I noticed WHAT’S IT WORTH NOW?, this small format magazine our shelves yesterday. We received two copies – the first time we have had the title.
Magazine distributors should not be able to send a new title (to us) without our permission. Maybe in the past but not now. The trading terms of yesterday year do not apply today … they don’t work today.
Since we carry the financial obligation, pay for the retail space, pay for the labour and pay to return stock that fail, we should not be sent any new title unless we agree.
T2020 is evidence that the newsagency channel has cha need significantly. Magazine distributors need to realise that they are now dealing with a more commercially focused newsagency channel. Abusing a system based on out of date practices does not cut it any more.
Yes, many titles will not get onto shelves because newsagents will say no. The fault for that lies with magazine distributors who even today distribute hundreds of titles that are loss-making for newsagents.
Whether I would have taken this title or not is not the point – given my investment in the title I ought to have been asked. For the record, I’d have said no: it’s too small, too expensive, on sale for too long and not something I can make enough from to take up a pocket.
There seem to be more and more “Issue #1” mags coming through lately (though I’m inclined to think they are mostly oneshots, actually). Nobody asks if or how many, but because they’re firsts (or oneshots), I give them a go IF there is space, AND IF they fit within a category that sells well AND IF they haven’t been bulk-dumped on me at the end of the billing cycle.
How true Wendy…
Look at what we received today.. the 28th September 2012 ( a Friday and last trading day of the cycle)
With emails, it cannot be too hard to give newsagents an opt in option for new titles.
Come on guys get up to speed that way newsagents can cater for their demographic and would be willing to give more mags a go.
These titles are also quite often expensive ones. We are getting $25.00 mags dumped on us at the end of every month lately. If received at the start of the month we, like Wendy would probably give them a go for at least a week or two but now, against my usual practices, they will be automatically returned.
This is an ongoing problem with titles being dumped on agencies for no apparent reason. With IPS we have never had a problem with new titles being supplied without ordering. I think part of the problem comes down to G&G and Network knowing our associations are in dissaray so they can get away with what they want. What is needed is one only association and if needed going direct to the publishers to point out they too are suffering with over and undersupply from the distribitors. This week we recieved only 20% of what we expected for Who magazine so some one you can guarantee has been oversupplied. If i was the publisher i would not be happy knowing i am missing out on sales from poor and antiquated distribution methods.
Who’s supply is cut due to the special issue next week, which goes on sale early next Wed. but 80% cut seems harsh, we were only 35% down.
Gregg as I wrote on this blog (21st Sept) I rang IPS about magazines I didn’t require and was told ‘I cannot cancel any magazine sent to me until after 3 issues – except bi-annually and annually’. I also anyone out there in ‘newsagency world’ and newsagent associations how IPS got this business model into our channel. Over a week has past and I still have not had one answer. If you can control your IPS supply please let me know your contact within IPS. Over the past month we have received ‘Ladies in Racing’, ‘Embellish’ and ‘Yarn’ all of which I DID NOT order but will continue to receive these and others for 3 issues. They will not go on the shelves because they do not suit my demographics and take up valuable space – exactly what we are talking about here. How do I stop IPS from sending me magazines I do not want?
Russell – my advice is just cutoff supplies from IPS. I did this, one less supplier to deal with.
How did they get it through? They are Fairfax owned.
Russell,
I set this up when I first started with IPS, they where not to send any new publications with out my approval so far ok. I originally spoke with Marie Anne and she was very helpfull . I currently have 6 titles from IPS and have added a 7th title from next month. But do not try cancelling any titles or change quantities on the web it does not always work I always ring to change quantities etc. Yes they are part of Fairfax.
I get all the control from IPS I need.
Mark I would like to know how you get control from IPS considering what I have been told by IPS – several blogs I have written on this site about IPS magazine control. PLEASE let me know who I have to contact to get control of my magazine supply.
Gregg thanks for your help – I will ring Marie Anne. Mark I also want your contact with IPS
thanks. Just to cover all bases I want to be able to stop magazines I don’t require.
Russell I have emailed them for you.
russell….. i like those last few words in your last post “I want to be able to stop magazines I dont require”
we should be able to do that as a basic right with all suppliers, but instead we have to find the “right” person who may be able to stop sending the titles we dont want, cannot sell, or have no room for.
Sorry but IPS are just crap. They have a very poor portfolio of magazines and because they allow no early returns we are railroaded into displaying their rubbish stock for longer than we would otherwise do. (Of course plenty of it just gets stored out the back until return time!). Their ‘business rules’ don’t allow us to stop supply in most cases and they are stupid enough to make commencing supply more difficult than it should be ie you should be able to tick a box on the website not have to email or have a ‘special’ contact as some on this blog seem to have. Overall 1 out of 10, I’m not surprised at the number of publishers who are deserting IPS, there was an opportunity to implement a distribution system that would work for everyone and they have comprehensively blown it.
‘May’ part of the issue here is newsagent support or lack thereof.
A bigger part of the issue is that if IPS had the portfolio of GG or NW, using their ‘business rules’ they could send half of us broke in a quarter by loading us up with stock & demanding payment! Independant business owners need control of inventory, I’m sure the TPA would support us in that. As it stands we have not signed our IPS contract, we’re still receiving stock so I guess if it comes to the crunch we’re in the clear anyway.
History Week in Victoria
Every year a whole week is officially designated History Week in Victoria.
This year it is being celebrated from 21–28 October 2012 and a wide variety of interesting events are being held throughout the state.
CBD newsagents interested in showcasing History in their stores during that week should contact the Admin Officer, Royal Historical Society of Victoria on 9326 9288.
With Historical Societies and Museums located throughout the state, both Metropolitan and Regional newsagents should visit http://www.history.org.au/Victoria.html to find details of the Museum or Society closest to them.
Historical Societies and Museums are expertly run by local volunteers and they are always happy to have additional exposure. There is no better opportunity than to join forces with their local newsagency during History Week!
SPAM much?
I have to say I was sceptical about the IPS model on paper, but very happy with the results in action. I have no problem controlling supply. Great support when I had an issue with a publisher. I would say that more people on the phone lines are required.
May First, you say that the business model would send us broke, well at least with IPS’s rules, you KNOW that you will be getting 3 issues of the new title. Currently we are just having shit dumped none stop to increase the account. I would like to point out that both NDC’s and GG’s “business” models have undoubtedly sent many newsagents broke.
NDC & GG are easy, on the last trading day of the month (1pm for GG), we only retain on hand the stock that we choose. The rest is early returned, we never pay for any oversupply from those two distributors, if those two send you broke, you’re doing it wrong. IPS is another story….
May, you are not making sense.
If NDC and GG are easy, why did you write this:
“there was an opportunity to implement a distribution system that would work for everyone and they have comprehensively blown it.”
You also wrote this:
“we never pay for any oversupply from those two distributors”
So you have no costs associated with excess supply? No time spent packing boxes, etc? No space issues? No transport costs?
If you dont like the way IPS work, or their magazine range, don’t sign a contract with them. Why are you complaining?
IPS
10 – Supply Criteria
10.3 -The Specialist Retailer agrees to stock and sell all publications secured onto the Integrated Publication Solutions supply chain platform for minimum of three editions, excluding all publications with a shelf life of greater than 6 months. This requirement is limited to 6 titles per calendar month.
I completely agree with the blog that was written here but isn’t the IPS Supply Criteria – 10.3 – in DIRECT contrast to what this blog stands for?
i agree, which everway you look at it we are forced to take delivery of goods we did not ask for, and further more we will wear a cost of managing the goods that were not requested or wanted. Needs to be some financial risk for ALL distributors if they force products onto newsagents that are over and above what they can reasonably expercted to sell.
Again we have New Idea that we cannot put on the shelf because of the give away. So I have given Womans Day extra shelf space. We will sell less New idea because of their ridiculous give away which we are unable to display. And the Sunglasses have the same problem. They expect extra space which just isnt available. Sorry I have to early return some cos there is no shelf space and I dont have a storeroom
Wally I think you’re taking the wrong approach with this. The New Idea promotion is for nexus newsagents. The giveaway is high value and certain to drive sales. Sure it’s a challenge to display but I see that as an opportunity rather than a barrier.
Hi Mark what is a nexus newsagent? We must be one, are we, because we got the NI offer.
It’s a trade promotion program from Pacific Magazines. I may be wrong, this promotion may be for other newsagents too.
Wally is a perfect example of why newsagents are on the decline.
He has a magazine with a give away of value and he is giving it less space….I don’t get it..I am putting it everywhere I can I expect to sell out and will source more…
There are way too many”wallies” in our industry.
Mark this is why 7/11 will always come out in front..Some people shouldn’t be in business.
Yep should be a sell out ,customers always chase the freebie .each to there own I suppose but I know for myself I will winge when woollies gets the freebie so I am more than happy to get this one .it does have its challenges with displays and a bit bulky on home delivers but it is all worth while