I have the Harry Potter book in hand.
There was a great turn out at both Barnes and Noble and Kroger. Barnes and Noble was SO crowded that not everyone could fit in, so a lot of folks spilled over to Kroger.

Kroger was totally unprepared for the crowd. They didn't have anything to open the boxes with, and only one register running.
The eager fans opened the boxes with keys and pocketknives while the skeleton crew got the self checkout lanes ready.

The Carpet book, posted online, is real.