September bookstore sales rose 7%, to $1.58 billion, compared to September 2008, according to preliminary estimates from the Census Bureau. For the year to date, bookstore sales have fallen 0.8%, to $12.52 billion. Earlier in the year, bookstores were running ahead of last year, then fell and are now catching up again.
By contrast, total retail sales in September fell 6.3%, to $330.297 billion, compared to the same period a year ago. For the year to date, total retail sales were down 8.9%, to $3,038.135 billion. Bookstores continue to do better than most retailers.
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.
