Retail Sales at Bookstores Up in April

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Retail sales at U.S. bookstores were up by 1.9 percent in April 2017 compared to April 2016, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. Estimates reflect sales of all types of participating bookstores, including trade, college, religious, chain stores (including superstores), and others.

April 2017 bookstore sales are estimated at $714 million, compared to sales of $701 million for the same period last year.

The Census Bureau reported total retail and food service sales in April 2017 of an estimated $467.8 billion, compared to $452.6 billion in April 2016, an increase of 3.4 percent. 

Period

2016 Final
(Millions of Dollars)

2017
(Millions of Dollars)

% Change
2017 over 2016

January

1,451

1,424

-1.9

February

710

690 

-2.8

March

708

709

0.1

April

701

714 (p)

1.9

YTD

3,570

3,537 (p)

-0.9

(p) Preliminary figure

Note: Estimates reflect sales of all types of participating bookstores, 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.