Bookstore sales in September were $1.562 billion, up 2.7% from $1.521
billion in sales in September 2006, according to preliminary estimates
from the U.S. Census Bureau. For the year to date, bookstore sales have
been $12.365 billion, down 0.3% from $12.406 billion in the first nine
months of 2006. This marks the third month in a row that bookstore
sales were up over the same period last year--and the closest
year-to-date sales have come to last year's comparable figures.
By comparison, total retail sales in September were $322.407 billion,
up 2.6% over September 2006, and sales for the year to date were $2.877
trillion, up 3.6%.
Note: under Census Bureau definitions, bookstore sales are of new books
and do not include "electronic home shopping, mail-order, or direct
sale" or used book sales.