Retail Sales at Bookstores Fall in October

Following two months of significant increases, October retail sales at bookstores dropped by 6.6 percent compared to October 2010, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census.

October 2011 bookstore sales are estimated at $886 million, compared with sales of $949 million for the same period last year.

Total retail and food service sales in October are estimated at $387 billion, compared with $362 billion in October 2010, an increase of 6.9 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.