Bookstore Retail Sales Flat in January

Preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census reflect a 0.04 percent increase in bookstore sales in January 2009 as compared to January 2008. January 2009 bookstore sales are estimated at $2,286 million, compared to sales of $2,285 million for the same period last year.

The Census Bureau also adjusted its preliminary estimates of December 2008 figures to $2,052 million from $2,051 million, slightly lowering the decrease in bookstore sales this past December to 4.6 percent.

Overall total retail and food service sales dropped significantly in January. Retail sales were $318.2 billion in January 2009 compared to $347 billion in January 2008, a decrease of 8.3 percent.

(p) Preliminary figure

Note: Estimates reflect sales of all types of participating bookstore, including trade, college, religious, chain stores (including superstores), and others. A bookstore is defined as any retail establishment with sales comprised of more than 50 percent new books and periodicals, and estimates include sales of all products in these stores.