With counter and other premium magazine promotional space tied up, we are promoting the New Idea Australia Day special at our main newspaper stand.
While we usually have magazines in pockets above the newspapers, this is the first time we have so loundly promoted a magazine in this space. We will watch sales with interest over the next few days.
I did this display myself. It looks better in-store than the photo reflects.
I copied this idea and New Idea sales yesterday were better than for a usual monday. Thank you.
Hi Mark,
Just wondering how other newsagents approach eftpos, whether they charge a fee or not. With the upcoming introduction of increased fees at the atm, surely this will increase eftpos transactions at small businesses. Which reduces our margins.
Chris,
While we do not charge any fee for using eftpos, I know of many newsagents who do.
Mark
Chris we charge twenty cents per transaction, which covers the cost of the the machine for the month.
Or they can walk 12 metres to the ATM and pay $2 per transaction.
I’ve heard (not 100% on it) that you can charge for the cost that the transaction costs the business. Which with our 8-10% commission on lotto sales would help it not eating into our commission.
At the end of the day cash is king.
currently we charge 20cts as well per transaction which just about cover the costs .
We don’t charge a fee but we do have a $10.00 minimum.
Mark, did we not run a poll on this topic last year oin this blog?
Brett, we tried the $10 minmum, it might work better in your store, but we found that with cards it put people off a little bit and also teenagers(who seem to mostly use cards) buying a can of drink. No one minds now.
When will your website be up and running?
Ah the website….
Hopefully in less than a week. I can’t wait either.
We often find that an individual will purchase additional off the counter stuff to make up the value to meet the minimum.
we introdu ced a $1.50 surcharge to the customers who wished to purchase, phone credit, bus tickets and general agency lines only.. we dont charge any fee for any other transaction and we dont have a minimum purchase amount.
Thanks for the comments, sorry new to this site so didn’t know about previous poll, brett. We currently have $10 min, but sometimes that is just lotto. And agree that customers do upsize to suit the $10. But wonder what will happen with the atm increase around the corner. Just wondering with those who have fee attached, do customers get angry. Also do you have signs stating fee?
We have a $5 minimum purchase or a $1 surcharge if below $5. Most people will purchase more items to make up the value. We have a sign at the register which clearly states our policy. We really haven’t had any angry customers since we introduced it.
Also, back to the original posting, we have a done a “Celebrate Australia Day” display which seems to be working. We have stocked up on flags, tattoos, stickers, lanyards etc. We have also displayed Australiana plush toys which are a great sell for an impulse buy. New Idea has only added to our display.
Tracey,
It’s great to hear about your Australia Day promotion. This is another reason I like this particular issue of New Idea.
Mark
we didn’t use the minimum amount method bcos at our place most just buy bus tickets or phone recharge only.
these 2 items itself are more than enough for the $10 minimum but margin wise they are a pittance esp bus tickets.
Since 20cts could cover our costs in the meantime, that’s what we’ll charge.
Also we feel 20cts is not an exorbitant amount compared to going to an ATM whch is not their bank.
Some even tried to maximise their 20cts charge by buying multiples.