Grupo Planeta improved all its great figures in 2021, a rebound that has allowed it to cut debt by 50%, to 250 million euros. The company chaired by José Creuheras thus consolidates the reduction path of recent years, from the more than 1,000 million that it dragged five years ago now. Turnover grew by 13%, to 1,700 million euros, while gross profit (ebitda) stood at 302 million, a rise of 12%. The evolution reads good, but it is still slightly below the pre-pandemic figures. “We are very satisfied. The reduction of the debt speaks of the soundness of the balance sheet and the financial situation of the group”, highlighted the president after the presentation of the finalists of the 2022 Planeta Awards.
With a better position, it is committed to organic growth, but without ruling out investment possibilities if they arise. “We continually take advantage of the situation of strength to invest,” Creuheras said, citing the launch of the Sonora audio platform or the participation in Fever, an entertainment app. “We’re not looking at any big corporate operations,” she warned. The sure thing is to close the year with five new La Casa del Libro centers and another five in 2023. It currently has 53 bookstores.
The audiovisual business –participation in Antena 3, film projects…– is the one that weighs the most in the group, with 49%. It is followed by the publishing business with 26% and the training business with 21-22%. Other businesses account for 3-4%. From this base, this year faces more challenges in an environment of high inflation. Within prudence one is positive. “2021 has been one of the best years in history, we aspire to at least be the same”. The group wants to see how the last stretch of the year goes, since in an environment of such uncertainty “making forecasts is very difficult”. Regarding the possible arrival of a crisis, Creuheras recognized that “we are not going to be oblivious, the circumstances are going to affect us like all sectors. But the resilience of the sector has been shown many times”, focusing on the publishing world. In the audiovisual sector, he sees the same strength since “a great effort has been made to contain costs”. “Next year doesn’t have to be any worse than this one…” he summed up. It trusts above all in the habits of more cultural consumption left by the pandemic.
As for prices, protagonists of 2022, it is ensured that his books have risen below 5% this year and will remain at those figures in 2023. “We have assumed part of the cost increase and we are going to continue doing so” assured the director. Beyond the inflationary challenge, other problems have been left behind. By way of example, the general director of the book area, Jesús Badenes, detailed how they have had to overcome the shortage of paper and the bottlenecks in printing hours. The departure from Italy is also considered over, which has had a minimal impact: there it invoiced about 5 million.
