Books-a-Million, the third largest book chain in the U.S. with 212 stores in 20 states, reported sales down 7.5% vs. the year ago period for its most recent quarter, with same store sales down 10.4%.   Among the limited number of bright spots were graphic novels and RPGs. 

American graphic novels were called out as the stronger area, with BAM president Sandy Cochran noting that “the pace of the manga subcategory slowed somewhat.”  Within American graphic novels, tie-ins to Batman and Iron Man were noted as especially strong. 

We interpret the RPG comment, which Cochran made in the conference call, as reflecting good sales on the launch of Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition for the chain. 

BAM sales declined more than Barnes & Noble (see “B&N Sales Decline”), with disproportionately strong sales of Harry Potter in the year ago period at BAM accounting for the greater decline, according to BAM management.