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Demos Parneros

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Demos Parneros
Personal details
Born (1962-03-10) March 10, 1962 (age 64)
Cyprus
Alma materNew York University
ProfessionBusinessman

Demos Parneros is an American businessman, currently leading CityPark Investments LLC as an advisor and investor in retail and consumer businesses. He was previously the chief executive officer of Barnes & Noble[1] and president of North American retail and online at Staples Inc.[2]

Early life

[edit]

Born in Cyprus, Parneros moved to New York City when he was nine years old. He graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Science degree in management.[3]

Career

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Parneros began his career at Macy's Inc. and then held multiple management positions at Staples before joining Barnes & Noble in November 2016.[4]

Staples

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Parneros joined Staples in 1987 as general manager of its first store in New York City and worked in the company's human resources, marketing, merchandising and store operations divisions.[5] In 2002, Parneros was appointed president of the company's U.S. Superstores and responsibility for over 1,000 locations.[6] In 2012, Parneros was appointed president of Staples North American Stores’ 1,800 locations and the company's online business, Staples.com.[7] Under Parneros, Staples launched its first omnichannel stores, customer kiosks that merged the company's retail and online product offerings.

KeyBank

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Parneros served on the board of KeyBank from 2014 to 2018.[8][9]

Barnes & Noble

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Parneros was appointed chief operating officer of Barnes & Noble in November 2016. In April 2017, he was appointed CEO, with responsibility for all company operations, including brick-and-mortar stores, merchandising, e-Commerce, publishing, IT systems and real estate.[10][11] At the time, Barnes & Noble was searching for effective ways to compete with Amazon and strengthen its retail and digital Nook businesses.[12] While the brick-and-mortar bookstore market stabilized, the company continued to experience sales and revenue declines. As part of Parneros’ turnaround strategy, Barnes & Noble designed and opened smaller store locations and refocused on book sales.[13]

In 2019, the company opened its first five prototype stores, half the size of the traditional stores, to align with its omnichannel sales approach.[14] Parneros was terminated in July 2018 for alleged violation of company policies.[15] Parneros subsequently sued Barnes & Noble for breach of contract and defamation.[16] In October 2020, Barnes & Noble and Parneros agreed to amicably settle the case with all claims dropped.[17]

Office Depot/OfficeMax

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In 2025, Parneros joined the Retail Advisory Board for Office Depot/OfficeMax (an Atlas Holdings Portfolio Company), providing guidance for a nationwide retail network of more than 800 stores and 15,000 associates.[18][19]

Consulting and Investing

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Parneros leads CityPark LLC, an investment and advisory firm focused on retail and consumer businesses.[20] He has invested in and advised early- and growth-stage companies in retail technology, digital commerce, and customer experience, and serves as a board advisor to several portfolio companies.[21] He has also partnered with venture firms, including XRC Ventures and Super Angel Fund, to support startups in these sectors.[22][23]

In addition to his board roles, Parneros advises private equity firms and companies on strategy, due diligence, and operational transformation.[24]

References

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  1. ↑ Trachtenberg, Jeffrey A. (2017-04-27). "Barnes & Noble Names Demos Parneros as Chief Executive". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  2. ↑ Francis, Jack (2014-04-01). "Demos Parneros, President, North American Stores & Online, Staples | OPI – Office Products International". Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  3. ↑ "Barnes & Noble Names Demos Parneros CEO – Alumni – Harvard Business School". www.alumni.hbs.edu. 5 May 2017. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  4. ↑ "2018 Commencement Speakers Announced". Endicott Observer. 20 March 2018. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  5. ↑ "Barnes & Noble Appoints Demos Parneros as Chief Operating Officer". Barnes & Noble Inc. 2016-11-21. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  6. ↑ www.bizjournals.com https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/stories/2002/04/22/daily47.html. Retrieved 2022-02-18. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ↑ Alter, Alexandra (2017-04-27). "Barnes & Noble Names Chief Executive, Its Fourth Since 2013". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  8. ↑ KeyCorp. "KeyCorp Elects Demos Parneros To Board Of Directors". www.prnewswire.com (Press release). Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  9. ↑ Glynn, Matt (19 July 2018). "KeyCorp reaches $450 million cost-save target from First Niagara deal". Buffalo News. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  10. ↑ "Barnes & Noble Appoints Demos Parneros as Chief Operating Officer". Barnes & Noble Inc. 2016-11-21. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  11. ↑ Lindner |, Matt (2017-04-27). "Barnes & Noble promotes Staples veteran Demos Parneros to CEO". Digital Commerce 360. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  12. ↑ Alter, Alexandra (2017-04-27). "Barnes & Noble Names Chief Executive, Its Fourth Since 2013". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  13. ↑ "Facing Growing Losses, Barnes & Noble Is 'Going Small'". Observer. 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  14. ↑ Milliot |, Jim. "B&N Will Open Five Prototype Stores in Fiscal 2019". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  15. ↑ Wang, Christine (2018-07-03). "Barnes & Noble fires CEO Demos Parneros for violating company policies". CNBC. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  16. ↑ Horowitz, Julia (2018-08-28). "Former Barnes & Noble CEO sues over his firing". CNNMoney. Archived from the original on August 29, 2018. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  17. ↑ Andrew Albanese |. "Barnes & Noble, Former CEO Abruptly End Litigation". PublishersWeekly.com. Retrieved 2022-02-18.
  18. ↑ "Business Transformation & Turnaround Leadership". The Official Website of Demos Parneros. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  19. ↑ "Office Depot parent to be acquired by Atlas Holdings for $1 billion". Reuters. 2025-09-22. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  20. ↑ "Demos Parneros". CityPark Investments. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  21. ↑ "Demos Parneros". DataDrivenInvestor. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  22. ↑ "XRC Ventures". XRC Ventures. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  23. ↑ "SuperAngel.Fund". SuperAngel.Fund. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
  24. ↑ "Business Transformation & Turnaround Leadership". The Official Website of Demos Parneros. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
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