Bookstore Sales Continue to Lag

Continuing the disappointing trend of the first half of this year, preliminary Census Bureau figures put May retail sales at bookstores at $1,056 million, a drop of 1.4 percent compared to May 2004. For the first five months of 2005, sales at bookstores are down 3.3 percent compared to the same period last year.

Overall retail sales are strong and continue to outperform bookstore sales. Overall retail sales of $353 billion for May 2005 were 6.3 percent ahead of the $332 billion reported in May of 2004.

(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.