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Book sales in France fell by 7% in January, and probably did little better in February, despite having held up reasonably well last year, according to the French trade weekly Livres Hebdo.
The January slump, recorded by the magazine’s indicator Livres Hebdo/1+C, was sharper in the provinces than in Paris and came despite publication of new novels from strong selling authors such as Patrick Modiano, Paul Auster and Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt, and a rise in the number of new titles rose in January after a slowdown at the end of last year.
But it affected all channels of distribution, including distance sales, and was worsened by one fewer opening days this January than a year earlier and persistent cold weather.
Booksellers are hesitant about the prospects for March, when French regional government elections will be held in two rounds. Sales are picking up for some, though. Lo Païs in Draguignan achieved a 13% increase up to March 10th, against drops of 5% in January and 3% in February.