The MPA trial of new magazine supply rules would not give the ability to block junk like this from Network Services. I satisfy consumer demand for products like these with items off of which I make 50%+. I choose the products to tell a story and reflect a difference.
Network should distribute these products without my express permission – which would not have been forthcoming. But they did, because they have done for years. This has to stop as it is this type of scale out that disadvantages us. It dilutes our ability to compete with other retailers of magazines.
When I saw the products out this morning I took them off for immediate return. Sure some might sell – but I will make more from the space location with smarter product placement.
The reality, however, is that the supply of these products is outside the scope of the MPA trial. They don’t want to address this type of supply, not really … which is disappointing because this type of supply drives newsagent behaviour and newsagent behaviour is what they want changed. But they don’t get that.
Note: I would not deny Network the right to distribute the product – only their ability to scale out without newsagents opting in.