Modest Gain in November Bookstore Sales

Posted Monday, Jan 16, 2006

November 2005 retail sales at bookstores rebounded after a weak performance in October, according to recent estimates from the Bureau of the Census. Figures released this week put November 2005 bookstore sales at $1,065 million, 2.0 percent above November 2004. Year-to-date sales at bookstores are down 2.1 percent compared to the same period last year.

Overall retail sales in November 2005 were $353 billion, up 7.0 percent compared to the previous November.

2004-2005 RETAIL SALES for BOOKSTORES
(unadjusted)

Period

2004 Final
(Millions of Dollars)

2005
(Millions of Dollars)

% Change 2005
over 2004

January

2,070

1,969

(4.9)

February

1,072

1,027

(4.2)

March

1,036

1,038

0.2

April

987

940

(4.8)

May

1,071

1,055

(1.5)

June

1,159

1,084

(6.5)

July

1,128

1,138

0.9

August

2,043

2,079

1.8

September

1,493

1,450

(2.9)

October

1,032

988

(5.1)

November

1,044

1,065(p)

2.0

YTD

14,135

13,833

(2.1)

(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.

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

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