Universal Magazines is not showing signs of learning from the frustration expressed by newsagents about over-supply, long shelf life and heavy returns costs last year. Take Luxury Kitchens and Bathrooms released yesterday – UM already has significant space allocated (for a long on-sale period) in this low volume category. Now, we have to find room for this title. Another long on-sale. What happens when we have no room? Early return is the answer from the distributor. The challenges with early returning are the freight cost and the delay in accessing the refund. They, universal and NDD, bank on newsagents keeping the title until it is due for return.
Once again, newsagents become the bank, funding UM and the titles they decide to publish.
I am disappointed that promises made last year by Universal Magazines about how they will work with newsagents have not been acted on.
yes, I know Universal will be upset at what I have written. I doubt they will go to the lawyers like the did last year. Fix it people, treat newsagents as business partnersd. Treat us with respect. We have a finite amount of space and cash with which to fund your business model.