Bookstore Sales Off to a Strong Start

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Bookstore sales surged in January, continuing the strong performance of the previous month. The preliminary January sales figure of $2,252 million eclipsed the $1,771 million performance of January 2001 by a whopping 27.2 percent. This bookstore gain was particularly impressive when compared with the insignificant sales increase for overall retail in January. Overall retail sales of $266 billion for the month were just three percent more than the $258 billion in sales recorded in January 2001.

This was the 24th month in a row that bookstore sales exceeded sales for the previous year.

2001-2002 RETAIL SALES for BOOKSTORES (unadjusted)
Period
2001 Final (Millions of Dollars)
2002 (Millions of Dollars)
% Increase 2002 Over 2001
January
1,771
2,252
27.2
YTD
1,771
2,252
27.2

(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.

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