Industry Statistics

December retail sales at bookstores were down for the third straight month. Bookstore sales decreased by 0.6 percent in December 2009, compared to December 2008, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. December 2009 bookstore sales are estimated at $2,027 million, compared to sales of $2,039 million for the same period last year. Retail sales at bookstores were down 0.8 percent for the year.

For 90 minutes on Thursday morning at the Winter Institute, booksellers zeroed in on the provocative aspects of consumer demographics and book-buying preferences offered by Jack McKeown, industry consultant and director of New Business Development for Verso Digital, as he reviewed the results of Verso's recent "Survey of Book Buying Behavior."

The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) last week published the results of the first of three surveys that examine when, why, how, and where consumers purchase and use e-books and e-readers. Input for the first survey, "Consumer Attitudes Toward E-Book Reading Survey," was gathered from hundreds of book buyers -- including teens -- who also identify themselves as e-book readers. Among the BISG survey's key findings:

After a strong September, retail sales at bookstores fell for the second straight month. Bookstore sales decreased by 2.0 percent in November 2009, compared to November 2008, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. November 2009 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,025 million, compared to sales of $1,046 million for the same period last year. October 2009 sales dropped by 1.3 percent, compared to October 2008.

More holiday shoppers deliberately sought out locally owned businesses this year, according to a national survey of more than 1,800 independent businesses. The survey found that holiday sales for independent retailers were up an average of 2.2 percent. That contrasts with the Commerce Department figures released today, which show that overall retail sales were down 0.3 percent in December and up 1.8 percent in November.

Buoyed by a strong fall list, including the release of Dan Brown's latest bestseller, retail sales at bookstores continued to significantly outpace overall retail and food service sales in September. Sales at bookstores were up by 7 percent in September 2009 as compared to September 2008, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. September 2009 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,580 million, compared to sales of $1,476 million for the same period last year.

Retail sales at bookstores were up by 0.4 percent in August 2009 as compared to August 2008, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. August 2009 bookstore sales are estimated at $2,403 million, compared to sales of $2,402 million for the same period last year. The Census Bureau decreased its preliminary estimate of July 2009 figures, from $1,109 million to $1,104 million. The adjustment puts bookstore sales this past July at 1.0 percent below July 2008.

Retail sales at bookstores were down by 0.5 percent in July 2009 as compared to July 2008, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. July 2009 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,109 million, compared to sales of $1,115 million for the same period last year. The Census Bureau also raised its preliminary estimate of June 2009 figures, from $1,101 million to $1,103 million. The adjustment puts bookstore sales this past June at 3.6 percent above June 2008.

After five down months, retail sales at bookstores took a turn for the better in June. Sales at bookstores increased by 3.4 percent in June 2009 as compared to June 2008, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. June 2009 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,101 million, compared to sales of $1,065 million for the same period last year.

For the fourth month in a row, retail sales at bookstores were down from the previous year. Bookstore sales decreased by three percent in May 2009 as compared to May 2008, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. May 2009 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,107 million, compared to sales of $1,141 million for the same period last year.