Walker's turnover and operating profit soar

Walker Books' turnover soared by more than a fifth last year, up from £59m in 2015 to £72m in 2016, due to “growth in overseas markets”.

The end-of-year accounts for the independent children’s publisher, which includes Candlewick Press in America, Walker Books Australia, the Walker Group Licensing division and Walker Productions, have been posted on Companies House.

The accounts showed that turnover increased by 21.9%, from £59m to £72m, while operating profit increased by more than half (54%) rising from £1.36m in 2015 to £2.1m last year.

A slight dip in gross profit margin - from 39.1% in 2015 to 37.8% in 2016 - was attributed by the directors to a “change in group sales mix”.

Walker's c.e.o. was unavailable for comment.