For the first time, the Census Bureau's monthly retail sales data reflect public health measures taken to fight the Covid-19 pandemic. In March, as stay-in-place orders took effect and many bookstores had to close, bookstore sales dropped 33.4%, to $391 million, compared to March 2019, according to preliminary estimates from the Bureau. For the year to date, bookstore sales fell 11.1%, to $1.9 billion.
Total retail sales in March dropped 6.6%, to $481.5 billion. For the year to date, total retail sales rose 1.8%, to $1.4 trillion.
Note: under Census Bureau definitions, the bookstore category consists of "establishments primarily engaged in retailing new books." The Bureau also added this unusual caution: "Due to recent events surrounding Covid-19, many businesses are operating on a limited capacity or have ceased operations completely. The Census Bureau has monitored response and data quality and determined estimates in this release meet publication standards."