Bookstore Sales Rise Slightly in August

Posted Wednesday, Oct 14, 2009

Retail sales at bookstores were up by 0.4 percent in August 2009 as compared to August 2008, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. August 2009 bookstore sales are estimated at $2,403 million, compared to sales of $2,402 million for the same period last year.

The Census Bureau decreased its preliminary estimate of July 2009 figures, from $1,109 million to $1,104 million. The adjustment puts bookstore sales this past July at 1.0 percent below July 2008.

Overall total retail and food service sales were down by 6.4 percent in August. Overall retail sales were $360.2 billion in August 2009 compared to $384.8 billion in August 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

2,403 (p)

0.4

YTD

11,139

10,921 (p)

(2.0)

(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: