GNS has issued a statement to newsagents about challenges around the supply of Collins financial year diaries. I share it here with the permission of the business and because on an ANF forum there has been comment on this issue that does not reflect the facts as they are known. Here is the GNS statement.
GNS have been promoting and supporting the Collins Debden range within the Newsagents channel for over 20 years.
Under new management, Collins Debden presented GNS with price increases for Financial Year Diaries for FY16/17 that were well above and beyond what we considered as justifiable, based on cost comparisons for the same products last year.
GNS held several discussions with Collins Debden in the interests of our shared customers, being Newsagents, to minimise the impact of the proposed increases. This did not eventuate and as a result GNS has decided not to range the Collins Debden Financial Year diaries for FY16/17. The price increase impact was both unsubstantiated and well over market influencers such as the devaluation of the A$.
GNS has sourced alternative product to offer our customers at competitive prices, high quality, healthy retail margins and sales offers to Newsagents that will minimise risk in this product category. GNS will be issuing these offers shortly.
GNS is an easy head to kick for newsagents. Plenty of head kicking is ill-informed in my view. The company is more transparent and accessible than ever. I have found that asking a question elicits a frank answer on any issue. This is better in my view than ignorant bashing as if it is a fun sport.
It will be interesting to see how this goes down with customers given the strength of the Collins Debden brand. If the price increase applies to all retailers and wholesalers and not just GNS perhaps GNS should have left the decision on purchasing them to individual newsagent to decide for themselves. We have to commit to diary orders several months ahead so theres little risk for GNS. Some people are quite particular about their diary.
I obviously don’t know the full story here so its just my opinion. GNS I have no real complaints about, the only stationary wholesaler I use.
From what I have heard that the price rise was, GNS have made the right decision regarding stock from Collins Debden. Will be interested to hear their reason for such a large price increase from one year to the next
What Forum was this on with the ANF ?
Shaun it is a Facebook page called ANF Members Group.
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your comments – and support. Our requirement was to commit to Fin Year Diaires around early January with Collins.
This is long before we go to market seeking Pre-Orders and/or retail commitment, therefore increased risks in an already high-risk product category.
I cannot speak to the parity of increases across all retailers and wholesalers – that is a Collins issue.
We are working with Collins Debden towards a positive outcome for Calendar 2017 and hope to be in a position to offer this brand through our business – as we have for a long time.
Our Fin Year offer is being launched to market within days…..
Hi Alex
Thanks for responding. Like I said before I don’t know the full story, I am concerned at the impact on sales from not having the Collins brand but I wont be losing any sleep over it.
I will be interested in the new diary lines GNS has sourced, hopefully they will be of a quality and at a price point that makes them highly competitive.
I’m interested to see if any of the big boys, cough Officeworks, Coles, Woolies cough, still range the Debden products at cheap prices this year.
ACCC action then?