Barnes & Noble Education has released results for the first and second quarters of their 2026 fiscal year, after delays due to an investigation into incorrect reporting. In the first half, ended November 1, sales grew 7.7 percent to $932.6 million, just shy of the expectations the company released in November. Net income and Adjusted EBITDA fell within their expected ranges: Net income was $6.7 million, compared to a loss of $60.8 million the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA was $38.3 million, up 13 percent. Comparable store sales grew 6 percent and First Day programs were up 29 percent. “Building on […]
Waterstones Sales and Loans Grow
Waterstones released its annual report for the fiscal year ended May 3, 2025. Sales at the UK chain were up 7 percent to £566 million. Operating profit before exceptional items grew 9 percent to £49.7 million, “through the successful implementation of margin improvement strategies particularly within the online brands, and effective cost control helping to mitigate legislative payroll increases.” The company also opened seven new stores during the year. “Waterstones sales continue to grow year on year with strong performances across geographical areas, product categories and sales channels as it benefits from the enduring popularity of both reading and physical […]
People 1/21
Imprints: Wildthorn Books, akaSTORY
Tor Publishing Group and Tor UK will launch a new imprint, Wildthorn Books, which “will focus on commercial stories that are irresistible, genre-blending and genre-bending.” The first list will release in winter 2027 and the US and UK companies will share top authors. “Wildthorn’s mission is to become the destination for compulsive, page-turning reads,” a release states. “Categories will include commercial and upmarket women’s fiction, suspense, paranormal mystery, magical realism, speculative non-fiction, and historical fantasy. The imprint will be headed by president and publisher Devi Pillai and vp, editorial director Monique Patterson, who launched Bramble together in 2023. Senior editor Susan […]
Obituary: Georges Borchardt
Literary agent Georges Borchardt, 97, died peacefully at home on January 18. He started his eponymous agency more than 60 years ago to represent French authors for the American market, and it grew to a full service agency representing fiction and nonfiction clients. “To those who worked with him, Georges was more than a legendary agent. He was a mentor, a fierce advocate, and a man of profound integrity and wit. His curiosity never faded, nor did his conviction that serious books matter. The standards he set—for excellence, independence, and loyalty—remain the foundation of our work,” the agency said in […]