Retail Sales at Bookstores Down in August

August retail sales at bookstores were down by 4.5 percent compared to August 2012, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. Year-to-date sales are down 2.6 percent compared to the same period last year.

August 2013 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,927 million, compared to sales of $2,018 million for the same period last year.

Total retail and food service sales in August are estimated at $443 billion, compared to $423 billion in August 2012, an increase of 4.7 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.