Kinepolis tix sales drop 6.8%

LONDON -- European multiplex group Kinepolis has introduced a 6.8% drop in ticket sales along with a 4.9% fall in box office for that first six several weeks of 2011. Box office revenue was Pounds 66.8 million ($96.5 million), from admissions of 9.8 million. The Ghent, Belgium-based group, which works 22 movie theaters in Belgium, France, The country, Belgium and Europe, stated the decline was because of a less strong selection of films compared to early 2010, when "Avatar" gave a great boost to admissions. Nevertheless, attendance figures were also lower 2.3% in comparison using the first 1 / 2 of 2009. Kinepolis reviews that admissions and box office have acquired considerably since June, using the summer time blockbuster season increased by wet weather. The group published sales of Euros111 million ($160 million) within the first half, lower 1.2%. But internet profits were up 20.6% to Euros14 million ($20.two million), because of greater efficiency minimizing interest and taxes. The exhib experienced the greatest declines in France and The country, where ticket sales dropped 10%. Admissions fell just by 3% in Belgium, strengthened with a more powerful selection of local movies. Within the first 1 / 2 of 2011, Kinepolis grew to become the very first European exhibitor to begin setting up Barco 4K projectors across its sites. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com