Retail Sales at Bookstores Slip in October

October retail sales at bookstores were down by one percent compared to October 2012, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. Year-to-date sales are down 1.5 percent compared to the same period last year.

October 2013 bookstore sales are estimated at $799 million, compared to sales of $807 million for the same period last year.

Total retail and food service sales in October are estimated at $423 billion, compared to $405 billion in October 2012, an increase of 4.4 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.