Retail Sales at Bookstores Up in August

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Retail sales at bookstores were up by 2 percent in August 2016 compared to August 2015, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census.

August 2016 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,665 million, compared to sales of $1,633 million for the same period last year.

For the first eight months of 2016, retail sales at bookstores are up 4.5 percent, reaching $7,853 million compared to $7,512 million for the same period last year.

Total retail and food service sales in August 2016 are estimated at $471.4 billion, compared to $456.3 billion in August 2015, an increase of 3.3 percent.

Period

2015 Final
(Millions of Dollars)

2016
(Millions of Dollars)

% Change
2016 over 2015

January

1,495

1,550

3.7

February

716

767

7.1

March

692

765

10.5

April

690

756

9.6

May

801

834

4.1

June

733

768

4.8

July

752

748

-0.5

August

1,633

1,665 (p)

2.0

YTD

7,512

7,853 (p)

4.5

(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.