Book retailer Books-A-Million reported that same store sales declined 1.6% during the fourth quarter. With Borders in financial difficulties (see "Credit Crunch Hits Borders"), and net income down 9% for Q4 at Barnes & Noble, the news from Books-A-Million indicates once again that this has become a very tough environment for booksellers.  While overall figures for the big bookselling chains for 2007 aren't too bad, thanks in part to the final volume of the Harry Potter series that debuted last summer, the Q4 declines are worrisome.

Among the bright spots singled out by Books-A-Million President and CEO Sandra B. Cochran was the "impressive growth in the graphic novel category. An abundance of new offerings from publishers and the impact of cable television programming continue to drive sales in this area."