Editis Owner Completes Fnac Darty Takeover
Following approval from the EU Competition Commission last month, Czech investment firm EP Group’s bid from January to increase their stake in France’s biggest bookselling chain Fnac Darty to take over control has now been finalized. EP Group is owned by Daniel Kretinsky, who also owns France’s second largest trade publishing group Editis. Kretinsky said in the announcement, “We see great value in Fnac Darty’s omnichannel, service-oriented model, the strength of its brands and its recognized expertise in retail, as well as its leading positions in France, Italy, Belgium, and Portugal, and its strong and growing presence in Spain and […]
Nigel Newton on the Crises of Publishing
In the latest episode of the Open Book podcast, Bloomsbury ceo Nigel Newton explained that his strength is to “roll up my sleeves and think, oh good, a crisis,” he said. In a conversation with host David Steinberger, Newton, who is currently executive chairman and will step back from the ceo role in two years, explained what the succession plan will look like. “When the new CEO is appointed, I will stay executive chairman for the next three years in order to be available to this or that person in transferring the key relationships of the company over to them […]
Amazon’s Best Books of 2026
Barnes & Noble Book of the Year
Kobo Anticipates Folk Horror, Dystopian, and Tradwife Stories to Grow in 2027
Rakuten Kobo released their report on the books industry trends in 2026, including hockey boyfriends inspired by Heated Rivalry, romance infused with magical realism, and niche reading communities growing instead of “singular viral titles.” “This year, we stopped seeing ‘one book for everyone’ bestsellers and started watching what happens when fans find their people. Whether it’s the absolute obsession with sports romance or a sudden, sharp turn back toward the classics, it’s clear that the old, singular bestseller list is fracturing,” ceo Michael Tamblyn said. “Readers are curating their own reading worlds, and they’re finding them in the most specific, […]