We are promoting the new Agatha Christie partwork, The Agatha Christie Collection, at the front counter to tap into the usual promotional buzz around the first issue.
For those new here, partworks are important to the newsagency channel. Getting customers to sign up to have a partwork putaway locks in return traffic. I have data which shows that regular putaway customers are 30% more likely to purchase other items in a visit than a regular customer.
For the Agatha Christie partwork we will pitch putaways at the counter. The benefits are that we keep their copy aside, advise them by text message when the next issue is in and their special order is kept safe. It’s an old-school service which customers love.
On partworks more generally, my understanding is that this year will be quite lean on new releases. That is unfortunate (if it pans out that way). Partworks promoted on TV generate excellent traffic for newsagencies.
Mark, texting customers is a great idea – do you use the old fashion way or can you do this through your computer somehow? Thanks, Katie
Katie,
It’s automated through our computer system.
With the exception of Tractors of the World which is NOT a good part works! Still have copies of number 6 on back order!! EVERY copy for the last three issues have been broken which means my back order list is getting longer and longer, my customer is getting cranky (can’t say I blame him really, just wish he could understand its not me trying to be difficult!!)
On top of that our other store had a standing order of two for some time and then this just disappeared!! Now we only get one and have to alternate customers so they are only getting disappointed every second issue!!
BAD BAD Part work!!
B things were finally looking up out of the six on order we were getting 5 and now back down to 3 on tomorrows order . what really p#$#%$# me off is that when the cusomer finally gets it 10 weeks later and decides to change there mind we cannot send it back because they are firm sales but you cannot blame the customer after waiting that long
Completely understand Shaun… received the Tractors today… yet again BROKEN!!!!
A few questions:
1. Why have a partwork they cannot supply enough of?
2. Why not package it so it doesn’t get broken EVERY week?
3. Why do back orders take over 12 weeks????
4. Why, when I call to re-order again and again, do Gorden and Gotch tell me it is not their problem, they can’t do anything about it and basically call someone who cares cause they don’t!!
VERY FRUSTRATED!!!