Bookstore Sales Pick Up in January

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January 2003 retail sales for bookstores showed signs of life after three months of decline. January bookstore sales of $2,253 million improved 3.0 percent over the $2,188 million of January 2002.

Overall retail sales of $280 billion for January 2003 was 5.7 percent better than the $265 billion of the previous year.

January is the 12th month in a row in which bookstore sales failed to keep pace with overall retail sales.

2002-2003 RETAIL SALES for BOOKSTORES (unadjusted)

Period
2002 Final (Millions of Dollars)
2003 (Millions of Dollars)
% Increase 2003 Over 2002
January
2,188
2,2253
3.0
YTD
2,188
2,2253
3.0

(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.

Source: Bureau of the Census, Current Retail Trade Branch.

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