In 2015 the 28 countries that are members of the EU and EEA (European Economic Area) generated €22.3 billion ($23.36 billion) in total annual sales, according to a new report by the Federation of European Publishers (FEP) issued last week. The number is up slightly from 2014, when total revenue was €22 billion. The sum covers academic/professional, education and consumer trade books.
Germany had the highest overall sales, followed by the U.K, France, Spain and Italy. The report notes that “total market value” is estimated at €36-38 billion, a figure "that represents the value of sales at cover price, including VAT and retailer discount, whereas the net turnover is the turnover of publishers, once VAT and rebates are discounted," said Enrico Turrin, deputy director of FEP Federation of European Publishers.