Some newsagents lies are thriving while others are stalled – sales data analysis from newsXpress

The retail landscape for newsagencies is undergoing a significant transition as we approach the end of 2025. Recent data shows that while traditional categories like newspapers and stationery are facing challenges, there is strong growth in areas that offer higher value and specialized interest. For example, greeting card sales have seen a notable increase, particularly when retailers focus on higher price point cards and seasonal offerings. This shift highlights a broader trend where businesses are moving away from high-volume, low-commission items toward products that drive a higher average transaction value.

Magazines are also showing unexpected resilience, with unit sales seeing a modest increase compared to the declines of previous years. This growth is most prominent in stores that carry a wide range of special interest titles, such as motoring, crosswords, and hobbyist publications. By focusing on these niche categories, newsagencies can achieve a better return on their shelf space, even if they choose to condense their overall magazine display.

Other standout performers in recent months include toys, books, and high-quality plush brands. Categories like toys and books have seen double-digit growth, indicating that customers are increasingly turning to their local newsagency for curated gifts and entertainment. Even though the total number of transactions across the industry has dipped slightly, the average value of each sale has risen significantly. This means that while fewer people may be walking through the door, those who do are spending more on items they find personally meaningful or useful.

For retailers, these trends provide a valuable benchmark for their own performance. Comparing your current sales data to the previous year can reveal whether your business is keeping pace with these industry shifts. If your growth in categories like cards or gifts isn’t meeting these averages, it may be time to reconsider your product range or how you are presenting those items to your customers.

The newsagency channel remains a vibrant part of the retail community for those willing to adapt. By moving beyond traditional expectations and embracing new product opportunities, you can set your business up for a successful year ahead. Whether you are looking at your data through the Tower Systems POS software or simply observing your daily sales, focusing on higher value transactions and specialized inventory is a practical path to long term profitability.

Storytime

Young Leon was sent in by a local accounting business to order Christmas cards to send to customers. They start planning for this early. “They want cards with a snowman and traditional Christmas scenes. I want something that looks Australian.” Leon grew up here. He knew the importance of shopping local and we liked that. I showed him the boxed charity connected Aussie designed and themed Christmas cards we have. “They are designed in Melbourne.” Leon was sold. He was even more thrilled when he saw that they raised money for a charity he knows and appreciates.

Offering locally designed Christmas cards that raise money for a trusted local charity is important to us, and to our customers.

Small business retail advice: how to make your business more secure

Security is important in any retail business. Here are some security tips, starting from the basic and simple and progressing to the more tech oriented:

  1. Keep a record of all keys used in your business and who has them.
  2. Keep a spare key in a safe place away from the business.
  3. Change the most powerful/valuable password for your computer software monthly, and share it sparingly. Check the strength of your passwords with a reputable website like https://howsecureismypassword.net
  4. Keep a current data backup off site, in the cloud, preferably. Regularly check that you can restore the backup and that the restored information is current.
  5. Use your business software to check for the deletion or alteration of data, as this could indicate employee fraud.
  6. Have current reputable virus protection on all computers.
  7. Have a current reputable firewall installed on your network.
  8. Never open a zip file sent by email.
  9. Never open an email that is not clearly official. Read the sender email addresses carefully.
  10. Be discreet when talking about the business and its performance.
  11. Don’t do banking at the same time. Don’t follow the same route. Don’t carry the same bag.
  12. Have a camera system installed to get a good shot of the faces of everyone entering and leaving the business.
  13. Consider registering your CCTV with the local police.
  14. Let customers see that they are being filmed.
  15. Train employees to make eye contact with customers.
  16. Train employees on emergency procedures for handling theft, aggressive people and shoplifters.
  17. Use the full stock control facilities of your software to understand the financial costs of shoplifting.
  18. Ensure that your windows are not cluttered. Cluttered windows can hinder someone outside noticing a crime.
  19. Ensure that there is good lighting outside the store.
  20. Ensure that you have good sightlines from the counter.
  21. Have a ‘no personal items at the counter’ policy.
  22. If you catch someone shoplifting, ask them to wait in the store, and call the police.
    1. Tell the person in your store who you’re.
    2. Tell them why they have been asked to stay in the store. Advise them that police have been called.
    3. Ask them to surrender anything from the shop that doesn’t belong to them. You have no legal right to search them.
    4. Don’t put yourself at risk.
  23. Have a clear refund processing policy and ensure that all employees are trained on this.
  24. Track all sales by employee code.
  25. When hiring, ask applicants to agree to a police check. Check their references.
  26. Don’t hire friends of employees, and make sure to explain your commitment to zero tolerance regarding theft.
  27. Have an employee theft policy in full view.

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newsXpress is a marketing group that supports small local independent retailers to thrive. Find out more at help@newsxpress.com.au.

Small business retail advice: at the end of the day

At the end of the day, you want to feel like you have achieved something, that your grind has been worth it, regardless of whether the day in this phrase is an actual day, a week, a month or a year. You want to feel your efforts have been worthwhile.

Being tired is not a worthwhile measure, as tiredness will not pay for a holiday or your retirement.

The best measure of achievement is value and the easiest measure of value is money.

Did you make money today?

If the answer is yes, terrific. Now, let’s work on making more tomorrow.

If the answer is no, what can we stop doing so we have more freedom to do better tomorrow?

Don’t get us wrong here, we are not suggesting that you obsessively chase getting rich. That’s up to you to figure out. Rather, we are suggesting that at the end of the day, check in with yourself. Has it been a worthwhile day in terms of how you measure success?

This simple check-in can be useful for setting you up for a better tomorrow.

Without this honest audit, it is too easy to drift into the trap of productive procrastination, doing things that feel like work but deliver no return.

You can spend years being busy, ticking off to-do lists, and yet remain standing in the exact same spot financially.

By asking the hard question about value every single day, you strip away the noise and force yourself to focus on the signal. It ensures that the time you invest today actually buys you the freedom you want tomorrow.

Treat our check-in suggestion as a judgment, but as a course correction.

If today didn’t deliver, you have the power to adjust the coordinates for tomorrow before the sun even comes up. It allows you to discard the tasks that are merely filling time and double down on the actions that fill the till. Success isn’t usually a lightning strike; it is the accumulation of these small, daily pivots toward value.

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newsXpress is a marketing group that supports small local independent retailers to thrive. Find out more at help@newsxpress.com.au.