Reshaping the Book Industry or Back to Basics? (A) The Case of France Loisirs

The Bertelsmann-owned French book club, France Loisirs, has successfully operated a subscription-based business model delivering a remarkably high profit margin. Considering rising economic pressure and a declining member base, the case introduces the club's basic business principles and summarizes strategic options for sustainability and further growth from a top management perspective.

The teaching objectives include:
Understanding subscription-based business rules and their pros and cons
Recognizing profit optimisation options in a hybrid mail-order and shop business model
Defining and formulating strategies to bolster and sustain mid-range growth and profits for a profitable, but seemingly old-fashioned business model