Q4 2017 newsagency benchmark study under way

On January 1 I emailed newsagents inviting their participation in the Q4 newsagency sales benchmark study. The call for data will be open for the next three weeks.

I am reviewing data as it comes in. The dataset already has data from more than thirty newsagencies. More than half the participants so far are new to the study. This is okay in that they provide 2016 data and 207 data, making the year on year comparison useful.

While there is not enough data to draw conclusions for the channel and its sub groups, the results suggest a possible slow down in decline of magazine sales but less than ideal Christmas card results. As I noted, the dataset is small at this point though.

For those interested in the call for participation, here is the email I sent to newsagents January 1:

Q4 2017 NEWSAGENCY SALES BENCHMARK STUDY.
I am preparing a new benchmark study for the newsagency channel to look at the latest sales trends overall and in key product categories for the fourth quarter of 2017. This quarterly newsagency sales performance study will help newsagents see the future based on the data trends. Click here for my last report.

How to participate.

1. Please run a Monthly Sales Comparison Report for 01/10/2017 – 31/12/2017 compared to 01/10/2016 – 31/12/2016.
2. Tick the category box. IMPORTANT.
3. Tick to exclude home delivery and sub agent data.
4. DO NOT tick the supplier box.
5. Preview the report on the screen. Save as a PDF and email this to me at mark@towersystems.com.au.
6. Read the report yourself and see what it shows you about your business.

I will email the results to all participating newsagents and publish the results on theAustralian Newsagency Blog as a service for all newsagents.

My work with this channel goes back to 1981 when I wrote newsagency software to manage newspaper home deliveries. That software evolved into Point of Sale software and has been rewritten as software technology has changed. 

I own and run three newsagencies. Over the years I have had three others. I am a 50% shareholder in and CEO of newsXpress, the newsagency marketing group.

Tower Systems serves 1,750+ newsagents with best practice newsagency software. Overall, Tower Systems serves in excess of 3,500 small business retailers.

Mark Fletcher
M | 0418 321 338