Bookstore Sales in June Continue Downward Slide

Posted Monday, Aug 15, 2005

Continuing a disappointing trend, preliminary census figures put June retail sales at bookstores at $1,159 million, a drop of 6.5 percent compared to June 2004. This is not good news in the wake of disappointing sales in four of the five previous months of 2005. Year-to-date sales are down 3.8 percent.

Overall retail sales continue strong and continue to outperform bookstore sales. Overall retail sales of $360 billion for June 2005 were 10.4 percent ahead of the $326 billion reported in June of 2004.

2004-2005 RETAIL SALES for BOOKSTORES
(unadjusted)

Period

2004 Final
(Millions of Dollars)

2005
(Millions of Dollars)

% Change
2005 over 2004

January

2,070

1,969

(4.9)

February

1,072

1,027

(4.2)

March

1,036

1,038

0.2

April

987

940

(4.8)

May

1,071

1,055

(1.5)

June

1,159

1,084(p)

(6.5)

YTD

7,395

7,113

(3.8)

(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.