Total revenue at Books-A-Million fell 1.9% in the first quarter ended May 2, 2015, compared to last year’s first period. Sales fell to $101.8 million, while the net loss was cut to $5.3 million from $5.6 million. During the quarter, comparable store sales fell 0.9% and the retailer had a net addition of one new location after opening three outlets, and closing two.
The decline in revenue was attributed to lower sales of teen titles which were driven, last year, by a number of Veronica Roth and John Green blockbusters. Bad winter weather also had a negative impact on sales.
While the decline in teen sales hurt overall book revenue, CEO Terry Finley said a number of categories posted solid gains in the quarter, including graphic novels, biography (driven in part by books from YouTube stars) and children’s. Adult fiction also had a good quarter as print sales continued to gain back some ground from digital, Finley noted, led by The Girl on the Train. The best growth at BAM, however, came from nonbook areas, led by gifts and general merchandise.
