Soft Bookstore Sales in January

January 2006 retail sales at bookstores failed to equal sales for the previous January, according to estimates recently released by the Bureau of the Census. Although the decline was just .25 percent, it was in sharp contrast to the strong growth in overall retail, which was estimated to be 9.4 percent above January 2005.

January 2006 bookstore sales were $1,964 million, compared to sales of $1,969 million in January 2005. This is the second year in a row that retail sales at bookstores declined in January: January 2005 sales were 4.9 percent lower than the $2,070 million of January 2004.

January 2006 overall retail sales were $327 billion, compared to $299 billion reported in January 2005.

(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.

Source: Bureau of the Census, Current Retail Trade Branch.