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newsagency marketing group

What’s your newsagency marketing group done for you so far in June?

What newsXpress has delivered to members so far in June

We are halfway through June, so here is a look at what newsXpress has delivered to member businesses in the last two weeks. Our job is simple: help members find new shoppers, grow basket size and improve gross profit.

Here’s a new video I did this morning: https://youtu.be/rXdXbr2rvC8

A free Father’s Day traffic driver

Every member store has received a MasterPro 13″ indoor/outdoor electric pizza oven, free. We bought the stock, paid the freight, packed the boxes and shipped them. Marketing collateral came with it.

The oven retails around $450. Stores can run it as a prize draw for card shoppers in the lead-up to Father’s Day. A prize like this gets people in the door and gives them a reason to buy cards from you rather than the supermarket.

All up including the price, in-store collateral and delivery in-store, newsXpress has invested $100,000 in this promotion.

The retail benchmark report

We sent members our benchmark report covering January through May, built from data supplied by 33 opt-in stores. Each store can see how it compares against state averages, the group overall, and categories including greeting cards, stationery and magazines.

One owner called it a kick up the bum. That is the point. Several stores spotted their average card price sat below the group benchmark and have started shifting space to premium cards.

We also produced an anonymised version for suppliers, so they can see how newsXpress stores perform and stock us better.

Category insights and new inventory

Members received a 21-page report on one of the strongest traffic-driving categories in our shops. It covers current performance, what we expect for the rest of the year, and our read on 2027.

On the product side, we secured access to the Royal Australian Mint’s Steam Giants collection and the Dawn Service coin program. Newsagencies have always done well with train and military history customers. These coins suit that shopper, and your local competitors will not have them.

We also introduced new journaling ranges with humour built in. They support the move away from low-margin agency lines toward gift shoppers.

Two more preferred suppliers

We added two preferred suppliers this month, taking the total to 153. More than 100 of them do not deal with regular newsagencies. That is a product mix the shop down the road cannot copy.

One-on-one help

Over the past fortnight our team has worked with two members on lease and landlord negotiations, answered HR and award questions, helped members under financial pressure manage creditors and cash flow, and represented members in lobbying on credit card surcharge reform and the move to payday super.

Is your marketing group doing this?

All of the above happened in two weeks. Five new members joined newsXpress this month.

If you want help turning your shop into a profitable gift and lifestyle business, email help@newsxpress.com.au.

What’s your newsagency marketing group done for you so far in June?

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newsagency marketing

What Has Your Newsagency Marketing Group Done for You This Month?

May is almost over. A good time to ask: what has your marketing group actually delivered?

I am Mark Fletcher, owner of newsXpress. Here is what we gave our members this month.

Ink and toner. We published a three-page analysis of the ink and toner category in Australia — opportunities, market leaders, and strategies for both city and country stores. Most newsagencies underestimate this category. The numbers suggest they should look harder.

Credit card chargebacks. Clear, step-by-step advice on handling chargebacks from online transactions. Follow it and your chances of winning a claim improve. For some stores, that is hundreds of dollars recovered.

AI tools for your team. Two resources. First, an AI Acceptable Use Policy you can hand to staff. Second, an AI Starter Guide with 19 ready-to-use prompts for saving time and cutting costs. Not sure yet? Non-members can request a shorter introductory version by email.

Winter retail ideas. Winter is close. We put together 30 ideas for gift and related retailers: 10 micro-events, 10 marketing ideas, 10 lesser-known strategies. The back page has a low-cost business plan that works for any newsagency format.

Mother’s Day sales analysis. We pulled data from 15 newsXpress stores. Members who shared figures got a detailed report with action plans specific to their numbers. Others received an anonymised version to benchmark against.

Royal Australian Mint coin program. We have been working with the Mint on an exclusive coin program launching through newsXpress stores in October. The implementation plan is already with members. It is designed to bring new customers through the door.

The question I started with matters, it speaks to value: What Has Your Newsagency Marketing Group Done for You This Month? Put another way, what have you banked from the relationship? or, is your business better off because of the relationship?

Retail is changing rapidly. Your business needs to chan ge rapidly.

There is a big difference in what the different groups offer and do for newsagents. The list I have shared here from newsXpress work this month is only part of the newsXpress story.


Everything we produce is optional. We put the resources in front of you — what you do with them is your call.

Want to do more with your store? Email help@newsxpress.com.au. Or, call me on 0418 321 338.

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newsagency marketing