Retail Sales at Bookstores Continue Upward in December

December 2012 retail sales at bookstores were up 2.9 percent compared to December 2011, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census.

December 2012 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,691 million, compared to sales of $1,643 million in November 2011. This was the third month in a row that retail sales at bookstores outpaced 2011 results. Overall sales for 2012 ended just -0.5 percent lower than 2011.

Total retail and food service sales in December 2012 are estimated at $469 billion, compared to $457 billion in November 2011, an increase of 3 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.