Retail sales at Bookstores Drop in March

March retail sales at bookstores dropped 3.8 percent compared to March 2011, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census.

March 2012 bookstore sales are estimated at $922 million, compared to sales of $958 million for the same period last year.

Total retail and food service sales in March are estimated at $420 billion, compared to $391 billion in March 2011, an increase of 7 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.