COLOGNE (dpa-AFX) - The book publisher Bastei Lübbe has grown strongly and exceeded its own expectations. Sales grew by 10.3 percent to 110.3 million euros in the 2023/24 financial year, the Koln-based company announced. The operating result (EBIT) almost doubled to 14 million euros. The management had previously forecast sales of up to 105 million euros and an EBIT of up to 13.5 million euros. The financial year of the listed company runs until the end of March.

Bastei Lübbe has bestselling authors such as Ken Follett ("The Weapons of Light") in its range. Above all, publishing brands in which Bastei Lübbe builds up a strong presence in social media and gives the predominantly female readership the opportunity to interact with the company have picked up - "community imprints" such as Lyx already account for a good third of sales.

The path of active communities, the expansion of the digital business and the focus on popular entertainment have proven to have "sustained performance and unchecked potential", says publishing director Soheil Dastyari. "The current figures are strong evidence of the high performance of our diversified business strategy and our targeted growth opportunities." Bastei Lübbe had 323 employees across the group in the last financial year./wdw/DP/jha