Sales at Bookstores Jump Again in June

June retail sales at bookstores were up 3.8 percent, which marks the third consecutive month of increased sales compared to the same period last year, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census.

June 2012 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,040 million, compared to sales of $1,002 million in June 2011.

Total retail and food service sales in June 2012 are estimated at $405.8 billion, compared to $392.9 billion in June 2011, an increase of 3.3 percent.
 

Period

2011 Final
(Millions of Dollars)

2012
(Millions of Dollars)

% Change
2012 over 2011

January

2,039

2,022

-0.8

February

1,035

994

-4

March

958

921

-3.8

April

874

910

4.1

May

1,031

1,092

5.7

June

1,002

1,040 (p)

3.8

YTD

6,939

6,979 (p)

0.6

(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.