Barnes & Noble Nook reader back in business

Barnes & Noble has resumed sales of its Nook reader tablet

Publisher and bookseller Barnes & Noble has resumed sales of its Nook reader tablet, confirming that the device will be on sale online and at retail locations. Customers who purchase in-store will receive special content online.

The devices will be the first offered by Barnes & Noble since the firm was forced to halt shipments during the Christmas rush. The company said that it is stepping up supply and should have Nook units in stock at most of its stores.

Barnes & Noble also said that it will offer a number of new features, such as exclusive books, recipes and feature articles.

"Demand for the Nook continues to be very high, and we are pleased that our customers will be able to buy in our stores and online," said Barnes & Noble president William Lynch.

"In Barnes & Noble stores, Nook owners will enjoy exciting Nook-only content from their favourite authors and other valuable offers, along with fast and free in-store Wi-Fi, which Nook customers have been accessing in droves over the past few weeks."

The Nook will return to a market poised for a major shift since the company first announced the shortfall. Tech heavyweight Apple is preparing for the roll out of its recently unveiled iPad, while Google is also said to be looking at releasing its own tablet system.