Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Books / Retail Bookstore Sales
Posted by Paul Constant on Wed, Jan 14, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Down 13% in November.
Preliminary figures from the U.S. Census Bureau show that sales dropped 13% in the month, falling to $1.05 billion. Sales for all of retail were off 10%. For the 11 month period, bookstore sales were flat at $14.8 billion, while sales for the entire retail segment fell 0.7%.
I don't know if I want to know what December's sales were.
Share via
1
I just finished reading Quantico by Greg Bear. Very good bioterror thriller.
Now I'm reading "Blue Blood" by Edward Colon.
I bought my books at Powell's in Oregon -- not the main one, but a smaller store in the SE. I love the style of that store -- book dense, and no frills, just wooden racks of books, and a long cafe with wifi.
They definitely keep the quality high, as my friend brought in a crate of books and they only bought 3 or 4 of them.
Now I'm reading "Blue Blood" by Edward Colon.
I bought my books at Powell's in Oregon -- not the main one, but a smaller store in the SE. I love the style of that store -- book dense, and no frills, just wooden racks of books, and a long cafe with wifi.
They definitely keep the quality high, as my friend brought in a crate of books and they only bought 3 or 4 of them.
2
I bought books in November, even more in December, and I went completely crazy this month -- I think I've bought more than twenty books, from all over -- the UK, Amazon, Alibris, B&N, U Bookstore, Third Place (both of them), Wide World Maps, and Santoro on Greenwood. I'm doing my part. Mrs. Fnarf is perturbed, but as long as the door still closes all the way I think I'm getting away with it.
3
I'm doing my part as well, but we're just a couple-three drops in the ocean. No one reads, and those who do are buying their stuff from Amazon exclusively. Did you notice that Horizon Books on 15th is closing its doors? That's the final death knell for that local chain. And it's not looking pretty for plenty of others.
6
Oh, I spend a lot of money in Horizon. Well, I probably spent ten times as many hours as dollars, but I liked that store. Didn't they have one in the U District many years ago, way up high on the Ave?
Uncouth Buzzard on Greenwood closed a couple of months ago.
I left one off my list -- we came out of Magus with an armload the other day. And the SAM shop as well, I bought something there as well. I'm out of control.
Uncouth Buzzard on Greenwood closed a couple of months ago.
I left one off my list -- we came out of Magus with an armload the other day. And the SAM shop as well, I bought something there as well. I'm out of control.
7
I haven't been doing my part, but I've been reading about five books a week from the library. Have been spending my money on knives (mostly) and guns instead. Oh well.
9
I cleaned out my bookshelves before Christmas and Magus bought 4 milk crates full of novels, history, philosophy, literary essays and comics. ($470!) What are the chances that Fnarf bought one of my books?
11
The University Bookstore has textbooks and their 25% markups to help them get through these slow times. The small independents are screwed.
12
I didn't buy any novels, history, philosophy, literary essays and comics, Gurldoggie. Well, I bought some Thorne Smith, those are novels. The rest was all Australian Aboriginal art. Oh, and Mrs. Fnarf picked up some sweet 1960s insect flashcards.
5280, I'm warning you, I've got poison gas.
5280, I'm warning you, I've got poison gas.
14
The bookstore I work at (Tattered Cover in Denver) laid off a significant number of people and cut back on the hours we're open. 5280, support your local bookstore.
16
Matt, I've been shopping at the Tattered Cover since Joyce opened the original store (little hole-in-the-wall on, I think, Second Avenue). That was a long, long time ago - maybe even before you were born, so don't get all preachy on me.
Fnarf, thanks for the warning. Will make sure I use the Barrett .50 BMG so I can take you out without getting in range. (And yes, I actually do own one. But at 12 pounds, it's not something I'd be in any hurry to tote around for any amount of time.)
Fnarf, thanks for the warning. Will make sure I use the Barrett .50 BMG so I can take you out without getting in range. (And yes, I actually do own one. But at 12 pounds, it's not something I'd be in any hurry to tote around for any amount of time.)
18
Didn't know you were a werewolf. Or is it a vampire? I don't know, I get confused. Yeah, sure, I make my own - that can be arranged. Thanks for the heads-up. (Interesting anecdote: I made up six .45 Colt rounds in silver for my Peacemaker a while back, a la The Lone Ranger. Pretty cool stuff, though they're way to light to be practical for much of anything.)
19
@6: Horizon had another location on Roosevelt that closed about a year ago.
I am sad that things look grim for the one on 15th, but I have got plenty of good stuff thanks to that 50% off sale which has been going on in some form or fashion for over two years.
I am sad that things look grim for the one on 15th, but I have got plenty of good stuff thanks to that 50% off sale which has been going on in some form or fashion for over two years.
20
5280, I'm WAY older than you think, buddy. I wasn't being preachy, just responding to what you wrote. But I think I'll preach now - read for context and you won't make incorrect assumptions.
21
@11 - you obviously haven't been to the U Dist recently - most of the reduced prices is due to that textbook store that opened across the street from the U Bookstore.
Most Commented on Slog
-
WTF? by Dan Savage
-
PETA vs. Thanksgiving by Dan Savage
-
Your Wife Died Alone... by Dan Savage
-
Meanwhile in Vancouver by Dan Savage
-
Is Your Teen Out of Control... And Smoking Hot? by Dan Savage
-
Health at Every Size by Dan Savage
-
Boy-Nerds Offended by Cootie-Ridden "Girl" Movie by Paul Constant
-
The Cost (and Fear) of Dying by Anthony Hecht
-
The Democrats Have 60 Votes in the Senate for Health Care Reform by Jonathan Golob
-
SL Letter of the Day: Hot For Twinks by Dan Savage
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
Comments (21) RSS