Retail Sales at Bookstores Drop in July

July retail sales at bookstores were down 4.2 percent compared to July 2010, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census.

July 2011 bookstore sales are estimated at $982 million, compared with sales of $1,025 million for the same period last year.

Total retail and food service sales in July are estimated at $391.8 billion, compared with $368.5 billion in July 2010, an increase of 6.3 percent.
 

(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.