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Sharp Drop in March Bookstore Sales
Printer-friendly versionBookstore sales in March turned sharply downward continuing the decline that began in February. March sales of $929 million were 17 percent lower than the $1,126 million realized in March of last year.
Overall retail sales of $306 billion for March 2003 were 3.4 percent ahead of the $296 billion for the previous year.
March is the 14th month in a row in which bookstore sales failed to keep pace with overall retail.
|
Period
|
2002 Final (Millions of Dollars)
|
2003 (Millions of Dollars)
|
% Increase 2003 Over 2002
|
| January |
2,188
|
2,094
|
(4.3)
|
| February |
1,117
|
1,005
|
(10.0)
|
| March |
1,126
|
929 (p)
|
(17.0)
|
| YTD |
4,431
|
4,028
|
(9.0)
|
(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.
Source: Bureau of the Census, Current Retail Trade Branch.