Melbourne this week has not felt the same as the previous week. While we all know the AFL Grand Final is being replayed, there is not quite the same buzz. I will be interested to see how today pans out, whether the shopping precincts become ghost towns from lunchtime. Maybe that is it, the focus this week will be on the game and not the hype.
The speculation of Thursday was confirmed yesterday with an official announcement from News Magazines about the closure of Notebook.
The closure is disappointing but probably for the best. Now, if only some other publishers would take such a pragmatic view.
While a AFL Football Record has been produced for the AFL Grand Final replay tomorrow, this is not being distributed thorugh newsagents because a satisfactory arrangement has not been reached according to what I understand. This is disappointing. I am certain we would have sold more copies this week than we did for last week’s draw.
The Record is available direct from the publisher or at the MCG tomorrow.
Telstra has announced a cut of 20% to the commission earned by newsagents for mobile phone recharge sales. This must be part of their plan to reverse their poor financial performance.
Telstra has extraordinary market power and they have just showed that in relation to newsagents. We will not do anything about the 20% cut because we would not want to lose their business. They know that. I wonder if they cut anyone else.
Our margin ought to have increased given the increase in our overheads – rent, labour and other costs.
I would like to know the commission paid on Telstra products sold in supermarkets. On October 17, 2005, I wrote here that I had proof (in the form of an invoice) that a national supermarket chain was earning 16% commission from Vodafone recharge sales while newsagents were on 5%. Maybe the same difference exists for Telstra.
Fresh editions of The Sydney Morning Herald or The Age can land on your iPhone for $2.49 a month. No sign of their iPad app though. The Fairfax offer is okay but not a patch on the New Zealand Herald iPad app – this is the best I have seen for a newspaper app.
To be fair to Fairfax, the first offer is always going to be a learning experience. The real concern for newsagents needs to be the next generation of devices and the third of fourth incarnation of newspaper apps. These are not far off.
The Hallmark voice changers we have as part of the Halloween offer are selling like hot cakes. It has been perfect having them and the rest of Halloween out during the school holidays. We are seeing people of all ages buy the voice changers from grandparents down to kids spending pocket money. The add wonderfully to the soundscape of retail in the store.
What is also working is a deal we have where the voice changer can be bought for $9.95 if three cards are bought in the same purchase. the regular price is $14.95. This is a great way to build the basket.