Sales in the literature category at Hudson Group fell 5% in 2018 compared to 2017, falling to $166.7 million from $175.6 million in 2017, according to Hudson's recent year-end filing with the SEC. Literature, which is comprised of books, magazines, and newspapers, represented 9% of Hudson's total revenue which totaled $1.92 billion last year. The company operated 1,802 stores, most in airports. Books are sold in about 550 of those outlets, approximately 60 of which are bookstores.
Sara Hinckley, v-p book purchasing, said book sales performed better than the overall literature category and were basically flat with 2017. The top seller at Hudson was The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, followed by Becoming. Hinckley said the big political books sold well last year as did "more escapist fare," especially literary/commercial crossovers such as Less and Crazy Rich Asians.
Hinckley said Hudson remains committed to the book category and is continuing to pursue opportunities to open new airport bookstores with a focus on working with established stores in different cites—such as Tattered Cover in the Denver airport—as well as expanding its INK by Hudson store concept.
