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New sales dynamic worries publishers

02.07.07

Publishers are arguing that the Harry Potter phenomenon highlights a new sales dynamic, which is destroying their industry, with a small number of blockbuster titles sold at a heavy discount through supermarkets and online. The Observer reports that while fans are gearing up to uncover what happens in the last Potter book, "high-street retailers and publishers are wrestling their own demons".

"Publishers are worried about the clout of Tesco as well as Waterstone's, which bought rival Ottakar's last year, and how to respond to demand for digital content. 'Our main concern is that shopping habits are changing,' says one senior executive. 'The supermarket offer is concentrated on the bestseller list, which means a limited range of books sell an awful lot more than anything else, usually at half the cover price.'

"The might of the supermarkets and ascendance of Amazon is also making life difficult for booksellers, with high-street sales estimated to be down almost 2 per cent so far this year, though the overall market is in growth. The tough sales climate is supported by Waterstone's decision to retrench, Borders' plans to offload its UK division, as well as problems at Fopp, which has gone into receivership."

Observer

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