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May Bookstore Sales Show Slight Improvement
July 18, 2006
After three months of decline, May 2006 retail sales at bookstores reflected
a small increase over sales in May 2005, according to recently released Census
Bureau estimates. May bookstore sales of $1,111 million were 1.2 percent better
than the $1,098 million reported in May 2005.
Although not a substantial gain, the increase kept bookstore sales for the
year to date just above those for the same period in 2005.
Once again, however, the increase in overall retail sales far outpaced bookstore
sales. Overall retail sales of $380 billion for May 2006 were 9.2 percent better
than the $348 billion of May 2005.
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2005-2006 RETAIL SALES for BOOKSTORES
(unadjusted)
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Period
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2005 Final
(Millions of Dollars)
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2006
(Millions of Dollars)
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% Change
2006 over 2005
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January
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2,053
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2,143
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4.4
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February
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1,070
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1,052
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(1.7)
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March
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1,082
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1,041
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(3.8)
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April
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979
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940
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(4.0)
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May
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1,098
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1,111(p)
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1.2
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YTD
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6,282
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6,287
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0.08
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(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.
Notice of Revision: Monthly retail sales were
revised based on the results of the 2004 Annual Retail Trade Survey and results
from the 2002 Census of Retail Trade. The Annual Revision of Monthly Retail
and Food Services showing revised unadjusted and adjusted data was released
on March 30, 2006.
Topics: Industry Statistics, News - Bookselling,
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