.S. and internationally,
and have facilitated the introduction of Barnes & Noble stores and the Company's
online business.

     With  publishing  and  distribution  rights to over 1,500 book titles,  the
Company  further   differentiates  its  product  offerings  from  those  of  its
competitors  by publishing  books under its own Barnes & Noble Books imprint for
exclusive  sale in its Barnes & Noble  stores,  B. Dalton stores and direct mail
catalogs.  Through its proprietary  publishing,  Barnes & Noble offers customers
high quality  books at excellent  values  while  generating  higher gross profit
margins.

     During  fiscal  1996,  the Company  selectively  pursued  opportunities  to
leverage  its  "know-how"   through  strategic   alliances  with  Chapters  Inc.
(Chapters) and Calendar Club LLC (Calendar Club).

     In 1996, the Company  purchased 20% of Chapter's common stock.  Chapters is
the largest  book  retailer in Canada with 360 mall  bookstores  and the leading
Canadian book superstore  retailer with 12-15 book superstores.  During December
1996,  Chapters  completed an initial  public  offering  diluting the  Company's
ownership to 13%. The Company,  however,  has a one-year maintenance right which
allows the Company to regain its 20% ownership position.

     In 1996,  the Company also  acquired 50% of Calendar  Club,  an operator of
seasonal calendar kiosks in the U.S. and internationally.



20
Barnes & Noble, Inc.






Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The Company's  revenues,  comparable  store sales,  store  openings,  store
closings  and number of stores  open at fiscal  year end are set forth below for
the Company's various retailing strategies for the periods indicated:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year                            1996             1995            1994
(Thousands of dollars)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Revenues(1)
Barnes & Noble stores(3)           $ 1,861,177       1,349,830         952,697
B. Dalton Bookseller(4)                564,926         603,204         646,876
Other                                   22,021          23,866          23,158
                                   -----------       ---------       ---------
   Total revenues                  $ 2,448,124       1,976,900       1,622,731
                                   ===========       =========       =========
Comparable Store Sales
Increase (Decrease)(2)
Barnes & Noble stores(3)                   7.3%            6.9%           12.6%
B. Dalton Bookseller(4)                   (1.0)           (4.3)           (2.3)
                                   ===========       =========       =========

Stores Opened
Barnes & Noble stores(3)                    91              97              70
B. Dalton Bookseller(4)                     10              10              13
                                   -----------       ---------       ---------
   Total                                   101             107              83
                                   ===========       =========       =========

Stores Closed
Barnes & Noble stores(3)                    18               7               5
B. Dalton Bookseller(4)                     72              69              49
                                   -----------       ---------       ---------
   Total                                    90              76              54
                                   ===========       =========       =========

Number of Stores Open at Year End
Barnes & Noble stores(3)                   431             358             268
B. Dalton Bookseller(4)                    577             639             698

                                   -----------       ---------       ---------
   Total                                 1,008             997             966
                                   ===========       =========       =========

Square Feet of Selling Space
at Year End (in millions)
Barnes & Noble stores(3)                   9.3             7.0             4.5
B. Dalton Bookseller(4)                    2.2             2.4             2.5
                                   -----------       ---------       ---------
   Total                                  11.5             9.4             7.0
                                   ===========       =========       =========



(1)  The Company's revenues include net sales from the Company's  bookstores and
     other  operations,  income  from  the  sale  of  the  Company's  B.  Dalton
     Book$avers and Bookstop/Bookstar  Reader's Choice discount cards, and other
     miscellaneous revenue items.

(2)  Comparable store sales for B. Dalton Bookseller are determined using stores
     open at least  twelve  months.  Comparable  store  sales for Barnes & Noble
     stores are determined using stores open at least 15 months, due to the high
     sales  volume  associated  with  grand  openings.  Comparable  store  sales
     increase (decrease) is computed on a 52-week basis for fiscal 1996.

(3)  Also includes Bookstop and Bookstar stores.

(4)  Also includes  Doubleday  Book Shops,  Scribner's  Bookstores  and discount
     bookstores  operated under the Barnes & Noble  tradename  representing  the
     Company's original retail strategy.

     The following table sets forth, for the periods  indicated,  the percentage
relationship that certain items bear to total revenues of the Company:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year                                       1996        1995         1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Revenues                                         100.0%      100.0%       100.0%
Cost of sales, buying
   and occupancy                                  64.1        64.2         64.7
                                                 -----       -----        ----- 
     Gross profit                                 35.9        35.8         35.3
Selling and administrative
   expenses                                       18.6        19.1         19.2
Rental expense                                     9.2         9.2          9.1
Depreciation and
   amortization                                    2.5         2.4          2.2
Pre-opening expenses                               0.7         0.6          0.6
Restructuring charge                              --           6.3         --
                                                 -----       -----        ----- 
   Operating profit (loss)(1)                      4.9        (1.8)         4.2
Interest expense, net

   and amortization of
   deferred financing fees                         1.6         1.4          1.4
                                                 -----       -----        ----- 
     Earnings (loss) before
      provision (benefit)
      for income taxes(1)                          3.3        (3.2)         2.8
Provision (benefit) for
   income taxes(1)                                 1.2        (0.5)         1.2
                                                 -----       -----        ----- 
     Net earnings (loss)(1)                        2.1%       (2.7)%        1.6%
                                                 =====       =====        ===== 


(1)  If operating profit (loss),  earnings (loss) before provision (benefit) for
     income taxes,  provision (benefit) for income taxes and net earnings (loss)
     were presented before the effects of the  restructuring  charge of $123,768
     during fiscal 1995, the percentage relationship that these items would bear
     to total  revenues  of the  Company  would be 4.5%,  3.1%,  1.4% and  1.7%,
     respectively.



                                                                              21
                                                            Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

53 WEEKS ENDED FEBRUARY 1, 1997 COMPARED TO 52 WEEKS ENDED JANUARY 27, 1996

Revenues

     The Company's revenues increased 23.8% during fiscal 1996 to $2.448 billion
from $1.977 billion during fiscal 1995. Fiscal 1996 includes 53 weeks; excluding
the impact of the fifty-third  week,  revenues  increased  21.5%.  During fiscal
1996,  revenues  from Barnes & Noble stores  (which also  includes  Bookstop and
Bookstar  stores) rose 37.9% to $1.861 billion from $1.350 billion during fiscal
1995 and contributed 76.0% of total revenues,  up from 68.3% during fiscal 1995.
B. Dalton  Bookseller  (which also  includes  Doubleday  Book Shops,  Scribner's
Bookstores and discount  bookstores  operated under the Barnes & Noble tradename
representing  the Company's  original  retail  strategy)  generated  revenues of
$564.9 million (or 23.1% of total revenues) during fiscal 1996, down from $603.2
million (or 30.5% of total revenues) during fiscal 1995.

     The increase in revenues was primarily attributable to an increase in sales
from  Barnes & Noble  stores.  The Company  opened 91 Barnes & Noble  stores and
closed 18 during  fiscal 1996 (12 of which were  relocated),  increasing  square
footage by 33% in fiscal 1996. Comparable store sales for Barnes & Noble stores,
which  excludes  the impact of the  fifty-third  week of sales,  increased  7.3%

during fiscal 1996,  in  comparison  to 6.9% during  fiscal 1995.  During fiscal
1996, revenues of B. Dalton Bookseller  declined,  primarily due to the 72 store
closings and a comparable store sales decrease of 1.0%.

Cost of Sales, Buying and Occupancy

     The Company's cost of sales,  buying and occupancy includes occupancy costs
(such as common area maintenance,  merchant  association dues and lease-required
advertising,  but  excluding  rental  expense),  certain  overhead  costs of the
Company's buying departments and adjustments for LIFO.

     Cost of sales,  buying and occupancy  increased 23.7% during fiscal 1996 to
$1.569  billion  from $1.269  billion  during  fiscal 1995,  but  decreased as a
percentage of revenues to 64.1% during fiscal 1996 from 64.2% during fiscal 1995
due to  improvements  in  merchandise  mix, as well as increases in  merchandise
margins due to direct purchasing through the Company's new distribution  center.
Excluding  the  impact  of  LIFO,  cost of  sales,  buying  and  occupancy  as a
percentage  of  revenues  declined  to 64.1% in fiscal 1996 from 64.5% in fiscal
1995.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

     Selling and administrative  expenses increased $79.4 million,  or 21.1%, to
$456.2  million  during fiscal 1996 from $376.8  million during fiscal 1995. The
Company's  operating leverage continued to improve as selling and administrative
expenses  decreased as a percentage of revenues to 18.6% during fiscal 1996 from
19.1% during fiscal 1995.

