Retail Sales at Bookstores Up in November

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Retail sales at U.S. bookstores were up by 10 percent in November 2018 compared to November 2017, 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 February 13, year-to-date sales among ABA member stores, as reported to the weekly Indie Bestseller Lists, are up nearly two percent over 2018. For 2018, sales increased nearly five percent over 2017 among ABA member stores. 

The Census Bureau reported that November 2018 bookstore sales are estimated at $729 million, compared to sales of $663 million for the same period the previous year. Total retail and food service sales in November 2018 are estimated at $524.5 billion, compared to $499.8 billion in November 2017, an increase of 4.9 percent.

Period

2017 Final
(Millions of Dollars)

2018
(Millions of Dollars)

% Change
2018 over 2017

January

1,346

1,231

-8.5

February

651

669

2.8

March

667

694

4.0

April

689

670

-2.8

May

741

746

0.7

June

664

687

3.5

July

629

661

5.1

August

1,334

1,324 

-0.7

September

957

946

-1.1

October

649

701

8.0

November

663

729 (p)

10.0

YTD

8,990

9,058 (p)

0.8

(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.