Down Quarter For S&S

Second-quarter sales at Simon & Schuster fell 2.5%, to $181.4 million, while operating income dropped 58.2%, to $6.1 million. S&S said sales in its adult sales group rose, and were flat in children’s. Sales were off in audio, and international and foreign exchange had a negative impact. The decline in earnings was due to higher author royalties, lower licensing and distribution earnings and a $2.2 million charge tied to a reduction in employees. Sales for the first six months of 2009 were down 11.4%, to $343.1 million, while profits fell 76%, to $8.2 million. Following a strong July, S&S was hopeful about the remainder of the year.

Marvel Publishing Flat

Publishing revenue at Marvel Entertainment was flat in the second quarter, slipping from $31.8 million to $31.7 million. Operating income fell 6.8%, to $10.9 million. For the first six months of 2009, sales in the publishing segment fell 1.4%, to $57.5 million, and operating income declined 17.1%, to $17.9 million. The company said it expects the publishing segment to finish 2009 with revenue between $115 million and $120 million; in 2008, sales were $125.4 million.

Sales Up at Indigo

Indigo Books & Music posted a 1.6% sales increase in the first quarter ended June 27, with revenue up to C$193.6 million ($180 million at current exchange rates). Comparable-store sales at the company’s superstores rose 1.4%, while same-store sales at smaller stores increased 0.8%. Sales through its online channel, chapters.indigo.ca, fell 9.1%. Net loss in the quarter was C$2.3 million, up from C$1.2 million.

Borders Adds Toys, Games

Borders has added toys and games to the children’s sections in its superstores. The space for the games and toys came out of areas previously dedicated to music and movies. According to Borders,the toys and games the stores carry have been chosen to help children learn to become readers by “promoting diversity, fostering creativity and helping build cognitive skills.”

New Buyer for Berean

Berean Christian Stores has been acquired in a bankruptcy auction by Joseph and Deanna Gimelli for just under $2 million. The Gimellis were the principals behind Berean Christian Stores Endeavor, the “staking horse” that made an initial bid for the chain. Berean filed for Chapter 11 in June.

New PEN Head

PEN American Center has named Steven L. Isenberg executive director. Isenberg, who’s been a visiting professor at the University of Texas at Austin for the past six years, has held numerous positions in academia, media and government. Isenberg succeeds Michael Roberts, who left in June.

Rodale Signs With NetGalley

Rodale Books has signed on with NetGalley to digitally deliver many of its fall books to reviewers, booksellers, journalists, librarians and bloggers.

Correction

In last week’s Deals column, the item about Thomas Dunne’s purchase of K. Ryer Breese’s novel Soft Power gave the wrong name for the acquiring editor; he is John Schoenfelder.