MAIN NEWS HEADLINES
August 16- August 23, 2007 Edition
U.S. Bookstore
Sales Continue
to Decline
WASHINGTON, DC/8/14/07–Bookstore sales declined in June by 6.6% to $1.13 billion, compared to June 2006 sales of $1.21 billion, according to preliminary estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Year-to-date bookstore sales totaled $7.33 billion, down 4.5% from $7.68 billion in the first six months last year.
In contrast, total retail sales for June gained 4.6% to $343.9 billion, and retail sales were up 3.7% for the year to date. The Census Bureau figures do not include mail-order, home shopping or used book sales. The Census bookstore figures have been declining for several months.