Rental Expense, Depreciation and Amortization

     Rental expense increased $43.0 million,  or 23.6%, to $225.5 million during
fiscal  1996  from  $182.5   million  during  fiscal  1995.   Depreciation   and
amortization  increased $11.9 million,  or 24.9%, to $59.8 million during fiscal
1996 from $47.9 million  during  fiscal 1995.  The  increases  were  primarily a
result of the addition of 91 Barnes & Noble stores during fiscal 1996.

Pre-Opening Expenses

     Pre-opening  expenses  increased $5.4 million,  or 44.5%,  to $17.6 million
during  fiscal  1996 from $12.2  million  during  fiscal  1995.  As the  Company
amortizes  pre-opening  expenses over the respective store's first twelve months
of operation, the increase reflects the opening of 109 new Barnes & Noble stores
during the second half of fiscal 1995 and the first half of fiscal 1996 compared
with 68 stores in the corresponding period of the previous year.

Operating Profit (Loss)

     Operating  profit,  before the effects of the $123.8 million  restructuring
charge in fiscal 1995,  increased  $31.1  million,  or 35.0%,  to $119.7 million
during  fiscal 1996 from $88.6  million  during  fiscal 1995. As a percentage of
revenues, operating profit increased to 4.9% during fiscal 1996 from 4.5% during
fiscal  1995  (before  the  effects  of the  restructuring  charge),  reflecting
improved operating leverage.


Interest Expense, Net and Amortization of
Deferred Financing Fees

     Interest  expense,  net of interest  income,  and  amortization of deferred
financing fees increased $10.2 million, or 36.0%, to $38.3 million during fiscal
1996 from $28.1 million during fiscal 1995. The increase resulted from a rise in
borrowings  under the Company's  credit  facility to finance working capital and
capital  expenditures.  The impact of the  increased  borrowings  was  partially
offset by a reduction in the  Company's  weighted  average  interest rate on its
short-term borrowings.


22
Barnes & Noble, Inc.






Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes

     The  Company's  income tax  provision  during fiscal 1996 was $30.2 million
compared  with $26.1  million in fiscal  1995  (before the effects of the $123.8
million  restructuring  charge).  Barnes & Noble's  effective tax rate was 37.1%
during  fiscal  1996 and 43.2%  during  fiscal  1995  (before the effects of the
restructuring  charge). Such rates exceeded the Federal statutory rate primarily
due to the combined effects of goodwill  amortization and state and local taxes.
The  fiscal  1996   provision  also  reflects  a   non-recurring   $3.0  million
rehabilitation tax credit.

Net Earnings (Loss)

     As a result of the factors  discussed  above, the Company's net earnings in
fiscal 1996 increased to $51.2 million from $34.3 million in fiscal 1995 (before
the effects of the $123.8 million  restructuring  charge).  Fiscal 1996 earnings
increased due to the continuing  improvement in Barnes & Noble operating profits
combined with accelerating revenues over which to spread overhead costs.

     Net earnings per common share were $1.48 during  fiscal 1996  compared with
$1.05 during fiscal 1995 (before the effects of the restructuring  charge).  Net
earnings  increased  49.3% while  earnings per share  increased  41.0% due to an
increase in the  weighted  average  common  shares  outstanding  to 34.6 million
shares  during  fiscal  1996  from  32.8  million  shares  during  fiscal  1995,
reflecting  the full-year  impact of 2.5 million common shares issued in October
of 1995.

52 WEEKS ENDED JANUARY 27, 1996 COMPARED TO 52 WEEKS ENDED JANUARY 28, 1995

Revenues


     The Company's revenues increased 21.8% during fiscal 1995 to $1.977 billion
from $1.623 billion during fiscal 1994. During fiscal 1995, revenues from Barnes
& Noble stores rose 41.7% to $1.350  billion from $952.7  million  during fiscal
1994 and contributed  68.3% of total  revenues,  up from 58.7% of total revenues
during fiscal 1994. B. Dalton  Bookseller  generated  revenues of $603.2 million
(or 30.5% of total  revenues)  during  fiscal 1995,  down 6.8% from  revenues of
$646.9 million (or 39.9% of total revenues) during fiscal 1994.

     The increase in revenues was primarily attributable to an increase in sales
of Barnes & Noble stores. The Company opened 97 Barnes & Noble stores and closed
seven  during  fiscal  1995.  Comparable  store sales for Barnes & Noble  stores
increased  6.9% during  fiscal 1995,  in comparison to 12.6% during fiscal 1994.
During fiscal 1995, B. Dalton Bookseller revenues declined, primarily due to the
69 store closings and a comparable  store sales decrease of 4.3% which reflected
accelerating superstore competition and a continuing decline in mall traffic.

Cost of Sales, Buying and Occupancy

     The Company's cost of sales,  buying and occupancy includes occupancy costs
(such as common area maintenance,  merchant  association dues and lease required
advertising,  but  excluding  rental  expense),  certain  overhead  costs of the
Company's buying departments and adjustments for LIFO.

     Cost of sales,  buying and occupancy  increased 20.9% during fiscal 1995 to
$1.269  billion  from $1.050  billion  during  fiscal 1994,  but  decreased as a
percentage of revenues to 64.2% during fiscal 1995 from 64.7% during fiscal 1994
due to the effects of improvements in merchandise mix.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

     Selling and administrative  expenses increased $65.5 million,  or 21.0%, to
$376.8  million  during fiscal 1995 from $311.3  million during fiscal 1994 on a
revenue base which increased  21.8% during fiscal 1995. The Company's  operating
leverage continued to improve as selling and  administrative  expenses decreased
as a percentage of revenues to 19.1% during fiscal 1995 from 19.2% during fiscal
1994.

Rental Expense, Depreciation and Amortization

     Rental expense increased $35.3 million,  or 23.9%, to $182.5 million during
fiscal  1995  from  $147.2   million  during  fiscal  1994.   Depreciation   and
amortization  increased $11.3 million,  or 30.8%, to $47.9 million during fiscal
1995 from $36.6 million  during  fiscal 1994.  The  increases  were  primarily a
result of the net addition of 90 Barnes & Noble stores  during fiscal 1995 which
were approximately 22% larger than the stores opened during fiscal 1994.

Pre-Opening Expenses

     Pre-opening  expenses  increased $3.2 million,  or 34.8%,  to $12.2 million
during fiscal 1995 from $9.0 million during fiscal 1994 primarily as a result of
the increase in Barnes & Noble store  openings to 97 stores  during  fiscal 1995
from 70 stores during fiscal 1994 and the 22% increase in average new store size
during fiscal 1995.


Restructuring Charge

     Concurrent with the establishment of its restructuring plan, Barnes & Noble
evaluated  its  accounting  policy  for  measuring  the  recoverability  of  its
long-lived   assets  and



                                                                              23
                                                            Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

elected early  adoption of Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standard No. 121,
"Accounting  for  Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and Assets to be Disposed Of"
(SFAS 121).  During the fourth  quarter of fiscal 1995,  the Company  recorded a
non-cash charge to operating earnings  approximating $123,768 ($87,303 after-tax
or $2.65 per share) to reflect the aggregate  impact of its  restructuring  plan
and change in accounting policy.

     The change in the Company's method of valuing long-lived assets resulted in
a reduction in goodwill amortization expense of approximately $1,100 and $275 on
an annual and quarterly basis, respectively.

Operating Profit (Loss)

     Operating  profit  (loss)  was (35.2)  million in fiscal  1995 and $68.5 in
fiscal  1994.  Operating  profit,  before  the  effects  of the  $123.8  million
restructuring charge, increased $20.1 million, or 29.3%, to $88.6 million during
fiscal  1995 from  $68.5  million  during  fiscal  1994 on a revenue  base which
expanded  21.8% during  fiscal  1995.  As a  percentage  of revenues,  operating
profit, before the effects of the restructuring charge, increased to 4.5% during
fiscal 1995 from 4.2% during fiscal 1994.

