Use the following data (in thousands) for Barnes & Noble, Inc. for the year ending February 2, 2008, to answer the questions below:

Retained earnings, February 3, 2007                       $ 600,404

Retained earnings, February 2, 2008                           696,861

Net cash flows from operating activities                     434,680

Net increase in cash                                                          12,280

Net cash flows used for financing activities              (241,837)

a. Determine the amount of earnings retained in Barnes & Noble for the year ended February 2, 2008.

b. Determine the net cash flows used for investing activities for the year ended February 2, 2008.