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Indies turn to supermarkets over Potter

17.07.07 Graeme Neill

More than half of UK independent bookshops will resort to purchasing copies of the new Harry Potter novel from supermarkets and other discount outlets, a survey has claimed. The poll of 60 indies by web portal Localbookshops.co.uk found that many planned to stock up on Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows from supermarkets and other discount outlets, where they will be able to buy it cheaper than from wholesalers.

Chris Conway, managing director of Localbookshops.co.uk, said: "The wider issue is that there must be something fundamentally wrong with an industry that's incapable of maximising returns from a runaway success. HP7 would probably have sold in similar numbers at £25 but, instead, it's marked down as if it were terminal stock. The ongoing effect of such deep discounting is to reduce the perceived value of all books, making it considerably harder to charge realistic prices for any other titles."

Bloomsbury marketing director Minna Fry said: "It is self-evident that most multiple retailers deliberately choose to sell Harry Potter at a significant loss in an attempt to attract customers who will buy their other products, such as a £20 bag of groceries. Loss-leaders were invented by supermarkets and have nothing to do with Bloomsbury Publishing or Harry Potter and we deeply regret being dragged into their price wars."

The Localbookshops.co.uk charge was backed by Conservative MP Charles Walker, who said that the independent sector was being threatened by the aggressive pricing policies of supermarkets. "They do not care about the book or the effects of their pricing strategy on small retailers. It's all about getting people through the door. Unfortunately, the essence of Harry Potter and the magic of the book is lost on some people who are just desperate to make a fast buck."

harry potter Graeme Neill Independents

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