I was surprised to see subscriptions to the New York Times being sold from a table inside the Century 21 store on the Upper West Side of New York yesterday, Sunday. They were offering home delivery at 50% off plus free access to online content. That was no big deal. No, it was the location, the pitch being made inside a department store.
I guess publishers need to go where they are likely to be able to win customers. I noticed several shoppers sign up in the few minutes I was watching.
I disagree Mark – it is a big deal. I have never seen hoes being delivered for a 50% discount! Indeed I’ve never seen hoes being pitched inside a department store … unless you include those few staff members in the makeup department.
Jarryd you are funny. We need a new delivery driver, might get more interest if I make the same spelling mistake when I place the ad!
Typo (hoe … now home) fixed.
I fear if Fairfax or News did the same in Myer or DJs they’d find their salesperson would be swamped as Aussie department stores seem to think floor staff are a frivolous luxury.
The other thing is that Aussie department store demographics are the same as their rusted on readers so they’d be little point trying to sell to the customers they already have.
Just on that point Mark, did you see this article discussing the rapidly aging readerships of US newspapers? I suspect the same is happening here.
http://newsosaur.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/newspaper-audience-aged-severely-since.html