Retail Sales at Bookstores Fell in February

By Elizabeth Knapp on Thursday, Apr 19, 2012

February retail sales at bookstores dropped 4.1 percent compared to February 2011, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census.

February 2012 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,008 million, compared to sales of $1,051 million for the same period last year.

Total retail and food service sales in February are estimated at $379 billion, compared to $344 billion in February 2011, an increase of 10 percent.

Final January sales were adjusted downward, a one percent decrease compared to January 2011.
 

Period

2011 Final
(Millions of Dollars)

2012
(Millions of Dollars)

% Change
2012 over 2011

January

2,072

2,055

-1

February

1,051

1,008(p)

-4.1

YTD

3,123

3,063(p)

-1.9

(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.

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