Booksellers

Lagardere reported financial results for the second quarter, with publishing sales of €726 million, down just under 1 percent as reported and 2 percent on a like-for-like basis, compared to €733 million last year. The difference between the reported and like-for-like comparisons are due to the November acquisition of Sterling Publishing and April acquisition of 999 Games. Looking at the first half of the year, sales were €1.35 billion, up 3 percent as reported and 1 percent like-for-like. The company attributes the sales growth to strong performance in the UK and increased board game sales. Recurring EBIT fell 6 percent […]

Barnes & Noble Education reported results for the third quarter ended January 25, with sales up 2 percent to $466 million due to modest growth in its subscription courseware program First Day Complete. Net income grew to $7.1 million after a loss of $(9.9) million in the same period last year. But the gain is due in large part to a $7.6 million one-time benefit from “the termination of liabilities related to a frozen retirement benefit plan,” according to the company’s SEC filing. Adjusted EBITDA grew 30 percent to $27.4 million due to lower expenses from “cost-savings, productivity initiatives, and […]

Swedish audiobook company Storytel announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2024. Fourth quarter sales were SEK1.028 billion, up 9 percent—the first time the company has exceeded SEK1 billion in a quarter, influenced particularly by strong results in the publishing segment. Operating profit was SEK136 million, up from a loss of SEK(-680) million. EBITDA was SEK223 million, compared to a loss of SEK(-7) million during the same period last year. Streaming sales for the company were up 7 percent to SEK879 million and publishing sales grew 15 percent to SEK332 million. For the year, sales were up […]

WH Smith offered a brief trading update for the 21 weeks ended January 25. Sales for the high street business — which the company is looking to sell — were down 6 percent in the period, or down 3 percent on a “like-for-like” basis at constant currency, “in line with expectations.” They expect to save £11 million in costs for the full year within the segment. The travel business delivered a 7 percent increase in sales, or 6 percent like-for-like. Sales at the company overall rose 3 percent in the period.

Waterstones filed a report for its fiscal year ending April 27, 2024 with the UK’s Companies House, reporting increased sales following the full integration of results from the acquired Blackwells and Foyles into their results. Sales were £528 million, up from £453 million the prior year, and operating profit rebounded to £43.8 million, up from £13.9 million. The previous year they suffered from “disruptions to the distribution center, caused by the implementation of a new warehouse management system.” As of the end of the previous fiscal year, the company was in the process of refinancing a £77.9 million term loan […]