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September Bookstore Sales Down Slightly
Printer-friendly versionRetail sales at bookstores in September were nearly on a par with the previous September, according to estimates recently released by the Bureau of the Census.
September 2006 bookstore sales were down just 0.9 percent from September 2005. However, it was the third month in a row that bookstore sales failed to equal or exceed last year's results. Year-to-date sales are 1.6 percent below 2005.
Overall retail sales of $352 billion for September 2006 are 4.5 percent above the $337 billion of September 2005.
|
2005-2006 RETAIL SALES for BOOKSTORES |
|
Period |
2005 Final |
2006 |
% Change |
|
January |
2,053 |
2,143 |
4.4 |
|
February |
1,070 |
1,052 |
(1.7) |
|
March |
1,082 |
1,041 |
(3.8) |
|
April |
979 |
940 |
(4.0) |
|
May |
1,098 |
1,118 |
1.8 |
|
June |
1,129 |
1,176 |
4.2 |
|
July |
1,187 |
1,077 |
(9.3) |
|
August |
2,167 |
2,031 |
(6.3) |
|
September |
1,511 |
1,497(p) |
(0.9) |
|
YTD |
12,276 |
12,075 |
(1.6) |
(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.
Notice of Revision: Monthly retail sales were revised based on the results of the 2004 Annual Retail Trade Survey and results from the 2002 Census of Retail Trade. The Annual Revision of Monthly Retail and Food Services showing revised unadjusted and adjusted data was released on March 30, 2006.