Is that possible? Can we grow an awesome newsagency? I wonder some times with people being so quick to talk newsagency businesses down – Jeff Kennett, Bill Shorten … even those representing newsagents. Everyone says how tough retail is and how tough some of the issues facing newsagents are. And they leave it at that.
I say it’s tough sometimes. But retail has always been tough.
In the middle of the changes and challenges lies opportunity, opportunity which allows us to become awesome. It’s a pity that those who say it’s tough don’t offer something in response to their observation.
Yes, I really do mean awesome. I am so lucky that I get to talk to some awesome newsagents every day. On Monday, for example, I was talking with a newsagent who has had a corker of a trading quarter, banking the results of 10% sales growth over the same quarter last year. He did it through hard work and backing his judgement.
Last week I spoke to a regional newsagent who has created an exclusive service which makes their newsagency the place people will travel an hour ow two to visit.
Just yesterday I was standing in front of a tired run down newsagency which was crying out for an awesome make-over. Without spending any money and investing just a few days and retraining team members this business could be on the way to being awesome.
I reckon too many newsagents get lost in our past of being a servant to a few suppliers who themselves are still locked in the past in some areas of their businesses. The newsagents doing great are those walking to the beat of their own drum, newsagents who are taking a good look around and choosing this path which they want for their business. While some newsagents and suppliers talk us down and shake their heads worrying about tough times, these awesome newsagents are craning to look beyond the horizon because that’s where they want to be – ahead of the curve. It’s where there is fun, excitement and profit.
Yes, I bang on about suppliers who frustrate me and some of the bad stuff which happens to newsagents. But I also write plenty about the success of playing with the model, experimenting with new product categories and pursuing change. There are suppliers who are doing good things with and for newsagents. Some long-term suppliers and some new suppliers.
What irks me is those in the channel who talk it down, going on about tough conditions. For some it’s like they have to do this to match their own achievements. I care less about these people.
I want to see more awesome newsagents and more awesome newsagency businesses out there. More success stories. Now networking about positive things happening in our businesses. Success breeds success, no doubt about that. We have to talk more about this. And if we aren’t enjoying success, we need to make the tough decisions to move which is in the way of us enjoying success.
Our biggest asset is our independence. Our biggest liability is our independence.
We need more awesome newsagents and awesome newsagencies, these businesses are our future. Making them ought to be mission critical.
When all is said and done, I am of the view that what you have written is true, it may put some noses out of joint, a few years ago I would of challenged you however we are in and are transitioning into a very different retail business.
One of the key point of your post that goy my attention was that it may cost very little to reinvigorate one’s own Newsagency, from Painting, improved lighting, business layout, using marketing material, staffing KPI’s, pressure reps for new signage.
In saying that I acknowledge their are some hardluck stories from no fault of their own or traffic trading conditions have been changed over the years.
As some may relate, a major reason why we may not have done some of the above ideas is we are stale, burned out, stressed out, financially stretched however I agree with Mark, it does not all come down to costs to improve our business’s, we have to challenge ourselves to get a mental makeover, I am sure this would see a remarkable turnaround in a lot of business’s.
If some of us do not put a renewed effort into sprucing up the joint you maybe joining me sometime in the future looking for another venture.
I’ve always maintained that the day we stop evolving our business is the day to get out of it. It is not always easy to do this but if done as a process of the business the successes re-invigorate us as well as the business. A network of other newsagents to exchange ideas with (positive ones) is also essential.
… I hope the post does not upset people beyond jogging them into action.
Personal accountability is vital to our individual and collective futures.
I think reputation is slowly earned, but it does build. If you provide good offerings, people will remember you for next time. I’m referring to mostly high margin departments like gifts, toys or books. And its especially true for any ‘seasons’.
The easiest thing to do in business is to stay where you are, get in a rut, be blinkered to opportunity. That may have been OK 25 years ago, but today it’s the quick route to being irrelevant to your customers.
With the businesses that you run and the great stores you see on your travels I think you are right to point out the difference in attitude needed to run either a failing shop or an awesome business.
Bravo!
Oh how we would love to be an awesome newsagency!! – If only someone could show/tell us how or at least tell us what we are doing wrong!!!
We are willing to try anything & everything to improve our sales and have implemented every suggestion (Magazine Relay, Ink, Gifts, Coffee, Books etc etc etc) and while our Customers all comment on how lovely the shop looks & how they love the range of gifts, books, ink etc now available – but they just lok & rarely buy.
We are at our wits end, tired of having sleepless nights wondering how the bills are going to be paid this month.
Do we just close the doors now & lose all our investment or continue to put in our, rapidly dwindling, savings and delay what appears to be the inevitable for another short while.
Narelle you hang in there. I know from experience just exactly what you are going through and I am determined to remain positive, as should you.
We have had two dreadful years as our centre has been redeveloped and we are still not back to our 09 figures yet (despite it being a lovely centre with lovely new shops)
We are (in retail) at the mercy of the economy and the media. The media keeps telling people how badly the economy (and retail) are doing and the people (consumers) are digging in for the long haul and saving their pennies.
Retailing has ALWAYS been cyclical and it will improve again.
Online shopping and the GFC have not helped but they are not WHO WE ARE.
We are good business people being subjected to bad conditions at present and that will change.
You are doing all that is right from the reading of your email but sometimes it feels that this is not enough. Sometimes it is ok to just shut the doors and move on (depends how old you are). If you have time to start again sometimes that can be the right decision.
However if you are approaching retirement age (like us) you will have to hang in, keep sane, keep positive and cut the cloth until retail, once again, does an about face and we are, once again the go to place for our customers.
There are always extenuating circumstances and it could be (I don’t know this) that you are in a country town which is suffering a downturn due to floods, drought, fire etc. Walking away is ok too. Follow your gut instincts and don’t be too harsh on yourself.
Small business is the backbone of this nation and we small business owners have borne a large brunt of the downturn but we will rise from the ashes again.
Sometimes bad things happen to good people but if you have your health and are motivated the tide will eventually turn.
If you want to chat give me a call on 08 83797578.
It takes courage to admit that things are not going well but a problem shared is a problem halved.
Narelle I hear you. It is tough. I’ve cut staff and am working longer than ever. I read ideas here and try them some work. The magazine relay worked. And i’m selling gifts I never sold before.
I read something here about taking small steps and it made sense to me. I focus on these rather than the big picture as that looks too daunting to me.
Thanks June & Jeff – your comments & thoughts are really appreciated.
We are trying to hang in there but some days it’s harder than others – but I know we are not alone & many others are in a similar situation.
We love our shop, our customers & our community so we are willing to do whatever it takes to keep the doors open.
Narelle, we too did it tough (shopping centre renovations) and wondered wether we were ever going to survive. Like June, feel free to call if you would like to chat about hanging in there. My number is 07 41940788, happy to lend an ear.
Al
This is what i like about this blog . With all the disagrements on here and a lot of name calling at the end of the day everyone seems to still love what they are doing and always willing to help fellow newsagent out . 🙂