Every few days I hear from a manufacturer, importer or some other supplier keen to access the newsagency channel. Some express frustration with existing supply chain access points while others are not aware of the various supply chains serving newsagents.
What is interesting to me is their keenness to connect with newsagents. They like our geographic spread and the traffic they see in our stores. Some of these potential newsagent suppliers have excellent products just waiting to connect with a strong national network of stores. The key is achieving that access at a low price so that everyone involves makes a fair return.
I have a standard approach which includes being transparent about the various channels to our stores: warehouses, distributors and the like.
The most exciting approaches come from people making products unlike any we have seen in newsagencies before yet which suit our customers and fit within existing categories. I appreciate that I am not being specific in detailing products – in many cases I agree to confidentiality so that appropriate arrangements can be negotiated.
It would be good for the industry to establish a supplier entry point and bring some structure to these approaches. While groups such as newsXpress can do it for its 110 members, there are some products which are more appropriate to mass roll out.
This is exactly the problem I am currently finding. I have a great product for the newsagents with a high potential to increase their market range. I am unsure how to get in touch with the mass market except through newsxpress,etc.
Ben,
There are traditional entry points such as GNS and a range of other wholesalers in various categories: gifts, cards, stationery and art. If such wholesaler relationships do not work for you then going through a newsXpress or similar wold be best to establish the offering. Once successful others are bound to follow. The problem with the channel is the lack of early adopters.
mark