Interest Expense, Net and Amortization of Deferred Financing Fees

     Interest  expense,  net of interest  income,  and  amortization of deferred
financing fees increased $5.1 million,  or 22.6%, to $28.1 million during fiscal
1995 from $23.0 million during fiscal 1994. The increase resulted from a rise in
borrowings  under the Company's  revolving  credit  facility to fund the working
capital requirements of the Company's new and existing stores. The impact of the
increased  borrowings  was  partially  offset by a  reduction  in the  Company's
weighted  average  interest rate on its  borrowings  under the revolving  credit
facility that resulted from the Company's increased profitability which improved
its interest coverage ratio on which the borrowing rates were based.

Provision for Income Taxes


     During fiscal 1995,  the provision for income taxes,  before the effects of
the $123.8 million  restructuring  charge, was $26.1 million compared with $20.1
million during fiscal 1994. The increase  resulted from the Company's  improving
profitability.  Barnes & Noble's  effective  tax rate of 43.2% and 44.1%  during
fiscal 1995 and fiscal 1994,  respectively,  exceeded the Federal statutory rate
due  primarily to the combined  effects of goodwill  amortization  and state and
local taxes.

Net Earnings (Loss)

     As a result of the  factors  discussed  above,  the  Company's  net loss in
fiscal 1995 was $53.0 million. The Company's net earnings, before the effects of
the $123.8 million  restructuring  charge, were $34.3 million during fiscal 1995
compared with $25.5 million  during fiscal 1994 - a 34.8%  increase on a revenue
base  increase  of 21.8%.  Fiscal 1995 net  earnings  (before the effects of the
$123.8 million restructuring charge) increased due to the continuing improvement
in Barnes & Noble store operating  profits combined with  accelerating  revenues
which  created a larger  revenue  base  over  which to  spread  overhead  costs.
Earnings   per  common  share   (before  the  effects  of  the  $123.8   million
restructuring  charge) were $1.05 during  fiscal 1995 compared with $0.81 during
fiscal 1994.

SEASONALITY

     The Company's business,  like that of many retailers, is seasonal, with the
major portion of sales and operating  profit  realized  during the quarter which
includes the Christmas  selling  season.  The following table sets forth certain
information  with respect to the Company's  revenues and operating profit (loss)
for the last twelve fiscal quarters:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Revenues and Operating Profit (Loss) for the Fiscal Quarter Ended on or About
(Thousands of dollars)   
                                  April 30      July 31   October 31  January 31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1996 Revenues(1)                  $ 508,755    $ 524,321   $ 532,563   $ 882,485

     Operating profit (loss)(1)        (141)       5,622       4,578     109,609

1995 Revenues                       401,971      420,080     432,315     722,534

     Operating profit (loss)(2)      (1,929)       3,478       2,537      84,526

1994 Revenues                       320,301      350,584     359,009     592,837

     Operating profit (loss)         (5,347)         576       1,301      71,983

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1)  The fourth  quarter of fiscal  1996  includes 14 weeks.  All other  periods
     presented include 13 weeks.


(2)  Operating   profit   (loss)  is   presented   before  the  effects  of  the
     restructuring charge of $123,768 during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1995.

     Working  capital  requirements  are generally at their  highest  during the
Company's  fiscal  quarter  ending  on or  about  January  31 due to the  higher
payments  to  vendors  for  holiday   season   merchandise   purchases  and  the
replenishment  of  merchandise  inventories  following  this period of increased
sales. In addition,  the Company's sales and merchandise  inventory  levels will
fluctuate  from  quarter  to quarter as a result of the number and timing of new
store  openings,  as well as the amount and timing of sales  contributed  by new
stores.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     Cash flows from  operations,  funds  available  under its revolving  credit
facility and vendor financing continue to provide the Company with liquidity and
capital resources for



24
Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

store expansion, seasonal working capital requirements and capital investments.

     Cash  Flow.  Cash flows  provided  from (used by)  operations  were  $119.5
million,  ($56.8)  million and $17.9 million during fiscal 1996,  1995 and 1994,
respectively.  In addition to improved net  earnings,  the  improvement  in cash
flows from operations in fiscal 1996 was the result of improved  working capital
management;  revenues  increased  23.8% while  inventory  levels  declined  1.1%
through faster  inventory  turns.  The decline in cash flows from  operations in
fiscal  1995 is  attributable  to the  increase in working  capital  required by
Barnes & Noble's  accelerated store expansion and declining B. Dalton Bookseller
operating profits,  which were partially offset by increasing  operating profits
of Barnes & Noble stores.

     The weighted  average age per square foot of the  Company's  431 stores was
2.3 years as of February  1, 1997 and is  expected to increase to  approximately
2.8 years by January 31,  1998.  As the  relatively  young Barnes & Noble stores
mature,  and as the number of new stores  opened  during the fiscal year becomes
smaller as a percentage of the existing  store base,  the  increasing  operating
profits of Barnes & Noble stores are  expected to generate a greater  portion of
cash flows required for working  capital,  including new store  inventories  and
capital  expenditures.   Earnings  before  interest,   taxes,  depreciation  and
amortization  (EBITDA)  increased  $43.0  million or 31.5% to $179.5  million in
fiscal 1996 from $136.5 million in fiscal 1995 (pre-restructuring).


     Capital Structure. Strong cash flows from operations, coupled with improved
working  capital  management,  strengthened  the Company's  balance sheet during
fiscal  1996.  The  Company's  shareholders'  equity  increased  13.9% to $456.0
million as of February 1, 1997 from $400.2  million as of January 27, 1996,  and
return on equity increased to 12.8% in fiscal 1996 from 9.6% during fiscal 1995.

     Although  Barnes & Noble's  growing  business  is somewhat  mitigating  the
seasonality  of the Company's  operations,  the Company  continues to experience
significant seasonal  fluctuations in its financing needs,  primarily during the
holiday  season in which there is a  concentration  of store openings as well as
increases in inventory  levels to support more than 35% of the Company's  sales.
To meet the  seasonal  demands of its  growing  inventory  and sales  base,  the
Company  entered  into a five-year  senior  credit  facility in March 1996.  The
facility  includes  a $325.0  million  revolving  credit  facility  and a $100.0
million term loan facility and provides for an additional  $125.0  million which
will become available to the Company in fiscal 1997.

     Borrowings under the Company's  revolving  credit facility  averaged $101.7
million,  $62.0  million and $3.1 million and peaked at $192.8  million,  $152.2
million and $41.6 million during fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

     Capital Investment.  Capital  expenditures  totaled $171.9 million,  $154.9
million and $88.8  million  during  fiscal  1996,  1995 and 1994,  respectively.
Capital  expenditures in fiscal 1997, primarily for an estimated 70 new Barnes &
Noble  stores as well as computer  hardware  and  software  associated  with the
rollout of the  Company's  new store  point-of-sale  system,  are expected to be
significantly less than fiscal 1996.

     Based on current  operating levels and the store expansion  planned for the
next fiscal year,  management  believes cash flows  generated  from  operations,
short-term  vendor  financing  and its  borrowing  capacity  under its revolving
credit  facility will be sufficient  to meet the Company's  working  capital and
debt  service  requirements,   fund  restructuring   reserves  and  support  the
development  of its short and long-term  strategies for at least the next twelve
months.

DISCLOSURE REGARDING
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     This annual report  contains  certain  forward-looking  statements (as such
term is defined in the  Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995) and
information  relating  to the  Company  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 annual
report,  the words  "anticipate,"  "believe,"  "estimate,"  "expect,"  "intend,"
"plan" and similar expressions,  as they relate to the Company 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, possible disruptions in the Company's computer or telephone systems,
possible  increases  in shipping  rates or  interruptions  in shipping  service,
effects of  competition,  possible  disruptions  or delays in the opening of new
stores,  the level and volatility of interest rates, and other factors which 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 or
persons  acting on its behalf are expressly  qualified in their  entirety by the
cautionary statements in this paragraph.



