The Bookseller.com

2nd December 2008

« Headlines

Booksellers begin price slash

02.01.08 Graeme Neill

Booksellers have been slashing prices by up to 75% as they battle to win market share in the January sales. W H Smith is leading the way on the high street with its post Christmas discounting, with Martina Cole's Faces the most high profile bargain. It was selling at £4.74, a discount of more than 75%, as part of WHS's "Up to 75% off Great Value Books" offer. Michael Palin's New Europe was selling at £8 in WHS, while Trinny and Susannah's Body Shape Bible was another strongly promoted title, with its £5 price point a 75% discount off its r.r.p. of £20.

WHS is also pushing a "New Year New You" campaign with a range of discounted fitness and well-being books, including Paul McKenna's I Can Make You Thin selling at half price for £5.49.

Waterstone's January sale is pushing titles with discounts of up to 75%. Kate Mosse's Sepulchre is selling at £9.99, a 47% discount. The Dangerous Book for Boys Yearbook is on sale at £4.99, 75% off its r.r.p. Raymond Khoury's Sanctuary has had nearly 62% slashed off its r.r.p., retailing for £4.99. Waterstone's has also discounted a range of celebrity autobiographies: Jason Donovan is selling at £8.99, Leslie Ash at £9.99, Steve Martin at £7.99 and Charlotte Church at £9.99.

Borders is discounting Christmas hits by Russell Brand, Richard Hammond and Long Way Down. Both My Booky Wook and On the Edge are on sale in the bookseller for £7.99, a discount of nearly 58%, while Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman's title is selling at 60% discount at £7.99. Sir Ranulph Fiennes' memoir was also discounted by more than 60% to £7.99. In addition, Borders was selling the likes of Michael Palin's New Europe, Martina Cole's Faces and Michael Ondaatje's Divisadero at half price.

Amazon.co.uk began its January sales shortly before Christmas day and is continuing to offer up to 70% off a range of titles. Ian Rankin's Exit Music, Martina Cole's Faces and Kate Mosse's Sepulchre are all being sold at 60% off.

Asda has continued its post-Christmas £5 hardback offer from last year. Among the titles featured is Shane Warne: My Official Illustrated Career. Asda is also pushing 30 mind, body and spirit titles as well and health and fitness books in its "New Year, New You" offer. The books are selling for £2.

Retail sales booksellers Graeme Neill price