Bookstore Retail Sales Sink in February

Bookstore sales took a precipitous 10.8 percent dive in February 2009 as compared to February 2008, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. February 2009 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,021 million, compared to sales of $1,144 million for the same period last year.

The Census Bureau also adjusted its preliminary estimates of January 2009 figures to $2,297 million from $2,286 million, bringing bookstore sales this past January up by 0.5 percent.

Overall total retail and food service sales also suffered a significant drop in February. Retail sales were $309 billion in February 2009 compared to $348.9 billion in February 2008, a slide of 11.3 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.