In June, total net book sales in the U.S. fell 1.9%, to $1.45 billion, compared to the same period in 2016, representing sales of 1,204 publishers and distributed clients as reported to the Association of American Publishers. For the first six months of the year, total net book sales rose 3.5%, to $5.7 billion, and trade revenues rose 3%, to $3.27 billion, with gains in both adult books and children's/YA. Print books account for more than 70% of publisher trade book revenues.
In June, the strongest categories were again downloadable audio, up 29.6%, as well as most adult and trade categories, led by adult hardcovers, up 30.8%. E-books in all categories were down 14.9%.
Sales by category in June compared to June 2016:
