Total net book sales October 2019 in the U.S. fell 0.8%, to $1.132 billion, compared to October 2018, representing sales of 1,361 publishers and distributed clients as reported to the Association of American Publishers. For the first 10 months of the year, total net book sales rose 3.6%, to $12.57 billion.
Children's/YA hardcovers and paperbacks had the strongest performance in the month, with net sales up 29.3% and 21.7%, respectively. Adult trade paperbacks were up a more modest 3.2%. But adult hardcovers dipped 4.6% and adult mass markets had one of the worst months in record, falling 38%.
Higher ed also had a disastrous quarter, with net sales down 67.9%. The AAP commented that "year-to-date revenue in this category is down 12.7% to $2.5 billion, attributable in part to an ongoing decline in spending on course materials as students take advantage of new, cost-effective options that publishers have made available, including rental options for both print and digital materials, loose-leaf versions, and creative new distribution models such as Inclusive Access and subscription services." By contrast, sales of K-12 materials were up 10.3%.
Sales by category in October 2019 compared to October 2018:
