In Auckland today on a flying visit I have been reminded again of how good we have it back in Australia with our newsagency channel, especially in the magazine and greeting card categories.
Here, in New Zealand, there is no national network of magazine or greeting card specialists except for Whitcoulls and Paper Plus: cards, magazines (smaller range), Books (lots), stationery, social stationery and, often, travel products and related products.
This lack of a magazine specialist network makes it tougher for publishers and distributors.
Australian Newsagents need to better understand the value of the network they (we) have – differences in value propositions and service levels notwithstanding.
I’d like to see greater magazine distributors demonstrate the value of the newsagent network through fairer treatment of newsagents – in us you have an efficient and compliant network yet the way you deal with us sometimes it makes me wonder.
The model in Australia, which good, risks breaking up because of supplier abuse.
The photo is of the Auckland Whitcoulls store.
I have often wondered why we don’t have a newsagency network here in New Zealand. An area for expansion, Mark?