Retail Sales at Bookstores Down in September

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Retail sales at bookstores were down by 6.5 percent in September 2014 compared to September 2013, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census.

September 2014 bookstore sales are estimated at $1,072 million, compared to sales of $1,146 million for the same period last year.

Total retail and food service sales in September are estimated at $425.1 billion, compared to $401.4 billion in September 2013, an increase of 5.9 percent.

Period

2013 Final
(Millions of Dollars)

2014
(Millions of Dollars)

% Change
2014 over 2013

January

1,712

1,503

-12.2

February

774

732

-5.4

March

739

683

-7.6

April

693

684

-1.3

May

859

794

-7.6

June

760

702

-7.6

July

745

708

-5.0

August

1,629

 1,688

+3.6

September

1,146

1,072(p)

-6.5

YTD

9,057

8,566(p)

-5.4

(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.