Bookstore sales rose 2.4% in 2003, to $16.18 billion, according to preliminary estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau.
While sales rose in December, the increase was less than expected given the healthy gains reported by the nation's largest bookstore chains. According to the bureau, December bookstore sales rose only 1.5% in December, to $2.04 billion. The December sales figures could move up when they are revised next month. The minimal sales increase in 2003 was still better than 2002, when bookstore sales were virtually flat with 2001.
Sales for the entire retail segment increased 5.6% for the year and were up 7.5% for December.
