One part of Barnes & Noble's sales pitch for the Nook has been customer service, with the e-readers primarily sold online and in-store, where often at least one staff member is typically assigned to do nothing but answer questions and demonstrate the e-readers. The company says Radio Shack was chosen as a partner because of the stores' small size and ability to maintain the same level of customer service.

"Just like Barnes & Noble stores, RadioShack's convenient, comfortable, easy-to-shop format means that every customer gets the personal attention they deserve," said Chris Peifer, Vice President, Digital Business Development at Barnes & Noble.

Competition Looms

But the Nook faces stiff competition from the Kindle, which currently accounts for more than half of all e-reader sales, and Sony's Reader. Look for these competitors to be stepping up their holiday game plan soon.

Barnes & Noble and other e-reader manufacturers will also have to deal with something new this year - a flood of new Android tablets.