Harry Potter fans are in for a treat, as a price war has broken out over the latest book.
London, June 14 : Harry Potter fans are in for a treat, as a price war has broken out over the latest book.
The seventh and final instalment in JK Rowling's best-seller series has had the cover price cut by half at Asda and Tesco, five weeks before it is released.
Both supermarkets will be selling Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows for just 8.87 pounds, which means a saving of 9.12 pounds on the recommended price of 17.99 pounds.
Bookstore Waterstones have unwillingly followed by slashing their price to 8.99 pounds, while H Smith will sell it at 9.97 pounds and Woolworths at 9.99 pounds.
Other shops and internet sites have also heavily cut the price but postage and packing charges can add up to an additional 5.50 pounds on top.
Publishers Bloomsbury are selling it to retailers at 10.74 pounds but supermarkets will take their loss to draw in customers and tempt them to buy other goods.
But while the price cuts are great news for Potter fans, independent book shops will find it difficult to battle with the big names.
"I can't afford to sell it at the Asda price. We will make a loss but we can't afford not to sell it," the Mirror quoted Marilyn Brocklehurst of Norfolk Children's Books, as saying.
But, the book, which goes on sale at midnight on July 21, is still expected to become the fastest-selling book of all time.
ANI