A blog on issues affecting Australia's newsagents, media and small business generally. More ...

NSW government prefers to be half-pregnant with covid ‘restrictions’

The NSW Premier has said it’s not a lock down, rather, that it’s a stay at home order, and then pleaded for common sense.

A week on, we can see how that is playing out. Not well.

The NSW Chief health Officer today told people in NSW that retail was a problem setting for them:

While NSW and their federal friends have been quick in the past to criticise the stronger and more restrictive lockdowns in Victoria, history has shown that they work.

Retailers are told in NSW by the government to be open and that staff can cross Covid borders to get to and from work, but now they say the retail setting is problematic.

Hmm…

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Social responsibility

Newsagents: support those who support you

SEN, the company that publishes the AFL record, is the publisher that most consistently promotes and recommends our channel. If you see their tweets, Facebook posts or Instagram posts, give them a like. better still, comment appreciation for their support of newsagents.

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magazines

Melbourne AGHA gift fair cancelled

I’ve been advised by several suppliers today that the AGHA Melbourne gift fair scheduled to start later this month has been cancelled.

This from Giftguide online:

“Following a survey of all exhibitors and the ongoing uncertainty of random border closures and lockdowns by various state governments, the board of AGHA has made the very difficult decision to cancel the AGHA Melbourne Gift Fair to have been held at the MCEC 31 July 31 to 4 August 2021,” AGHA CEO Wayne Castle and president Michelle Lawson said in a joint statement.

The upcoming Melbourne Gift Fair was a sell-out and there was great excitement by everyone at the prospect of face-to-face meetings once again, they said.

“While there was a possibility that the gift fair could proceed, or potentially be postponed to September or October, the uncertainty of the ongoing spread of Covid-19 together with a strong reluctance by all participants to travel meant this was not viable or supported by the exhibitors and visitors.”

Castle and Lawson add that while this is very disappointing news, they are looking ahead to the 2022 AGHA Sydney Gift Fair, which has already garnered a great deal of interest.

“We look forward to the industry meeting again at the AGHA Sydney Gift Fair at Sydney Olympic Park in February 2022.”

Giftguide has contacted Reed Gift Fairs but there has been no comment so far on their Melbourne event.

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Social responsibility

It’s important to obsess about product images for websites

Product images are critical on websites. Not only do them help sell products but they also help sell the business.

Lazy product images pitch the business as lazy. Unprofessional product images pitch the business as unprofessional.

Obsess about product images and expect better commercial outcomes.

Here is a bad product image.

Here is the same image, looking much better.

To get from the first to the second image took around 25 seconds using a background removing tool. While the second image is not perfect, it is much better and will be more commercially successful than the first image.

This is on my mind today as I have spent some time reviewing several e-commerce websites for newsagency businesses. The easy, low hanging fruit, opportunity too improve each website I have looked at is fixing the images: removing backgrounds and sliding in a gentle colour to help the product shine.

There are plenty of easily accessible background removing tools out there.

A small amount of time invested in the images on your business website will result in better engagement and, hopefully, more sales. Certainly, the Google algorithms will notice the improved images.

You control the images you show on your website. This is why it is important that you invest time ensuring they are the best they can be.

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Newsagency management

IPS closure not unexpected

IPS announced today it is closing in September.

IPS Closure Announcement

Hello Retailer,

Australian Community Media continues to review its manufacturing operations around Australia. In recent times they have exited print plants in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. On June 25 our largest print plant in Western Sydney (North Richmond) was closed.

With this closure, IPS has been forced to review the viability of its ongoing business. Following this review IPS has made the difficult decision to cease operations.

IPS will cease operations on the 28th of September 2021, but will continue to work  to finalise the closure up until December 2021.

IPS would like to thank you for the service you’ve provided over many years. If you would like to discuss further please feel free to contact us.

Regards,

IPS

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magazines

Were newsagents obligated to sell the Herald Sun yesterday at $2.00?

There Herald Sun newspaper had the wrong price on the cover, as I noted here yesterday.

Reps from the publisher advised newsagents to keep track of sales at $2.00 and that they would credit the newsagents.

Please be aware the incorrect cover price of $2 was printed on the Herald Sun today, Wednesday 30th June 2021.

The correct cover price is $2.20, and this is what should scan when using the barcode.

If customers insist on paying the printed cover price today of $2 it should be honoured.

To avoid being out of pocket, please advise us via email to newsagents@news.com.au the route number and number of customers that paid the reduced price for the Herald Sun and we will apply a credit to your account.

Please call us on 1800 639 700 if you have any other queries.

I have three comments about this:

  • Poor communication channels meant that plenty of retail only newsagents did not get that ‘memo’.
  • Some distribution newsagents made up their own rules when advising retail newsagents.
  • The publisher advice is not supported by consumer law. Nor is it supported by the voluntary Code of Practice for Computerised Checkout Systems in Supermarkets.

This supermarket code sets out procedures employees in a store must follow in the event of incorrectly priced items. In one example, if an item scans at a higher price than the price listed on the shelf, the customer is entitled to receive the item free (assuming the look-up number is correct). I wonder if this happened.

What the newspaper publisher could / should have said is follow your in-store policy as it is this policy that should lay out how you handle an incorrectly priced item.

In my stores, the price of any item that arrives in store with the price permanently printed or marked on it is the price. That is is the price we sell the item for. So, in our situation, all Herald Suns sold yesterday were sold at $2.00.

Consumer law is governed by the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).  This requires prices to be clear and correct, so that they do not mislead consumers. Pricing must not leave consumers with a false impression as regards pricing.

It was wrong of the publisher to expect retail newsagents to deal with their publishing mistake. I think a smarter move would have been to be very public about the mistake and promote it as a deal for the day. I suspect there would have been a sales jump as a result, and considerably less stress for newsagents. yesterday was a missed opportunity.

This may seem like a small issue. All it would take is for one customer to make it big. They could make it even bigger by comparing how a newsagent would handle this versus a supermarket.

To me, the issue reflects out of date practices in our channel, practices that root us in how things were done too many years ago. We need to grow up.

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Ethics

New newsagency sales benchmark study launched

I have emailed newsagents this morning to start data collection for benchmark study comparing the first six months of 2021 with 2019. As I explain, I have selected 2019 to compare to because 2020 was an odd (good and bad) year for most.

I have chosen six months because of the opportunity to look at performance over a longer period. Based on early data I have seen from several stores, the results should be interesting, and useful.

First half 2021 NEWSAGENCY SALES BENCHMARK STUDY.
I am collating data for a new benchmark study, looking at sales covering January through June 2021 versus January through June 2019.

Why compare to 2019? Because … 2020 was an odd year. To really understand where your business is at today, we need to compare to two years ago, a more stable trading period.

How to participate.

  1. Please run a Monthly Sales Comparison Report for 01/01/2021 – 30/06/2021 compared to 01/01/2019 – 30/06/2019.
  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.
  6. Email these reports direct to me at mark@towersystems.com.au.
  7. 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 the Australian Newsagency Blog as a service for all newsagents.

I own and run three newsagencies. Over the years I have had three others. I own newsXpress, the newsagency marketing group.

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Newsagency benchmark

The Chief Health Officer of the Northern Territory has declared that newsagents are not essential

Update: 12:30 30062021. They reversed the decision.

In a move that is out off step with every other state / territory jurisdiction in Australia that has dealt with lockdowns during Covid, the NT Government, through their Chief Health Officer, has declared that newsagents are non-essential. ALNA sent out an email late today with the news.

At the NT government website they say all retail, except for supermarkets, is to be open:

People are only permitted to leave home for the following five reasons. Masks must be worn at all times when leaving  home:

  1. To receive health care or attend medical appointments. Including to get the COVID-19 vaccine

  2. To undertake shopping and get necessary goods and services. Supermarkets will stay open, so there is no need to stock up on groceries.

  3. To exercise for up to one hour a day within 5km of your home and only with members of your household or one other person.

  4. To undertake essential work. If you can work from home – you must work from home.

  5. In case of an emergency or if there is family violence or to provide essential care to a loved one or dependent.

This is an odd move, one that is challenging many small business NT retailers.

I wonder what the folks at the NT News think about this since newsagents play a an important role in disseminating the news they publish.

Newsagents in other states and territories have shown themselves to be responsible and safe retailers, providing an appreciated community service keeping people up to date with news and helping them connect, which is vital for mental health.

From my work with my POS software company, farm supply businesses, produce businesses, whole foods businesses, pet shops, pool maintenance shops, bike shops have all been considered essential. So, the decision by the NT government to only permit supermarkets to be open is odd.

Updated: 06:31 30062021

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Social responsibility

Tabcorp decides against an increase remuneration for small business lottery retailers

In a blow for small retail businesses confronting annual increases in rent of at least 5%, in wages of 3% or more and in other operating costs of between 5% and 10%, Tabcorp has decided to not increase the commission paid to its lottery retailers. Here is a letter sent to retailers. Happy end of financial year folks.

While they thank parties for their submissions, the letter shows that it was all wasted effort by all who made submissions, just as it is for most who object to new outlets being approved near them. Tabcorp is great at telling retailers who much they care and great and doing very little to put the words into action in my opinion.

Tabcorp shareholders have every reason to be happy. Small business retailers will keep working, for less in real terms, because some do not see an alternative and because some see the commission as icing on the cake for whet else they dip in their business.

The lowest paid is the lottery food chain are locked in to be paid less in retail terms.

What frustrates me is that this giant of a company punitively controls so much of what the agent retail businesses can achieve – in such a way as to hinder good and fair retail management.

28 June 2021

Dear Retailer

Subject: Commission Review Determination

As a proud operator of lotteries across Australia, Tabcorp recognises and appreciates the critical role retailers have played and will continue to play in the future, in the success of the Tabcorp Lotteries business.

As you are aware, in Victoria, Tatts is required to formally review the commission for retailers no less than three times during the period of the Victorian Public Lottery Licence. Although this is not a requirement across all jurisdictions, Golden Casket has elected to extend this review to include all of the jurisdictions in which we operate. After an extensive consultation process, we have now concluded this review.

As part of the current commission review and consultation process Golden Casket has:

  • considered all of the factors listed in our letter to retailers in November 2020;
  • actively engaged with Industry Associations that hold a current collective bargaining authorisation under section 88 (1A) and (1) of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 in accordance with 3.3 of Schedule 4; and
  • invited retailers not associated with the Industry Associations to make individual submissions.We would like to thank ALNA and NLNA for their detailed submissions and subsequent engagement, as well as thank those retailers that are not members of ALNA or NLNA, for taking the time to provide us with their submissions.Following our extensive review and consultation process, Golden Casket advises that no changes are proposed for the maximum commission rates and the current commission rates will be retained.

1. Rational for retention of current commission rates

As you are aware, the current commission rates were adjusted on 19 August 2019 as part of the Omni- Channel Remuneration Program. Golden Caskets analysis demonstrates that these commission rates reasonably reward retailers for their role as a stakeholder in the conduct of Public Lotteries in Queensland.

Total commissions paid to Golden Casket retailers collectively have increased and are projected to continue growing. Through the successful management of the lotteries portfolio, coupled with the implementation of the Omni-Channel Remuneration Program, Golden Casket has delivered to retailers a steady increase in commissions, above the CPI during the term of the Current Licence, noting fluctuations related to jackpot activity.

2. Benefits delivered to retailers as a result of the commission review

Although Golden Casket does not support an increase in commission rates at this time, we will continue to regularly evaluate and seek to improve the net remuneration paid to retailers via competitive rate and fee structures. We will also continue our investment in product and marketing initiatives that drive growth and sales for retailers.

The Omni-Channel Remuneration Program which commenced on 19 August 2019 with enhanced remuneration arrangements for retailers, has delivered over $21M in FY20 in additional income to retailers, with a further $8.9M invested by Tabcorp in the DigiPOS buyback program.

Outside of the formal review process established by the government, Golden Casket regularly reviews methods to help reduce the costs for retailers and will continue to do so. We consider that this dynamic regular review process, which considers relevant and current factors, delivers better outcomes than simply operating a system with prescribed fixed / regular commission adjustments.

Golden Casket also has a strong pipeline of planned initiatives which are focussed on delivering ongoing benefits to retailers and building a stronger retail network. Such initiatives include:

  • exploring ways to drive new foot traffic for lotteries retailers;
  • training programs for our retailers;
  • the provision of retailer syndicates via The Lott Website and app;
  • terminal enhancements to bring the retail and digital experiences closer together; and
  • The Lott rebranding program that will see a single master channel Omni-Channel brand across boththe digital and retail networks.

3. Golden Casket future approach to remuneration of retailers

Given the maximum commission rates were increased in 2019 as part of the Omni-Channel Program launch, Golden Casket advises that the maximum commission rates will remain at the current levels.

Golden Casket will continue to regularly monitor the performance of its retailers including the level of commission paid to retailers and consider whether the commission reasonably rewards retailers for their role in the conduct of Public Lotteries. The implementation of the Omni-Channel Remuneration Program outside of the Schedule 4 requirements demonstrates Golden Caskets absolute commitment to this approach.

Conclusion

Golden Casket is committed to working in partnership with lotteries retailers, industry associations and the government on other programs that can assist retailers in maintaining relevance of their businesses into the future.

Thanks again for your participation and engagement with the Commission Review process and for your ongoing support. Should you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact your Business Development Manager.

Yours sincerely,

Antony

Antony Moore
General Manager Lotteries Retail

This letter reflects the challenges of being an agent, of relying on the entity in control to care for you beyond lip-service.

I suspect Fair Work would have decided differently if they were involved and looked at lottery agents as employees.

UPDATE (10:49am): Here’s part of ALNA’s response emailed just now:

What is ALNA’s position on the determination outcome?
Overall, ALNA is very disappointed with the outcomes for our retailers from the CRM process that were communicated today, we hoped and believed Tabcorp would be able to positively respond to our recommendations and deliver a range of improved solutions for retailers. Given the current circumstances, we feel it misses an important opportunity to address key issues and to deliver timely and meaningful solutions for the challenges facing retailers right now, and the broader Tabcorp business, that we had highlighted in our submission, with solution focused recommendations to this CRM process.

By not providing a baseline increase in commissions to retailers in this second review in the CRM which is affordable and already offset by ticket price increases, we believe Tabcorp will not meet its Lottery Licence and CRM obligations to retailers, as it has now been nearly 10 years since the retailer’s baseline commission safety net was increased. As a result, ALNA will be raising our concerns over the outcomes and recommendations from this review with the Victorian Minister for Consumer Affairs, Gaming and Liquor Regulation, as we did previously after Tabcorp’s response to the 2018 Commission Review Mechanism process.

While we acknowledge that since the last CRM, and our subsequent representations to Government, which ultimately resulted in the new Remuneration Program being launched, the majority of retailers have earned additional commissions and these have been very beneficial, they are not guaranteed like a baseline increase is and so they do not provide the safety net that retailers desperately need and that we have justifiably raised in this CRM process. They are ‘at risk’ commissions offset by a rise in fees and ticket prices and conditional on performance measures to discount these.

Our requests in the latter part of these negotiations were calibrated, to be reasonable, measured and affordable for Tabcorp in the economic circumstances, asking that they pass through a portion of the ‘at risk’ component of commissions in the remuneration program and asking that they reconsider their approach to available Omni-channel digital commissions and to improve these.

Furthermore, the opportunity this CRM review provided to adopt recommendations aimed at shifting retailers’ perception of the remuneration program from somewhat punitive and migratory to win-win rewarding and incentivising, should not have been overlooked. We believe this is critical for franchisees ongoing success with their franchisor.

9 likes
Ethics

Newsagents in Belgium to add banking services

Banks in Belgium are moving away from their traditional branch network, just as we are seeing in Australia. Newsagency businesses in Belgium are set to offer traditional bank branch based services, according to a report in The Brussels Times:

Belgian banking will soon be done at the newsagent

Thursday, 24 June 2021

As traditional banks move away from brick and mortar stores, a new solution is looking to ensure that customers can still do their banking needs in newsagents across Belgium.

The new project, launched by BNP Paribas subsidiary Nickel, would make it possible to open an account, deposit or withdraw money in newsagents in Belgium.
According to the company, around 1,400 outlets and 300,000 potential customers are expected when the plan launches in 2022.

The company has agreed with the Belgian press retailers’ federations to offer banking operations in bookshops. Such a concept already exists in France and has 2.1 million customers.

Independent newsagents welcomed this additional service at a time when their traditional business is declining, Belga reports.

Plenty of Australian newsagents had and have experience running a bank, building society or credit union branch in-store. Usually, it has been good business. But, here in Australia, the financial institutions have been retreating from this agency model.

Licenced Post Offices, often in newsagency businesses, offer banking services.

While the move in Belgium is interesting. I am not sure Australian banks would make that move. They appear to be less interested in any form of face to face contact than ever before. When I asked my own bank about how we are supposed to handle over the counter deposits, the manager said get your customers to pay by card. They didn’t smile or flinch. They meant it.

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Newsagency management

Cloud based software for newsagents

When asked if there was cloud based newsagency software available in Australia at a recent supplier run training event, I have been told that the national supplier representative said that there was no cloud based newsagency software currently.

That’s untrue. The Tower Systems newsagency software runs in the cloud has has been available for cloud access for many years.

Plenty of newsagents access it through the cloud today.

It continues to supply me that some supplier representatives make statements about topics on which they have no facts.

0 likes
newsagent software

Yes, magazine oversupply is still a thing for Aussie small business newsagents

Here is solid evidence of magazine oversupply by Ovato, through their tech systems and their expert approach to magazine distribution.

Based on the supply / return data, which they have, this store should be getting 3 or 4 copies of this title, and not the 10, 13 or 15 copies it has been getting.

What a waste of time, money and space for this small business retailer.

A failure to supply inventory based on current sell through data is one of many operational issues the folks at Are Media will need to address when they take control of Ovato.

Over the years, many newsagents have given up having this fight with Ovato, because they get nowhere at all.

5 likes
magazine distribution

NSW Covid health orders confusing

In several online places as well and through direct contact, NSW newsagents have expressed frustration at unclear health orders by the state government in response to the most recent Covid outbreak.

The overarching use your common sense mantra from the Premier and Health Minister along with examples of what people can and cannot do feed into the confusion/

It is clear that retail can be open. I think that is because the government does not want to be accused of shutting retail, down. But, shoppers cannot shop, except for essential items.

Here’s the rub – what is essential? That definition appears to be flexible, subjective.

Working is essential. So, you can leave a locked down area to go to non locked down area to work if required, without quarantine requirement.

From a business owner perspective much of what you do within your business is up to you given the flexibility in the rules.

If my business was in NSW in a non locked down area and I had staff living in a lockdown area, I’d not require them to attend work, for the safety of everyone else in the business. I’d police a no make = no shop rule.

In the business I’d be playing happy music. I’d re-cast products in the shop to make the shop easier to shop, especially the things people are likely to shop for right now.

Online, I’d gently pitch being open and offering safe shopping.

I’d also encourage everyone working in the business to be vaccinated as soon as they can, and provide time off for vaccines to be administered.

4 likes
Social responsibility

Lottoland still out there pitching

I received a marketing email from Lottoland overnight. While their wording pitches betting, the product appears unchanged.

I took a look at their web traffic using a respected analytics tool I pay to access. They are getting serious traffic to their Australian website, overing around 30,000 visitors a day for the last nine months.

 

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Competition

Manual rosters are not worth the risk

With the likelihood of an audit relating to labour record keeping and management arrangements, implementing a software driven approach to roster management is essential in any retail business with more than 3 staff.

We are switched to Deputy. The cost is worth it for the additional features. It’s easy to setup, easy to use and offers good record keeping, which is what really matters.

We have tried a few prior to landing on Deputy for our businesses. I especially like their Xero integration.

I get that the old paper time sheet can be appealing. The thing is, with more management of businesses being done outside the business and with greater risks for poor record keeping, using a structured software solution makes sense in this labour management space.

I don’t have a commercial relationship with them.

4 likes
Newsagency management

Do you stock golliwogs?

If so, read this story from NITV:

Racist dolls pulled from shelves at Gold Coast store

A Gold Coast store has told NITV News it has made the decision to stop selling golliwog dolls.

Staff at the Broadbeach Oasis News said that they had pulled the dolls from their shelves but declined to comment further.

The ABC reported the store had the dolls for sale alongside teddy bears, on Monday.

Once popular childhood toys, golliwogs have since been widely criticised for their racist depiction of people of colour.

The golliwog first appeared in 1895, depicted in Florence Kate Upton’s children’s book “The Adventures of Two Dutch Dolls.”

The character of the golliwog was described as “a horrid sight, the blackest gnome.”

The issue has come up several times in recent years, as the dolls continue to be sold in stores around the country.

Earlier this month, a Tasmanian local government politician caused uproar when he posted a supportive comment of golliwogs online, leading to his removal from representing the Mental Health Foundation of Australia.

In 2018, the Royal Adelaide Show removed several golliwog dolls from display in response to social media outcry.

Nagarrindjeri, Kaurna man Dominic Guerrera posted photos of the dolls on Twitter.

At the time, Mr Guerrera said he was shocked the the dolls were on display.

“I think people have been a little bit blinded by the cuteness of the toy,” he said.

“Once you know what these dolls represent you should get rid of them.”

While the dolls have been removed from the shelves at Broadbeach Oasis News, the dolls are still sold in a number of other shops and online.

I accept that golliwogs are offensive and that offering them in a shop or having them on display is disrespectful to many in the community. Their racist origin and their representation of blackface mean, for me, that they have no relevant role to serve. There is nothing playful about them today.

9 likes
Social responsibility

WA bans helium balloon releases from December 31, 2021

As part of broader action on plastics, the WA state government has banned the release of helium balloons from December 31 this year.

Western Australia’s plan to ban single-use plastics fast-tracked
13/06/2021 12:00 PM

  • Western Australia’s Plan for Plastics fast-tracked by four years
  • Single-use plastic coffee cups and lids now included in the plan and to be phased out by the end of 2022
  • Survey finds 98 per cent of Western Australians support action on single-use plastics
  • Education and behaviour change programs to be implemented to support hospitality, retail and wholesale sectors

The McGowan Labor Government has fast-tracked its Plan for Plastics by four years with single-use plastic bowls, cups, plates, cutlery, stirrers, straws, polystyrene food containers, thick plastic bags and helium balloon releases to be phased out by the end of the year.

The new timeframe will see Western Australia’s Plan for Plastics fully implemented by the end of 2022, four years earlier than originally planned.

Last year, WA was rated the leading jurisdiction in Australia for action on single-use plastics by the WWF Australia. The new timeframes will mean that WA remains a leader in this space.

Western Australia’s Plan for Plastics provides a roadmap towards a more sustainable, plastic-free WA by implementing regulations to ban items in a two-stage approach.

  • Stage One – now to be completed by December 31, 2021 – includes plastic plates, bowls, cups, cutlery, stirrers, straws, thick plastic bags, polystyrene food containers, and helium balloon releases; and
  • Stage Two – now to be completed by the end of 2022 – includes plastic barrier/produce bags, cotton buds with plastic shafts, polystyrene packaging, microbeads and oxo-degradable plastics. Takeaway coffee cups and lids with single-use plastic materials have also been added to the Plan for Plastics and will be phased out in stage two. Consumers and businesses will be able to use alternative environmentally friendly takeaway cups and lids.

Education and support for businesses will be the focus of the first six months after each stage, rather than compliance. The Plastic Free Places Program will help community organisations and businesses to adapt to become single-use plastic free.

Click here to read the full press release.

Sone local government areas have gone further, balling the use of any balloons at city events. Click here to read about the move in Cockburn, WA. Do a Google search to find out more about the moves against balloons by various levels of government around the world.

5 likes
Newsagency management

Gold Coast gift fair postponed

Citing challenges flowing from the growing Sydney Covid outbreak and the likelihood of more movement restrictions, the organisers of the Gold Coast Gift & Lifestyle trade show have announced they are re-scheduling. Here is an email from the organiser:

A huge kick in the guts !

As you know we have remained committed to run the Gold Coast Gift & Lifestyle Fair, however last night received the biggest kick in the guts delivered at 6pm by the Queensland premier announcing greater Sydney was now not allowed to enter Queensland. This is a total departure from the planned way where people who have visited Hot Spots would not be able to enter various states and the state governments would adhere to. This means 1/3 of the exhibitors confirmed now cannot enter Queensland.

We have spent an enormous amount of money including sending the directory to print as advised this week all which is not covered by any insurance or Government support but more importantly we are genuinely gutted as we just wanted to run the Fair and capture the energy and enthusiasm so many have shared.  We have no alternative than to roll the Fair back to August 14-16.

We have selected these dates as we appreciate the Melbourne Fair is late July/early August and there are still challenges around occupancy levels they are grappling with and our feedback is Queenslanders will likely not risk travelling to Melbourne. We also know the New Zealand Gift Fair  is held in late August, however the venue this week was placed into Liquidation so we unsure how that may affect that Show.  So August 14-16 seems to fit best into the cycle.

We urge you to stick with us, we as a small family business, love the sector and just want to do right by you and the gift community generally, and whilst devasted by the news will bounce back and dig deeper to do an even a better job for you.  We are still proceeding with the Town Hall zoom call today.

Gary

I feel for the organisers and all trade show organisers and the challenges the Sydney clusters are presenting.