                                                                              25
                                                            Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Consolidated Statements of Operations
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year                                                                                 1996            1995             1994
(Thousands of dollars, except per share data)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                        
Revenues                                                                                $ 2,448,124       1,976,900        1,622,731
Cost of sales, buying and occupancy                                                       1,569,448       1,269,001        1,050,011
                                                                                        -----------      ----------       ----------
   Gross profit                                                                             878,676         707,899          572,720
                                                                                        -----------      ----------       ----------
Selling and administrative expenses                                                         456,181         376,773          311,344
Rental expense                                                                              225,450         182,473          147,225
Depreciation and amortization                                                                59,806          47,881           36,617
Pre-opening expenses                                                                         17,571          12,160            9,021
Restructuring charge                                                                           --           123,768             --
                                                                                        -----------      ----------       ----------
   Operating profit (loss)                                                                  119,668         (35,156)          68,513

Interest (net of interest income of $2,288, $2,138 and $3,008, respectively)
   and amortization of deferred financing fees                                               38,286          28,142           22,955
                                                                                        -----------      ----------       ----------
     Earnings (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes                             81,382         (63,298)          45,558
Provision (benefit) for income taxes                                                         30,157         (10,322)          20,085
                                                                                        -----------      ----------       ----------
   Net earnings (loss)                                                                  $    51,225         (52,976)          25,473
                                                                                        ===========      ==========       ==========

Net earnings (loss) per common share                                                    $      1.48           (1.70)            0.81
Weighted average common shares outstanding                                               34,576,000      31,217,000       31,344,000




See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



26
Barnes & Noble, Inc.




Consolidated Balance Sheets
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Thousands of dollars, except per share data)                                                   February 1, 1997   January 27, 1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                          
ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                                                                          $   12,447              9,276
   Receivables, net                                                                                       45,558             49,019
   Merchandise inventories                                                                               732,203            740,351
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                              76,747             49,542
                                                                                                      ----------          ---------
     Total current assets                                                                                866,955            848,188
                                                                                                      ----------          ---------

Property and equipment:
   Land and land improvements                                                                                681                681
   Buildings and leasehold improvements                                                                  326,392            249,603
   Fixtures and equipment                                                                                289,684            204,528
                                                                                                      ----------          ---------
                                                                                                         616,757            454,812
   Less accumulated depreciation and amortization                                                        181,983            134,932
                                                                                                      ----------          ---------
     Net property and equipment                                                                          434,774            319,880
                                                                                                      ----------          ---------

Intangible assets, net                                                                                    93,494             96,799
Other noncurrent assets                                                                                   51,424             50,475
                                                                                                      ----------          ---------
   Total assets                                                                                       $1,446,647          1,315,342
                                                                                                      ==========          =========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 
Current liabilities:
   Revolving credit facility                                                                          $   40,000               --
   Accounts payable                                                                                      373,340            415,698
   Accrued liabilities                                                                                   240,923            205,990
                                                                                                      ----------          ---------
     Total current liabilities                                                                           654,263            621,688
                                                                                                      ----------          ---------


Long-term debt                                                                                           290,000            262,400
Other long-term liabilities                                                                               46,395             31,019

Shareholders' equity:
   Common stock; $.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized;
     33,188,125 and 32,958,614 shares issued and outstanding, respectively                                    33                 33
   Additional paid-in capital                                                                            446,298            441,769
   Retained earnings (deficit)                                                                             9,658            (41,567)
                                                                                                      ----------          ---------
     Total shareholders' equity                                                                          455,989            400,235
                                                                                                      ----------          ---------
Commitments and  contingencies
                                                                                                      ----------          ---------
   Total liabilities and shareholders' equity                                                         $1,446,647          1,315,342
                                                                                                      ==========          =========



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



                                                                              27
                                                            Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------




- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       Additional         Retained
                                                                        Common            paid-in         earnings
(Thousands of dollars)                                                   Stock            capital         (deficit)          Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                    
Balance at January 29, 1994                                            $     30          342,875          (14,064)          328,841
Exercise of 219,082 common stock options,
   including tax benefits of $2,221                                        --              3,859             --               3,859
Net earnings                                                               --               --             25,473            25,473
                                                                       --------          -------          -------           -------
Balance at January 28, 1995                                                  30          346,734           11,409           358,173
Issuance of 2,500,000 shares of common stock                                  3           88,722             --              88,725
Exercise of  375,447 common stock options,
   including tax benefits of $3,470                                        --              6,313             --               6,313
Net loss                                                                   --               --            (52,976)          (52,976)
                                                                       --------          -------          -------           -------
Balance at January 27, 1996                                                  33          441,769          (41,567)          400,235

Exercise of  229,511 common stock options,
   including tax benefits of $2,272                                        --              4,529             --               4,529
Net earnings                                                               --               --             51,225            51,225
                                                                       --------          -------           -------          -------
Balance at February 1, 1997                                            $     33          446,298            9,658           455,989
                                                                       ========          =======           =======          =======



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



28
Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year                                                                                 1996            1995             1994
(Thousands of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                        
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net earnings (loss)                                                                  $    51,225         (52,976)         25,473
   Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to
     net cash flows from operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization                                                           61,652          50,185          38,921
     (Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment                                         (130)          4,657           2,959
     Deferred taxes                                                                           6,604         (32,110)         (5,394)
     Restructuring charge                                                                      --           123,768            --
     Increase in other long-term liabilities for
       scheduled rent increases in long-term leases                                          15,663          10,670           7,266
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net                                       (15,477)       (161,038)        (51,342)
                                                                                        -----------        --------         ------- 
       Net cash flows from operating activities                                             119,537         (56,844)         17,883
                                                                                        -----------        --------         ------- 

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Purchases of property and equipment                                                     (171,885)       (154,913)        (88,763)
   Proceeds from sales of property and equipment                                                177             551               3
   Net increase in other noncurrent assets                                                  (16,787)         (2,378)        (15,876)
                                                                                        -----------        --------         ------- 
     Net cash flows from investing activities                                              (188,495)       (156,740)       (104,636)
                                                                                        -----------        --------         ------- 

Cash flows from financing activities:

   Net (decrease) increase in revolving credit facility                                     (32,400)         72,400            --
   Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                                 100,000            --              --
   Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net                                                 --            88,725            --
   Proceeds from exercise of common stock options                                             4,529           6,313           3,859
                                                                                        -----------        --------         ------- 
     Net cash flows from financing activities                                                72,129         167,438           3,859
                                                                                        -----------        --------         ------- 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                          3,171         (46,146)        (82,894)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                                                9,276          55,422         138,316
                                                                                        -----------        --------         ------- 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                                                $    12,447           9,276          55,422
continued                                                                               ===========        ========         ======= 




                                                                              29
                                                            Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year                                                                                 1996            1995             1994
(Thousands of dollars)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                        
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:
   Receivables, net                                                                     $     3,461         (19,191)         (9,474)
   Merchandise inventories                                                                    8,148        (241,432)       (137,576)
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                                (19,502)        (17,340)          1,751
   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities                                                  (7,584)        116,925          93,957
                                                                                        -----------        --------         ------- 
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net                                   $   (15,477)       (161,038)        (51,342)
                                                                                        ===========        ========         ======= 

Supplemental cash flow information:
  Cash paid during the period for:
     Interest                                                                           $    38,103          27,656          23,364
     Income taxes                                                                       $    24,574          19,937          20,740

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.




30

Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For the 53 weeks  ended  February 1, 1997  (fiscal  1996) and the 52 weeks ended
January 27, 1996 (fiscal 1995) and January 28, 1995 (fiscal 1994).

(Thousands of dollars, except per share data)


1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business

Barnes & Noble,  Inc. (Barnes & Noble),  through its  wholly-owned  subsidiaries
(collectively,  the Company),  is primarily engaged in the sale of books through
three principal  bookselling  strategies:  its superstore  strategy  through its
wholly-owned  subsidiary,  Barnes & Noble  Superstores,  Inc. under its Barnes &
Noble  Booksellers,  Bookstop and Bookstar  tradenames  (hereafter  collectively
referred  to  as  Barnes  &  Noble  stores),   its  mall  strategy  through  its
wholly-owned subsidiaries,  B. Dalton Bookseller, Inc. and Doubleday Book Shops,
Inc.  under its B.  Dalton  Bookseller,  Doubleday  Book  Shops  and  Scribner's
Bookstore  tradenames   (hereafter   collectively   referred  to  as  B.  Dalton
Bookseller), and its publishing and mail-order business.


Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Barnes & Noble and
its  wholly-owned  subsidiaries.   All  significant  intercompany  accounts  and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.


Use of Estimates

In  preparing  financial   statements  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles, the Company is required 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 reporting  period.  Actual results could differ
from those estimates.


Supplemental Cash Flow Information

The Company considers all short-term,  highly liquid instruments  purchased with
an  original  maturity  of  three  months  or less to be cash  equivalents.  The
Company's  cash and cash  equivalents  are carried at cost,  which  approximates
market value,  and consists  primarily of  Eurodollar  and time  deposits.  Cash
equivalents as of January 28, 1995 were $49,600.



Merchandise Inventories

Merchandise  inventories  are  stated  at the lower of cost or  market.  Cost is
determined  primarily by the retail inventory method on the first-in,  first-out
(FIFO)  basis for 79% and 73% of the  Company's  merchandise  inventories  as of
February 1, 1997 and January 27, 1996,  respectively.  The remaining merchandise
inventories are valued on the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method.

If  substantially  all of the merchandise  inventories  currently valued at LIFO
costs were  valued at current  costs,  merchandise  inventories  would  increase
approximately  $8,800 and $8,326 as of February  1, 1997 and  January 27,  1996,
respectively.


Property and Equipment

Property and equipment  are carried at cost less  accumulated  depreciation  and
amortization.  For financial reporting purposes,  depreciation is computed using
the  straight-line  method  over  estimated  useful  lives.  For  tax  purposes,
different  methods are used.  Maintenance  and repairs are expensed as incurred,
while  betterments  and  major  remodeling  costs  are  capitalized.   Leasehold
improvements  are  capitalized and amortized over the shorter of their estimated
useful  lives  or  the  terms  of  the  respective  leases.   Capitalized  lease
acquisition  costs are  being  amortized  over the  average  lease  terms of the
underlying leases. Costs incurred in purchasing  management  information systems
are  capitalized  and  included  in  property  and  equipment.  These  costs are
amortized  over their  estimated  useful lives from the date the systems  become
operational.  Internal  costs  incurred  in  developing  management  information
systems to support existing lines of business are expensed as incurred.


Intangible Assets and Amortization

The  costs in excess  of net  assets  of  businesses  acquired  are  carried  as
intangible  assets,  net  of  accumulated  amortization,   in  the  accompanying
consolidated balance sheets. The net intangible assets,  consisting primarily of
goodwill  and  tradenames,  of $63,604 and  $29,890 as of February 1, 1997,  and
$65,771 and $31,028 as of January 27, 1996,  are being  amortized  over 40 years
using the straight-line method. 



                                                                              31
                                                            Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Amortization   of  goodwill  and  tradenames   included  in   depreciation   and
amortization  in the  accompanying  consolidated  statements  of  operations  is
$3,305,  $4,272 and $4,264  during  fiscal  1996,  1995 and 1994,  respectively.
Accumulated  amortization  at  February 1, 1997 and January 27, 1996 was $38,036
and $34,731, respectively.

Annually,  the Company evaluates the recoverability of goodwill not allocable to
acquired   business  assets  and  considers  whether  this  goodwill  should  be
completely or partially written off or the amortization periods accelerated. The
Company assesses the recoverability of this goodwill based upon several factors,
including  management's  intention  with respect to the acquired  operations and
those operations' projected undiscounted cash flows.


Deferred Charges

Net  unamortized  costs  incurred to obtain  long-term  financing  of $9,789 and
$5,964 as of  February 1, 1997 and January  27,  1996,  respectively,  are being
amortized  over  the  terms  of  the  respective  debt   agreements   using  the
straight-line  method,  which  approximates  the interest  method.  Amortization
expense  is  $1,846,   $2,304  and  $2,304  for  fiscal  1996,  1995  and  1994,
respectively.  These  amounts  are  included  in interest  and  amortization  of
deferred  financing  fees  in  the  accompanying   consolidated   statements  of
operations.


Revenue Recognition

Revenue from sales of the Company's products is recognized at the time of sale.

The Company sells memberships which entitle purchasers to additional  discounts.
The   membership   revenue  is  deferred  and  recognized  as  income  over  the
twelve-month membership period.

Sales returns (which are not significant) are recognized at the time returns are
made.


Pre-opening Expenses

All costs  associated  with the opening of new stores are deferred and amortized
over the respective store's first twelve months of operations.


Closed Store Expenses

Upon a formal  decision  to close or  relocate  a  store,  the  Company  charges
unrecoverable  costs to  expense.  Such  costs  include  the net  book  value of
abandoned  fixtures and leasehold  improvements and a provision for future lease
obligations,  net of expected sublease  recoveries.  Costs associated with store
closings of $5,113 and $2,006  during  fiscal 1995 and 1994,  respectively,  are
included in selling and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated
statements of operations.



Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

Net  earnings  (loss) per common share is computed  using the  weighted  average
number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding during
the period.


Income Taxes

The  provision  (benefit)  for income taxes  includes  Federal,  state and local
income  taxes  currently   payable  and  those  deferred  because  of  temporary
differences  between  the  financial  statement  and tax  bases  of  assets  and
liabilities.  The deferred  tax assets and  liabilities  are measured  using the
enacted  tax  rates  and  laws  that  are  expected  to be in  effect  when  the
differences reverse.


Stock Options

The Company accounts for all transactions  under which employees  receive shares
of stock or other  equity  instruments  in the  Company  or the  Company  incurs
liabilities  to  employees  in  amounts  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." The Company has not adopted the fair
value method encouraged,  but not required by Statement of Financial  Accounting
Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation."


Reporting Period

The Company's fiscal year is comprised of 52 or 53 weeks, ending on the Saturday
closest to the last day of January.  The reporting period ended February 1, 1997
(fiscal 1996)  includes 53 weeks.  All other fiscal years  presented  include 52
weeks.




32
Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. RESTRUCTURING CHARGE

From 1989 through 1995, the Company closed,  on average,  between 50 and 60 mall
bookstores per year primarily due to increasing competition from superstores and
declining  mall traffic.  During the fourth  quarter of fiscal 1995, the Company

accelerated its mall bookstore closing program with the aim of forming a core of
more-profitable  B. Dalton  Bookseller  stores,  and provided for these  closing
costs and asset valuation  adjustments through a non-cash  restructuring charge,
and early  adoption of  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 121
"Accounting  for Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets to be Disposed Of" (SFAS 121).
In January 1996, the Company recorded a non-cash charge to operating earnings of
$123,768  ($87,303 after tax or $2.65 per share) to reflect the aggregate impact
of its  restructuring  plan and  change  in  accounting  policy.  The  charge to
earnings  included a $33,000  writedown of goodwill,  and $45,862 related to the
writedown of fixed assets and other long-term assets.  The Company has completed
a  substantial  portion of the planned  store  closings with the remainder to be
completed in 1997 and 1998.

The  following  table sets forth the  restructuring  liability  activity  during
fiscal 1996:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal 1996 Activity
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Fiscal
                                          Beginning         1996       Ending
                                            Balance     Activity      Balance
                                            -------       ------       ------
Provision for store closings                $ 5,974        4,442        1,532
Lease termination costs                      32,833        2,371       30,462
Other                                         6,099        4,497        1,602
                                            -------       ------       ------
   Total                                    $44,906       11,310       33,596
                                            =======       ======       ======

The remaining balance of $33,596, which is classified as a current liability, is
expected  to  be  adequate  for  all  remaining   obligations   related  to  the
restructuring.


