For decades newsagents were required by newspaper publishers to dedicate close to two square metres of space in prime location at the front of the shop to the display of newspapers. There were rules about the design of the stand and what we could place on the stand.
Many newsagencies today still have the fixtures in place as they were expensive and purpose built – removing them is expensive.
So long after newspapers lost their value in retail newsagencies, costs associated with a bygone era are a challenge for some newsagents.
The experience is a reminder to newsagents of the risks of agreeing to give over part of the store to a supplier for long after the supplier’s focus on the newsagency channel has faded, the costs of their required engagement continue to be carried by the business.
Today, newspapers work from almost anywhere in the newsagency. While publishers pressure for a front of store high-traffic location, their actions with other retailers and online lead to most newsagents not listening to their pleas.
demolished ours three years ago. Not a peep out of news ltd.