Logista Libros strengthens its role as an essential partner to the publishing industry during the back-to-school campaign

The back-to-school campaign is one of the busiest periods of the year for the publishing and education sectors. The concentration of orders, the need to ensure title availability, and the coordination required between publishers, bookshops, retail chains, online platforms and distribution centres turn these weeks into a critical test for the entire supply chain.

In this context, Logista Libros reinforces its role as an essential partner to the publishing industry, providing specialised logistics solutions capable of supporting publishers and retail outlets throughout a campaign defined by planning, traceability, and responsiveness.

The back-to-school season is not simply about moving books. It is about ensuring that each title is available at the right time, through the right channel, and supported by the information necessary for publishers, booksellers and customers to anticipate demand effectively.

Logista Libros provides a comprehensive solution that combines distribution, warehousing, order management, transportation, commercial services, traceability and technological integration, making logistics a key driver of efficiency for the publishing sector. The company also offers value-added services that help optimise processes and facilitate adaptation to an increasingly omnichannel environment.

Daniel Oropesa, General Manager of Logista Libros, said: “The back-to-school campaign is one of the most important periods for the publishing industry and requires thorough planning and outstanding execution capabilities. Our commitment is to provide publishers and booksellers with specialised logistics solutions that allow them to focus on their core activities, with the confidence of having a partner capable of responding reliably, flexibly and efficiently under any circumstances.”

The significance of the campaign is also reflected in publishing market figures. According to the report Domestic Book Trade in Spain 2025, prepared by Conecta for the Federation of Spanish Publishers' Associations, revenue from the Non-University Textbook segment reached €713 million in 2025, representing 22.7% of total publishing industry turnover. This figure highlights the economic importance of textbooks, although it does not fully reflect the operational complexity involved in the campaign.

One of the main sources of this complexity is the fragmentation of demand. The same educational content may exist in multiple versions depending on autonomous region, language, curriculum changes or edition, multiplying the number of references that must be accurately identified, stored and replenished. At the same time, bookshops, retail chains and wholesalers must anticipate purchasing needs while maintaining a delicate balance: underestimating demand leads to shortages, whereas excess stock reduces profitability and creates difficult-to-manage surpluses.

Fast returns and lean inventory management

The report indicates that nearly 10,000 non-university textbook titles were published in 2025, with an average print run of approximately 2,500 copies per title, below the overall average for the publishing sector. While these smaller print runs help control inventory levels, they also increase the risk of stock shortages for specific references during the campaign, when the available time for replenishment becomes increasingly limited.

In this environment, reverse logistics becomes even more important. Returned copies must be received, inspected and reintegrated into inventory quickly so they can be made available again while demand remains active.

Logista Libros notes that its role in the campaign involves a centralised operation that connects publishers, bookshops, specialist retail chains, sales platforms, educational institutions and other distribution points. According to the company, this model reduces the number of intermediaries, accelerates replenishment processes and provides access to a broad catalogue through a single service point, during a period in which availability depends on rapid decision-making and inventory visibility.

The company also states that it acts as the logistics operator and central inventory hub for Casa del Libro’s retail network and online channel. Its operation includes receiving and storing stock, order fulfilment and transportation, returns management, and information systems integration. Centralised inventory management, the company adds, provides up-to-date data at title level and enables a more agile response to demand peaks.

“For families, the campaign begins when they receive the textbook list, but for us it starts many months earlier. We work alongside publishers and retailers to anticipate demand, manage thousands of references, and coordinate inbound receipts, warehousing, order preparation, transportation and returns. Our objective is to ensure that every title, edition and version reaches the right place at the right time, while providing the information required to respond quickly in a campaign where every day counts,” concludes Arturo Álvaro, Commercial Director of Logista Libros.