THE absence of a Harry Potter launch is expected to hit the profits of two companies this week.

Bookseller Ottakar's is expected to report on Thursday that half-year losses have risen to about £3m from £2.9m a year earlier, because of the absence of a book launch to rival Harry Potter.

The absence of another JK Rowling bestseller will also affect Bloomsbury Publishing, which is expected to announce today that half-year profits have fallen to £3.6m from £3.8m at the same stage last year.