I attended the ACP Magazines Connections Conference in Cairns yesterday along with a couple of hundred other newsagents. It was a good event with speakers appropriate to proactive newsagents and an excellent opportunity to network with colleagues.
I was especially impressed with Bernard Salt. The data he shared was fascinating about the changes in demographics and how this shift, if understood, can be useful to retailers. He also shared some interesting stats about newsagents and newsagency staff: the 2001 census showed this pool to be 38,000. In 2006 it had falled to 33,000. 28% of newsagents and staff are over 55. This will mean 28% exit within the next five years or so.
The Conference presented other excellent data to drive some good business decisions. With Newsagents accounting for 57% of ACP magazine sales and with the Connections Emerald group accounting for a significant portion of growth, the investment by ACP in the conference is sure to pay off in better engagement and sales.
Bernard Salt’s opinions and overview of Australian demographics are wonderful to digest – he would be a great dinner companion –
I will be part of the 28% exodus not in the next five years but in the next five months and boy oh boy I can’t wait
It would be interesting to know of those exiting how much new blood will come into the industry? Or Mr Salt suggesting that the 28% exiting will close up their shops?
Interesting stats though…
Could you perhaps post some more of that useful information for those who did not make the conference??