Kinepolis sees 30% profit hike

LONDON -- European cinema group Kinepolis reported a 30% rise in profit to 36.5 million ($47.5 million) this year, with sales up 6.one percent to 253.7 million ($329.8 million). The Belgium-based exhibitor, that also works multiplexes in France, The country, Europe and Belgium, drenched 21.3 million admissions this past year, just .3% lower from 2010. But box office revenue was up 2.1% to 149.a million ($193.8 million), because of greater ticket prices. Credits and screen advertising were also up. A Kinepolis statement stated this revenue growth reflected a noticable difference within the customer experience from the purchase of digitization, re-designing its theaters, and enhancing the drink and food available. Growth wasn't uniform over the areas by which Kinepolis works. The The spanish language business experienced from that country's economic worries, with ticket sales falling 7.9% to 4.two million within the group's three sites. Belgian admissions increased 2.8% from 11 sites, while French ticket sales ticked up .5%. Admissions across Europe carried out most powerful within the final quarter of 2011, after lagging considerably behind 2010 within the first nine several weeks of the season. France and Belgium were buoyed by strong local movies, for example "Intouchables" and "Rundskop," as the local connection of "The Adventures of Tintin" and "The Smurfs" also assisted to push individuals films in to the top 5 entertainers for Kinepolis. Despite a bigger quantity of three dimensional releases, total three dimensional ticket sales were lower this year, without any blockbuster to complement the three dimensional success of "Avatar" this year. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com