January Retail Sales at Bookstores Flat

January retail sales at bookstores were nearly flat compared to January 2011, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census.

January 2012 bookstore sales are estimated at $2,070 million, compared to sales of $2,072 million for the same period last year.

Total retail and food service sales in January are estimated at $362.9 billion, compared to $342.1 billion in January 2011, an increase of 6.1 percent.

January’s flat bookstore sales follow a significant, 15.6 percent decrease in December 2011.

(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.