I’ve heard from several suppliers recently that new newsagents are not aware of electronic invoices. While some handle their magazines with electronic invoices, apparently they say they did not realise they were electronic invoices and did therefore not think of this for other supplier situations.
This is a basic problem in the channel, for newsagents and suppliers.
There needs to be a co-ordinated effort to get more newsagents online with electronic invoices from the many suppliers that offer them.
Through my own newsagency POS software company, Tower Systems, we pitch it regularly, offer free training, offer a free stock file and invoice check service as well as working with suppliers to get them on board. It’s a time consuming process to bring a supplier on board. We work with their tech people, account management people, accounting and others as there is often a misunderstanding as to what is involved and the value for their business.
My newsXpress business is involved, too, as it tends to work with newsagents who are not traditional suppliers to our channel
I think one area where we (newsagents, software companies, newsagent suppliers and newsagents) need better engagement is when newsagents sell – they need to do a better job of training incoming newsagents.
Every time you type details of a new stock item into your computer system or manually process an invoice for stock you have received, it costs labour time and could result in data mistakes, which could lead to bad decisions.
Electronic invoices save time, and they cut mistakes, they help newsagents make more money.
I wish more suppliers offered this but most I deal with don’t.
John, if you use Tower Systems in hour business email support with contact details for the supplier. There is a structured process for encouraging suppliers to get on board. The thing is, for suppliers, it creates a stickier relationship with retailers, which suppliers should love.