Are chain booksellers using the last Harry Potter book to drive small booksellers into the ground?

Question

Read the article. What do you think?: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070611/en_nm/retail_harrypotter_dc

Answer 1

They are using the book as a "loss leader" and it is a common practice in retail. and yes, small stores do this sort of stuff as well. For example, a friend of mine recently did a book signing at her local store, and they heavily discounted her book. But they did this to get people in the door, knowing that the typical buyer won't buy just one book. There is nothing new or exciting here. It's standard practice to take advantage of the publicity around something to generate add on sales.

And to be honest, the person who prefers to shop at a brick and mortar store will still pick up the book at a brick and mortar store. The person who prefers to shop online will buy from Amazon.

Answer 2

Well, I don't think that's the large chains' purpose in deep-discounting HP7. I think they just want to attract customers in the hope they will buy other items from the same store.

I don't think the effect will be to kill of smaller bookstores, though. I think it's true that smaller booksellers won't be able to ride the HP7 wave as effectively as the big chains, but most smaller bookstores lose out to the big chains when it comes to mainstream bestsellers, anyway. Even if HP7 discounts are particularly deep, we're only talking about one book.

Smaller bookstores usually differentiate themselves on selection or atmosphere, not price.

HBJ

Answer 3

I don't think they are doing it for that reason, but I believe that is exactly what they are accomplishing!! They want you to buy it from them so they can get you to buy other things from them as well!!! But the small booksellers just can't compete!

Answer 4

Sure, and any other book or series they can use.

wl