We have experienced a tough May at Forest Hill with overall newsagency traffic down 14%. While the landlord will not share centre figures, we expect that our traffic result is not different to other retailers.
All key departments are down except for Books up 39%, Calendars up 100% (at $300), Diaries up 122% (at $900) and Gifts up 436% (at over $2,000). Magazines were down 10%, ink down 16% (this reflects a promotion last year which this year’s promotion did not start until May 28) and stationery down 23%.
Overall store revenue (not including lotteries) was down 6%.
While it would have been easy for me to not publish these figures, and provide fodder for some, I am committed to this blog being a place of transparency.
We have several promotions under way in the centre as well as external marketing to drive traffic. We are also extending two departments which we feel will work well with our customers as well as planning to make some changes to the shop to allow us to evolve our magazine offer.
everything has been on par with last years figures for may except for books which is going extremly well and lotto which is low compared to last year
Magazines down 17%, papers steady, stationery down 7% and cards down 5%.
Overall store sales for May month not including Lotteries and phonecards is down 3.5% due to SE Queensland weather over the last 2 weeks.
Cards -11%
Confectionery -10%
Drinks -21%
Copy Centre +8%
Ink/Toner +66%
Magazines -2%
Newspapers -5%
Stationery -9%
Books +100%
Cigs -2%
Lotteries -10%
Phonecards -8%
Down a little, directly due to May’s rain. People just don’t want to get their hair wet, running from the car to the shop door.
Some interesting numbers for me. Take Lotto, we are up 3% in sales numbers but down 7% in dollars. Right there is a statement on the economy, we sell more tickets but those at lower values. I am most happy that Gifts sales are up 537% and books and movies 158%, Ink is also up as are cards. Finally phonecards are back with a vengence from the BE fiasco, month on month a rise of 109%
Interesting comparisons. Ours show Cards & Wrap up 10%, Confectionery up 5%, Stationery up 13%, Giftware up 22%. On the negative are – Cigarettes down 8%, Electronic Vouchers down 7%, Scratchie sales down 10%, Lotteries down a massive 19% (due in part to specials being out of the month), Magazines down 3%, Newspapers down 16%. Overall with Lotteries included, down 7%. If we take out Lotteries then we are down by 1% overall.
Books up 47%, Cards/Wrap down2%, Cigs down 10%, Confectionary down 8%, Scratchies down 3%, Lotto down 16%, Mags down 11%, Mobile phone/Vouchers up 29%, Newspapers even, Stationary up 15% Traffic down 7%