Retail sales at U.S. bookstores were down by 7.3 percent in November 2019 compared to November 2018, according to preliminary figures recently released by the Bureau of the Census. Estimates reflect sales of all types of participating bookstores, including trade, college, religious, chain stores (including superstores), and others.

The Census Bureau reported that November 2019 bookstore sales are estimated at $697 million, compared to sales of $752 million for the same period the previous year. Total retail and food service sales in November 2019 are estimated at $537.6 billion, compared to $522.8 billion in November 2018, an increase of 2.8 percent.

(p) Preliminary figure

Monthly retail sales were revised on June 25, 2019, based on the results of the 2017 Annual Retail Trade Survey.