No Harry Hurts Bookstore Sales

July was the second straight month that retail sales at bookstores failed to keep pace with 2007. Preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census show bookstore sales in July 2008 decreased by 7.4 percent as compared to July 2007. July 2008 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,124 million, compared to sales of $1,213 million for the same period last year.

In July 2007, bookstore sales were boosted by the release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Scholastic) on the 21st of the month.

Overall, bookstore sales are still up by 1.7 percent for the year.

Total retail and food service sales fared better than bookstore sales in July. Retail sales were $391.5 billion in July 2008, compared to $376.3 billion in July 2007, an increase of 4.0 percent.

(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.