Retail Sales at Bookstores Up in May

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Retail sales at U.S. bookstores were up by 1.7 percent in May 2017 compared to May 2016, 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.

May 2017 bookstore sales are estimated at $787 million, compared to sales of $774 million for the same period last year.

The Census Bureau reported total retail and food service sales in May 2017 of an estimated $496.9 billion, compared to $471.4 billion in May 2016, an increase of 5.4 percent. 

Period

2016 Final
(Millions of Dollars)

2017
(Millions of Dollars)

% Change
2017 over 2016

January

1,451

1,424

-1.9

February

710

690 

-2.8

March

708

709

0.1

April

701

733

4.6

May

774

787 (p)

1.7

YTD

4,344

4,343 (p)

-0.02

(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.