Unit sales of print books fell 3% in the week ended January 20 compared to the prior week with declines in adult titles offsetting gains in juvenile books. The total decline in the week was slightly higher than the 2% drop off experienced between similar weeks in 2012. By format, sales in board books posted a solid gain of 13% over the prior week, while unit sales of trade paperbacks were flat. Sales through the retail and club channel fell 3% from the prior week; between Jan. 15 and Jan. 22 last year, units fell 2%. In a year-to-year comparison, retail and club sales were off 1%, and for the year-to-date, unit sales through the channel were off 2%. In the mass merchandisers and others channel, which added Wal-Mart this year, units were down 3% in the week ended January 20 compared to the prior week, compared to a 6% decline in the same two weeks in 2012. But as will be in the case all year, the segment showed big gains in the year to date comparisons in 2012, when Wal-Mart print book sales were not included.

The Weekly Scorecard (Tracking Unit Print Sales)

(in thousands)
UNITS WEEK 1/20/13 %CHGE WEEK 1/13/13 % Chge WEEK 1/15/12– 1/22/12 %YTD
Total 11,118 -3% -2% 5
Retail & Club 9,458 -3 -2 -2
Mass Merch./Others 1,660 -3 -6 66
Category
Adult Nonfiction 5,113 -1% -3% -3
Adult Fiction 2,629 -11 -6 22
Juvenile Fiction 621 9 6 16
Juvenile Nonfiction 2,178 7 2 2
Format
Hardcover 2,719 -4% -4% 2
Mass Market Paperback 1,375 -8 -1 18
Trade Paperback 6,266 0 -1 2
Board Books 308 13 4 4
Audio 83 -4 4 5

Category segment excludes “other,” which includes audio, maps, calendars, and other miscellaneous categories. Format excludes calendars, boxed sets, and other formats (i.e., maps, minibooks).

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.