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Asda apologises to Bloomsbury

17.07.07 Philip Jones

Publisher 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."

The row erupted after Asda accused Bloomsbury of "attempting to hold children to ransom" by raising the price of Harry Potter to £17.99. Bloomsbury withdrew the supply of its entire list, including the Potter book, on the grounds of an unpaid invoice, but later said that it wanted the supermarket to withdraw what it regarded as defamatory comments.

 

Philip Jones harry potter Bloomsbury Asda

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