Unit sales of print books fell 2% in the week ended March 2, 2014, compared to the similar week in 2013, at outlets that report to Nielsen BookScan. Just like in week eight, the decline in week nine came in the mass merchandiser channel, where sales fell 7% compared to the week ended March 3, 2013. Sales through the retail and club channel were flat. It was a big week for mass market paperback debuts, with six titles taking spots on BookScan’s top-10 adult fiction list. The strong bestseller performance tempered the sales decline, as units of mass market paperbacks fell 11% for the week. Sales of mass market paperbacks were down 12% for the year to date through March 2, 2014, compared to the first two months of 2013. Hardcover units rose 1% in the week and juvenile fiction was up 7%, as both benefitted from a Dr. Seuss promotion that put six different titles in BookScan’s overall top 10 bestsellers in the week.

Unit Sales of Print Books by Channel

Mar. 3, 2013 Mar. 2, 2014 % Chge Week % Chge YTD
Total 11,481 11,306 -2% -3%
Mass Merch./Other 2,780 2,592 -7 -10
Retail & Club 8,720 8,714 0 -2

Unit Sales of Print Books by Category

Mar. 3, 2013 Mar. 2, 2014 % Chge Week % Chge YTD
Adult Nonfiction 4,228 4,164 -1.5% -2%
Adult Fiction 2,909 2,533 -13 -15
Juvenile Nonfiction 794 833 5 5
Juvenile Fiction 3,113 3,328 7 4

Unit Sales of Print Books by Format

Mar. 3, 2013 Mar. 2, 2014 % Chge Week % Chge YTD
Hardcover 3,060 3,089 1% -2%
Trade Paperback 5,884 5,838 -8 -3
Mass Market Paperback 1,708 1,513 -11 -12
Board Books 545 557 2 2
Audio 84 89 6 2

Source: Nielsen BookScan and Publishers Weekly. Nielsen BookScan’s U.S. Consumer Market Panel covers approximately 80% of the print book market and continues to grow.