Retail Sales at Bookstores Up in July

Retail sales at U.S. bookstores were up by 4.9 percent in July 2018 compared to July 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 September 12, the year-to-date sales among ABA member stores, as reported to the weekly Indie Bestseller Lists, are up approximately 5 percent over 2017.

The Census Bureau reported that July 2018 bookstore sales are estimated at $660 million, compared to sales of $629 million for the same period the previous year. Total retail and food service sales in July 2018 are estimated at $509 billion, compared to $477 billion in July 2017, an increase of 6.7 percent.

(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.