Helped by a strong finish to the year, bookstore sales rose 1.7% in 2018 over 2017, according to preliminary estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Bookstore sales in 2018 rose to $10.28 billion, up from $10.11 billion in 2017. Bookstore sales received a boost in December when store sales jumped 9.2%, to $1.22 billion, according to the Census Bureau.

Sales for the entire retail segment rose 4.9% in 2018 over 2017.