every B&N I've ever been in was chock full of people (often students, judging by their textbooks) who are taking up seats and tables but don't appear to be buyi

every B&N I've ever been in was chock full of people (often students, judging by their textbooks) who are taking up seats and tables but don't appear to be buying enough (or anything at all). my guess is that providing unmetered, unregulated seating space in a book selling retailer is too often a losing proposition. is that wrong? what am i missing?