Waterstones’ 2024-25 Financial Report: 7% Sales Growth & Positive Outlook

Waterstones' 2024-25 financial report reveals a 7% sales increase to £565.6m, with operating revenue up to £49.7m. Growth was broad, boosted by strong fiction and children's items. The company holds a positive outlook for 2026.

Waterstones likewise reported that operating revenue before extraordinary things increased year on year to ₤ 49.7 m (in 2023-34 it was ₤ 45.6 m), as a result of “consistent renovations achieved throughout business, balanced out by boost, notably in employment costs”.

Company Outlook and Gratitude

The business added: “Waterstones has continued to appreciate healthy sales in the present financial year and gets in 2026 with a great deal of positive outlook provided the motivating releasing pipe and continued strong performance throughout business.”

The report included: “We thank our clients for their loyalty, and our booksellers and assistance groups for their commitment and hard work. We appreciate substantially the ongoing assistance of our publishing companions and that of our various other vendors.”

Key Financial Performance

Waterstones has today released its monetary record for the 2024-25 financial year, covering the 53-week period ending third May 2025. The results revealed that annual sales raised by 7% from ₤ 528.4 m to ₤ 565.6 m, contrasted to the previous financial year (52 weeks finishing 27th April 2024).

Waterstones added that sales growth was broad-based across geographical areas, both in shops and online, including that fiction sales were “specifically solid”, driven by 2024 Waterstones Book of the YearButter and the 2024 Booker Prize winnerOrbital, together with continued solid sales in SFF. The firm likewise experienced growth in sales of children’s instructional playthings and stationery.

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