FED: Publishing remains big business

AAP General News (Australia)
04-06-1999
FED: Publishing remains big business

CANBERRA, April 6 AAP - Book publishing remains big business in Australia with total
turnover of more than $1.2 billion in 1997-98, figures released by the Australian Bureau of
Statistics (ABS) reveal.

In a survey of 261 publishing businesses, the ABS found the top 20 publishers achieved book
sales of $717 million while the rest managed sales of $317 million.

Sales of books and other products totalled $1,242 million.

Average turnover per business was $43.8 million for the top 20 and $1.5 million for the
others.

Sales of Australian titles produced substantial income of $623 million across the industry.

The ABS said the top 20 publishers paid $142 million in wages and salaries with an average
workforce of 176.

The other 241 smaller publishers paid $62.5 million in wages and salaries with average
employment of just eight.

AAP mb/mfh/maur

KEYWORD: BOOKS

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.