Retail Sales at Bookstores End the Year Down

December 2013 retail sales at bookstores were down by 0.5 percent compared to December 2012, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. Bookstore sales for December 2013 are estimated at $1,483 million, compared to sales of $1,491 million for December 2012.

For the year, retail sales at bookstores are estimated at $13,194 million, down 1.6 percent compared to 2012.

Total retail and food service sales in December are estimated at $486 billion, compared to $469 billion in December 2012, an increase of 3.6 percent. Total retail sales for 2013 rose 4.2 percent to $5,084 billion.
 

(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.