“Eiergrat-Komplott”, the new Stinatz thriller by Thomas Stipsits, “Lonely Heart” by Mona Kasten or, currently popular with teenagers, “Heartstopp” by Alice Oseman? Andrea Heumann cited these three books as currently popular reading among Austria’s readers. At a press conference in Linz, where the company is also based, the managing director of the bookstore chain Thalia in Austria presented the figures for the past financial year (as of September 30th): Sales were 115.4 million euros (2019/20: 119, 7 million euros; 2018/19: 126.1 million euros). Thalia generates around 70 percent of its sales with books, the rest with non-book products (decoration, stationery, etc.). Earnings before taxes improve from 8.47 to 8.95 million euros. 764 employees are employed.
In view of the circumstances, Heumann spoke of a good result: “The good business over the summer of 2021 saved sales.” Forecasts for the current financial year are difficult, one will probably close seven percent below plan. “We achieve a large part of the turnover shortly before Christmas,” said Heumann, who was born in Hamburg and took over the management last year. The lockdown in November hurt. The year 2022 started with mandatory 2G controls: “Customer frequency has collapsed.” Depending on the occasion, i.e. before Easter or Mother’s Day, demand is good: Otherwise, the book trade will also feel the effects of the Ukraine war and high inflation : “Customers consider very carefully whether an issue is necessary or not.”
Publishers set the prices
The book trade is also confronted with increased costs, for example for personnel and logistics: the prices for books have hardly increased so far. These are specified by the publishers. “It is good that there is a fixed price for books as a cultural asset. But the prices have to develop accordingly,” says Heumann. Thalia is feeling the effects of the supply chain problems with non-book goods, such as school bags, but also with foreign-language literature.
Services such as store pickup, pick-up stations and online shipping have been well received: the stationary presence is also being expanded. The 38th branch has just opened. The next one will soon be in Imst: Thalia has not yet been present in Tyrol. The long-term goal is for everyone to have a Thalia contact point within 20 kilometers. For example, “islands of books” are currently being tested in three Interspar branches. In addition, the branch in Vienna’s Mariahilfer Strasse is currently being extensively renovated with the aim of becoming “Europe’s most beautiful bookshop”.
Source: Nachrichten
