Quercus Books

Quercus Christmas trading update

Quercus Publishing Plc, the award-winning independent publisher in the digital, trade, contract, paperback and children’s sectors, today announces its Christmas trading update.

In keeping with the strategy of expanding the depth and breadth of our fiction, non-fiction and children’s offerings, while maintaining the momentum of Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Trilogy, we are pleased to report that revenue from non-Larsson titles during the key final quarter of 2011 increased by 83% over the comparable period in 2010. Notable titles were The King’s Speech by Peter Conradi, The Mayan Prophecy by Steve Alten, Born Fearless by Phil Campion, The Blackhouse by Peter May and Tiny Sunbirds Far Away by Christie Watson.

The Stieg Larsson franchise performed robustly and while 2010 saw the peak of Millennium Trilogy sales, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl who Played with Fire and The Girl who Kicked the Hornets’ Nest were three of the Top 10 bestselling books in the UK over the course of the year.

We continue to benefit from our significant investments in digital publishing and marketing, website development and social networking. For the year as a whole, Quercus generated approximately 11% of its income from digital revenues, while the growth in ownership of eReading devices over the Christmas period contributed to an increase in eBook sales of 270% in comparison with the previous December.

In addition, the Directors can report that for the full year ended 31 December 2011 trading is anticipated to be in line with market expectations. Net cash at 31 December 2011 was £4.3m.

Mark Smith, Chief Executive of Quercus commented:

“The Directors are pleased with the performance of the Company over the crucial Christmas trading period and are satisfied that the improved quality of our revenue and earnings will continue into the future. The New Year has started positively with Peter May’s The Lewis Man reaching the number 4 spot on the UK Hardback Adult Fiction chart, Christie Watson’s Tiny Sunbirds Far Away winning the Costa Best First Novel Award and A Cold Season by Alison Littlewood being chosen for the Richard and Judy Book Club.”