betterRetailing, a UK news source and indie small business retailers, has covered six key takeaways I tapped into from participating Shoptalk this year.
Of all the takeaways, the one I find my self thinking about the most in the context of the Australian newsagency channel is this one:
4. Don’t let history define you
UK and Australian newsagents have a shared heritage in historically being a key part of newspaper distribution. We have all suffered from declining circulation across the formerly successful categories. To be successful in the future, we need to find a new personality that will renew or refresh our customer base. The CTN model has already faded, and convenience is changing with food to go. The opportunity that your space and your people offer are the most valuable asset you have for future success, not what you used to sell.
I am drawn tonic because I see it happen many times, people making decisions about their businesses because of history that they have either experienced or heard about.
History is interesting but it is not ur future. Our future could be a 90 degree turn away from our past or more even. That is what is so exciting about the newsagency channel today – the path for each of us in the channel is ours to set. Now more than ever we have a future that is set by us.