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Political manifesto sales at Waterstone's have already outstripped those
during the entire 2005 election period, up 160% with just eight days to go
to the election.
According to the retailer's manifesto sales, the Conservatives are in the lead with a 38.10% market share. The Liberal Democrats sit on a 32.08% share and Labour on 29.83%. The Liberal Democrats have had the most dramatic increase in manifesto sales, up 250% on the last election. The Conservatives are up 193% on 2005 but Labour is languishing with sales at 97%, compared to
the last election.
According to Nielsen BookScan data for the week ending 24th April, the Conservatives sold 1,193 copies of its manifesto, placing it 16th in the hardback non-fiction chart. The Liberal Democrats are second with 1,126 sales and Labour, similar to its position in the polls, is in third place
with 1,044 sold.
Andrew Lake, Waterstone's politics buyer, said: "This is clearly the most important election in a generation. I've worked in books for nearly 20 years and have never seen such demand for manifestos. These titles are outselling some of Waterstone's bestselling authors, including Nick Hornby and Sarah Waters, and sales show no sign of abating."