Retail Bookstore Sales Dip in February

 February retail sales at bookstores were down by 0.7 percent, compared with February 2009, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. February 2010 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,003 million, compared with sales of $1,010 million for the same period last year.

Final January sales were $2,275 million, down 0.09 percent from last month's preliminary estimates and 1.9 percent higher than January 2009.

Total retail and food service sales in February are estimated at $318.0 billion, compared with $304.0 billion in February 2009, an increase of 4.6 percent.

(p) Preliminary figure

Note: Estimates reflect sales at 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.