Unit sales of print books slipped 1% in the week ended Mar. 29, 2015, compared to the similar week last year, at outlets that report to Nielsen BookScan. It was the second consecutive week in which units fell 1%, and once again, it was softness in the mass merchandiser channel that was responsible for the drop. The juvenile nonfiction category had an exceptionally strong week, with units up 24%, led by sales of Easter books. The Story of Easter, by Patricia Pringry, sold more than 11,000 copies in the week, putting it in the top spot on the juvenile nonfiction list. Third place was held by Easter Bunny, which sold just over 7,500 copies. Units fell 1% in the juvenile fiction category, compared to week 13 of 2014. Four Easter-related books landed in the top 10, led by Happy Easter Mouse, by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond, which sold more than 12,000 copies. Units slipped by less than 1% in adult nonfiction. Back in the Day Bakery with Love, by Cheryl and Griffith Day, had a sales leap in the week, selling more than 14,000 units, placing it in fourth place on the adult nonfiction list. Despite a number of new titles hitting at the top of the adult fiction chart, units in the category fell 8% in the week, compared to 2014. Harlan Coben’s The Stranger sold just under 34,000 copies in its first week on sale, putting it in second place on the adult fiction list.

Unit Sales of Print Books by Channel

Mar. 30, 2014 Mar. 29, 2015 % Chge Week % Chge YTD
Total 11,130 11,033 -1% 2%
Mass Merch./Other 2,226 2,049 -8 -4
Retail & Club 8,903 8,984 1 3

Unit Sales of Print Books by Category

Mar. 30, 2014 Mar. 29, 2015 % Chge Week % Chge YTD
Adult Nonfiction 4,074 4,046 -0.7% 3%
Adult Fiction 2,514 2,312 -8 1
Juvenile Nonfiction 822 1,019 24 13
Juvenile Fiction 3,295 3,256 -1 0.6

Unit Sales of Print Books by Format

Mar. 30, 2014 Mar. 29, 2015 % Chge Week % Chge YTD
Hardcover 2,829 2,759 -2% 2%
Trade Paperback 6,103 5,993 -2 4
Mass Market Paperback 1,362 1,309 -4 -10
Board Books 555 734 32 19
Audio 105 78 -26 -18