Member Area
NEWSLETTERS Christian Retailing Update Religious book sales slide continues
Religious book sales slide continues PDF Print E-mail
User Rating: / 0
PoorBest 
Thursday, 22 October 2009 03:19 PM EDT
Sales of religious books sharply decreased 13.8% in August, continuing a yearlong trend as overall book sales increased by 0.9% to $1.55 billion and were up by 2% for the year, according to The Association of American Publishers (AAP).

The month's sales for religious books were $58 million, with the category's sales down by 9.2% for the year. Sales of religious books have been on the decline, decreasing 9.3%, 22%, 12%, 7.1%, 11.4%, 19% and 9% in July, June, May, April, March, February and January, respectively.

The bright spot in the AAP report was E-book sales, which continued to rise in August, seeing a 189.1% increase for the month to $14.4 million--reflecting an increase of 177.3% for the year.

The Adult Hardcover category was up by 12.3% in August with sales of $110.6 million, but year-to-date sales were down by 12.2%. Adult Paperback sales increased 3.2% for the month--posting $152.7 million in sales, but the category was down 9% for the year.

The Children's/Young Adult Hardcover category decreased by 12.9% for the month--with sales of $84.5 million, but year-to-date sales were up by 14%. The Paperback category for the same age was down by 0.2% in August with sales totaling $69.4 million, but sales rose by 1.7% for the year.

Audiobook sales decreased 12.5% in August--with sales totaling $12.9 million, and the category's year-to-date sales were down by 25.1%.

Click here for more information.

 

Add comment

Please note: While registration is not required to post comments, only registered users can access the advanced feature comment system. To register, click here.
To post a comment without registering, you must provide your "name" and "e-mail."

Under our terms of use, we reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to change, modify or delete your comments at any time without further notice. We also reserve the right to republish your comments in our print publication as a "letter to the editor."


Security code
Refresh

In this current issue:

VeggieTales' 'young Walt Disney'

News image

Find out why VeggieTales' co-creator Mike Nawrocki is like "a...

READ MORE

DaySpring marks day of encouragement

News image

DaySpring retailers are invited to celebrate the National Day of...

READ MORE

Swanson highlighted in virtual show

News image

Swanson Christian Products, which marked its 75th anniversary this year,...

READ MORE

Call for information: November products

News image

Christian Retailing points store buyers to our expansive listing of...

READ MORE

No ‘Christian Retailing Update’ on Monday

The offices of Christian Retailing will be closed Monday, Sept....

READ MORE

Catholic Unity Awards winners announced

News image

Matt Maher and Greg Walton were among the big winners...

READ MORE

Audio version of 'Action Bible' coming

News image

A Bible aimed at people who like pictures has been...

READ MORE

Kerusso urges students to wear their faith

News image

With schools nationwide starting back up, Leading apparel company Kerusso...

READ MORE

'Sweetpea Beauty,' ‘My Paper Heart’ atop SoundScan

News image

The new VeggieTales release Sweetpea Beauty: A Girl After God's...

READ MORE

Read or die!

News image

That is the challenge to fellow Christian retailers from David...

READ MORE

'Miracle of the Widow' in Christian stores

News image

The inspirational drama Miracle of the Widow has been released...

READ MORE

Company's art is ‘eternally inspiring'

News image

Seeking "to inspire and encourage through original art," Suwannee, Ga.-based...

READ MORE
100%
-
+
0
Show options

Featured Video

New Release Listing


a