Our crossword sales are up 20% comparing the last eight weeks with the same eight weeks a year earlier. This is extraordinary growth outside what is average for the newsagency channel.
My research suggests that the average year on year growth for crosswords in 2.5%.
I’d put our growth down to moving the category to a better vertically integrated fixture and our discount voucher loyalty program. The discount voucher basket data in fact shows extraordinary use of the vouchers for crossword titles.
Newsagents can grow crossword magazine sales through more proactive shop floor engagement and a genuinely rewarding loyalty program.
Mark is this another nail being removed from the coffin of the supposedly dead print industry. This shows that with a good display and ranging what can be achieved. I’ve seen growth in other Newsagencies who have reduced the display area removed non selling titles and better facing for the mags that sell.
As always If any agents would like my assistance with anything relating to Lovatts please contact me at terryt@lovattsmedia.com
Terry the post and trading results show that active engagement with placement and a unique shopper loyalty offering can drive sales. Not enough newsagents do this because of appalling treatment by magazine distributors.
The best thing Lovatts could do would be to quit Network. Their overloading of Puzzler titles discourages newsagents.