2009 is shaping up as a defining year for newsagents. Besides the disruption caused mobile devices and the Internet and the challenges brought about by the so-called Global Economic Crisis, our channel faces considerable structural change as several key suppliers introduce changes to drive efficiencies for their businesses.
I am fortunate to have be a participant in briefings by several suppliers across different product categories in newsagencies. While I cannot share details of specific briefings, I can say that in 2009 more than ever before newsagent compliance around key business practices across multiple departments will be crucial.
While we can be frustrated that compliance is used by some as a stick, there are smart suppliers who will use it as a carrot. From what I have seen, most of the new compliance regimes in 2009 will be good for individual businesses.
Achieving compliance requires support from all stakeholders – the suppliers, your employees and the providers of any tools such as newsagency software. It is the area of software which has given me a seat at the table in various briefings over the last six weeks.
At these meetings I have robustly represented that newsagents need to gain as much as suppliers stand to gain from mutual compliance. Whether suppliers have listened remains to be seen.
2009 will be a tough year for our channel. The bar will be raised. Darwin’s Theory of Evolution Natural Selection will be evident.
Newsagents can best prepare by reviewing the efficiency of their business inside out. There is less room for wastage, mistakes and ignorance than ever before.
These Vintage Traditions sachets are a good reminder of the theatre of retail. Customers are drawn to their smell and some soon make the $2.50 purchase. While our newsagencies are visually very noisy, smell wise they are quiet. This product has the smell senses all to themselves. Maybe that is why the range has been so successful for us in just a few short days. We have it displayed with our range of boxed Christmas cards so there should be some flow on sales as a result.
