Australian Newsagency Blog

Folio reports that 275 US and Canadian magazines have closed so far this year.  In the same period, 187 new magazines have launched.  525 US and Canadian magazines closed in all of 2008.
if you are planning a shop fit, do not include purpose built magazine fixtures.  Go, instead, for flexible fixtures which can be easily […]

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The federal government has announced (quietly) that business to business contracts will be excluded from amendments to the Trade Practices Act banning unfair contracts.  This is a huge blow to newsagents.    The provisions which were set to come into force next year offered newsagents and other small businesses protection agains unfair contracts.
We have an opporuntiy […]

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MinOnline published a report yesterday about magazines emerging on the iPhone platform.  It seems that Paople magazine in the US is enjoying considerable success.
People magazine’s iPhone app appears to be a major hit, as it remains high on the App Store’s bestseller list weeks after its release. In many ways, People was tailor-made for mobile. […]

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Today’s Daily Telegraph has a story about alleged rorts being perpetrated by newsagents and convenience stores against customers buying bus tickets.
The problems with NSW bus tickets started in 2004 when the State Government decided to go to a new ticketing system.  The commission earned by retailers was likely to be less than 1% of the […]

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I was talking to a colleague about the OzLotto $50 million jackpto earlier this week who said that his experience was that in weeks with major lottery jackpots, sales were significantly down in other departments of newspapers, magazines, stationery and cards. This has not been my my experience.  I see growth in key departments as […]

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Reader’s Digest announced in the US overnight that it will cut issues from next year and only publish 12 issues of the print publication while expanding its digital products.  By digital they could mean online, Kindle, iPhone, digital magazines and other platform opportunities outside of print.  MediaPost has a good report covering the moves including […]

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Stephen Ciobo spoke in parliament yesterday in relation to the impact of industrial relations changes on newsagencies. Click here to read the details.
UPADTE:  My original post linked to question time from March.  That link is now here.

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In addition to Picture magazine we have a couple of Picture ‘packs’ on the shelves at the moment.  Space is limited and expensive - especially given that we do not want to put more than one title per pocket.  Recycled content, like these packs, are a challenge for us - especially as we adjust the […]

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In an article published at Business Spectator yesterday, Alan Kolher sees the handling of micropayments as key to newspaper and magazine publishers monetising content online.  His comments fit with those of Rupert Murdoch over the last couple of weeks.  They also fit with the announcement at the Apple developers conference last week where they announced […]

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Amazon started shipping the latest version of its Kindle reader late last week.  All initial stock was sold out in three days according to Information Week.
While note avauilable here, the buzz is building demand for the Kindle or similar devices here.  I’d expect the eventual launch to be like the iPhone which was delayed in […]

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Inside the latest issue of Quadrant magazine, the publisher blatantly disrespects the newsagents who are crucial to its business model.  here is what they say:
If you bought this magazine from a newsagent, you are missing out on a lot.  Subscribers get so much more.
This paints newsagents as expensive, unable to provide the benefits of subscription […]

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The announcement this week of in-app commerce is game changing for newspaper and magazine publishers.  Where previously they, directly or through a ‘distributor’ could sell a product to be delivered through the iPhone and would need to sell another for the next issue or subscription, using in-app commerce, they will be far more easily able […]

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Some newsagents meet in an ANF organised meeting in Adelaide today to discuss plans by Advertiser Newspapers to take over collection of payment for all News Limited product home deliveries in South Australia - subscription as well as direct to newsagent accounts.
While the meeting appears set to attract between 60 and 80 newsagents, I am […]

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Click here to see a copy of the submission made by the QNF to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission and lodged on behalf of Queensland Newsagents.  The AIRC website lists all submissions received.  The QNF is the only newsagent association listed as making a submission.
This is the kind of work newsagents want from their associations.  […]

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South Australian newsagents concerned about the moves by Advertiser Newspapers to take over collection of payment for all home deliveries of News Ltd product need to organise themselves.  With the ANF currently only focusing on its 100 or so SA members (down from 400+ in late 2004), many newsagents are unrepresented on this issue of […]

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Editor & Publisher has overnight published a report about Apple’s new iPhone operating system which could be good news for newspaper publishers.  Apparently, new technology will enable the publishing of highly location targeted content and advertising, based on where the iPhone is at the time.  E&P interviewed Art Howe, CEO of Verve Wireles:
The new technology […]

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I have been contacted by several people saying that I am treating the ANF unfairly in relation to the moves by News Ltd in South Australia to cut revenue from newsagencies.  Their message, curiously, has been the same - leave the ANF alone and let them resolve this.
My limited commentary about the ANF on this […]

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Many distribution newsagents in South Australia have benefited from a long-standing 2.5% 2% settlement discount arrangement with News Ltd’s Advertiser Newspapers.  With Advertiser taking home delivery account collection, newsagents stand to could lose access to this 2.5% 2% if the newsagent is no longer required to pay for the newspapers and are just paid for […]

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I have received more calls from South Australian newsagents concerned about the risk to retail traffic as a result of the decision by News Ltd owned Advertiser Newspapers to take over control and management of home deliveries.  More than half heard about the move for the first time through this blog.  As I outlined in […]

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Advertiser Newspapers announced to South Australian newsagents Monday their plan to take over managing home delivery accounts for Advertiser products. They will gradually assume control for starting new home delivery accounts, collecting payment, managing stops and starts, handling holiday redirections and handling queries.
This significant and unexpected move by the publisher has been pitched to […]

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The Sydney Morning Herald today reports that Metcash is considering acquisitions in the newsagency channel among others.
THE food and beverages wholesaler Metcash is examining acquisitions worth up to $1 billion as it seeks to apply its expertise in distribution to industries such as pharmaceuticals, newsagencies and hardware.
Gotch could be a target given the challenges at […]

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We have experienced a tough May at Forest Hill with overall newsagency traffic down 14%.  While the landlord will not share centre figures, we expect that our traffic result is not different to other retailers.
All key departments are down except for Books up 39%, Calendars up 100% (at $300), Diaries up 122% (at $900) and […]

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Here is Rupert Murdoch talking about the future of newspapers. A must watch for newsagents.  The opening questions is: will there be newspapers?

This interview is interesting in the context of contract newspaper distribution negotiations. I remain unconvinced about the need for contracts.
The interview follows an ad for the Fox Business Network.
Every day there […]

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Starwood Hotels group announced this week that they’ve entered into a partnership with Zinio to offer what they are calling a Digital Newsstand for free to guests in several of their hotel brands including the Four Points by Sheraton hotel properties.  Hotel Chatter has more on this.
Also, Starwood will be the first hotel company to […]

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Newsagents in Australia have been brought up on sale or return supply arrangements for stock.  They have served us well.
Sale or Return is the supply basis for magazines, newspapers, greeting cards and a range of stationery and gift items to newsagencies in Australia.  Newsagents like SOR because they (we) see less of a risk if […]

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