October Bookstore Sales on a Downward Slide

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October was the fourth month in a row that retail sales at bookstores fell below 2005 levels, according to estimates recently released by the Bureau of the Census. Retail sales at bookstores during October were $1,006 million, 2.3 percent below the $1,030 million figure for October 2005.

The Census Bureau also lowered previously released estimates for September 2006 bookstore sales from $1,497 million to $1,483 million. This puts year-to-date bookstore sales at 1.7 percent below 2005 results.

Overall retail sales of $355 billion for October 2006 were 4.4 percent better than the $340 billion of October 2005.

2005-2006 RETAIL SALES for BOOKSTORES
(unadjusted)

Period

2005 Final
(Millions of Dollars)

2006
(Millions of Dollars)

% Change
2006 over 2005

January

2,053

2,143

4.4

February

1,070

1,052

(1.7)

March

1,082

1,041

(3.8)

April

979

940

(4.0)

May

1,098

1,118

1.8

June

1,129

1,176

4.2

July

1,187

1,077

(9.3)

August

2,167

2,031

(6.3)

September

1,511

1,483

(1.9)

October

1,030

1,006(p)

(2.3)

YTD

13,306

13,067

(1.8)

(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.

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