Bookstore Sales Up for Sixth Consecutive Month

For the sixth consecutive month, retail sales at bookstores exceeded last year's results. Preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census reflect an increase in bookstore sales in December 2007 of 2.7 percent as compared to December 2006.

December 2007 bookstore sales are estimated at $ 2,113 million, compared to sales of $2,057 million for the same period last year.

The Census Bureau also adjusted its preliminary estimates of November 2007 figures upward slightly, from $ 1,186 million to $1,187 million, bringing the increase in bookstore sales this November to 7.6 percent. All told, bookstore sales were up by an estimated 1.1 percent during 2007 as compared to 2006.

Overall total retail and food service sales were also up in December. Retail sales were $433.6 billion in December 2007, compared to $422.3 billion in December 2006, an increase of 2.7 percent. For 2007 as a whole, total retail and food service sales were up 4.1 percent over 2006.

(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.