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The high cost of thick magazines for the newsagency

thickmagsThe current of AWW has a think Priceline catalogue stuck on the back – meaning we fit fewer into a pocket. In the fixture photographed we can fit five copies while for BHG we can fit ten.

Considering the cost of space, the time spent managing thicker titles and the sales of BHG and AWW, the Priceline catalogue has a cost for newsagents which makes this issue of BHG far more appealing in my view.

I’d vote for a fee for magazines that are thicker than what we might agree. Bauer are making extra money from the Priceline catalogue and we should participate in that because of the extra costs it imposes on us. We need to look at what we do with and for magazines as a fee for service. Every issue of every title needs to be profitable.

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magazine distribution

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  1. lance

    Publishers & distributors are obviously paid a substantial amount to include small or large supplements/catalogues with issues of their magazines.
    What % of those fees are shared with the retailer who actually handles and stocks and distributes the supplements/catalogues ?
    Just curious, as the junk mail delivered to out letterboxes incurs fees to the main area distributor as well the little lady/bloke who drops it in my letter box.
    Where’s the difference in the 2 situations ?
    Are NAs contracted to display all items as delivered, or can you legitimately remove such space consuming items ?

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  2. Gregg

    Slightly off topic, but has anyone come across this before?
    Last year I ordered the mag Artist Profile (issue 29) through IPS. This was after talking to the publisher on who handled their distribution as we have never carried this title.
    Now the latest issue (30) has arrived not once but twice.
    Yesterday with Network (never requested)then today what I originally ordered through IPS.
    So what is going on, this is plain stupidity.

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  3. Terry

    I have just cancelled MELB POOL, MELB HOME and MELB KITCHEN because the cost of returning the heavy mags out weighed the profit made . Over supply by Gordon and Gotch was a factor as well . Mags like these should be TOP RETURNS ONLY

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  4. jenny

    I don’t like the thickness of this issue but its not a problem as its selling like hotcakes!

    Gregg give this magazine (Artist Profile) a go, you might be surprised how it sells. I certainly was.

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  5. Gregg

    Jenny,
    I am giving Artist Profile a go this is why I ordered it from IPS. My point is why are there two distribution companies for this one publication.
    Did the publisher give my details to Network contrary to them saying to order from IPS, all they have done is created another early return to Network and wasting my time.

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