Barnes & Noble Inc., whose founder Leonard Riggio plans to offer to buy the bookstore chain’s retail assets, posted a $6.06 million third-quarter net loss as sales slowed for its Nook e-readers and tablets.

The net loss in the quarter ended Jan. 26 was 18 cents a share, compared with profit of $52 million, or 71 cents, a year earlier, the New York-based company said Thursday in a statement.