September Bookstore Sales Off Slightly

Posted Thursday, Nov 17, 2005

After two months of modest gains, bookstore sales in September took a slight downward turn. Bookstore sales in September were off by 2.9 percent. Year-to-date sales are down 2.3 percent.

Overall retail sales continue to be robust and continue to outperform bookstore sales. Overall retail sales of $342 billion for September 2005 were 7.2 percent ahead of the $319 billion reported in September of 2004.

2004-2005 RETAIL SALES for BOOKSTORES
(unadjusted)

Period

2004 Final
(Millions of Dollars)

2005
(Millions of Dollars)

% Change
2005 over 2004

January

2,070

1,969

(4.9)

February

1,072

1,027

(4.2)

March

1,036

1,038

0.2

April

987

940

(4.8)

May

1,071

1,055

(1.5)

June

1,159

1,084

(6.5)

July

1,128

1,138

0.9

August

2,043

2,079

1.8

September

1,493

1,450 (p)

(2.9)

YTD

12,059

11,780

(2.3)

(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.

Source: Bureau of the Census, Current Retail Trade Branch.

Categories: