mark | newsXpress Blog

newsXpress EXCLUSIVE magazine training drives sales

newsXpress has run four in-store training opportunities for employees of newsXpress newsagency businesses over the last month. These EXCLUSIVE to newsXpress training experiences have attracted excellent numbers of team members to learn about best practice management management methods from newsXpress experts.

Discussing layout, beacon branding, co-location and other strategies, these in-store training sessions deliver training to people working at the coal face, training which is unique to newsXpress and offers practical value to the newsXpress businesses represented.

We are proud to lead in this field, to help enwsXpress members leverage their point of difference in the magazine space and thereby drive excellent traffic results for the business.

This training will be one reason newsXpress stores continue to outperform other newsagencies in magazine title sales.

The photo is from magazine training last week at newsXpress Sandgate in Queensland. In addition to a partial relay and refreshing key categories, we covered a range of newsXpress principles which are now being rolled out in newsXpress locations which participated in the training.

EXCLUSIVE Visual Merchandising training adds value to newsXpress

Last week, newsXpress delivered the fourth in-store group visual merchandising training for employees of newsXpress newsagency businesses.

The EXCLUSIVE training sessions were practical, working on live displays in-store and engaging with employees from other stores in building displays focused on preferred supplier products and using newsXpress collateral.

Run by newsXpress Chief Operating Officer (and VM expert) Rob Henderson, this training not only left the host business is a fresh professional display, it provided newsXpress retail employees with excellent practical experience with which to go back to their businesses to create equally stunning and commercially successful displays.

Already we have reports of a sales lift as a result of the training. Banking results is a key goal of newsXpress for its members.

The photo shows a small part of the group assembled at newsXpress Pacific Fair during the training early last week.

Cakebaking cookbook a feature at newsXpress stores

The Australian Women’s Weekly Cakebaking cookbook from ACP Magazines which hit the shelves earlier this month is proving to be a popular cookbook titles with newsXpress shoppers.

Featuring this tasty looking cookbook at the counter, with weekly magazines, with food titles and other high-traffic locations is generating excellent an valuable impulse purchases as newsXpress members are seeing.

Thanks to data and shopper insights from ACP Magazines, newsXpress is able to help its members drive incremental business from the cookbook space … and this is what we are doing through out network of on the ground in-store support. We are sharing advice and helping our members grow ACP cookbook sales.

This is exciting as we are showing that growth can be achieved in the traditional magazine space – contrary to what some would have newsagents believe.

Free magazine training shows off the newsXpress difference

newsXpress has this week hosted two more in-store group magazine management and visual merchandising training sessions for people working in newsXpress businesses.

These free training sessions provided access to best-practice business-building training which will lead to sales increases in participating newsXpress stores.

With content built around exclusive to newsXpress principles and tactics, newsXpress is extending the reach of its proven approach to driving core parts of each newsXpress business.

As far as we know, we are the only newsagency marketing group in Australia providing this retail employee training … showing off not only a newsXpress difference but also building the knowledge assets within the group – all in pursuit of better business outcomes.

The commercial results of the magazine department are evidence that the newsXpress approach works. We have found a way to nurture and leverage existing excellent magazine traffic into good business results for the rest of the business.

My Family stickers continue to drive traffic and incremental sales

newsXpress members are finding innovative ways of promoting the My Family sticker range in-store from the magnetic counter displays to small spinners with top selling stickers to the traditional pull up banner in high-profile areas.

Changing the merchandising approach and engagement points can drive a terrific sales kick even in newsXpress stores which have carried the My Family stickers for more than a year, in some cases generating hundreds of dollars of additional revenue in a month.

The photo shows the counter-based innovation from the team at newsXpress Bairnsdale. They are pitching the relatively new magnet range along with a small spinner of popular car window stickers plus an order form and the My Family stickers promotional counter mat. All these items combine to provide an impactful promotion at the sales counter and thereby drive impulse purchases of the stickers.

Sometimes we lose focus on products which, with a little creative attention, can drive basket depth and through this deliver a more valuable return on investment. This is why smart newsXpress members are achieving with the wonderful My Family stickers range. It is also where newsXpress can help with insights and reminder like this blog post.

newsXpress is unique in the product insights, market intelligence and other help it provides to members with which they can drive sales and thereby achieve a more valuable financial result for the business. We have partners like our friends at The Sticker Family to work with us on pursuing these goals.

Preparing for the launch of Grand Designs Australia

newsXpress stores were been presented an opportunity to get in on the certain success of the launch issue of Grand Designs Australia from newsXpress preferred supplier Universal Magazines. This new magazine launches on May 2 and newsXpress stores can pre order the quantity they want so that they can give the title prime position support and drive the best possible sales outcome.

