Retail Bookstore Sales Down in June

June retail sales at bookstores dropped for the third consecutive month. June 2010 sales were off by 0.81 percent, compared with June 2009, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. May 2010 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,087 million, compared with sales of $1,116 million for the same period last year.

Total retail and food service sales in June are estimated at $368.6 billion, compared with $349.9 billion in June 2009, an increase of 5.34 percent.

(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.