How do newsagents feel about Family Feud Word Hunt from Bauer Books that arrived in-store today?
At an ACCC conference a few months ago Bauer management said they feel for newsagents and want to act on oversupply and that their MPA trial was all about seeking fairness for newsagents. Then they do this.
The puzzle space is sell catered for. These titles are not needed.
This looks and feels like oversupply. What do others think?
I am part of the MPA trial and I did not receive these titles. My issue is with the glut of colouring in books we are receiving. Today we received over 30 copies of the New Idea colouring book plus approx. 6 different types of books on our english gg invoice. Where on my shelves are these books to go? I am not taking off the higher gp colouring books and I have no room on my magazine shelves for these. Products like these are exactly the types that the magazine suppliers should let you opt in to (this includes the family feud book above) and it should be our choice to stock them.
Chris
Your comment raises some interesting questions. Did everyone involved in the MPA trial miss out on this title? and if they did does that mean if we all where subject to the new supply rules would Bauer have not produced this title?
If Bauer are manipulating supply to trial newsagents in a way that would be impossible on a larger scale then the whole trial is bunkum.
I should have said “titles” as well as finding a spot in the puzzle section you have to make room on the counter for the mini-me.
This is one example of where I think early returns are warranted.
For a first issue it’s crazy, the puzzle space is well catered for. Wordhunt is not that big so why would they send so many. Agents on the MPA trial didn’t get them, Two standards here and that’s a disgrace..
If it wasn’t delayed billing they would have been returned today
Delayed billing or not they went straight back. No room.
Same as Peter . Topped and put in the returns bin. Never even saw the light day.
No room, enough other titles already catering for that market and tbh I simply don’t want them in my reduced magazine mix.
It’s funny you know. I cut 300+ pockets recently to give over more space to hobby lines that are doing a roaring trade for me and my magazine turnover, while nothing spectacular, is pretty well line ball with last year so those 300 pockets were definately revenue losing for me.
Bauer on average have sent me 8 to 10 new titles each week since the ACCC conference. On top of this they have re-introduced 1-2 titles previously deleted with quantities well in excess of when they were deleted.
I don’t think any distributor can cry foul over early returns before getting their own house in order.
@Paul
I was wondering what type of hobby lines are you selling as I have done very similar to what you have said. But I have only done OK I just can’t seem to find the niche.
I feel I am just missing the mark with my hobby selection as I am sure that the market is here.
@Brett I’ve gone into model kits and miniature gaming products. Stuff that I know a fair bit about. I’ve actually given over nearly 25% of my shop space to it. I know enough to be able to avoid the dogs in the various ranges and thanks also to a little help from a mate who runs a toyworld hobby department have been able to really plug into a few segments and have started to get really well know in both markets.
I run a hobbies specific website and FB page (with 1250 likes and alot of followers !) that generates alot of business. Website is getting redone as I really haven’t been happy with it but between store sales which I put though the businesses here and the online sales which I put through as a different business it generates over $10K a month in sales at good solid GP and is growing rapidly. My store sales this month are $6K alone (should push through another $6 to 8K online) compared to $3K in store last year same month.
I’m lucky in that I’m in an area of the city that isn’t covered by a similar shop and the nearest dedicated hobby shop (models , trains etc) is rumoured to be on its way out. I have also been very surprised at the number of people who have walked in not looking for that sort of line and have said “I haven’t seen models in a Newsagency for 30 years ” and have bought something or come back and bought something. Best sale I’ve had to someone who hadn’t come in expecting to buy a kit has been $120.
It was interesting to note that NewsXpress had the small series one Airfix kits for Fathers Day and some looked to have done well with them and the drones. Mark may be able or willing to give some more insight into that.
Happy to help if I can Brett. I have plans in regard to other developments in the toy/hobby line with an eye to eventually replacing more magazine space. I find it funny that lines like this that can be quite profitable were once very common in Newsagencies and are now rarely seen. There must be quite a few others too !