Retail Sales at Bookstores Up Again in November

November 2012 retail sales at bookstores were up 3.3 percent compared to November 2011, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census.

November 2012 bookstore sales are estimated at $965 million, compared to sales of $934 million in November 2011. This was the second month in a row that retail sales at bookstores outstripped the previous year, and it puts the 2012 year-to-date just off 2011’s results by -0.9 percent.

Total retail and food service sales in November 2012 are estimated at $416 billion, compared to $396 billion in November 2011, an increase of 5 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.