Publishers Lunch
The AAP reported monthly sales data for
September and October of 2013, showing modest gains versus a year ago when you
combine the two months. Total sales first showed year-over-year gains in
August, after 9 consecutive months of flat or declining numbers. September
trade sales gained 7.5 percent, up $47.5 million, with increases in nearly all
tracked sub-categories, to $665 million for the month. In part, however, fall
titles shipped earlier in 2013 without the presidential election to steer
around. Which may be why the October numbers show a slight decline, down 1.5
percent (or $11 million) at $664.5 million for the month.
2012's outsized hits had their biggest
impact in the first quarter for Hunger Games, and the spring and summer for
Fifty Shades and the year ended with a quiet holiday season, so it makes sense
that year-over-year comparisons will look better as we get to the end of 2013
data. For the first 9 months of 2013, AAP tabulates total trade sales of $5.254
billion -- down $159 million, or 3 percent. Almost all of the gap comes from
children's sales, down $135 million for the year as reported so far -- though
the category was up almost 10 percent (or $31.5 million) for September and
October combined, so expect to see that gap close more for the year with the
rise of Veronica Roth and the release of the next Hunger Games movie.
Which leaves us with everyone's favorite
data points: ebook sales. For the True Believers, the unprecedented five-month
string of year-over-year declines in APP ebook sales came to an end. Both
September and October ebook sales nudged up slightly -- at $121 million for
September (up $3 million) and another $121 million in October (up $5 million).
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