Bookstore Sales Continue Slide

Retail sales at bookstores in February 2007 were down as compared to the previous February, according to preliminary estimates recently released by the Bureau of the Census. In addition, the Bureau adjusted both January 2006 and January 2007 figures upward, but the end result was that bookstore sales decreased by 1.4 percent this past January.

February 2007 bookstore sales of $1,012 million were lower than the previous February by 6.5 percent. This was the eighth month in a row that book sales failed to keep pace with the previous years' results.

Overall retail sales, however, were up in February -- retail sales were $328 billion in February 2007 as compared to $316 billion in February 2006, an increase of 3.8 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.