Sales at Bookstores Up in April

Following three months of decline, April retail sales at bookstores increased by 3.8 percent compared to April 2011, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census.

April 2012 bookstore sales are estimated at $907 million, compared to sales of $874 million for the same period last year.

Total retail and food service sales in April are estimated at $399 billion, compared to $385 billion in April 2011, an increase of 3.6 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.