The Bookseller.com

7th September 2008

Brand knocks Guinness off top

11.12.07 Philip Stone

Guinness World Records' reign atop the Official UK Top 50 has been brought to an end after nine consecutive weeks. Stepping into the gap is Russell Brand, whose My Booky Wook (Hodder) shifted 69,699 copies during the week to 8th December to take pole position in the charts.

The period saw sales of Guinness World Records fall by over 9,000 copies week-on-week as stocks of the book start to run dry. However, the 58,219 copies it did sell over seven days last week means its life sales have passed the 500,000 mark. Last year's edition had amassed 382,514 sales by the same period in 2006

A resilient Nigella Lawson came in second place in the charts this week, with her Nigella Express (Chatto) selling over 60,000 units. The same week last year saw Peter Kay top the charts with The Sound of Laughter selling over 96,000 copies for Century.

Overall, the book market continues its struggle to stay ahead of last year with revenue through Nielsen BookScan's Total Consumer Market last week just 1.4% ahead of last year at £64.7m. Through the GRM, a good indicator of high street bookshop performance, revenue is 3.6% (£1.5m) down on 2006. Store owners will be hoping that analysts' predictions of a late Christmas prove correct.

Retail Bestseller News Philip Stone Christmas Guinness World Records Russell Brand

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