Without reference to our magazine maner, store manager or myself as the business owner, a merchandiser visited and moved Australian Business Solutions, placing it in the premium location usually reserved for BRW magazine.
It is this type of move which annoys me and many other newsagents. Not only have they increased supply, they have made decisions which only I and my team should make.
Having someone walk into your business and make a change like this without permission is a violation of what should be a respectful relationship. Publishers treat each other dreadfully.
I am sure the merchandiser will have an excuse, probably that they spoke to someone. They did not speak to the three people in the business with authority.
Send a simple message;
Ring the publisher and TELL them if anyone from their company touches ANYTHING in your shop without the proper authority; they will not be given ANY space to promote the title.
Me; i would place a 3 month ban on their title straight up!
Harsh Vaughan. But reasonable considering it is your newsagency.
Bugger them Mark;
It’s about time some publishers started to realise they have privalaged position in our businesses.
We have been soft in our approach in the past and are still being treated like THEY own the business.
Times are changing, until we start to earn a more respect from our so called industry partners; this will remain my policy. other newsagents need to take a harder line also.
I’m lucky with my merchandisers, they say hi first and then ask what I want, perfect!
Mark,
i have a ceo of one mag company who shops in my store every weekend and he loves covering all his competitors’ mags with his mags.
OMG – Are you sure he’s not a coke rep????
Mark
If all the newsagents in Australia were owned by two or three huge corporations, similar to Woolworths or Coles, then the magazine companies would have to PAY for the space on the shelves and they merchandisers would shudder every time they were caught doing something untoward.
This is really about power relationships.
Bill you’re right. See what they pay in Canada for a pocket: http://www.newsagencyblog.com.au/2009/08/04/the-price-of-a-magazine-pocket-in-canada.html
Brett
We in Gympie only get one merchandiser and she is from ACP.
Her name is Cathy Clark and she is a “BLOODY LEGEND”
Warrick
newsXpress gympie
Warrick,
Amazed Cathy is game enough to travel to Gympie!
We are very clear with merchandisers – we decide what is happening in our store, not their bosses. We work hard at having a good, positive relationship with them, because more often than not, they will go out of their way for us.
However, repeated disregard for our store policies does not go well for them.
Yo Mark. I’m really happy for you and I’m gonna let you finish but, Australian Business Solutions is one of the best magazines I’ve seen all year!
K., My post is not commentary about the quality of the magazine. No, it is about the tactics engaged in retail without permission of the retailer.
I’m not in good form today. I missed the Kanye West reflerence.