Harry Potter is one of the major contributing factors that has helped fuel a boom in online sales of second-hand books.
Sales at online “resellers” like MusicMagpie have jumped more than 22% in the UK last year, taking their earnings to over £120min. The sale of second-hand books alone has increased by 75% over the last year.
In the run up to Christmas, and with the UK subjected to its second lockdown of the year, second-hand book sales were booming and they were dominated by one series, Harry Potter.
MusicMagpie and other such companies have benefited massively from the closure of charity shops across the country. Combine that with more people needing money thanks to the nationwide lockdown and you have the perfect environment for second-hand resellers.
“Consumer attitudes towards buying refurbished products are changing, and there’s also an ongoing move towards ethical spending and tackling the growing problem of e-waste,” said Steve Oliver, the chief executive of MusicMagpie.
With the sale of second-hand books rising exponentially it also shows a clear trend back towards reading for so many people over this uncertain time.
Top-selling books in Nov-Dec 2020
- This is Going to Hurt – by Adam Kay
- Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – by JK Rowling
- Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – by JK Rowling
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban – by JK Rowling
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets – by JK Rowling
Booklytical 