Supermarket Asda has set a new benchmark for pricing as it will be selling HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS for an unprecedented £5, 72% off the recommended retail price, reports the Bookseller’s Graeme Neill. Bloomsbury said they were “bemused’ by Asda’s pricing and warned that it will sell out very quickly, disappointing those keen to pick it up cheaply. “We are confident that readers will still choose to buy their books at other retailers across the country amid crowds of fans looking for a magical atmosphere rather than just a cheap price and they are more likely to continue to have it in stock,” said Marketing Director Minna Fry, who added that pricing the book at 5 pounds means incurring an extra 2.5 million pounds of debt for parent company Wal-Mart. Ah, the joys of price wars…

The Bookseller reports that Bloomsbury and supermarket chain Asda have resolved their dispute, after the giant retailer apologised for accusing the Harry Potter publisher of holding children to “ransom” by raising the price of the latest Harry Potter title. A joint statement isssued late today read: “ASDA apologise unreservedly to Bloomsbury for its press release dated 15th July and withdraw their statement. We look forward to a good relationship with Bloomsbury going forward including selling the latest Harry Potter book from 00:01am BST on Saturday 21st July and many other Bloomsbury books in future.” Minna Fry, Bloomsbury marketing director, added: “We are pleased that this situation has been resolved and look forward to working with ASDA in the future.”