April Bookstore Sales Continue Downward Slide

April was the third month in a row that retail sales at bookstores failed to keep pace with 2005 results, according to figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. Bookstore sales of $937 million in April were 4.3 percent off the $979 million realized in April 2005.

Overall retail sales continued to outperform bookstore sales. April's overall retail sales of $357 billion were 5.6 percent better than the $338 billion reported in April 2005.

(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.

Notice of Revision: Monthly retail sales were revised based on the results of the 2004 Annual Retail Trade Survey and results from the 2002 Census of Retail Trade. The Annual Revision of Monthly Retail and Food Services showing revised unadjusted and adjusted data was released on March 30, 2006.