Harry Potter publisher Bloomsbury enjoys sales rise

HARRY Potter publisher Bloomsbury Publishing saw its half-year sales jump as the firm continues to diversify its book list.

JK Rowling's boy wizard continues to work his magic for Bloomsbury

The firm said yesterday that its sales lifted 11.6 per cent to £52.7 million in the six months to the end of August compared to a year ago, as the group boosted sales by 45 per cent at its educational and children’s unit.

The publisher added that revenues in its educational and children’s division rose to £16.3m, with books such as Paper Towns by John Green and the new children’s editions of JK Rowling’s Harry Potter novels as strong performers.

Adjusted pre-tax profit lifted 11.8 per cent to £1.9m.

The firm said other key titles in the period were Miss Carter’s War by Sheila Hancock and Not Quite Nice by Celia Imrie.

It added sales in its academic and professional unit lifted 3 per cent to £14.4m.

Analysts at brokerage Investec said: “First-half figures roughly as expected, with children’s sales very strong and above our forecast.”