Second Career:

A Fruitful Second Career
Peter Genco, bookseller and head cashier
Erie, Pennsylvania

After 27 years in education as a librarian, K-12 teacher, and university adjunct professor, Bookseller Peter Genco loves the fact that bells don’t tell him and everyone else when to do something any more. 

Peter joined Barnes & Noble in September 2006 as a bookseller and head cashier, and has enjoyed every minute since. When Peter first started bookselling, some booksellers would look at him strangely.  Then, they would realize he was helping a customer or selling a Membership in another language. 

A former German teacher, Peter recently started a book discussion group called Deutscher Buchklub.  Participants read the monthly selection in any language, but discuss the book in German.  Peter shared the concept with schools and universities in the area.  Interest began with one regular German-speaking customer, and has grown significantly. 

Peter also enjoys explaining the benefits of Membership to customers. “I don’t feel like I’m selling a Membership,” adds Peter. “I feel like I’m educating customers on the benefits and rewards of the program.  I believe in it and present it in a personalized way based on their transaction, and customers often thank me for explaining it so well to them.” 

Peter’s enthusiasm for our Membership program has helped his store reach its goals. He coaches new booksellers on different approaches to promote Membership, and his personal rate of Membership sales is slightly above six percent of his transactions.

“I love working at Barnes & Noble,” says Peter. “There are so many correlations to my work in libraries over the decades.  Terms from library science come to mind each day.  These skills fit easily into the daily tasks at our store and I’m happy to help our team achieve all that we can do.”