Bookstore Sales in August Disappointing

Posted Wednesday, Oct 20, 2004

August is the fifth month in a row in which bookstore sales have trailed last year's figures. August 2004 bookstore sales of $2,079 million were 4.1 percent lower than the $2,167 for August 2003.

In contrast, overall retail sales of $345 billion for August 2004, were 4.5 percent better than the $330 billion reported in August 2003.

Year-to-date bookstore sales, incorporating the negative performance of the past five months, show no gain over the same time period last year.

2003-2004 RETAIL SALES for BOOKSTORES (unadjusted)

Period
2003 Final
(Millions of Dollars)
2004
(Millions of Dollars)
% Increase
2004 Over 2003
January
2,172
2,153
(0.9)
February
1,043
1,144
9.7
March
963
1,067
10.8
April
1,018
1,016
(0.2)
May
1,143
1,097
(4.0)
June
1,222
1,191
(2.5)
July
1,175
1,154
(1.8)
August
2,167
2,079 (p)
(4.1)
YTD
10,903
10,901
(0.0)

(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.

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