A blog on issues affecting Australia's newsagents, media and small business generally. More ...

Month: February 2007

Managing history at Fairfax

Interesting to see the public gnashing of teeth by here and here Fairfax over Fred Hilmer’s book about his time as CEO of the publisher. While these attempts to control history may be important to the players, they weaken the public perception of Fairfax which ought only focus on today’s proposition and not yesterday’s opportunities.

Newsagents today are missing opportunities as Hilmer did in his time as CEO of Fairfax. While there is considerable activity impacting the core products on which newsagents rely, they (we) are not sufficiently engaged about their future. Opportunities abound for bright lateral thinkers to reinvent the newsagent offering. This is one reason I thing newsagent businesses will continue to sell – to those who will drive consolidation and evolution.

0 likes
Media disruption

Time makes a move

Time Inc. has announced That its Sports Illustrated Group has signed an agreement to buy sports enthusiast Web site FanNation.com. Read more at MediaPost. Watch for more moves by magazine publishers connecting their established print brands with high traffic online brands through acquisition. Such acquisitions have been very successful for newspaper companies in the last two years.

0 likes
Media disruption

Great Valentine’s Day display

This is the window display at my local chocolate shop. It’s inspirational – the photo does not do it justice.

valentines.JPG

Newsagencies take on a new excitement over the next two weeks as love comes to town. Many do amazing displays like this chocolate shop in Brighton and sell plenty of cards, plush, chocolates and other gifts. Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to relax and enjoy retailing.

0 likes
Uncategorized

Steve Irwin tribute title attracts strong interest

steveirwin.JPGThis display by Jane and the team at our shop is drawing good interest from people looking for a keepsake tribute to Steve Irwin.

We will use this opportunity to remind people of his Wildlife Warriors legacy and how people can support their work.

I’m often critical of one off titles but not this time. This tribute is timely and connects well with the community.

0 likes
magazines

And the winner is…

NDD is the worst magazine distributor from a newsagent cash flow perspective according to the 2006 magazine sell through rate data I have sitting on my desk. I’ve been trawling through this data from many newsagencies seeking a fair and accurate subset to share with the Australian Newsagents Federation for use in their representations to government and for another project within my software company. Across the board in 2006, NDD magazine sell through rates were lower than those for Network and Gotch. This means that NDD is tying up more newsagent cash as a percentage of its total newsagent billings than any other company.

In most newsagencies I have data for, the NDD sell through rate is below 50% for the whole year across all categories. This is unacceptable for a company with exceptional IT systems and a wealth of sales data from newsagents which can guide it to provide more equitable scale out to newsagents.

NDD clearly does not respect the newsagent channel otherwise it’s sell through rate average would be significantly better.

To the NDD folk reading this and angry at what you will again claim is my ‘bashing’ of NDD. Treat newsagents with commercial respect and you won’t be embarrassed by the harm you are doing to the small business newsagency channel.

0 likes
magazines

Petition to protect small business and stop Intralot

I have created a petition for Victorian newsagents wanting to collect expressions of support from their customers for submission to the Bracks Labor Government while it considers whether to award a lottery licence to the Greek Intralot company. Waiting until a decision is announced by the government is too late. Newsagents concerned that Coles and Safeway / Woolworths may get scratch ticket product need to act now.

0 likes
Lotteries

Brisbane getting a free daily newspaper

My understanding is that News Ltd is to launch a Brisbane edition of their popular MX free daily. MX is a good product as it’s better than expected success in Melbourne and Sydney attests. I understand the importance of free dailies to publishers. My only hope is that they do not leave their current focus on major city transit locations and start to locate product in retail channels. This would hurt newsagents.

0 likes
Newspaper marketing

Intralot Supermarket scratch ticket push a done deal?

Following my post yesterday about Intralot chasing a licence to sell scratch tickets lottery games in Victoria, I received an anonymous call from a silent number claiming the decision was made by the Victorian Government and that Coles and Safeway will have scratch tickets available at their checkout by Christmas.

While I don’t know if the rumor is true, research online confirms Intralot’s plans for placing scratch ticket products in supermarkets in Victoria.

Coles and Safeway are too big already. They do not need scratch tickets. Their products will tempt people to use change to chase luck. Some of this change will be money from the Government Baby bonus and social welfare payments. By keeing lottery products away from supermarkets at least separates essential purchases from non essentials such as lotteries.

It would be socially irresponsible for the Steve Bracks Labour Government in Victoria to break a system which is socially responsible and has been generous to them for so many years.

While Tattersalls may have issues, at least their profits stay here. Intralot is a Greek company. We should not be shipping profits offshore when a local company serves us well.

0 likes
Lotteries

Supanews takes over franchisee store

This may be late news for some: Supanews corporate (not sure whether it’s the old Gaskin controlled entity or the new Angus & Robertson / Gaskin / PEP Supanews Retail group) took over the Bayside Frankston store two weeks ago. I’m not sure how this has happened since Tattersalls has a stringent process for appointing Accredited Representatives. This takeover seems to have happened faster than regular purchases can be processed.

I doubt this is the end of the dispute between franchisee and franchisor.

0 likes
Newsagency challenges

Back to School success for newsagents

While we failed this year with a Back to School promotion in my shop, I’m hearing great stories from other newsagents like the rural NSW newsagent who increased sales 56% through great ranging and display in store, or the VIC newsagent who landed two major school deals after years bidding against massive competitors – he won on a service guarantee and a local community pitch; and the shopping centre newsagent competing with Big W et al and almost doubled sales on last year.

Back to School can be hugely successful for newsagents in an appropriate demographic. The keys from the stories I hear seem to be: be big and bold; connect with local requirements; provide expert advice and exceptional service; and, get in early. I am sure those who have actually been successful will have even better comments to make.

Stationery is one part of our businesses we control. Those of us who have failed at Back to School need to learn from the successes. Maybe the successful newsagents could create a school on Back to School.

0 likes
Stationery
Trending Articles

Fairfax changes approach to TV Guide, disrespects newsagents

Published on April 20, 2011

What do you think of the Powerball changes?

Published on February 16, 2018

IPS releases new magazine contracts

Published on June 21, 2011