NEWSPAPERS as we know them will be irrelevant within 12 years, according to futurist Ross Dawson, who said journalism would be largely ‘crowdsourced’. The Australian, Monday August 24.
I participated in a newspaper study recently and was asked the same question. University students researching the newsagency channel often ask the same question. I wonder if this is something newsagents think about. If not, we should.
how bout there will be no more newsagents in 12 years. anybody thought about that?
most likely correct, in name anyway
I think we’ve all thought about that.
It’s rather offensive in these posts is that someone you never hear of makes claims that can’t be proved wrong. Just look around at things they said would die, the combustion engine, Oil, Video stores,trams,lawn bowls the list seems endless. But around once a month on a newsagents site i can read about an authority figure saying it,s all over. Believe what you want but broad assumptions are allways full of holes.
Paul, I think that we will see a significant decline in newspaper sales in Australia staring from mid 2011. This decline will see major disruption of capital city dailies as well as regional newspapers. This does not mean it is all over, just that the game will change and is changing. In the meantime we need to make as much as we can from every opportunity.
Hi Mark,
UK newspaper sales figures have been falling since 1955 with a trend contraction of 5% per year. We have seen over that period an over inflation. In a recent Mintel report they show that the value of newspapers to newspaper retailers has fallen by 14% during the past decade. They go on to suggest that this trend will worsen with a further 44% decline during the next five years because of changing patterns of distribution, the internet and I Pad style readers.
Have you seen a similar decline in Australia?
Steve
Paul,
I agree with you. It seems rather attention grabbing than based on facts. Most will agree that predictions are really guesses amnd mostly off the mark. These predictors of gloom and doom should read “The Black Swan”
T.V. was going to kill the Radio. What happened to the fax? with email and scanning it was going to disappear. Sure there will be change however annihilation overnight. I don’t think so.
I think it’s fair to say that there will be co-existence and cross pollination for some years to come – as one media builds it’s reasonable for the other to decrease – levels will then set -cloths will be cut accordingly and the market will decide-meanwhile we will adjust as the pace allows us and implement along the way.
Fair enough Graeme but to counter these predictions which did not quite pan out as expected, CDs replaced viynl, the iPod is replacing CDs, e-books are overtaking print book sales, online advertising is beating traditional media.
The most vital thing for newsagents to consider is what their business could look like. Forewarned is forearmed.
It would be dangerous for us to remain complacent for much longer.
Steve we have not seen anywhere near that decline. This is probably due to fewer publishsers, a very strong home delivery channel and an, overall, healthy newsagency retail network.
I have read newspapers from the time I could read and then purchased them when I left home so my generation will want to read a paper for another 30 years at least. My youngest customer with a paper order is about 35 but mostly 50+ so I hope we all have something to read while we are propped up on pillows in the nursing homes – what would I snooze under anyway. I had subagents but my paper sales have increased since I’ve put them in all the servos. Maybe newsagents need to move into servos as thats were the people seem to be.
I think it’s narrow minded to forecast that the newsagency industry will cease to exist in “12 years”. As with any industry and small business, it will need to grow and adapt with the times…let’s face it, most newsagents have now expended beyond the traditional core lines and embraced a broader retail offering – survival is all about embracing change. Those that are proactive and seek opportunities will survive…this is part of the challenge of being a small business.
Stevo, I have not seen anyone here forecast that the newsagency industry will cease to exist in 12 years.
Mark, I was addressing Eric’s comments from earlier.