German-speaking bookstores are slipping

In German-speaking Switzerland, bookstores and online stores combined achieved a turnover barely equivalent to that of the previous year in 2024 – while retailers sold less.

Turnover fell by 0.2% in 2024 compared to the previous year, said the Swiss Association of Booksellers and Publishers (SBVV). This is barely better than in 2023, when it fell by 0.7%. Nothing to do with the Covid-19 period, during which bookstores and online stores recorded a clear increase.

In its press release, the SBVV therefore speaks of a lateral movement with a slight downward trend. In 2024, the number of books sold decreased by 1.3% compared to the previous year, indicating higher prices. The SBVV writes in fact that Price increases of 1% on average compensated for the decline in the number of copies.

Several trends observed

These price increases roughly correspond to inflation, according to the SBVV. The association concludes that the book can continue to assert itself well in a “highly fragmented media market”. Christmas sales, essential for the book trade, were better last year than in 2023.

Despite one fewer day of sales, turnover increased by 0.9% over this period. There were fewer travel books and more specialist books under the Christmas trees. These figures, collected as part of the Industry Monitor by GFK market analysts on behalf of the SBVV, are, however, still provisional. The detailed market report with final sales figures for 2024 is due to be released on March 5. (mbr/ats)

The news in Switzerland is here

Most bosses are reluctant to spontaneously increase their employees in Switzerland. Last year, only 34% of employees received more without having to demand it. This is what a survey published Thursday reveals.

A third of employees asked for nothing, and therefore obtained nothing, while 14% had their request for a raise refusedindicates the recruitment firm in a press release. And 11% had to change employers to get better pay.