Retail Sales at Bookstores Down in September

Retail sales at U.S. bookstores were down by 2.3 percent in September 2019 compared to September 2018, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. Estimates reflect sales of all types of participating bookstores, including trade, college, religious, chain stores (including superstores), and others.

As of November 13, the year-to-date sales among ABA member stores, as reported to the weekly Indie Bestseller Lists, are up 0.11 percent over 2018. Compound annual growth among ABA member stores is 7.5 percent over the past five years. 

The Census Bureau reported that September 2019 bookstore sales are estimated at $954 million, compared to sales of $976 million for the same period the previous year. Total retail and food service sales in September 2019 are estimated at $499 billion, compared to $481 billion in September 2018, an increase of 3.8 percent.

(p) Preliminary figure

Monthly retail sales were revised on June 25, 2019, based on the results of the 2017 Annual Retail Trade Survey.

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.