2023 was a strong year overall for bookstores. According to Swedish Booksellers' Association's survey of 264 bookstores, the result improved from SEK 120 million in 2022 to SEK 151 million last year. To find a stronger result, one has to go back to 2016.
At the same time, the number of employees in the bookstore industry decreased during 2023. Last year, there were 1,454 employees in the surveyed bookstore companies, which is a decrease of 69 positions.
Behind the industry's improved result is primarily Akademibokhandeln. Of the total profit for the country's bookstores, over half, 62 percent, went to Akademibokhandeln.
It was tough, however, for the independent bookstores. The 37 stores included in SvB's survey went a total of minus SEK 3 million. This can be compared to 2022 when the profit for the independent stores totaled SEK 4.6 million.
