The Block magazine is proving to be a runaway success in newsagencies based on sales reports I have received. I’ve heard of sales in the first two days passing 20% in many newsagencies and some selling out. This one-shot is a hit! Indeed, there appears to be a problem getting extra stock.
The bad news for The Block magazine is that some newsagents early returned the title on Monday. Seriously!
I can’t think of a single reason any newsagent would want to return this title, especially not on the day of on-sale. especially given that Nine is running a TVC telling shoppers to buy the magazine from their local newsagent.
Maybe I am wrong but from where I sit, early returning The Block magazine is a dumb move. It’s another reason to not trade with the newsagency shingle.
Hopefully, this lost opportunity stock returned by these newsagents will quickly get to newsagents who have sold out and have been told by the publisher that there is no spare stock left.
UPDATE: (10:17am) More stock is being sent as part of SBR to stores based on their sales data. Netonline also has more stock now available.
Why would you return it when you have two weeks to go until the end of the month ?
The Block is not selling well here ( 1 sale ), but I will not be returning any until the 29 or 30 August. Then I will keep a few just in case.
We have not sold any even with a major display, but we will not be doing early returns.
we sold 6 from 5 different spots. another dud mag
SOLDOUT, 16 FROM 16, BY TUESDAY LUNCHTIME
we sold out tuesday moring, still have customers chasing it
I GOT OUR ALLOCATION ON FRIDAY SO ASKED FOR EXTRAS STRAIGHT AWAY AND ORDERED 10 MORE ON MONDAY AND THEY ARE HERE TODAY. NOT HAVING ANY PROBLEM RE-ORDERING- ONLY PROBLEM WAS WE ONLY RECIEVED 6 TO BEGIN WITH FOR OUR 2 SHOPS AND 9 SUBAGENTS?!?
we still got 50 copies . i guess rich people don’t watch the block
We got ours on Monday -sold out same day and couldn’t order extras until today. There seems to be significant inconsistency about when agents got this magazine and whether they could order extras or not. More confusion in the magazine distribution system.
*ALLOCATION NUMBER* as in I rang NDC, not received physicals.
It is behaviour like the early return of this title which makes the newsagency channel look less appealing to publishers. There is no excuse for early returning this title yet.
Success! 20 copies to be delivered Friday but how many lost sales over the previous 4 days?
I don’t agree with early returns but thank those who did as it made stock available for us.
We have sold 2 mags so far. We still have 50 on the counter. The display will be coming down next monday. I would rather display something that will sell. The block doesnt work in my area
Just wondering if sales are better around Melbourne than Vic Country and interstate?
Selling ok in Sydney. Mostly younger buyers dragging parents in. Looking good for the future.
It would be good to hear from those that did early return in the first few days, why they did.
From a publishers point of view, it does make it even more difficult to determine the supply and allocation of our titles, on top of reviewing previous sales history, seasonal data, category data, covermount value and other factors that will result in some stores selling out (under supply) and others who can’t give them away (gross over supply).
Allocated 5; 2 on the shelf, 3 out the back, none sold and no customer interest at all. Will early return 3 next week if its still not moving.
Vicki – with respect I don;t think you;re helping yourself. Sure have stock on the shelf but what about at the counter or next to newspapers. Chase the sales.
I rec’d 5 on Monday, sold out by lunchtime.
Ordered extra through netonline which I rec’d today, sold out by lunchtime.
Have reordered again today, hoping for delviery Friday & I’m in regional/country NSW.
Great title. Giddy up.
Anyone still have those green footy cards? got asked everyday, but out of stock weeks ago.
recieved 4 sold 4 waiting on more stock ..
4 on the shelf did not work as soon as i placed them on the counter they sold within an hour today . Better homes and gardens beside it to get there attention with the chocklate cake and they sold with each other ….. put a chocky cake on the front cover of the worse selling magazine in history and it will sell it …. got to love the cake .
On another note that other new magazine Maxim i cannot move a copy i have tried it everywhere , how is it going for others ?
shaun s, sold 2 of 5 of the 1st issue of Maxim but only displayed it among the mens interest. For the record, both copies sold in August so I’m glad they were not early returned. It may take another issue or two to establish a reader base so we’ll perserver and work on more prominant placicg of a couple of copies.
Geez, it’s depressing to see you lot go through the supply issue’s you’ve got going… nasty.
John I don;t think there are supply issues. SBR has kicked in. Newsagent are getting more stock.
I hear what you’re saying Mark, don’t have the counter space to dedicate to it, but will try a co location with the others to give it a fair go.
Shaun S – Maxim’s not doing well for us. Have tried men’s interest, near the girlie mags, near the newspapers, pointed it out to the guys that buy FHM and used to get Ralph, but still no go. Anyone with a winning strategy?
Vicki, Please don’t be offended by this – what’s at your counter and is it paying for the space? I often see newsagency counters cluttered with items because it has always been and not because they sell.
The best place for The Block is where you get the most traffic: lottery counter, next to newspapers or even next to your weekly magazines. These are honeypot locations which you can leverage for impulse purchase business.
Allocated 16 have only sold 1. Have got it in 4 locations plus had 2 large displays. Now down to 1 display – keep up for another day then replace. Will reduce location to 2 spots. We’re just outside Brisbane CBD.
Hi Mark,
We don’t have a lot of counter space (very poorly designed counter) but we try to rotate what is on it. Like to have a few confectionery lines for the pester power while Mum’s making purchases, other than that I go for small items with a large mark-up.
At the moment its a range of pocket photo albums and some gift tags near the lotto counter, and reading glasses at the Aussie Post end.
We love to try new stuff every week just to see how it works. Fascinating what people will buy when its under their nose!
I’m working on getting a free standing single magazine holder to place near the counter for a magazine of the week type promo, but can’t get to the city to source one at the moment. Will do soon!
Vicki , call acp they have some magazine stands that look pretty good on the counter , they have 2 facings and do not take up to much space .
Thanks shaun