February Sales Take a Downward Turn

February bookstore sales of $1,052 million were down 1.7 percent compared to February 2005, according to estimates recently released by the Bureau of the Census. At the same time, however, the Bureau adjusted January figures upward. As a result, January 2006 retail sales at bookstores were 4.4 percent above those of January 2005. Because of the improvement in January sales, year-to-date bookstore sales are 2.3 percent ahead of the same period for the previous year.

Once again, in February overall retail sales outperformed bookstore sales. Overall retail sales of $318 billion for February 2006 were 7.4 percent ahead of the $296 billion reported in February 2005.

(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.

Notice of Revision: Monthly retail sales were revised based on the results of the 2004 Annual Retail Trade Survey and results from the 2002 Census of Retail Trade. The Annual Revision of Monthly Retail and Food Services showing revised unadjusted and adjusted data was released on March 30, 2006.