We achieved good sales in November with sales up in key traffic departments as well as in key good margin departments. The numbers are even better when you consider that some departments had a high base – calendars, diaries, cards and ink. Here is a summary of performance* across my own newsagencies:
- Books. Up 11%.
- Calendars. Up 23%.
- Cards. Flat.
- Diaries. Up 20%.
- Gifts. Up 84%.
- Magazines. Down .7%.
- Women’s Weeklies magazines. Up 7%.
- Newspapers. Down 3%
- Ink & Toner. Up 8%.
- Stationery. Up 1%.
- Prepaid Visa. Up 650%.
- Lottery sales. Up 11%.
- Instant lottery tickets. Up 6%.
Overall traffic is up 2%.
What is particularly appealing to me in the numbers is the adjustment to our mix. We continue to build a more efficient business by balancing low margin high traffic products with high margin lower traffic products. This is an on-going mission, one with which every newsagent ought to engage.
The growth is due to a combination of constant change in-store, a good retail experience, good external marketing and a strong commitment to a brand / price strategy. We are known in several key departments for these points of difference.
People who ponder the future of the channel need to look at their numbers. Every month we have an opportunity to gauge our progresson this long term mission.
* I have used revenue as the measure for all departments except for magazines and newspapers where I use unit sales as the measure.
pretty ordinary month here
books +1%
Cards/Wrap +26%
Cigs -12%
Scratchies -7%
Lotto -4%
Mags -10% unit sales
Womens Weeklies +3% unit sales
Mobile Phones & Recharge +10%
Newspapers -11% unit sales Stationery +36%
Ink Cart +6%
Videos/DVD +1788% (new line)
Foot traffic -6%
Ave sale value +34%
Ave item value +36%
Stationery and ink still continue to show solid growth, cd/dvds are proving to be a winner
Rick, Impressive figures for Vids/CDs. Are your selling or renting these?
selling them, supplier is impulse entertainment
Thanks for that Rick. I think they’re the same supplier I have seen in servos.
We were up and down on a few things but came out up $50 in turnover – weird.
We are seeing good results here.
Overall sales are up 6% however
cards down 5%
Lotto down 16%
mags and papers down 22%
Cigs down 5%
BUT
here is the good news
ABC Centre up $16K
ABW books up $2K
Impulse DVD’s and CD’s up $1.6K
Diaries and Calendars up $2k
We are seeing a huge shift in our business away from the traditional and into new media, we have allowed for it and are in a good position to capitalise on the growth.
If we were to hold onto the old model of mags. papers lotto and the so called Core lines we would have been forced to close our doors by now. What we are doing now is taking 4 days off over the xmas superlong weekend. We expect the ABC centre to do over $30k in December, try getting these results with magazine supplies.
We have been in the game 20yrs now and we have seen the changes come and go but everyone needs to embrace new media in a big way.
Luke
newsXpress Scott’s Lismore
If anyone is up this way call in and have a look
Luke, ABC centre is that just something you managed to snare or are they actively looking to branch out. We have only a QBD as competition and we would easily take them with that product.
Mark how do you measure foot trafic ?which report
is it the number of sales for the month
Hi Brad, we actively went after it once the ABC in town closed down, you need to jump through a few hoops to get it but we find it is worth the effort.
Thanks Luke. I will be targetting this for sure.
Hi Luke,
Is there a number we can ring and person to speak to?
Chris
All the details are on the abc website, each state has a different contact.
Understand your competiion and how they work and what landlords are doing to small business. My research tells me small business has some adjusting to do to meet competition
Some websites to get some good information and ensure you are in the loop around what is happening
http://www.leaseinfo.com.au/about_sample.cfm
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2008/20080901_woolies/woolies_hi.asx