Hachette Book Group, the North American branch of Hachette Livre, itself owned by Lagardère Publishing, announced Thursday, November 21, that it had finalized the acquisition of the capital of Sterling Publishing Co. Inc., a major publishing house in the United States . This purchase was made from Barnes & Noble, one of the leading bookstore chains in the country and owner of Sterling editions since 2003.
With a catalog of 13,000 titles and 350 new titles published each year, Sterling Publishing Co. brings together several publishing brands that cover a wide range of editorial segments such as fiction and non-fiction aimed at adults with Union Square & Co, Puzzlewright Press, Sterling Ethos and Spark Notes, children's literature with Union Square Kids and Boxer Books, as well as gift books and stationery with the Knock Knock and Em & Friends brands.
Sterling has also published many recognized authors, some of whom are often featured in the prestigious American daily bestseller rankings. The New-York Times. Among them, Mo Willems, Caroline Chambers, And Pelosi, Melissa Blair, L.S. Stratton or even Dusti Bowling.
Its acquisition in 2003 by Barnes & Noble allowed it to benefit from extensive distribution while enriching its catalog by aligning closely with reader preferences identified directly at these points of sale.
Lagardère Publishing, more present than ever internationally
In a press release Lagardère Publishing welcomes the acquisition of Sterling Publishing and Co., which allows, according to the group, “ to strengthen Hachette Book Group's presence in the United States through the acquisition a portfolio of dynamic and diversified publishing brands, and to consolidate links with Barnes & Noble, a leading bookstore chain in the United States and key partner in this market for Lagardère Publishing “. An unsurprising reaction when we know that two thirds of the group's turnover comes from international sources, 30% of which is split between the United States and Canada.
This expansion therefore seems set to last: in the first half of 2024, Hachette Book Group achieved growth of 8% and retained its place as the fourth general publisher in the United States.
Created in 2006 after Lagardère acquired the Time Warner Book Group from Time Warner, the subsidiary was designed to target the North American market. It brings together more than forty houses specializing in different sectors such as Little, Brown and Company or Perseus Books.
Sterling chez Grand Central Publishing
Led since 2021 by Emily MeehanSterling Publishing Co. therefore joins Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group chaired by Ben Sevier. The current director of Sterling will continue to serve under the direction of the president of Grand Central. Additionally, all Sterling Publishing Co. staff, editorial assets and brands have been transferred to Hachette Book Group.
David Shelleythe CEO of the subsidiary, said to himself “ extremely happy to welcome Sterling Publishing Co Inc to Hachette ». « When we make an acquisition, our goal is to ensure that we can learn a lot from the company and add value to it, particularly in our ability to reach an international audience. “, he says.
