Bumper sales of Irish authors boost Waterstone’s

Bumper sales of books by Marian Keyes, the late Maeve Binchy, Emma Donoghue and chef Jamie Oliver helped propel the Irish arm of booksellerWaterstone’s back to an operating profit last year.

Figures filed with the Companies' Office show that Waterstone’s Booksellers Ireland recorded an operating profit of €302,000 in the 12 months to the end of Apr 30 last.

The operating profit follows what directors describe as “a strong performance in a challenging market”.