Retail Sales at Bookstores Down in January

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version

Retail sales at bookstores were down by 3.7 percent in January 2017 compared to January 2016, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census.

January 2017 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,493 million, compared to sales of $1,550 million for the same period last year.

Total retail and food service sales in January 2017 are estimated at $422.8 billion, compared to $400.9 billion in January 2016, an increase of 5.4 percent.

Period

2016 Final
(Millions of Dollars)

2017
(Millions of Dollars)

% Change
2017 over 2016

January

1,550

1,493 (p)

-3.7

YTD

1,550

1,493 (p)

-3.7

(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.