London. June 20, 2003: Amazon.co.uk staff worked through the night at the company's fulfilment centre in Milton Keynes, to ensure that over 420,000 copies of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix are ready to be distributed today to eagerly awaiting fans across the UK and to over 150 countries worldwide.
The number of pre-orders taken by Amazon.co.uk for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is equivalent to providing a copy to one out of every 19 children in the UK. The pre-order figure of 420,000 is more than six times greater than the previous number of pre-orders taken for a single title at Amazon.co.uk, previously Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, which had a total of 65,000 pre-orders in July 2000.
Robin Terrell, Amazon.co.uk's Managing Director, said:
- The customer response we've seen for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has been phenomenal. It's great to know that Amazon.co.uk has made it possible for hundreds of thousands of Harry Potter fans to enjoy their books in the comfort of their homes, without having to queue up to get hold of a copy on the high street.
Amazon.co.uk customers can order their copy of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix for £8.49--a saving of 50%.Amazon.co.uk Harry Potter Fun Facts
If more than 420,000 pre-ordered copies were stacked one on top of the other, the books would be 25,200 metres tall, that's:
- more than twice the height of mount Everest
- 186 times higher than the London Eye
- 106 times higher than Canary Wharf
- laid end to end they would cover 67 miles--the distance from London to Northampton
The total weight of the 420,000 pre-ordered books is 368 tons, the equivalent of:
- a Boeing 747 Jumbo jet
- 53 male elephants
- 368,000 bags of sugar
Amazon.co.uk has set up a secure, dedicated 186,000 square-foot warehouse to pack the books at its fulfilment centre in Milton Keynes and used 9 trailers (353 pallets) worth of specially commissioned cardboard boxes to pack the books.
For further information please contact the Amazon.co.uk press office on 020 8636 9280.
About Amazon.co.uk
Amazon.co.uk opened its virtual doors in October 1998, and strives to be the world's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online. Amazon.co.uk and sellers list millions of new and used items in categories such as Books, Music, Video, DVD, Software, PC & Video Games, Electronics & Photo, Home & Garden, and Toys & Games!. Through Amazon Marketplace, zShops and Auctions any business or individual can sell virtually anything to Amazon.co.uk's millions of customers. Amazon.co.uk customers enjoy the benefits of industry-leading online-shopping technology, such as secure credit-card payment, personalised recommendations, streamlined, 1-Click® ordering and hassle-free Bid-Click® auction bidding. Through Amazon Anywhere, Amazon.co.uk is also available on mobile phones with WAP technology--see www.amazon.co.uk/anywhere for details.
Amazon.com and its affiliates operate seven websites: www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk, www.amazon.de, www.amazon.fr, www.amazon.co.jp, www.amazon.ca, and www.joyo.com.
As used herein, "Amazon.com," "we," "our" and similar terms include Amazon.com, Inc., and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.
Forward-looking Statement
This announcement contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Actual results may differ significantly from management's expectations. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that include, among others, risks related to potential future losses, significant amount of indebtedness, competition, management of growth, potential fluctuations in operating results, fulfillment center optimization, seasonality, commercial agreements, acquisitions, and strategic transactions, foreign exchange rates, system interruption, international expansion, consumer trends, inventory, limited operating history, government regulation and taxation, fraud, and new business areas. More information about factors that potentially could affect Amazon.com's financial results is included in Amazon.com's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, and all subsequent filings.