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17/07/2007
Asda resolves Harry Potter row
Supermarket chain Asda has resolved its dispute over the new Harry Potter book with publisher Bloomsbury.
Bloomsbury had cancelled Asda's order of 500,000 copies of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows', which is released on July 21.
Bloomsbury claimed that the decision was sparked by the fact that the supermarket chain owed them money. However, Asda claimed that the publisher was angry over the chain's plans to sell the book at just under half the recommended retail price of £17.99.
The supermarket chain had accused Bloomsbury of "attempting to hold children to ransom" by raising the price of the latest Harry Potter book - the seventh and final in the series - to £17.99, which they said was twice the average child's pocket money and £5 more than the average children's hardback bestseller.
Peter Pritchard, Director of General Merchandise at Asda, accused the publisher of "blatant profiteering", saying: "A family of four would have to spend over £36 if they had to pay this price, which is just unacceptable."
On Tuesday afternoon, Asda confirmed that a payment had been sent to Bloomsbury and that the issue has now been resolved.
(KMcA/JM)
Bloomsbury had cancelled Asda's order of 500,000 copies of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows', which is released on July 21.
Bloomsbury claimed that the decision was sparked by the fact that the supermarket chain owed them money. However, Asda claimed that the publisher was angry over the chain's plans to sell the book at just under half the recommended retail price of £17.99.
The supermarket chain had accused Bloomsbury of "attempting to hold children to ransom" by raising the price of the latest Harry Potter book - the seventh and final in the series - to £17.99, which they said was twice the average child's pocket money and £5 more than the average children's hardback bestseller.
Peter Pritchard, Director of General Merchandise at Asda, accused the publisher of "blatant profiteering", saying: "A family of four would have to spend over £36 if they had to pay this price, which is just unacceptable."
On Tuesday afternoon, Asda confirmed that a payment had been sent to Bloomsbury and that the issue has now been resolved.
(KMcA/JM)
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Two first editions of JK Rowling’s latest novel in the Harry Potter series have turned up on a Suffolk common. In a twist worthy of its author, the Sun has splashed with a front page story that two copies of the top secret fifth book 'The Order of the Phoenix' dubbed “the closest guarded secret in literature” had been found lying in a field.
Secret Harry Potter book discovered in field
Two first editions of JK Rowling’s latest novel in the Harry Potter series have turned up on a Suffolk common. In a twist worthy of its author, the Sun has splashed with a front page story that two copies of the top secret fifth book 'The Order of the Phoenix' dubbed “the closest guarded secret in literature” had been found lying in a field.
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Harry Potter Actor Killer Given Life Term
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Harry Potter Actor Killer Given Life Term
A "habitual knife carrier" has been told he must spend at least 20 years in jail for the brutal murder of a Harry Potter actor. Karl Bishop, 22, from Sidcup was found guilty of murdering 18-year-old Rob Knox outside a club in their home town of Sidcup, south-east London, last May.
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Man Found Guilty Of Harry Potter Actor Murder
A 22-year-old man has been today found guilty of murdering Harry Potter actor Rob Knox in a vicious "revenge" attack. Karl Bishop, from Sidcup, described as a "habitual knife carrier" attacked the 18-year-old after a fight outside the Metro Bar in Sidcup last May.
Man Found Guilty Of Harry Potter Actor Murder
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27 May 2008
Man Remanded Over Harry Potter Actor Killing
A 21-year-old man has appeared in court today charged with the murder of a teenage Harry Potter film actor, Robert Knox. The 18-year-old victim - who was due to appear in the forthcoming Harry Potter film - was stabbed to death during a fight outside the Metro Bar in Sidcup, south-east London.
Man Remanded Over Harry Potter Actor Killing
A 21-year-old man has appeared in court today charged with the murder of a teenage Harry Potter film actor, Robert Knox. The 18-year-old victim - who was due to appear in the forthcoming Harry Potter film - was stabbed to death during a fight outside the Metro Bar in Sidcup, south-east London.
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