Sales Mixed in August

Publishers had a mixed sales performance in August, according to the AAP's monthly sales estimates. The religious book segment had the strongest month, with sales ahead 42.9%, an increase that put year-to-date sales up 25.4%. The adult hardcover segment also had another good month, with sales up 13.4%, and sales for the first eight months of the year were ahead 17.1%. The children's hardcover segment continues to struggle in a Potter-less year, with sales off 12.8% in August and 34.9% for the first eight months. Sales in higher education rose 1.3% in the important month of August and were up 2.5% for the year-to-date. Elhi sales were off 2.4% in the month as a 5.1% decline in adoption sales more than offset a solid 23.9% increase in supplemental sales.