newsXpress Blog

Whether your newsagency is traditional or you’ve already made some changes, knowing where you stand is absolutely vital. And that starts with your data. This is where newsXpress starts when it works with newsagents on transforming their businesses.

Understanding your business’s current position is the bedrock for what comes next. This means taking a good hard look at your business from all angles. Here’s what you need:

• An up-to-date profit and loss statement
• Current debtors and creditors reports
• A list of all outstanding money owed to the business, both formal and informal
• A stocktake with total value
• A dead stock listing (items unsold for six months or more) with total value
• A floor plan showing gross profit percentage by product department or category and floor space allocation
• Total rostered hours per week, including owners, and revenue per hour
• A revenue comparison by category for the past six months compared to the same period last year

Wanting change is one thing, but knowing your business’s current state and capacity for change is another. The information above will highlight immediate opportunities and your ability to invest in changes. This is the starting point for any business transformation I work on.

When reviewing this data, I suggest focusing on some quick wins to get the ball rolling. For example, if you’ve got $10,000 or more tied up in dead stock that’s already paid for, get rid of it! Freeing up that cash and space will do wonders for your business. Set up a clearance area and apply a consistent discount, like 50%.

While you’re tackling the dead stock, analyse the rest of your data to understand current performance and spot potential opportunities within your existing categories. This will give you a good direction for your initial steps.

As you dig into the data, jot down a list of ideas and action items. You might just uncover some previously overlooked opportunities.

Some retailers get advice from accountants or business consultants. While this can be helpful, make sure they have current, hands-on retail experience in your specific industry.

Remember, this is your business. You’re the one driving the change and transformation. Own the process!

Start by gathering the data, streamlining your business, and building a solid foundation. This will set you up for bigger and better things down the track.

We are writing this to newsagents:

The future of your Australian newsagency is in your hands. You, the owner of one of the 2,800 or so retail businesses that make up this vital channel, hold the key to its success. The decisions you make in your individual business will determine not only your own future, but the future of the entire network.

And those decisions hinge on three crucial elements: your product selection, the narrative you weave around your business, and, of course, how you sell.

Let’s be clear: the future of the Australian newsagency isn’t tied to the old staples of newspapers, magazines, lotteries, or even the convenience items and cheap gifts that once defined the channel. Competing with discount variety stores is a losing game. Nor will salvation come from suppliers, particularly print media businesses, who, despite their historical role, seem to have little vested interest in our future.

The good news is, we’re already seeing innovative newsagents across the country reaping the rewards of focusing on premium, unique products. They’re not obsessing over the lowest price point, but instead, they’re smart about margins and embracing the age-old wisdom of “find a need and fill it.”

Think beyond the traditional newsagency offerings. Imagine stocking clothing, high-end gifts (think $300 and beyond), carefully curated books (not just remaindered titles), quality cookware, or highly sought-after collectibles. These are the kinds of products that will draw customers in from far and wide, products that many suppliers might not even associate with our channel today.

Of course, everyday items like stationery and greeting cards will still play a part, but their success will depend on your savvy purchasing and pricing strategies. Consider this: selling stationery to someone who needs it is one thing, but selling to someone who loves it? That’s a whole different ball game, and a much more profitable one.

The beauty of this new landscape? There are no borders, no rules, no boundaries. What you sell is limited only by your imagination and how you present it.

Then there’s your narrative. This is the story of your business, the “why” that resonates with your customers. A shopkeeper simply puts products on shelves. A retailer with a compelling narrative builds trust and connection. Customers understand your values, they love being in your space, and they want what you offer.

Your narrative is woven through your product selection, your in-store displays, your social media presence, your website, and, most importantly, your own personal interactions with your customers. But remember, your narrative isn’t static. It needs to evolve with you, with the times, and with your local community.

Finally, let’s talk about how you sell. In today’s world, having a strong online presence is absolutely essential. If you’re not online, you’re missing out on a world of opportunities.

We’re living in an age of immersive retail, where customers crave experiences and emotional connections. This is where your narrative truly shines. A writing pad in a basic newsagency is just a writing pad. But that same writing pad in a store with a strong narrative? It becomes something more, something desirable, something worth paying a little extra for.

The more your shop, both physical and online, engages your customers’ senses and emotions, the greater your success will be.

The future of the Australian newsagency rests on our collective ability to be smart, engaged, and creative. It’s about each of us making our own shop the best it can be. The result won’t be a uniform channel, and that’s perfectly fine. What matters is that you build a thriving business that resonates locally and online.

To those who resist change, who cling to the past, I say farewell. The old-school newsagency is fading fast. Time will inevitably catch up. This means we’ll likely see a reduction in the number of newsagencies over the next year.

But to those who are ready to embrace the future, know that you’re not alone. Many of us in the channel are eager to help and support each other. Reach out, connect, and let’s work together to ensure the continued relevance and success of our vital local businesses, no matter how diverse our product mix or what we choose to call ourselves.

A final thought: While some might argue that the “news” in newsagency is no longer relevant, the name itself isn’t the most critical factor. It’s what your shop shows itself to be that truly matters. That being said, a locally relevant name often resonates more than a generic national one.

And finally, we haven’t made a concrete prediction here  about the future of the channel. Deeper thoughts about this are for more private discussion.