Bookstore Sales Pick Up in September

Posted Monday, Nov 18, 2002

Bookstore sales in September rebounded from the modest decline in August. September sales were 3.2 percent better than September of 2001.

While the improvement in bookstore sales in September was encouraging, the results once again failed to keep pace with overall retail. Overall retail sales of $285 billion for September 2002 were 5.2 percent better than the $271 billion realized in September of 2001.

September is the eighth month in a row in which bookstore sales failed to keep up with overall retail.

2001-2002 RETAIL SALES for BOOKSTORES (unadjusted)

Period
2001 Final (Millions of Dollars)
2002 (Millions of Dollars)
% Increase 2002 Over 2001
January
1,698
2,188
28.9
February
1,163
1,117
(4.0)
March
1,165
1,126
(3.3)
April
1,034
1,043
0.9
May
1,188
1,229
3.5
June
1,201
1,156
(3.7)
July
1,124
1,140
1.4
August
2,035
1,965 (p)
(3.4)
September
1,570
1,620 (p)
3.2
YTD
12,178
12,584
3.3

(p) Preliminary figure

Note: Estimates reflect sales of all types of participating bookstores, 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.

Source: Bureau of the Census, Current Retail Trade Branch.

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