Oh you’re a newsagent, come over here and see these cheaper lines then. That’s what a rep for one supplier said to a newsagent who visited their stand keen to place an other.
I didn’t realise you were a newsagent. You should see the discount cards we have they’re probably more suited to you. Another said.
We don’t sell to newsagents. Said another.
We sell premium products. Said another in a snooty tone when asked why they would not sell to newsagents.
Each of these situations happened at the Melbourne Gift Fair this week. The newsagents who were treated this way entered the stand of each business keen to buy the products on offer – they had done their homework and we sure the products were right for them.
Several of the newsagents telling me these stories, and there were plenty of them – more than my examples above, sell more gifts than your average gift shop. In one case a newsagent selling close to $500,000 a year in gift and related product was turned away from what he hoped would be a new and profitable supplier for his business.
Even the smaller newsagents turned away are valuable in that a newsagency doing $15,000 in gifts has base traffic and cash flow that make them more viable for many suppliers.
These ignorant suppliers need to visit newsagencies and see our handling of gifts before they judge us. They need to understand the growth some are achieving and the threat we pose to independent gift shops. I could take them to newsagencies they would be thrilled to have as customers, newsagencies that look nothing like the businesses they assume we are.
Several newsagents were so annoyed at their treatment that they switched name badged, replacing Newsagent with Retailer.
Given that newsagents sell over 30% of all greeting cards sold in Australia and that we are the largest single channel in the category, gift suppliers ought to take us more seriously. At newsagency can easily achieve gift sales equal to a third of card revenue. I see results considerably better than this in newsagencies run by retailers – as opposed to newsagencies run by shopkeepers.
Of course it’s not new newsagents are treated like this at the Gift fairs. This year in Melbourne however it felt worse according to some regulars.
There are some ignorant gift suppliers out there who did not write the level of sales this year that they could have.
I experienced this myself on three stands. Idiots.
I had this experience myself, tried purchasing off a company we had not purchased from before. Was told the min was $1000, that was fine. However when it came to getting my details and realising I was a Newsagent was then direct from the more expense items to the cheaper more impulse section. They didn’t get my order.
Some are shockers and yet others see the value of the channel and are looking for opportunities with us. Another reason to be a member of a group that will sort sort the wheat from the chaff supplier wise.
My experience (as I first time buyer at the fair) was 80% supportive 20% downright rude culminating in 1 that actually refused to take my order (some $3000.) until they came out and inspected my shop to see if it was a suitable outlet for their product??? I really do not understand this way of doing business.
I went to the fair and had a great buying experience. I think most are happy to help but others need to be informed that Newsagents are an expanding customer base and a very valuable one at that. The biggest positive with Newsagencies is their networking capabilities – this can be worth hundreds of thousand of dollars to the supplier if the feed back is positive and it doesn’t cost them a cent.
Michelle, I hope you didn’t let them in your shop or buy from them.
Jenny, I admit I was a bit P—–ed off at that point so I told them that their attitude was not up to my standards and I tore up my order (that I had pre done) and left it on their stand floor. I am not proud of that but what the —– else are you supposed to do?
If it was me they where having this attitude with I would complain direct to the company concerned and more importantly to the organisers of the gift fair. How would the organisers feel if they lost a chunk of newsagents/retailers showing up.
I have had this experience also with a mid-market wholesaler whom refused to supply toys as I fall under the newsagent banner. I even explained that we are in an affluent gated community with zero competition. My plush (aside from Beanie Kids) starts at $24.95 ranges to $300 and was told they still have a policy of no newsagencies. Whilst they distribute some fantastic brands that I’d love to stock I no longer wish to buy from them.
I too went to change my category on the registration from Newsagent to Retailer and was told at the registration desk that Retailer was an old classification and no longer available.
I thought this years Melbourne fair lacked something – but I can’t pinpoint what! Could be some supplier attitudes have changed.
It amazes me companies do this. With the large retailers and buying groups going direct to suppliers and bypassing them then blowing off retailers they think are beneath them I wouldn’t think there was that much room left in the middle for them all.
Had an interesting phone call from Austwide consumer products on Tuesday asking if I’d heard of them. Heard of them, I use to deal with them until one of their staff told me 18 months ago I wasn’t really big enough for them and should look for other wholesalers more suited to me. I was told they have had a change in policy regarding this. Maybe Austwide is finding trading conditions a little tough and need some more customers? Not that I’m worried I took their advise and have found a number of wholesalers who are excellent to deal through.
name and shame , nothing like word of mouth for business
I wear my name badge backwards to avoid being identified as a newsagent.
Definitely….NAME AND SHAME so that the rest of us can “Shun” them.
The companies doing this will regret it. Our best response is to ignore them.
This happened to us as well. My first feeling was one of annoyance. My wife and I even went to the trouble of “hiding” our tags. After a while I thought I might just have some fun with it. I would engage a supplier in conversation and only reveal we were Newsagents after the fact. Their response often made my decision to purchase or not. The “smart” suppliers didnt care where I was from, they were more than happy to take an order, no matter how small. Being a member of newsXpress gives us access to preferred suppliers and they really do understand the importance of the relationship. A lot of other suppliers could take a leaf from their books. My only wish for these “snooty” suppliers would be to have their opposition directly next to them so they could watch me place an order with the others.
How would Oprah have reported her experience at the Melbourne fair if she had attended? Maybe like this report!!!
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-10/swiss-luxury-shop-denies-racism-towards-oprah/4877948
Off topic somewhat but I have written to Montarte Art Supplies twice in the last week to enquire about stocking some of their lines and I haven’t received so much as a return email or phone call in reply.
In this market I would have thought that anyone would have jumped at a sales lead but then perhaps Newsagents aren’t in their stockist sites? Anyone have a contact I could reach to get something underway? I have a two schools asking me for stock and I can’t give them an answer.
Hi ,
i am currently running this exiting project on Australian greeting cards. I am independent greeting card producer and I would love to work with newsagents. Please check it out, give ma e feedback support this project and contact me via project page. Regards Alice from Bermagui, NSW Australia
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/506233629/toby-is-breaking-out
We at Flower World supply newsagents in all states. Our company has evolved into Gift Ware, Small furniture, anything really except Flowers. Come to our stand 2014 this August to find out the rest of the story we would love to see you all.
Wishing you all good figures.
Regards Catherine. Sales Represtative.
My husband and I have owned a newsagency and an adjoining gift shop for 10 years and attend trade fairs twice a year. Have often been looked down at when my id card said “Newsagent”. Best to have “Gift Retailer” if you want to get any service!
Hopefully this year will be different. There are certainly more existing newsagency suppliers participating.
Suppliers who treat Newsagents like this are totally ignorant of how to build a business These fools won’t be in business long
If Newsagents visit our stand in Melbourne we will bathe your feet in Champagne …… Ok well maybe just offer great service and friendly staff 🙂
Leo (new owner of Bonnet Gifts)
I’m a card retailer who also has a wholesale business. I LOVE newsagents!
I’d love to send you some samples of a beautiful high quality (UK manufacture) range of cards and stationery gifts. Please contact me via my website for a free package of samples and info (www.phoenix-trading.com.au/web/kirstin)
I’d love to sell to newsagencies!
My business is http://www.mountvicandme.com if anyone wants to have a look. I welcome all enquiries.