Bookstore Sales Fall in November

Posted Thursday, Jan 14, 2010

After a strong September, retail sales at bookstores fell for the second straight month. Bookstore sales decreased by 2.0 percent in November 2009, compared to November 2008, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. November 2009 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,025 million, compared to sales of $1,046 million for the same period last year. October 2009 sales dropped by 1.3 percent, compared to October 2008.

Overall total retail and food service sales increased by 2.5 percent in November. Overall retail sales were $347.2 billion in November 2009, compared to $338.8 billion in November 2008.


Period

2008 Final
(Millions of Dollars)

2009
(Millions of Dollars)

% Change
2009 over 2008

January

2,271

2,233

(1.7)

February

1,139

1,010

(11.3)

March

1,012

998

(1.4)

April

994

962

(3.2)

May

1,141

1,108

(2.9)

June

1,065

1,103

3.6

July

1,115

1,104

(1.0)

August

2,402

2,422

0.8

September

1,476

1,580

7.0

October

1,044

1,030

(1.3)

November

1,046

1,025 (p)

(2.0)

YTD

14,705

14,579 (p)

(0.9)

(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.

Categories: