The media section in The Australian yesterday reported that Google is set to launch an online magazine store in Australia from which digital magazine subscriptions will be sold. The report notes that several publishing sources have confirmed the imminent launch.
While I am not happy about such a move I understand it. Google is on a mission as are magazine publishers. Their goals meet beautifully on this. I’d pursue Google if I were a magazine publisher.
This reported move is another reminder to newsagents that we, each of us, has to set our own course for the future, a course over which we have more control than he have had over our past.
This is the reason why I will become less of a specialist in magazines. Why would I want to keep the slow moving and least popular magazines and continue to promote them at 25%. The returns system which is a waste of time and a delivery system which does not meet my needs but that of a distributor. I must go to products with a full margin and which I am in control of. I will just keep the magazines that pay their way. News papers will also fall into this category.
Mark
Regarding the subscription magazine platforms out their do you know what percentage of subscribers still visit Newsagents?
I believe in Newsagency Magazine specialists however what would be the average of unique titles that a Newsagency would keep? and do you see this being maintained over the next 5 years?
Derek I don’t have that data. The average newsagent would have 1,100 unique magazine titles. I expect this to fall by 20% over the next two years.
Note this is an average – there are many with more and moony with less.
Thanks Mark, that is a good average, I think taking everything into consideration that we know of and what will happen, the Magazine part of the business will have a solid future if treated right by all concerned. People love magazines in Australia.
I hate not being able to sell subscriptions. I could sell heaps particularly leading into Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Xmas.
there are a few subscriptions available via ezipass, have sold a couple here and there. I would be interested to see if there is a way to sell subscriptions to and title like isubscribe or magnation.
Meesh it all depends on what the publishers want.