The Akademen acquisition positions Adlibris against international competitors in a market where English-language titles now represent 26% of sales – up from 20% in recent years.
Adlibris, the Nordic region’s largest online bookseller, has appointed Håkan Rudels as its new chairman of the board, replacing Erik Haegerstrand. The move represents internal consolidation within the Bonnier ecosystem: Rudels has served as CEO of Bonnier Books since 2017 and also sits on the board of BookBeat, the group’s audiobook streaming service.
This appointment forms part of broader executive changes at the e-commerce retailer, which saw Ola Toresten installed as permanent chief executive in late 2025. The leadership refresh arrives as Adlibris pursues aggressive territorial expansion beyond its established Swedish market.
Finland Acquisition Marks Omnichannel Ambition
Effective 1 January 2026, Adlibris formally acquired Akateeminen Kirjakauppa Oy (Akademen), Finland’s second-largest bookstore chain. The transaction encompasses four physical stores across Helsinki, Espoo, Turku and Tampere, alongside the established e-commerce platform Akateeminen.com.
The deal strategically bridges Adlibris’s digital infrastructure with Akademen’s bricks-and-mortar presence. Finland’s book market has historically shown resilience, with physical bookshops recording 1.5% growth in 2024 despite broader retail pressures.
Adlibris has signalled long-term commitment to the territory, with plans to appoint a dedicated country manager and extend existing lease agreements .
Strategic Context: The Nordic Omnichannel Play
Adlibris operates 24 physical stores in Sweden, having pivoted towards hybrid retail following pandemic-era customer behavioural shifts. According to Sakari Luovio, Adlibris’s Chief Sales Officer, the group has pursued a “commercial omnichannel strategy where the book is in the very centre”.
Post-pandemic data indicated that remote workers returning to offices sought physical touchpoints near employment hubs, prompting the physical expansion.
The View From The Beach
The Akademen acquisition positions Adlibris against international competitors in a market where English-language titles now represent 26% of sales – up from 20% in recent years.
The move also aligns with Bonnier Books’ broader European consolidation under Rudels’ stewardship, which has seen strategic acquisitions across Germany, Norway, Poland and the UK alongside sustained investment in digital subscription service BookBeat.
This post first appeared in TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
