ABCs: Quality Sundays bounce back from slow summer

Sales of the Observer rebounded sharply in September, rising by 5.32% to 325,502 compared with August, according to monthly ABC figures released today. The Sunday title's circulation was down by 15.59% year on year, however, as the quality market as a whole fell by 11.09% over a 12-month period. Total average sales in September stood at 2,179,171, down from 2,450,896 in September 2009, but up 1.71% month on month. The Sunday Times rose by 2.4% month on month and the Sunday Telegraph also increased sales slightly, but sales of the Independent on Sunday were down in September compared with August. The Sunday Times sells more than its three quality rivals combined. The Sunday Times Headline circulation: 1,091,869 Month-on-month change: +2.4% Year-on-year change: -9.55% UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 1,033,331 (94.6% of total) Overseas: 53,538 The Sunday Telegraph Headline circulation: 507,860 Month-on-month change: +0.21% Year-on-year change: -15.27% UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 476,404 (93.8% of total) Overseas: 31,456 The Observer Headline circulation: 325,502 Month-on-month change: +5.32% Year-on-year change: -15.59% UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 332,342 (94.2% of total) Overseas: 20,160 The Independent on Sunday Headline circulation: 155,174 Month-on-month change: -0.99% Year-on-year change: -0.80% UK and Ireland paid-for circulation: 74,790 (48.1% of total) Overseas: 27.761 Headline circulation includes lesser rate sales, subscriptions, bulks – copies sold to airlines, rail companies, hotels and gyms for a nominal fee and given free to the public – and distribution in Ireland and overseas. UK and Ireland paid for circulation excludes bulks and overseas distribution • To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email [email protected] or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. • If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".