A newsagent recently shared with me a story about their experience talking at a local service club about their business. Here is the story, if their own words. At their request I am not identifying them or their business. This is inspiring…
Last night I was the keynote speaker at a service club in our regional city. I was asked to speak on my business as a “Newsagent”
I took them through a journey of the history of the newspapers in our state, their rise and the demise of some.
I took them through the journey of the family “newsagency” as it was, newspaper boys, home delivery, mail runs and retail store. I spoke deeply of the work involved behind the scenes of a distribution/retail “Newsagency”
I took them through the journey of the demise of delivery rounds, the amalgamation of rounds and the reasons for closures of some smaller “Newsagencies” in small towns.
I spoke of the distribution Newsagents who cover great territories and how these are the backbone now of paper deliveries in capital cities and large regional areas.
I spoke of the advent of supermarkets and service stations entering the retailing of magazines and newspapers.
I emphasised how “Newsagencies” large or small are still a core business in most cities and towns and this will never change but the structure of “Newsagencies” are changing to meet a changing social world and shopping trends so you will see “Newsagencies” with a different look.
They were amazed when I talked about the massive number of magazine put aways we have. Over half of these titles never hit the shelves as they are of specialised interest to the customer and the topic range is immense. The modern “Newsagency” are magazine specialists in this way.
The point I want to make now:
From the questions I was asked and in general conversation afterwards people were amazed at what a “Newsageny” was all about and they were now putting our business in a different light and I just felt a rising respect for our core industry. I could feel this overwhelming respect for “Newsagencies” as a business coming through.
It was an eye opener to me how the business of a “Newsagency” was perceived in general even though we are a progressive store.
We somehow have to break the old Newsagency image shingle.
I am inspired more than ever to move forward in a changing world.
Its great to hear a positive story from someone who is still clearly passionate about their business.
Sure, this industry has challenges and only those who manage change effectively will survive. But the essential point is there is still great demand for a range of products and services that can be offered in a store or business that previously housed a traditional newsagency.
There is no need to be cynical or negative because there is still opportunity if you’re prepared to think a little bit outside of the square, take care of your own destiny and have a go.
We’re finding that most of our customers are on board with our new directions. We listen more to those that cheer us on, rather than those who whinge and grizzle about things being different. They’re a tiny, selfish and small-minded minority anyway.
We don’t need to throw the Newsagency shingle out but we can make it stand for something different – even more attractive.
With or without the actual newsagency shingle, there are plenty of optimistic and excellent innovators in our challenge.
Well said Kevin Love your Attitude and Positivity
Kevin ?
Yep 🙂
I understand the reason for the demise of newsagents in small towns. Living in one of those, I don’t want closure but it is difficult because of the order size needed when diversifying into other products, which are not viable to sell with small populations.
Lyndon, these are times to think of customers as not only coming from within driving distance of the business.