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New Harry Potter flies off the shelves
Last updated at 23:52pm on 22.07.07The final instalment of Harry Potter's adventures is Britain's fastest-selling book ever.
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, published at midnight on Friday, is thought to have sold more than three million copies in two days.
That is a million more than the previous record holder, Harry Potter And The Half-Blood Prince, published in 2005.
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Wizard: Harry Potter
A spokesman for Bloomsbury, which publishes JK Rowling's books in the UK, said: 'It is looking like it will be more than when the last Harry Potter book came out - and that was the fastest-selling book of all time.'
Queues outside shops up and down the country - many of which celebrated the launch with midnight openings and staff dressed as Potter characters - confirmed The Deathly Hallows as the most eagerly anticipated book ever.
Early sales figures from bookshops and supermarkets were further proof of the unprecedented demand. Asda sold 250,000 copies at £5 each - the recommended-price is £17.99 - between midnight-on Friday and 9am Saturday.
By noon yesterday virtually all its stock of 500,000 books had gone, despite fans being limited to two copies each.
Tesco expected to sell 350,000 copies in the first 12 hours but a spokesman said it soon became obvious it had underestimated the huge demand.
Waterstone's sold 100,000 Potter books in two hours, while W H Smith sold 15 books a second across Britain on the first night of the book's release.
Reader views (2)
I find it really strange that people would queue up overnight for this ... it's not like it's a limited edition or anything, new stock will come in and in a few months time, it'll be going at half price ...
- John, London
Bizarre really as their were loads left in Sainsburys yesterday when I went shopping. I haven't seen any adults reading these children's books so far which is a good sign.
- Trevor Roll, London
