Retail Sales at Bookstores Fall in April

April retail sales at bookstores fell 5.5 percent compared to April 2012, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census.

April 2013 bookstore sales are estimated at $758 million, compared to sales of $802 million for the same period last year.

Total retail and food service sales in April are estimated at $415 billion, compared to $397 billion in April 2012, an increase of 4.5 percent. The Bureau of the Census has recently revised sales for the first three months of 2012 and 2013.

(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.