Harry Potter and the ruthless retail giants

Small bookshops are losing out in the race to sell JK Rowling’s final instalment, says robert fox

I don't know who dies in Harry Potter part VII, but I have a pretty clear idea about the identity of the principal victim. It's the book and publishing trade.

Our boy-wizard hero has pulled it off again - waved his wand and managed to turn a crock of publishing gold into a lump of lead the size of the Hogwarts Express. The huge discounting of the books in supermarkets and online, down from £17.99 to £8.99 or even lower, means the independent bookseller doesn't get a look in.

And don't be deceived by the row between publisher Bloomsbury and Asda, who want to sell half a million new Potters at £8.87 a go. It's not