Sales at Bookstores Up in January

January retail sales at bookstores increased 5.5 percent compared to January 2012, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census.

January 2013 bookstore sales are estimated at $2,133 million, compared to sales of $2,022 million for the same period last year.

Total retail and food service sales in January are estimated at $382.4 billion, compared to $360.4 billion in January 2012, an increase of 6.1 percent.

January was the fourth consecutive month that bookstore sales outperformed the previous years’ results.

(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.