We have sold Christina Re products in one or more of my newsagencies for a few years. I have decided to bring this association to an end for several reasons – they have become less flexible, they are now in Officeworks and there are better value products for the newsagency shopper.
Suppliers who want to grow sales in the newsagency channel need to understand the typical newsagency shopper and the needs of the newsagency business. They also need to support us and drive traffic to our businesses. Suppliers who do this thrive. Those who don’t fail to reach their potential.
Placing products in the newsagency channel and expecting to leverage traffic generated by other products is not helpful or respectful to our businesses.
Our businesses generate considerable traffic based on four key factors:
- Greeting card range.
- Magazine range.
- Lottery products.
- Newspapers.
Smart suppliers understand the shoppers who enter our businesses for these four key product categories. They provide products which appeal to these shoppers. The provide newsagents with margins which compliment the margins of the four key product categories.
I am not suggesting that Christina Re failed on these fronts. My sense is that they never really understood the needs and opportunities of the newsagency channel. That said, I am sure that others will disagree as I know of newsagents who enjoy terrific success from their products.
Mark, i note that you did not list Stationery as a traffic generator. I would welcome comment on whether typically stationery is an ad on rather than a primary destination category.
I am also re-considering Cristine Re product. We used to have a rep call now
we don’t and we only have online to see new product and I find it difficult to buy
without sight/touch.
Beautiful product but absolutely no service
and we have given them a fantastic spot in
our shop.
Disappointing but I am also looking for an
alternative. Fred Hosking I think but would love new ideas if anyone has any.
Craig I think this varies considerably from business to business. However, I suspect that for more of us it is NOT a traffic generator.
I have recently purchased printstation3 from Officeworks and i am unable to install the disc, I paid $35.00 for disc and the unique serial number that is inside the cover will not open the program, please help someone from christinare.com can help me.
Monica you’d do better to contact Christina re.