Bokusgruppen AB (publ) Interim Report January–September 2025

Q3 2025

• Net sales increased 6.0% to MSEK 480.1 (452.8)
• The gross margin increased to 46.5% (42.2)
• EBITA improved to MSEK 35.9 (17.5)
• The Group’s net profit amounted to MSEK 13.6 (0.2)
• Earnings per share before dilution amounted to SEK 0.84 (0.01)

January–September 2025

• Net sales increased 10.0% to MSEK 1,394.1 (1,267.4)
• The gross margin increased to 45.1% (41.6)
• EBITA increased to MSEK 40.7 (4.8)
• The Group’s net loss amounted to MSEK -12.5 (-34.8)
• Earnings per share before dilution amounted to SEK -0.77 (-2.16)

Significant events in the quarter

• Successful launch of Akademibokhandeln’s new online shopping platform and website.
• Reopening of Akademibokhandeln’s flagship store on Mäster Samuelsgatan. The new concept allows for an even greater customer experience.
• The Akademibokhandelns Vänner loyalty club was upgraded with the launch of Vänhyllan, providing incentives for increased loyalty.

Comments from the CEO

Our strong performance continued during the quarter with total net sales growth of 6.0%. Akademibokhandeln’s stores made progress and sales of digital books increased. The gross margin increased 4.3 percentage points and, combined with favourable cost control, this yielded a strong earnings performance with a doubled EBITA. We reached an important milestone during the quarter as the new online shopping platform was launched for Akademibokhandeln Online.

It is fantastic to see that Akademibokhandeln’s stores are continuing to perform well. Net sales increased 3.3% during the quarter, driven entirely by organic growth. Akademibokhandeln posted a weaker quarter in terms of online sales, mainly due to the implementation of the new platform in September as measures to boost sales were reduced as a precaution. The Akademibokhandeln segment increased a total of 2.5%.

The Bokus segment posted an increase in net sales of approximately 12.5%, primarily attributable to the addition of BTJ, which was acquired last year. Sales of digital books, including Bokus Play, increased 7.4%.

Focus on stronger margins and cost control continued to positively impact earnings

During the quarter, the gross margin increased 4.3 percentage points as a result of price optimisation in both segments, a new subscription model for Bokus Play and strong margins in BTJ. A larger share of stores in the channel mix also had a positive impact.

Increased gross profit and good cost control resulted in a substantial increase in EBITA, which slightly more than doubled, corresponding to MSEK 18.4. Accumulated for the first three quarters of the year, EBITA was MSEK 35.9 higher than in the preceding year. 

New online shopping platform in place – a major step forward

During the quarter, Akademibokhandeln’s new website and online shopping platform were launched. The successful launch signalled an important milestone in our comprehensive work to modernise our systems to strengthen our competitiveness. The next step will be to adapt the platform for Bokus, with a launch expected in the first half of 2026. The new solutions will enable a better customer experience, increased revenue and better cost efficiency.

An eventful quarter

We can sum up an eventful quarter. Akademibokhandeln launched Vänhyllan, an upgrade of the Akademibokhandelns Vänner loyalty club. Vänhyllan boosts sales and traffic by prioritising our loyal customers even more.

Akademibokhandeln’s largest store, on Mäster Samuelsgatan in Stockholm, was reopened following an extensive renovation. The new concept improves the customer experience and ensures that the store continues to live up to the flagship store epithet.

After the quarter, it was announced that Akademibokhandeln had officially become a Market Awards finalist in the Lek & Nöje (Play and Entertainment) category, where we were awarded the prize last year. This recognition is a testament to our continued strong performance.

Bokusgruppen continues to spread the joy of reading

Akademibokhandeln and Novellix’s short story competition for secondary schools is back for its second straight year. Last year, more than 2,200 students took part in the competition, which is part of Akademibokhandeln’s Vässa Pennan (Sharpen Your Pencils) writing initiative. At the time of writing, the number of participants has already far exceeded this, with over 2,000 school classes registered, corresponding to somewhere between 40,000 and 50,000 students. Inspiring so many young people to write and express themselves is important and feels fantastic.

On 9 October, Bokus organised the En kväll för läsglädje (An Evening for the Joy of Reading) event, where the annual Bokus scholarship was awarded to a student who promotes the joy of reading and writing. The BookToker of the Year award was also handed out for the first time ever in Sweden. BookTok is continuing to promote reading among young people, and BookToker of the Year is a way for Bokus to support this trend.

Outlook

We posted a healthy LTM outcome compared with our financial targets: Sales growth of 9.5%, well above the target of 4%. EBITA of 7.4%, which is approaching our financial target of 8.0%. ROCE of 38.1%, exceeding the target of 35%. 

With this strong performance behind us, we now enter the most important quarter of the year. Preparations for the August Prize, Black Friday and Christmas are well under way.

In addition to the above, all of our shareholders can look forward to the second dividend payment of the year, with SEK 1.80 per share to be paid on 12 November.

Wishing you a wonderful autumn full of reading!

Maria Edsman, CEO

Further information

For more information, please contact Maria Edsman, CEO Bokusgruppen, on +46 76 888 26 10 or Cecilia Helsing, Marketing and Communications Manager Bokusgruppen, on +46 70-574 34 24.  

The Company is listed on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market. The Company’s Certified Adviser is DNB Carnegie Investment Bank AB (publ).

Bokusgruppen AB (publ)
Corp.reg.no.: 559025-8637
Box 2100, 103 13 Stockholm
Lindhagensgatan 126, 5^th floor, 112 51 Stockholm
Tel: +46 10-744 10 00
Email: [email protected]