Facing what he calls Romania’s ‘extremely shameful record’ in literacy and book culture, Bucharest MP Ovidiu Raeţchi is talking up his ‘Pact for Books’ aimed at boosting book sales.
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Świat Książki Closes in on Second Place Among Polish Bookstore Chains
As other companies have done, Świat Książki has gained traction in part by taking over some locations of the distressed Matras chain in Poland’s bookstore marketplace.
Czech Republic’s Children’s Publisher Albatros Media Buys Vyšehrad
Already estimated to hold some 17 percent of the Czech wholesale book market, Albatros Media this spring continues broadening its acquisitions portfolio by buying the country’s oldest publisher, gaining access to the adult nonfiction market in the process.
Poland’s Ebook and Audiobook Subscription Service Legimi Plans IPO for International Expansion
Announcing an IPO on the Warsaw Stock Exchange’s NewConnect index for this year, Poland’s Legimi ebook and audiobook subscription pursues development in Germany, China.
Domestic Fiction Leads Slovakia’s Book Market Growth and Bestseller Lists
In its latest market report, Slovakia’s publishers’ association says the overall book market was worth up to €110 million (US$135.3 million) in 2016. Fiction rose to 27 percent of those sales.
Romancing the Readers in Poland: BookBook and the Bookstore Battles
The shakeout continues in Polish book retail, as the closure of bookstore chain Matras opens chances for competitors BookBook, Mole Mole, and Świat Książki to expand.
Czech Publisher Grada Opens Bookport, an Ebook Subscription Platform
More than a quarter of the roughly 15,000 ebooks available in Czech are on the newly launched Bookport subscription platform, with more titles coming.
Czech Republic Inaugurates a Tax-Deductible Book Allowance for Employees
A new tax law allows Czech companies to offer tax-deductible book vouchers to employees. Publishers are hoping for a boost in book sales and book prices.
Czech Book Market Gains Tempered by Tax Rates, Falling Prices
Czech publishers see gains in 2016’s market performance but are concerned about stubbornly high VAT rates and falling book prices.
Germany’s Klett Applies To Acquire Bulgarian Publishing and Distribution Group
In the latest of its moves amid East-European educational-sector interests, it proposes taking over publishing and distribution assets in Bulgaria.