Hachette Expands Its Portfolio with Union Square & Co. Acquisition

In a major industry move, Hachette Book Group (HBG) has acquired Sterling Publishing from Barnes & Noble, including its flagship imprint Union Square & Co., as well as Union Square Kids, Boxer Books, Puzzlewright Press, Sterling Ethos, and Spark Notes. The acquisition also extends to stationery publishers under Sterling’s umbrella. While the terms of the deal remain undisclosed, the acquisition marks a significant step for both HBG and Sterling.

Leadership and Transition

Union Square & Co. will continue to operate under the leadership of Emily Meehan, who will now report to Ben Sevier, president and publisher of HBG’s Grand Central division. According to HBG, all Sterling Publishing staff, publishing assets, and trademarks will transfer to the company. The publisher, known for its diverse catalog, boasts approximately 14,500 titles in print and ebook formats. HBG will also take over Union Square’s distribution operations.

Statements from Key Players

James Daunt, CEO of Barnes & Noble, expressed confidence in the transition, stating:

“Union Square has been a tremendous success under Emily’s guidance. She and her team have transformed its publishing and, we began to realize, also to outgrow the infrastructure of a bookseller. Union Square will enjoy under Hachette the resources of a great publisher. As booksellers, we look forward to continuing our close relationship with Union Square and to its continued success.”

Hachette CEO David Shelley echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the value Union Square brings to HBG:

“I couldn’t be happier to welcome Sterling Publishing Co. Inc. and Union Square & Co. to Hachette. When we make an acquisition, we want to be sure that we can learn a lot from the company, and that we can add value to them with our ability to reach readers internationally. Both criteria are absolutely met in this case. Union Square is an extremely innovative and dynamic publishing house that has seen great growth in recent years, and I can’t wait to help get their authors’ work to even more readers around the world.”

A Decades-Long History Comes Full Circle

Sterling Publishing has a storied history with Barnes & Noble. The retail giant acquired the company in 2003 for $122.6 million in cash and assumed debt. However, a previous attempt to sell Sterling in 2012 proved unsuccessful. Now, this acquisition by HBG represents a significant evolution for Sterling and its associated imprints, aligning them with one of the most globally recognized publishing groups.

What’s Next for Union Square & Co.?

Under HBG’s ownership, Union Square & Co. is poised for expanded growth and visibility on an international scale. With a proven track record of innovative publishing and a robust backlist, the imprint is expected to thrive with HBG’s extensive resources and distribution network. For Barnes & Noble, the sale allows a sharper focus on its core bookselling business while maintaining a strong retail relationship with Union Square.

This acquisition underscores the importance of adaptability and strategic partnerships in the ever-changing publishing landscape. Readers and authors alike can look forward to exciting developments as Union Square begins its next chapter under Hachette’s banner.