3. RECEIVABLES, NET

Receivables  represent  customer,  bankcard,  landlord and other receivables due
within one year as follows:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  February 1,      January 27,
                                                         1997             1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Trade accounts                                        $  5,126            4,028
Bankcard receivables                                    12,800           10,968
Receivables for retail
  display allowances                                       663            1,821
Receivables from landlords                              19,374           22,345
Other receivables                                        7,931           10,262
Allowance for doubtful accounts                           (336)            (405)

                                                      --------           ------
   Total receivables, net                             $ 45,558           49,019
                                                      ========           ======


4. DEBT

Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Agreement

The Company's  five-year,  senior credit facility includes a $325,000  revolving
credit  facility and $100,000  term loan facility and provides for an additional
commitment of $125,000  which will be available to the Company in 1997.  Fees of
up to 3/8 of 1% are assessed on the unused  portion of the Company's  commitment
under the facility.  The senior  credit  facility,  which permits  borrowings at
various  interest rate options based on the prime rate or London Interbank Offer
Rate (LIBOR), contains covenants,  representations and events of default typical
of credit  facility  arrangements of this size and nature,  including  financial
covenants which require the Company to meet,  among other things,  cash flow and
interest  coverage  ratios and which limit capital  expenditures.  The revolving
credit  and term loan  facility  are  secured  by the  capital  stock,  accounts
receivable and general intangibles of the Company's subsidiaries.

During fiscal 1996, the Company entered into  three-year and four-year  interest
rate swap  agreements  for  $70,000  and  $30,000  respectively,  involving  the
exchange of fixed and floating interest payment obligations without the exchange
of  underlying  principal  amounts.  The Company  enters into interest rate swap
agreements to manage interest costs and risk associated with changes in interest
rates. These agreements effectively convert underlying  variable-rate debt based
on prime rate or LIBOR to fixed-rate debt. The Company recorded interest expense
of  $365  during  fiscal  1996  associated  with  these   agreements.  



                                                                              33
                                                            Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Selected  information  related to the Company's  revolving credit facility is as
follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year                                      1996         1995         1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at end of year                        $40,000       72,400         --
Average balance outstanding
   during the year                            101,671       62,036        3,087
Maximum borrowings
   outstanding during

   the year                                   192,800      152,200       41,600
Weighted average interest
   rate during the year                          7.56%        8.13%        9.45%
Interest rate at end of year                     6.87%        8.21%        --

The  average  balance  outstanding  during the period was based on the number of
days  outstanding.  The  weighted  average  interest  rate during the period was
calculated  as the result of dividing  the related  interest  expense by average
borrowings outstanding.

Fees  expensed  with respect to the unused  portion of the  Company's  revolving
credit  commitment  were $911,  $454 and $760 during fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively.


Long-Term Debt

In November 1992, the Company issued $190,000 senior subordinated notes, bearing
interest at 11.875%,  which are subject to  redemption  on or after  January 15,
1998 at the option of the Company and are due on January 15, 2003. The indenture
covering the senior  subordinated  notes contains various  covenants which limit
additional  indebtedness,  dividends  and  transactions  with  shareholders  and
affiliates.

The $72,400  outstanding  as of January 27,  1996 under the  Company's  previous
credit facility was refinanced  pursuant to the consummation of Barnes & Noble's
senior credit  facility and has been  classified as long-term debt as of January
27, 1996 in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The $100,000 term loan is due in twelve  installments due each quarter beginning
on June 30, 1998. Each of the first eight  installments are due in the amount of
$7,500 and each of the ninth through twelfth  installments are due in the amount
of $10,000.

Long-term debt maturities are as follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997                                                                 $     --
1998                                                                   22,500
1999                                                                   30,000
2000                                                                   37,500
2001                                                                   10,000
Thereafter                                                            190,000
                                  
The Company has no agreements to maintain compensating balances.


5. FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The carrying values of cash and cash  equivalents  reported in the  accompanying
consolidated  balance  sheets  approximate  fair  value  due to  the  short-term
maturities of these assets.


The  aggregate  fair value of the revolving  credit  facility  approximates  its
carrying amount,  because of its recent and frequent repricing based upon market
conditions. The fair value of long-term debt is based upon quoted market prices.

The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's  financial  instruments as
of February 1, 1997 and January 27, 1996 are as follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          February 1,            January 27,
                                             1997                   1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Carrying        Fair    Carrying        Fair
                                      Amount       Value      Amount       Value
                                    --------     -------     -------     -------

Cash and cash equivalents           $ 12,447      12,447       9,276       9,276
Revolving credit facility           $ 40,000      40,000      72,400      72,400
Long-term debt                      $290,000     307,575     190,000     208,810


34
Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6. EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT AND DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS

The Company  maintains  a  noncontributory  defined  benefit  pension  plan (the
Pension Plan) for the benefit of  substantially  all of its employees.  Benefits
provided  by the  Pension  Plan are  based on years  of  credited  service,  the
employee's  compensation for any of five consecutive years in the last ten years
of service and the primary Social Security benefit. The Company's  contributions
to  the  Pension  Plan  are  generally  in  amounts  determined  by  independent
consulting actuaries.

The Company also sponsors a defined contribution plan (the Savings Plan) 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 or post-tax basis, at their option.  The Company's  contributions to the
Savings Plan are  generally in amounts  based upon a certain  percentage  of the
employees' pre-tax contributions.

A summary of the  components  of net periodic  pension cost for the Pension Plan
and the total contributions charged to employee benefit expenses for the Savings
Plan follows:



- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year                                      1996         1995         1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Defined benefit plans:
   Service cost                               $ 2,542        1,475        1,702
   Interest cost                                1,354        1,011          981
   Actual return on
     plan assets                               (2,378)      (3,202)         184
   Net amortization
     and deferral                                 914        2,047       (1,175)
                                              -------        -----        -----
         Net periodic
           pension cost                       $ 2,432        1,331        1,692
                                              =======        =====        =====
Defined contribution plan                     $ 2,115        1,495        1,112
                                              =======        =====        =====

Actuarial assumptions used in determining the net periodic pension costs and the
funded status of the Pension Plan are as follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          February 1,  January 27,  January 28,
                                                 1997         1996         1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discount rate
   (beginning of year)                            7.5%         8.8%         7.5%
Discount rate (end of year)                       7.5%         7.5%         8.8%
Expected long-term rate of
   return on Plan assets                          9.5%         9.5%         9.8%
Assumed rate of
   compensation increase                          4.0%         4.0%         4.0%


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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   February 1,      January 27,
                                                          1997             1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Actuarial present value of benefit obligation:
     Vested benefits                                  $(12,138)         (10,784)
     Nonvested benefits                                 (2,114)          (1,962)
                                                      --------          ------- 
Accumulated benefit obligation                         (14,252)         (12,746)
Effect of projected future
   compensation increases                               (7,126)          (5,537)
                                                      --------          ------- 
Projected benefit obligation                           (21,378)         (18,283)
Plan assets at market value                             18,565           15,361
                                                      --------          ------- 
Projected benefit obligation in

   excess of Plan assets                                (2,813)          (2,922)
Unrecognized net loss                                      100            1,086
Unrecognized net obligation
   remaining                                               274              328
Unrecognized prior service cost                           (219)            (237)
                                                      --------          ------- 
   Pension liability                                  $ (2,658)          (1,745)
                                                      ========          ======= 




                                                                              35
                                                            Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In addition to providing pension  benefits,  the Company provides certain health
care and life insurance  benefits to retired  employees  (the Plan).  Only those
employees  receiving  benefits  or retired as of April 1, 1993 are  eligible  to
participate in the Plan and receive these  benefits.  The Plan is unfunded.  The
following table sets forth the status of the Plan and the post-retirement health
care liability of the Plan, which is attributable solely to retirees, recognized
in the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets as of  February  1, 1997 and
January 27, 1996 using a discount rate of 7.5% at both dates:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   February 1,      January 27,
                                                          1997             1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected benefit obligation                          $ (4,349)          (4,474)
Unrecognized loss                                          137              393
                                                      --------           ------ 
Post-retirement health care liability                 $ (4,212)          (4,081)
                                                      ========           ====== 

The net periodic cost for the  post-retirement  health care  benefits  under the
Plan is related to interest  costs of $326,  $375 and $416 during  fiscal  1996,
1995 and 1994, respectively.  The unrecognized loss resulting from the impact of
experience changes on current assumptions is recorded over the average remaining
life expectancy of Plan participants.

