Booksellers have described as "outrageous" and "disappointing"moves by supermarket multiples to sell the new Harry Potter book at less than half the recommended retail price of €25.99.
Tesco announced in yesterday morning's papers it would be selling the book for €12.99. In the afternoon Dunnes Stores placed advertisements in the evening papers announcing the book would be on sale for €9.99.
Derek Hughes, executive chairman of Hughes and Hughes bookshops, described the supermarkets' move as "really awful".
"It's below-cost selling and it's very sad to see non-booksellers jumping on the bandwagon in a way that will have an enormous negative impact on the small booksellers, who struggle to make a profit 10 months of the year."
The cost to booksellers of buying the book wholesale was approximately €16 per copy, he said, and he appealed to customers: "For the sake of a few euro, stand by your local bookshop".
Niall Mescall, manager of Read's of Nassau Street, said he was disappointed at the move. "They sell books at far higher prices than we do the rest of the year. What can you do?"
Roger White, assistant manager with Waterstones in Dublin, agreed that the supermarket prices were "very low", but said the book would be "a very competitive price" in Waterstones. The shop would also be giving free copies of The Lion Boy by Zizou Cordon with every copy sold "while stocks last".
A spokeswoman said Tesco was not selling the book below cost. "What we do is offer goods at the best price we can, whether that be food, clothes, CDs or books. The Harry Potter book is no exception. That's what we're in the business of doing."
Meanwhile, the winner of an Irish Times competition travelled to Edinburgh yesterday and last night met JK Rowling at a party in Edinburgh Castle.
Speaking from the Scottish capital yesterday afternoon, Catherine Quinn (13) from Warrenpoint, Co Down, said she couldn't believe it when her mother told her she had won.
"I've read every Harry Potter book several times over, and this is just a dream come true."
According to PA news agency, Pope Benedict XVI expressed concern that the books "erode Christianity in the soul" of young people in a letter two years ago to a German writer.
By 10pm last night, there were around 75 people queuing outside Eason on Dublin's O'Connell Street waiting to get their hands on the first few copies. They even had to deal with the occasional papal supporter declaring that they were "Satan worshippers".
"I was fifth in the queue for the last Harry Potter so I am glad to be first this time," said Brian Conville (13), from Raheny, who had been in position since 2.30pm.