Retail Bookstore Sales Down in April

April retail sales at bookstores were down by 5.07 percent, compared with April 2009, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. April 2010 bookstore sales are estimated at $917 million, compared with sales of $966 million for the same period last year. This was the first time this year that bookstore sales did not outpace 2009 results.

Total retail and food service sales in April are estimated at $366.3 billion, compared with $334.8 billion in April 2009, an increase of 9.4 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.