Bookstore Sales Up in April

Posted Thursday, Jun 12, 2008

Preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census reflect an increase in bookstore sales in April 2008 of 8.0 percent, compared to April 2007. April 2008 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,000 million, compared to sales of $926 million for the same period last year.

The Census Bureau also adjusted its preliminary estimates of March 2008 figures downward to $1,019 million, meaning that bookstore sales for March 2008 were even with last year's March figures.

Overall total retail and food service sales were also up in April. Preliminary estimates of retail sales were $375.5 billion in April 2008, compared to $362.1 billion in April 2007, an increase of 3.7 percent.

Period

2007 Final
(Millions of Dollars)

2008
(Millions of Dollars)

% Change
2008 over 2007

January

2,195

2,285

4.1

February

1,030

1,144

11.1

March

1,019

1,019

0.0

April

926

1,000 (p)

8.0

YTD

5,170

5,448 (p)

5.4

(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.

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