Consumers shook off high prices at the pump last month as retailers saw positive gains across the board. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retail industry sales for April-excluding automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants-rose 6.9% over last year and increased 0.1% seasonally adjusted over March.

“Thanks in part to a late Easter holiday, consumers were out shopping for a variety of merchandise, including spring apparel,” said NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells. “Although sales in the first half of the year have been stronger than expected, NRF will continue to monitor energy costs and the housing market to determine their impact on spending in the second half.”

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) reported similar numbers for the book retail industry, with sales steady in March for most categories. Religious Books were flat in March ($27.5 million) in March, seeing a 21.9% decrease for the year. Children's/Young Adult Hardcover rose while Adult Hardcover dipped. Net sales were up by 4.8% for the month, and up by 7.5% for the year.

Sales for the Adult Hardcover category declined by 9.6% for March with sales of $81.9 million; sales were down by 10.3% year to-date, according to the AAP's findings. Adult Paperback sales continued to grow with an increase of 18.7% (sales totaled $109.9 million) and increased by 20.8% year to-date. The Adult Mass-Market category remained the same for March with sales totaling $69 million, as well as a 15.1% increase for the year.

In other AAP statistics, the Children's/Young Adult Hardcover category saw a gain of 23.3% in March with sales totaling $41.5 million; sales were down by 7.3% year-to-date as well. The Children's/Young Adult Paperback publishing sales dipped for the month with a decline of 5% (sales totaling $33.5 million) and a 13.5% increase for the year.

Audiobook sales posted a gain of 2.8% in March with sales totaling $13.8 million. This category posted a 3.5% increase for the year. Sales in the Professional and Scholarly category saw a gain of 30.2% for the month, with sales of $53.9 million as well as a 16.7% increase for the year. Higher Education publishing sales saw a 27.7% decline in March with sales totaling $-53.2 million-the AAP said the negative number is due to returns.

According to NRF's report, April retail sales released by the U.S. Commerce Department show that total retail sales-which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants-increased 0.5% seasonally adjusted from March and increased 6.6% unadjusted year-over-year.

Many retailers continued to see strong year-over-year growth, benefiting from a late Easter and favorable weather conditions, the NRF said in a statement. General merchandise stores saw healthy gains, with sales increasing 8.1% unadjusted over last year. Clothing and clothing accessories stores sales were also strong, rising an unyielding 7.2% unadjusted from last April. Health and personal care stores were among the top retail performers with a 6.4% increase and sporting goods, hobby, book & music stores were another bright spot, increasing 6.1% unadjusted from last year.

• Prev
• Next