The  health  care cost  trend rate used to  measure  the  expected  cost of Plan
benefits is assumed to be 8.5% in 1997, declining at one-half percent decrements
each year through 2004 to 5.0% in 2004 and each year thereafter. The health care
cost trend  assumption  has a significant  effect on the amounts  reported.  For
example,  a 1% increase in the health  care cost trend rate would  increase  the
accumulated  post-retirement  benefit  obligation  by  approximately  $478 as of

February 1, 1997 and the net periodic  cost by  approximately  $36 during fiscal
1996.


7. INCOME TAXES

The Company files a consolidated  Federal  return.  Federal and state income tax
provisions (benefits) for fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994 are as follows:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year                                      1996         1995         1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current:
   Federal                                    $18,413       17,317       18,106
   State                                        5,140        4,471        7,373
                                              -------      -------       ------
                                               23,553       21,788       25,479
                                              -------      -------       ------

Deferred:
   Federal                                      5,300      (25,717)      (4,119)
   State                                        1,304       (6,393)      (1,275)
                                              -------      -------       ------
                                                6,604      (32,110)      (5,394)
                                              -------      -------       ------
     Total                                    $30,157      (10,322)      20,085
                                              =======      =======       ======

A  reconciliation  between  the  provision  (benefit)  for income  taxes and the
expected  provision  (benefit) for income taxes at the Federal statutory rate of
35% during fiscal 1996, 1995, and 1994 are as follows:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year                                      1996         1995         1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expected provision (benefit)
   for income taxes at
   Federal statutory rate                     $28,484      (22,154)      15,945
Amortization of goodwill
   and tradenames and
   writedown of goodwill                        1,157       12,978        1,428
State income taxes, net of
   Federal income tax benefit                   3,341        2,906        4,792
Rehabilitation tax credit                      (2,974)        --           --
Other, net                                        149       (4,052)      (2,080)
                                              -------      -------       ------
   Provision (benefit) for
      income taxes                            $30,157      (10,322)      20,085
                                              =======      =======       ======




36
Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The  tax  effects  of  temporary  differences  that  give  rise  to  significant
components of the Company's  deferred tax assets and  liabilities as of February
1, 1997 and January 27, 1996 are as follows:

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   February 1,      January 27,
                                                          1997             1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
   Operating expenses                                 $ (6,910)          (4,940)
   Depreciation                                         (7,979)          (2,441)
                                                      --------           ------ 
     Total deferred tax liabilities                    (14,889)          (7,381)
                                                      --------           ------ 

Deferred tax assets:
   Inventory                                             4,828            4,087
   Lease transactions                                   13,007            7,339
   Reversal of estimated accruals                        5,701            3,581
   Restructuring charge                                 26,599           36,465
   Insurance liability                                   2,769            1,711
   Deferred income                                       4,296            3,281
   Other                                                 2,927            2,759
                                                      --------           ------ 
     Total deferred tax assets                          60,127           59,223
                                                      --------           ------ 
       Net deferred tax assets                        $ 45,238           51,842
                                                      ========           ====== 


8. PUBLIC OFFERING OF COMMON STOCK

On October 2, 1995, the Company  completed a public offering of 2,500,000 shares
of common stock which generated proceeds of $88,725 after deducting underwriting
discounts and commissions  and expenses.  The net proceeds were used for general
corporate  purposes,   including  the  financing  of  capital  expenditures  and
inventory purchases in connection with the accelerated expansion of the Barnes &
Noble store operations.

9. STOCK OPTION PLANS

The Company  currently has two incentive  plans under which stock options may be
granted to  officers,  directors  and key  employees  of the  Company - the 1991
Employee  Incentive  Plan (the 1991 Plan) and the 1996  Incentive Plan (the 1996

Plan). The options to purchase common shares generally are issued at fair market
value on the date of the grant,  begin  vesting after one year in 33 1/3% or 25%
increments  per year,  expire ten years from issuance and are  conditioned  upon
continual employment during the vesting period.

Under the 1996 Plan,  approved by the shareholders on May 29, 1996, and the 1991
Plan,  the Company may grant  options to purchase up to 3,000,000  and 2,366,352
shares of common stock, respectively.

In addition to the two incentive plans, the Company has granted stock options to
certain key executives and directors. The vesting terms and contractual lives of
these grants are similar to that of the incentive plans.

The Company applies Accounting  Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for
Stock Issued to  Employees,"  and related  interpretations  for its stock option
grants.  Generally,  compensation  expense is not  recognized  for stock  option
grants.

In  accordance  with the  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation" (SFAS 123), the Company discloses the
pro forma impact of recording  compensation  expense utilizing the Black-Scholes
model.  The  Black-Scholes  option  valuation  model  was  developed  for use in
estimating the fair value of traded  options which have no vesting  restrictions
and are fully  transferable.  In addition,  option  valuation models require the
input of highly  subjective  assumptions  including  the  expected  stock  price
volatility.   Because  the   Company's   stock   options  have   characteristics
significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the
subjective input assumptions can materially  affect the fair value estimate,  in
management's  opinion,  the Black-Scholes  model does not necessarily  provide a
reliable measure of the fair value of its stock options.

Had  compensation  cost for the Company's  stock option  grants been  determined
based on the fair value at the stock  option  grant  dates  consistent  with the
method of SFAS 123, the Company's net earnings and earnings per share for fiscal
1996 and 1995,  would have been reduced by  approximately  $5,305,  or $0.15 per
share, and $1,448, or $0.05 per share, respectively.


                                                                              37
                                                            Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Because the application of the pro forma  disclosure  provisions of SFAS 123 are
required  only to be  applied to grants of options  made by the  Company  during
fiscal 1995 and after, the above pro forma amounts may not be  representative of
the effects of applying SFAS 123 to future years.

The  weighted-average  fair value of the options  granted during fiscal 1996 and

1995 were estimated at $9.32 and $11.97  respectively,  using the  Black-Scholes
option-pricing  model  with  the  following  assumptions:   volatility  of  28%,
risk-free  interest rate of 6.63% in fiscal 1996,  and 6.59% in fiscal 1995, and
an expected life of six years.

A summary of the status of the Company's stock options is presented below:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Weighted-Average
(Shares in thousands)                                   Shares   Exercise Price
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance, January 29, 1994                                3,753         $  16.36
   Granted                                                 308            24.29
   Exercised                                              (219)            7.48
   Forfeited                                               (30)           22.65
                                                         -----                 
Balance, January 28, 1995                                3,812            17.46
   Granted                                                 590            28.62
   Exercised                                              (375)            7.57
   Forfeited                                               (76)           26.22
                                                         -----                 
Balance, January 27, 1996                                3,951            19.90
   Granted                                                 928            29.25
   Exercised                                              (230)            9.90
   Forfeited                                               (78)           29.94
                                                         -----                 
Balance, February 1, 1997                                4,571         $  22.13
                                                         =====                 


Options  exercisable  as of February  1, 1997,  January 27, 1996 and January 28,
1995 were 3,535,000, 2,260,000 and 1,342,000, respectively.


The following  table  summarizes  information as of February 1, 1997  concerning
outstanding and exercisable options:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Options Outstanding         Options Exercisable
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Weighted
                                     -Average  Weighted                Weighted
     Range of            Number     Remaining  -Average       Number   -Average
     Exercise       Outstanding   Contractual  Exercise  Exercisable   Exercise
      Prices            (000's)          Life     Price      (000's)      Price
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  $ 6.42-$ 7.53            859          6.07     $7.16          859      $7.16
  $20.00-$24.38          1,882          7.36     21.96        1,394      21.13
  $27.00-$34.88          1,830          7.50     29.33        1,136      27.31
                         -----                                -----           
  $ 6.42-$34.88          4,571          7.18     22.13        3,389      19.66
                         =====                                =====           



10. LEASES

The  Company  leases  retail  stores,  warehouse  facilities,  office  space and
equipment. Substantially all of the retail stores are leased under noncancelable
agreements  which expire at various  dates  through  2020 with  various  renewal
options for additional  periods.  The agreements,  which have been classified as
operating leases,  generally provide for both minimum and percentage rentals and
require the Company to pay all  insurance,  taxes and other  maintenance  costs.
Percentage  rentals  are  based on sales  performance  in  excess  of  specified
minimums at various stores.

