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Putting magazines together on a newsstand is driving digital sales

According to a report yesterday at PaidContent, putting magazines together on a digital newsstand and away from other digital content is helping drive sales.

Condé Nast is the latest publisher to claim a boom in digital magazine sales from the launch of Apple’s Newsstand two weeks: the publisher of GlamourThe New YorkerVanity Fairand Wired says that new subscription sales, per week, across all nine digital editions, was up 268 percent, with single copy sales up 142 percent compared to the previous eight weeks.

I think that our concern about print subscriptions and other retail outlets is misplaced if you take a long term view.  What publishers are playing which here and an entirely new channel from which we make zip.  Kudos to the publishers and Apple for doing this.  It’s what I’d do if I were them.

That said, what is happening here is another reason we need to get the Australian magazine distribution model right for newsagents.

I think that magazines present us with good opportunities in the short to medium term.  If some or all of us get the magazine distribution model right we can profit from opportunities.  I say some because I know of some newsagents who have turned their back on magazines.  That’s okay.  More for me.

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  1. June

    I have had requests to GG refused for Better House & Garden increments, Donna Hay increments, Delicious Diary increments (customer wanted 80 copies)
    and it is absolutely galling to not be able to
    get the supplies requested.
    This is, in my opinion, why the rush to digital will ensue – lack of service which is
    no fault of the newsagent. The consumer is
    not seeing us as a reliable source for the product.

    Frustrating – you bet!!

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  2. June

    To be fair and balanced I should also say that I reduced my supplies with GG because of our centre being under development so to be totally fair, it could be my fault for not engaging a little earlier
    but we only got the opening date last week.
    I just think that when a newsagent sells out surely there are some supplies somewhere that could be sourced.

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  3. Mark

    June, go direct to the publishers. They will ensure that you get the extra stock. They want what you want … sales.

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  4. shauns

    Why do we deal with distributors when if we need help lately we have to go to the publisher , makes no sence .

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  5. Terry Thelwell

    Hi June
    RE: Mark’s comment- I can speak on behalf of Lovatts Crosswords and say that as a publisher, we always welcome direct contact with agents on any matters, especially relating to supply.

    We as I’m sure most publishers do, have surplus copies of current issues in house in the event that you sell out and our distributor does not have enough stock.
    terryt@lovattspublishing.com

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