Bookstore Retail Sales Slump Continues

The retail sales slump at bookstores continued as April 2007 book sales decreased compared to the previous April, according to preliminary estimates released by the Bureau of the Census. In addition, the Bureau adjusted March 2007 figures upward slightly, from $998 million to $999 million, though the end result is that bookstore sales decreased by 6.7 percent this past February, and not 6.8 percent, as preliminary figures indicated.

April 2007 bookstore sales dropped by 6.0 percent as compared to April 2006, from $967 million to $909 million. This was the tenth month in a row that book sales failed to keep pace with the previous years' results.

Overall retail sales, however, were up in April -- retail sales were $365 billion in April 2007 as compared to $354 billion in April 2006, an increase of 3.1 percent, based on preliminary figures.

(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.