Retail Sales at Bookstores Down in March

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Retail sales at U.S. bookstores were down by 7 percent in March 2019 compared to March 2018, 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.

As of May 15, the year-to-date sales among ABA member stores, as reported to the weekly Indie Bestseller Lists, are even with 2018.

The Census Bureau reported that March 2019 bookstore sales are estimated at $645 million, compared to sales of $694 million for the same period the previous year. Total retail and food service sales in March 2019 are estimated at $520 billion, compared to $511.6 billion in March 2018, an increase of 1.6 percent.

Period

2018 Final
(Millions of Dollars)

2019
(Millions of Dollars)

% Change
2019 over 2018

January

1,231

1,104

-10.3

February

669

626 

-6.4

March

694 645 (p) -7

YTD

2594

2375 (p)

-8.4

(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.