Troutman Pepper advised Hachette Book Group, a leading U.S. general-interest book publisher, in its purchase of Sterling Publishing Co. Inc. from Barnes & Noble, the largest retail bookseller in the United States. The team advising Hachette Book Group in its largest deal since 2021 was led by Nanette Heide and included Zach Corenblum. A press release about the transaction is available here.
Sterling Publishing was acquired by Barnes & Noble in 2003 and now includes adult imprints Union Square & Co., Puzzlewright Press, Sterling Ethos and Spark Notes, as well the children’s imprints Union Square Kids and Boxer Books; and the gift and stationery publishers Knock Knock and Em & Friends. Hachette Book Group is a leading U.S. general-interest book publisher that includes dozens of esteemed imprints within the publishing groups Basic Books Group, Grand Central Publishing Group, Hachette Audio, Little, Brown and Company, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Orbit, and Workman Running Press Group.