Bookstore Sales Continue Slide in April

For the third month in a row, retail sales at bookstores were down. Sales at bookstores decreased by 2.5 percent in April 2009 as compared to April 2008, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. April 2009 bookstore sales are estimated at $969 million, compared to sales of $994 million for the same period last year.

The Census Bureau also adjusted slightly its preliminary estimates of March 2009 figures, to $998 million from $999 million. The adjustment puts bookstore sales this past March down 1.4 percent compared to March 2008.

Overall total retail and food service sales also decreased this April. Retail sales were $336 billion in April 2009 compared to $370.1 billion in April 2008, a drop of 9.2 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.