1 decline in turnover of the sector to 4

What's new at the book fair, which opens its doors this evening, with the Mexico for guest of honor A first observation, in a world in crisis, publishing resists. In 2008, the book market has remained stable in value with a withdrawal limited to 0.5 (excluding book clubs and direct sales), the national Union of the Edition (NIS). The estimation of the GfK research firm is barely more negative since it evaluates 1.1 decline in turnover of the sector, to 4.05 billion euros TTC, and 1.8 decline in volume.

A withdrawal linked to the decline of dictionaries ( 3 according to the NIS) and books of technical and human sciences ( 1) sectors already facing the digital but also works for youth private Harry Potter ( 1.5). The school book merely zero growth. On the other hand, sales of comics jumped 3, and literature grew by 1. In the Top 10 in sales in 2008: the trilogy "Millenium" of Stieg Larsson, "La Consolante" of Anna Gavalda, "All these things" of Marc Lévy, "An uncertain place" that it does not say always "The elegance of the Hedgehog" and Fred Vargas... of Muriel Barbery. The French Edition ended better year that she started it. The novels including experienced a beautiful month of December, preferred for Christmas because of a reasonable price. Early 2009 is more "contrasted", said Serge Eyrolles, President of the NIS. The months of January and February were economy turns south in bookstores, or large success in literature. And the profession to be affected by the recession, even if the market resists, increase of 5 in January and 7 in February according to GfK, from the same month of 2008 which had not been good for editing. Adolescents and adults forget the crisis with "Twilight", the series in four volumes of Stephanie Meyer. But not only. All segments of the market is progressing, according to GfK.

Hunting costs

But how long the Edition retains the status of "safe haven" In 2008, sales of Hachette Livre, the French leader, contracted in the hexagon in literature and education. According to several sources, Editis, the number two, would have completed the exercise less well than expected. While publishers fear a deterioration of the activity in 2009, the time is strictly speaking. Spanish Planeta, which acquired last spring the mother house Robert Laffont, Plon, 10/18, Nathan, etc. The high price of 1.026 billion euros, just resume directly control its subsidiary to recoup its investment. Hunting costs began. The return of Christian Brégou at the head of the Presidency of the group left the bewildered employees. No filter Planeta intentions. Financial follow carefully the record, speculating on disposals of assets or even, for some, on a resale in the medium term by Planeta in difficulty on its other activities in Spain.

However, in France, only the group La Martinière, the owner of the threshold in prey for several years in financial difficulties, decided to open a window of voluntary departures to cut costs. Gallimard feels, however, well armed to through the crisis. In a very uncertain environment, small fragile houses are of course those who suffer the most.