Industry Statistics and Trends
Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe key trends
COVID-19 caused European book retailers’ revenue to fall.
Bookstore closures during lockdown periods contributed to a huge financial loss financial loss.
Inflation reduces demand for books, newspapers and stationary.
European consumers cut back on discretionary spending, including items like books and stationeries, limiting revenue growth in the industry.
Access all insights and trends with purchase. View purchase options.
Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2011-2029. Includes 5-year outlook.
Access the 5-year outlook with purchase. View purchase options
Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe market size (2019-2024)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 7.7 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €30.6bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Traditional bookstores adapt to pandemic challenges with new strategies
- Book retailers, especially in France and Italy, faced a significant slump in revenue amid the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020. Bookstore closures during lockdown periods contributed to a huge financial loss financial loss.
Access all 9 market size insights and trends with purchase. View purchase options.
Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to decline over the next five years.
The industry continues to face short-term threats owing to ongoing inflationary pressures
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggests that although inflationary pressures are subsiding, returning to pre-pandemic levels in the short term is unlikely. Most European countries won't reach target levels until 2025, and for some, not until 2026.
Access all 5 forward-looking insights and industry data forecasts with purchase. View purchase options.
Revenue
€30.6bn
Employees
289k
Wages
€X.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
Top 5 Countries
- Slovakia +11.8%
- Romania +9.5%
- Lithuania +8.9%
- Austria +7.0%
- Bosnia & Herzegovina +0.2%
Bottom 5 Countries
- Serbia -17.4%
- Ireland -2.1%
- Germany -1.3%
- United Kingdom -1.2%
- Iceland -1.1%
* CAGR values are for the years 2019-2024.
Explore all 37 country performance rankings and data sheets with your membership purchase.
Biggest companies in the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (€m)
2024 | Profit (€m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Lagardère Travel Retail | 7,206.0 | 332.8 | 4.6 | |
Thalia Bücher GmbH | 650.1 | 33.1 | 5.1 | |
Faber-Castell Aktiengesellschaft | 543.5 | 543.5 | 100.0 |
Access statistics and analysis on all 10 companies with purchase. View purchase options.
Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
Access all segmentation data and analysis with purchase. View purchase options.
Top Questions Answered in this Report
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing industry in Europe in 2024?
The market size of the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing industry in Europe is €30.6bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe industry in 2024?
There are 121k businesses in the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.5 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 7.7 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing industry in Europe is expected to decline.
What does the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe include?
Books and Newspapers and magazines are part of the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing industry.
Which countries have the most businesses in the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing industry in Europe?
The European country with the most businesses in the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing industry is Italy.
How competitive is the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing industry in Europe?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Greece
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Romania
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Norway
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Poland
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Ireland
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Estonia
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Iceland
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Spain
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Portugal
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Serbia
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Belgium
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Hungary
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Czechia
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Denmark
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Malta
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Bosnia & Herzegovina
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Luxembourg
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Russia
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Slovakia
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Italy
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Sweden
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Turkey
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Cyprus
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Latvia
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Austria
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in France
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Lithuania
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in the Netherlands
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Finland
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Croatia
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Slovenia
- Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Bulgaria
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
This industry entails specialised retail stores selling books, newspapers and stationery. These items are purchased directly from wholesalers, book publishers, newspaper publishers and stationery manufacturers. Stores that operate solely online are excluded from this industry. E-books and audiobooks are also not included in the industry.
Related Terms
E-COMMERCE E-BOOK SPECIALISED STORESWhat's included in this industry?
BooksNewspapers and magazinesStationeryCompanies
Lagardère Travel RetailThalia Bücher GmbHFaber-Castell AktiengesellschaftIndustry Code
4761 - Retail sale of books, newspapers and stationary in specialized stores in Europe
View up to 10 companies with purchase. View purchase options.
Performance
Key Takeaways
Traditional bookstores adapt to pandemic challenges with new strategies
View more insights with purchase. View purchase options.
Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2024 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Employees in the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Business in the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Profit in the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
E-books are becoming more popular. While printed books remain the industry's primary revenue driver, their domination is being challenged by the increasing popularity of e-books and audiobooks.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Largest Importer
- Smallest Importer
- Total Imports into Europe
- Largest Exporter
- Smallest Exporter
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2024)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2024)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2024)
- IVA (2024)
- Enterprises (2024)
- Employment (2024)
- Exports (2024)
- Imports (2024)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
Concentration remains low in the industry thanks to independent stores. These small shops, offering unique customer experiences and local ties, diversify the market and resist domination by large chains.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2019-2024)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 10 companies by market share:
- Market share (2024)
- Revenue (2024)
- Profit (2024)
- Profit Margin (2024)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for Lagardère Travel Retail
- Countries of operation for Thalia Bücher GmbH
- Countries of operation for Faber-Castell Aktiengesellschaft
- Countries of operation for Weltbild D2C Group GmbH
- Countries of operation for Waterstones Booksellers Ltd
- Countries of operation for Fnac Darty SA
- Countries of operation for WH Smith plc
- Countries of operation for The Works Stores Ltd
- Countries of operation for Heinrich Hugendubel Beteiligungs GmbH & Co. KG
- Countries of operation for Blackwell UK Ltd
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
Book retailers must adhere to regulations safeguarding customer rights. These regulations, centred around the EU's Consumer Rights Directive, standardise consumer rules such as pre-purchase information and order cancellation rights across all EU nations.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Profitability in the industry faces threats from online price slashes and shrinking disposable income. Factors like rising merchandise costs, Amazon's lower pricing because of its reduced operation costs, and declining customer confidence are straining profit margin.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Book, Newspaper & Stationery Retailing in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and boottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2024)
- Business Growth (2024)
- Job Growth (2024)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2024)
- Imports/Demand (2024)
- Exports/Revenue (2024)
- Revenue per Employee (2024)
- Wages/Revenue (2024)
- Employees per Establishment (2024)
- Average Wage (2024)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools.
To learn more about specific data sources used by IBISWorld's analysts globally, including how industry data forecasts are produced, visit our Help Center.
