Bookstore Sales Increase in September

Buoyed by a strong fall list, including the release of Dan Brown's latest bestseller, retail sales at bookstores continued to significantly outpace overall retail and food service sales in September. Sales at bookstores were up by 7 percent in September 2009 as compared to September 2008, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. September 2009 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,580 million, compared to sales of $1,476 million for the same period last year.

The Census Bureau increased its preliminary estimate of August 2009 figures, from $2,403 million to $2,422 million. The adjustment puts bookstore sales this past August at 0.8 percent above August 2008.

Overall total retail and food service sales were down by 6.3 percent in September. Overall retail sales were $330.3 billion in September 2009 compared to $352.6 billion in September 2008.

(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.