Rental expense under operating leases are as follows:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year                                      1996         1995         1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum rentals                                $222,700     179,941      143,927
Percentage rentals                                2,750       2,532        3,298
                                               --------     -------      -------
                                               $225,450     182,473      147,225
                                               ========     =======      =======




38
Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Future minimum annual  rentals,  excluding  percentage  rentals,  required under
leases that had initial,  noncancelable lease terms greater than one year, as of
February 1, 1997 are:


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997                                                                  $  235,086
1998                                                                     228,378
1999                                                                     220,565
2000                                                                     210,953
2001                                                                     206,345
After 2001                                                             1,385,078
                                                                      ----------
                                                                      $2,486,405

                                                                      ==========

Future minimum annual rentals for stores  scheduled for closing  pursuant to the
Company's  restructuring plan are included in the preceding table. Future rental
payments  representing  the exit costs associated with these store closings were
included in the Company's  non-cash  restructuring  charge of $123,768  recorded
during fiscal 1995 and,  therefore,  do not represent future operating expenses.
Minimum rental  obligations  may decline in the future,  as the leases for these
stores subject to the  restructuring  plan are  terminated or the  restructuring
plan is otherwise completed.


11. LITIGATION

Various claims and lawsuits arising in the normal course of business are pending
against the Company. The subject matter of these proceedings  primarily includes
commercial  disputes and employment issues. The results of these proceedings are
not expected to have a material  adverse  effect on the  Company's  consolidated
financial position or results of operations.


12. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The Company  leases space for its  executive  offices in  properties  in which a
principal  shareholder/director/executive  officer of the Company has a minority
interest. The space was rented at an aggregate annual rent including real estate
taxes of  approximately  $1,307 in fiscal  year 1996 and  $1,376 in fiscal  year
1995. Such space is rented under leases expiring in 1997 and 1998, respectively.

Marboro Books Corp., the Company's mail-order subsidiary, leases a 76,000 square
foot    office/warehouse    from   a   partnership    in   which   a   principal
shareholder/director/executive  officer  of  the  Company  has a  50%  interest,
pursuant to a 15-year lease dated August 1987 requiring an annual rent of $700.

The Company is provided with certain package shipping services by the LTA Group,
Inc.   ("LTA"),    a   company   in   which   the   brother   of   a   principal
shareholder/director/executive  officer of the Company  acquired a 20%  interest
during  fiscal 1996.  During  fiscal 1996,  the Company paid LTA $9,100 for such
services.

Barnes & Noble  College  Bookstores,  Inc. (B&N  College),  a company owned by a
principal  shareholder/director/executive  officer  of  the  Company,  allocated
certain  expenses it incurred  on behalf of the Company for  salaries,  employee
benefit plan expenses and office support services. These charges are included in
selling and administrative expenses in the accompanying  consolidated statements
of operations and approximated  $115,  $1,219 and $1,368 for fiscal 1996, fiscal
1995 and fiscal 1994, respectively.


                                                                              39
                                                            Barnes & Noble, Inc.






Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Company uses a jet aircraft  owned by B&N College and pays for the costs and
expenses of operating the aircraft  based upon the Company's  usage.  Such costs
which include fuel,  insurance,  personnel and other costs  approximate  $1,685,
$1,298 and $1,384 during fiscal 1996, fiscal 1995 and fiscal 1994, respectively,
and are included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

The Company  leases  retail  space in a building in which B&N College  subleases
space for its executive offices. Occupancy costs allocated by the Company to B&N
College for this space totaled $544 during  fiscal 1996. In connection  with the
space,  during  fiscal 1996 the  Company  reimbursed  B&N College for  leasehold
improvement costs totaling $2,200 which have been recorded as an addition to the
Company's buildings and leasehold improvements in the accompanying  consolidated
balance sheets.

On February 1, 1988 the Company sold its retail software  operations to Software
Etc.   Stores,   Inc.    (Software),    a   company   owned   by   a   principal
shareholder/director/executive  officer of the Company.  Following the sale, the
Company provided  Software certain  management and  administrative  services and
continued   benefits   for   Software's   employees,   subject  to   eligibility
requirements,  through  fiscal 1995.  Software,  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of
NeoStar  Retail Group,  Inc.  (NeoStar)  since December  1994,  operated  retail
software  departments  within the Company's  Barnes & Noble and B. Dalton stores
for  which   Software  was  required  to  pay  the  Company  under  license  fee
arrangements  6.5%  or  7.0%  of  the  department's  gross  sales  or 50% of the
department's  operating earnings,  subject to certain  reimbursements.  Software
also  continued  to  operate  retail  software  stores  for which B.  Dalton was
primarily  liable for rent and other operating costs  associated with leases for
Software  stores devoted  exclusively to the retail  software  business prior to
February 1, 1988.  In  addition,  the Company  subleased  space to Software in a
building under terms which were substantially identical to the obligation of the
Company. On November 27, 1996,  Babbage's Etc. LLC (Babbage's),  a company owned
by a principal  shareholder/director/executive  officer of the Company, acquired
substantially  all of Neostar's  assets.  Babbage's assumed the operations of 14
retail  software  departments  located  within  Barnes  & Noble  stores  and the
remaining 27 stores  devoted  exclusively  to the retail  software  business for
which B. Dalton is primarily liable for rent and operating costs. As of November
27, 1996,  the Company pays all rent  related to these  properties  for which it
receives a license fee from  Babbage's  equal to 7.0% or 8.0% of the gross sales
of such  departments  and stores.  The  Company  also  provides  real estate and
construction  services to  Babbage's  and  purchases  business  insurance on its
behalf for which the Company is reimbursed its incremental costs to provide such
services.  The Company  charged  Software and  Babbage's,  on a combined  basis,
$1,282, $4,992 and $4,924 during fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994,  respectively,  for
such services, license fees, rent, operating costs, insurance costs and benefits
coverage.


40
Barnes & Noble, Inc.





Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

13. SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

A summary of  quarterly  financial  information  for each of the last two fiscal
years is as follows:




- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal 1996 Quarter End                                                                                             Total Fiscal
On or About                                       April 1996        July 1996     October 1996     January 1997(1)          1996(2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              
Revenues                                          $  508,755          524,321          532,563          882,485        2,448,124
Operating profit (loss)                                 (141)           5,622            4,578          109,609          119,668
Earnings (loss) before provision
   (benefit) for income taxes                         (8,485)          (4,547)          (5,014)          99,428           81,382
Net earnings (loss)                                   (5,393)          (2,721)          (2,622)          61,961           51,225
Net earnings (loss) per common share                   (0.16)           (0.08)           (0.08)            1.80             1.48






- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal 1995 Quarter End                                                                                              Total Fiscal
On or About                                       April 1995        July 1995     October 1995      January 1996             1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                              

Revenues                                          $  401,971          420,080          432,315          722,534        1,976,900
Restructuring charge                                    --               --               --            123,768          123,768
Operating profit (loss)                               (1,929)           3,478            2,537          (39,242)         (35,156)
Loss before benefit for income taxes                  (7,979)          (3,597)          (5,148)         (46,574)         (63,298)
Net loss                                              (5,286)          (2,579)          (3,545)         (41,566)         (52,976)
Net loss per common share                              (0.17)           (0.08)           (0.11)           (1.26)           (1.70)


(1)  The fourth quarter of 1996 includes 14 weeks.

(2)  Fiscal 1996 includes 53 weeks.



Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


The Board of Directors
Barnes & Noble, Inc.

   We have  audited the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets of Barnes &
Noble, Inc. and subsidiaries as of February 1, 1997 and January 27, 1996 and the
related consolidated  statements of operations,  changes in shareholders' equity
and cash flows for the fiscal years ended February 1, 1997, January 27, 1996 and
January 28, 1995.  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  generally  accepted  auditing
standards.  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 Barnes &
Noble, Inc. and subsidiaries as of February 1, 1997 and January 27, 1996 and the
results of their  operations  and their cash  flows for the fiscal  years  ended
February 1, 1997,  January 27,  1996,  and January 28, 1995 in  conformity  with
generally accepted accounting principles.


New York, New York
March 11, 1997



                                                             /s/BDO Seidman, LLP


                                                                BDO Seidman, LLP


                                                                              41
                                                            Barnes & Noble, Inc.