"HarperCollins has launched two new e-commerce sites offering readers unique editions of work by JRR Tolkien and limited edition natural history titles.
Charlie Redmayne, director for digital development at HarperCollins UK, said that e-commerce was a "key part" of the publisher's strategy for digital growth. "It presents a channel whereby we can reach dedicated niche audiences," he said. "It gives us a chance to sell differentiated products direct to fans in a targeted, cost-effective way that reaches an audience with content we know they love."
The two sites follow an experimental online store launched last year offering fans of JRR Tolkien a limited edition of the Children of Hurin. Redmayne said the publisher sold £100,000 of books in just over three months. "In research we carried out the fans told us they wanted more- more unique Tolkien titles and more range. So we listened and are excited by the opportunities this store creates.”
The Tolkien site, at
www.tolkien.co.uk, is live now and will focus on selling special editions of the Lord of the Rings' author's work that are not available from other outlets. Its first special offer is a deluxe edition of Tales from the Perilous Realm, which is illustrated and signed by Alan Lee and priced £60."
After the initial failings with the website, I hope that it suceeds, but I wonder why they have not considered setting up an advisory panel for the website from Tolkien Fans' such as ourselves, to get feedback on new issues, limited editions and book prices. I am sure that people on this site would be happy to provide feedback to them on these areas.
1
86