October Bookstore Sales on a Downward Slide
October was the fourth month in a row that retail sales at bookstores fell below 2005 levels, according to estimates recently released by the Bureau of the Census. Retail sales at bookstores during October were $1,006 million, 2.3 percent below the $1,030 million figure for October 2005.
The Census Bureau also lowered previously released estimates for September 2006 bookstore sales from $1,497 million to $1,483 million. This puts year-to-date bookstore sales at 1.7 percent below 2005 results.
Here is the full listing of January Book Sense Picks, with booksellers' comments, as well as a preview of the month's Notables. Independent booksellers in the Book Sense program will be receiving their January Picks fliers in the December Red Box. (The flier includes jacket images, bibliographic information, and bookseller quotes.)