The numbers from comic stores are “holding up really well” in the economic crisis, Diamond Comic Distributors Vice President Sales and Marketing Roger Fletcher told ICv2.  “Diamond's sales are tracking close to last years levels, but down about 3%.” 

“Retailers are trying to be prudent and conservative on inventory,” Fletcher explained.  “That’s led to some sales declines.” 

Fletcher said that the company had been watching the store counts for January very carefully, since that’s a time that can be a “jumping off point” for retailers deciding to close their stores, but had been pleasantly surprised.  Still, store counts are down slightly from a year ago.  “Likewise, our store count is holding up, down about 2.5% from this time last year,” he said.