UPDATE: 11:27AM. The Mid-Year Toy Preview in Sydney has been cancelled:

After much deliberation and given the ongoing developments in NSW, the ATA has unfortunately decided to cancel the 2021 Sydney Mid-Year Preview.

We believe there is far too much of a risk for exhibitors and attendees and it is the responsibility of the ATA to ensure a safe and effective event for all.

We will however be releasing a digital Directory which connects retailers with those members who registered to exhibit, and this will provide the opportunity to conduct meetings via the exhibitors/buyers own online channel. The directory will be sent to registered retailers and published on ATA social media early next week.

To encourage meetings between retailers and exhibitors to still occur, we are also conducting a remote raffle where retailers can win from a prize pool worth over $2,400!

It’s not too late to get involved – if you are interested in participating please reply to this email to have your details passed on to exhibitors.

Please do not hesitate to contact the team via toyfair@austoy.com.au or 03 9320 2600 if you have any queries at all.

And then, a few minutes later, the Fishing and Outdoors trade show for the Gold Coast has been cancelled:

The AFTA Board announces with regret,

that the 2021 AFTA Trade Show has now been cancelled.

The border restrictions put in place by the Queensland Government to Sydney and Greater Sydney meant that too many of our exhibitors would be unable to attend, with no exhibitors, there’s no show.

All monies paid to AFTA for stand space and tickets will be refunded in the coming weeks.

Stay safe and keep an eye on your inbox for details of the show in 2022.

0 likes
Social responsibility

Talking about the future of newsagents

I have just recorded a podcast interview with a business advisory group in which the future of Australian newsagency businesses was a key topic.

It started off with dealing with some of the assumptions held by people, bankers, landlords, suppliers and shoppers, about newsagency businesses, that our day has past, our shops are out of date, that our businesses are dying and that the future is bleak. I appreciate the opportunity to put some evidence in front of those assumptions, to explain that not every newsagency is the same, that ma ny businesses in our channel are thriving.

It was interesting hearing the questions about the history of our channel and how that plays a role in decisions being made in newsagency businesses and some newsagency supplier businesses.

There is a broad understanding out there that Covid has been good for our channel and that as a result we have opportunities now mid 2021 that we may not have otherwise had. Indeed, the Covid pivot embraced by plenty in our channel was another key topic that we covered.

It was encouraging that they moved on from talking about old retail that is out of date and often with lights off. Plenty of time was spent on new categories and new opportunities newsagents are embracing.

My takeaway from the discussion is that there are plenty on the periphery of our channel, landlords, would-be suppliers and others who are interested in the evolution occurring in retail newsagency businesses. To me, this encourages confidence for the channel in that if others out there observing us are confident then we have even more reasons ourselves to be confident.

The best indicator, though, is the number of people keen to buy newsagencies. In my experience it is more today than for years now. It’s a good time for newsagents keen to sell in most locations.

This was my third such long-form discussion about the channel with professionals looking at the channel. The interest in what we are doing has increased. I see this fro newsagency business sales, landlord approaches, new supplier interest and some interesting major suppliers keen to engage in a fresh way. The next few years look to be very interesting for newsagents and those associated with them.

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newsagency of the future

The stress of being audited by Ovato

Has your newsagency ever been audited by Ovato? If it has, you may recall a period of stress as you dealt with their information requests while feeling like you have done something wrong, feeling criminal.

The thing is, Ovato controls what newsagents are sent. They receive sales data daily. They receive returns data weekly.

If there is an issue, they would see it in the data.

Scanned based trading, newsagents paying for what they sell, would fix any data issue. Establishing scanned based trading with approved ‘locked’ software packages could provide a time saver for all involved in the compliance side of magazine sales in newsagencies.

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magazine distribution

Understanding the challenge of Covid variants

Given what is happening in Sydney at the moment and given the politically charged and too often inaccurate reporting by News Corp. and Nine Media outlets, take a moment to read this thread from Prof. Christina Pagel of the Clinical Operational Research Unit at University College London. This is a sober reflection from the UK on the challenge of Covid variants, something the NSW government is now becoming familiar with, despite insights from Victoria weeks ago.

I am sharing this as it reminds us retailers to be vigilant: wear masks even when not required by government, run clean businesses, ensure staff are clean and safe and to embrace QR code check in tech asap.

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Social responsibility
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