Getting in early with title launches is another way we can show off leadership in the magazine department and drive above average sales performance as a result. This offer from Universal Magazines is another example of the newsXpress difference.

AFL Beanie Kids go nuts across newsXpress stores

The AFL Beanie Kid range has gone nuts across newsXpress newsagency stores with some having sold out their initial allocation four times over.

The photo shows the stand at newsXpress Pakenham early in the season. Their AFL Beanie Kid sales have been excellent as Pakenham locals have been shopping for Beanie Kids for their favourite AFL teams.

Thanks to our friends at Skansen Brands we have been able to source products and invaluable product knowledge and education with which we can maximise the opportunity. Sometimes, having them product is just part not the requirement – product knowledge and understanding the shopper helps you make the most from the opportunity.

This is a newsXpress difference – taking product knowledge and turning it into something genuinely unique and valuable. Once you add product accessibility you have a commercial winner.

While AFL beanie Kids are a challenge to source at the moment, newsXpress is well placed to make this work for stores not only for this season but for the Beanie Kid range throughout the year.

In the newsagency space, newsXpress owns the Beanie Kid opportunity.

newsXpress newsagencies promote Pacific Magazines Barina competition and drive sales

newsXpress Sandgate in Queensland, like so many newsXpress stores is promoting the Pacific Magazines Barina competition in a high profile location facing shoppers as they come into the business. This display is visually powerful and certain to drive incremental business for the promoted Pacific magazines titles. We con side this display at newsXpress Sandgate to be a best practice display for this promotion.

Stunning Mother’s Display at newsXpress Pacific Fair

newsXpress hosted a store employee training session at newsXpress Pacific Fair on Monday night. This was attended by many employees of newsXpress stores on the Gold Coast. One group in the training focussed on Visual Merchandising under the guidance of newsXpress COO Rob Henderson. The photo shows just part of the stunning Mother’s Day display they created. Click on the image to see the detail and how they made good use of the newsXrpess exclusive collateral.

Wild Republic enjoying success at newsXpress Bairnsdale and across the network

newsXpress Bairnsdale is promoting a broader range of the Wild Republic which was offered to newsXpress members at our national conference last month. This range is fun and engaging, connecting with a valuable shopper demographic and driving excellent impulse business. newsXpress stores, like Bairnsdale, which embraced the Wild Republic opportunity are reporting excellent results.

In addition to the fun of the Wild republic range is their commitment to education. Wild Republic educates children about the beauty and wonders of nature in entertaining and creative ways. Their products have been praised around the world. here in Australia they are supported by the Australia Zoo.

The quality and educational and social value of the Wild Republic range is unquestionable. This is why newsXpress is proud to be offering it in newsXpress stores and is thrilled to be enjoying excellent slew as a result.

The commercial and social success of Wild Republic is another example of the newsXpress difference. Sure we could source a cheap China knock-off. But it would not come with the added value and it is this added value which drives value for the business in the long term.

Brands are important in the newsagency channel, now more than ever. Those who do not get this will realise their mistake eventually. newsXpress has a plan and this is reflected in our preferred supplier product portfolio.

Best practice Cleo display at newsXpress Glendale

newsXpress Glendale has setup what we consider to be a best practice display promoting Cleo magazine from our friends at ACP Magazines at the counter.

Featuring the free Model & Co. gift with the title, this display cannot be missed by shoppers as they enter newsXpress Glendale. Click on the image to see the display in detail.

Promoting the One Direction one shot

newsXpress Middle Park has been promoting the One Direction one shot from Pacific Magazines with this well-placed impulse display on the dance floor.

Designed to capture high magazine traffic and drive impulse purchases, this tactical display for the One Direction magazine title is what newsXpress stores do for magazines and shows another reason we enjoy excellent magazine success.

The One Direction title fromPacific Magazines has been a hit for newsXpress stores, generating excellent incremental traffic and revenue this month. It has been timed wonderfully to make the most of their tour as well as school holidays.

Free puzzle book with New Idea this week in newsXpress stores

newsXpress newsagencies are offering a free 32-page puzzle book with New Idea this week. Not all retailers have this valuable add-on for the magazine. newsXpress is the only group where this extra value gift is available through the entire group … showing off another valuable contribution from newsXpress and our strategic partner, Pacific Magazines.

The giveaway will not only help the sales of New Idea, it will also help the sales of the New Idea Jumbo Puzzles title which is in-store now.

Here at newsXpress we love magazines because we understand them, the value they offer today and how we can make the most of this opportunity for the next phase in our evolution as a retail brand.

Customers loving Blooming Expressions from Hallmark

Many newsXpress stores across Australian has the Blooming Expressions products on the shop floor as part of their card and gift range. This is especially timely for the Mother’s Day season.

With Blooming Expressions, newsXpress shoppers get to show someone your love in a special fresh new way … many times over and remaining fresh. They are a completely new take on giving flowers.

We see the Hallmark Blooming Expressions as being something to give from a child to a parent, friend to friend, partner to partner or just because … a Blooming Expressions makes a wonderful and memorable gift where you want your feelings to be recalled easily on the desk, mantle piece or the bedside table.

Placed in high-traffic locations in newsXpress stores, the Blooming Expressions range helps newsXpress position itself as innovative in the card and gift space.

Through our strategic partnership with Hallmark, newsXpress has been able to ensure easy access to the Blooming Expressions range for newsXpress members along with valuable insights with which we can turn the product opportunity into sales.

A newsXpress customer could win a Barina Spark

Starting today, newsXpress is part of a group of newsagents participating is a giveaway with a Barina Spark as the Main prize. Being run by our friends at Pacific Magazines, this promotion is set to drive customer engagement, magazine sales and the fun we get to have in store making the post of the promotion.

The details of the promotion were shared with enwsXpress members a week ago so that they had time to prepare to make the most of it. Some have large displays planned. At least one newsXpress store will have a Barina Spark in-store – to promote the giveaway.

Whether it is New Idea, Famous, Who, That’s Life or some other Pacific Magazines title, customers are sure to be keen to get in on the opportunity … to make the most of such a valuable promotion.

How we engage as a group is an opportunity to show off the newsXpress difference to other publishers, our customers and to ourselves.

Strong newsXpress support for Slow Cooker 2

newsXpress stores are ordering the new Slow Cooker cookbook to come from ACP magazines in good numbers.

Out early next month, Slow Cooker 2 looks set to leverage the success of the first Slow Cooker cookbook with which newsXpress had tremendous success. Indeed, it was newsXpress which showed ACP just what could be achieved with this title, some stores selling hundreds of copies. ACP air freighted in a special order of extra stock to keep up with the newsXpress demand.

Some newsXpress stores are taking pre-orders of this new cookbook, so that shoppers are not disappointed. The cookbook will be in newsXpress stores six weeks ahead of it hitting supermarket shelves. newsXpress is making the most of this opportunity.

Mother’s Day at newsXpress Darra

newsXpress Darra in Queensland got in early with Mother’s Day starting with this display of some of their Mother’s Day gifts right after Easter. The photo does not capture the rest of the store which is decked out in Mother’s Day signage and offering all sorts of Mother’s Day treats to Darra shoppers.

Whether it is newsXpress Darra or any newsXpress store, Mother’s Day is up and trading across the country. newsXpress is funding in excess of $50,000 worth of prizes through newsXpress shops this Mother’s Day. We believe it is the biggest prize giveaway in the newsagency channel for Mother’s Day 2012. Darra shoppers can be in the running for a prize from newsXpress Darra.

Promoting ACP cookbooks at newsXpress Streaky Bay

newsXpress Streaky Bay in South Australia has setup a terrific display promoting the latest range of ACP cookbook titles.

This display faces shoppers as they enter the store, seeking to drive impulse purchases of the great range of food titles.

newsXpress members are enjoying wonderful sales success with the ACP cookbook range by carrying a broad selection of titles to cater to a range of foodie interests.

The display at Streaky Bay is timely as it shows the business off as to the go-to place for ACP cookbooks in Streaky Bay.

Promoting Mother’s Day at newsXpress Eli Waters

newsXpress Eli Waters is promoting Mother’s Day in a high traffic location with this display showing off a terrific range of gift and capped with newsXpress Mother’s Day collateral.

History has shown that going out with Mother’s Day immediately after Easter works well, driving excellent gift and card sales for the popular retail season. Keeping the message simple ensures cut through – this is where the newsXpress Mother’s Day collateral works a treat.

newsXpress this year offered members a broad range of Mother’s Day gifts at competitive prices along with a high-value in store shopper price for every Hallmark newsXpress store. The total prize pool available for newsXpress shoppers exceeds $50,000, making it tremendously valuable for our customers.

In promoting Mother’s Day with a bold and exciting display, newsXpress Eli Waters is getting in early and driving good Mother’s Day business as a result.

Great support for That’s Life campaign

newsXpress Sarina has setup a terrific display promoting the That’s Life Scrabble promotion which is running with the magazine.

The location of the display is perfect – high traffic and ready to drive impulse purchases of That’s Life.

The display brings the Scrabble connection to life an a visually exciting way. this is vital to cutting through with shoppers and getting them to engage with the title … and purchase it.

All newsXpress members have access to these promotions from our friends at Pacific Magazines. The sales data shows that businesses engaging with these promotional opportunities achieve above average sales growth. This is great news for newsXpress members and for our publisher friends.