• Books: Market SizeThe French market for books has grown by 1.2% on the previous year to reach a value of over €2.4 billion (US$2.8 billion) in 2003.

• Books: Market SectorsThe largest sector in value terms during 2003 was general literature, generating 19% of total sales worth €462 million.

• Books: Share of MarketThe French market is very concentrated at the top end, with Lagardère Media and Editis (formerly Havas) generating together more than 50% of sales in 2003.

• Books: Marketing ActivityPress and radio are the two main channels for book advertising, accounting for 77% of advertising expenditure in 2003.

• Books: Corporate OverviewWhile small specialist publishers are still able to survive in the market, there is a tendency towards greater concentration among generalist publishers.

• Books: Lagardère MediaTurnover for the Lagardère Media fell by 1.9% over 2002 to reach a value of just under €8 billion in 2003.

• Books: EditisEditis emerged from the break-up of the Vivendi Universal group.

• Books: Rcs Media GroupRCS Media Group registered a turnover of €2.2 billion in 2003, an increase of 1% on 2002.

• Books: DistributionRetail distribution was the dominant outlet for sales of books, generating 65% of all retail sales in 2003.

• Books: Consumer ProfileDDespite France's long love affair with the printed word, polls show a worrying trend in consumer literacy.

• Books: Market ForecastsBook sales are forecast to grow by 7.1% by 2008, reaching €2.6 billion.

• Books: Sector ForecastsWith over 19.7% of value sales by 2008, general literature is forecast to remain the most important sector in value terms.