Author: mark

I am a Director of newsXpress, a marketing group for newsagents keen for a bright future. You can reach me on +61 418 321 338 or mark[at]towersystems.com.au

Newsagents hear the most heartwarming stories

Storytime:  Some days, newsagents share the most heartwarming stories. A colleague shared this with me a few days ago. It chokes me up to think about it. Here is the story they shared…

A regular customer of mine, ‘Viktor’, put a small stack of cards on the counter, covering all the highlights of life: 18th birthday, 21st birthday, engagement, wedding, new home, first anniversary, second anniversary, a couple of new baby cards, some blank cards and a you’ve got this card.

I knew Viktor and said him “that’s a lot of cards there mate.” He glanced at me before looking away, saying nothing. I scanned all the cards, worked out that he bought enough for a couple of free ones, gave him the discount and put the purchases in a bag.

Viktor stood for a moment after paying. He took a breath, and told me the story. “The cancer they thought was gone, is back, in a couple of other places. Six months, maybe a little more, they think. I figured cards are the best way I can be part of Mel’s life as she grows up. So, I’m going home to write on these over the next few days and give them to Jill to give to Mel on each occasion. It’s the best way I can be there for her.”

My heart was full on hearing Viktor’s story from my colleague and what he planned to do for his teenage daughter. #love #compassion #family

Storytime: sharing sunshine

Storytime:  “I need a gold pen please.” I looked up to see Jean, an 80-something long-time customer. “I need a gold pen so I can spread some sunshine.” Jean was smiling.

We had this thing where she would tell me part of a plan and I had to guess. I brought several gold gel and felt tip pens to the counter for Jean to try. “Let me guess, you’re going to draw the sun?”  “No, silly. I am writing to each of my grand kids, telling them how much I love them, what they mean to me and how I’ll see them soon. The gold ink adds a brightness to the note, makes it shine.”

After bagging up two pens Jean selected, Jean looked at me for a moment before speaking. “You know, that’s not a bad idea. I might draw a cute sun on each note. Cheerio,” jean said as she was on her way.

We love hearing what our customers do with what they buy, the joy something as simple as a pen can bring.

Storytime: spreading happiness and supporting local communities

Storytime:  “This is the happiest gift we’ve seen in ages,” Helen said, putting 4 of the new Silo Art Trail calendars on the counter. Helen and Terry are locals we’ve got to know over the years. They like to shop early for Christmas gifts for family overseas.

“We love that the calendars are Australian made and feature country towns and the wonderful silo art.” Helen was very happy with her purchase. “We’re thinking of doing a trip to see some of them.” Tony was looking over the silos.

“We loved the calendar when we saw it too,” I said. “It’s such a uniquely Aussie gift.” It’s the truth. When we saw the calendar and read the story behind it, it have us goosebumps.

It’s hard to find gifts like this. We are so grateful to the artists and the communities who will benefit from the sale of the calendars.

Storytime: Happiness…

Storytime:  A few weeks ago, young Jess bought from us a bunch of sheets of different colours of A4 paper. “That’s a lot of coloured paper Jess,” I said. “I want to make people happy,” Jess said with a wonderful smile. “I am going to make paper cranes and give them to people.” “Cranes, huh?” I said. “It’s a symbol of happiness,” Jess said. “The crane makes people happy.”

After Jess left, I looked it up online. Sure enough, she was right. Handmade paper cranes are a symbol of happiness.

I’m sharing the story now because Jess was back in a couple of days ago. She left me a beautiful yellow paper crane, made from a sheet of the paper I sold her. I put it on a shelf in my office, at eye level, so I see it every day.

We have the most wonderful customers.

Local small business newsagents serving local shoppers with Aussie products

Local newsXpress newsagents are grateful to bring more and more locally made Aussie products to local shoppers keen to support creative local makers.

Bringing joy and happiness to local makers and to homes where the locally Aussie made gifts and other products are used, newsagents are thrilled to be helping grow these creator businesses.

Our products brighten homes and lives, filling them with happy memories, laughter and welcome hugs. We are thrilled to help celebrate life events in an optimistic and happy way.

From candles, to discussers, to soap, to clothing, to calendars, to greeting cards, to coins, to other gifts, there are more and Australian made gifts and other items through which people can express themselves as a result of newsXpress newsagents bringing these Aussie made products to availability.

These items and more bring so much happiness to homes, from the local newsagent. It’s part of what makes us essential, besides the news we sell, helping people connected, feel loved and love others is part of what we do every day in newsXpress newsagency businesses.

newsXpress newsagents preference buying Australian made where possible. We see this as an important role as we serve local shoppers who are keen to themselves source locally made.

We think it is important, where possible, that local retailers who seek to attract local shopping themselves source locally as much as possible.

We are grateful to be able to find so many creative makers who can bring opportunities toile for people celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, engagements, weddings and more using gifts and greeting cards that we sell.

newsXpress newsagents are not your usual newsagency business. No, we are newsXpress. We are our own thing, a focused community of locally owned businesses that are here to serve in each of our own communities where we serve locally, in country towns. We have a few of our businesses in shopping centres, but most are local strip shop newsagents serving local shoppers and serving the local community.

newsXpress newsagents are Aussie owned and run. We sell cards, magazines, newspapers, gifts, jigsaws, toys, plush, beanie Boos and more … to local families in towns and cities across Australia.

Storytime: Father’s Day 2020

Storytime:  “I need a Father’s Day card for my boss,” Taylor said. Taylor is an apprentice mechanic, he’s a local. “For him to give to his dad?” I asked. “No, it’s for me to give to him.  On account of how much he’s helped, helps, me. I want to say thanks. I figured, why not on Father’s Day.”

We are seeing people buy Father’s Day cards this year for uncommon reasons. It is wonderful. #FathersDay #Dad2020 #CardsAsHugs #Love

Local shoppers loving the optimism in local newsXpress newsagencies

While news outlets tend to focus on doom and gloom, local newsXpress newsagencies are happy places where plenty of good news is celebrated every day.

Remaining open all through Covid, local newsXpress newsagencies offer joyful shopping experiences for birthday gifts, games, toys, family fun and self care. They are places of joy and happiness where people can share and encourage gratefulness.

Local newsXpress newsagencies are rainbows in this time when too many talk about clouds.

From fun jigsaws to huggable plush toys to gorgeous Aussie made candles to beautiful Disney jewellery and more, newsXpress newsagencies offer people ways to love life and celebrate at home or for others with easily postable gifts and other celebration opportunities.

For sure 2020 has been an odd year, with its challenges. However, we have learnt so much, discovered so much.  There are many wonderful craft projects, adult colouring, Diamond Dotz, U-Gears, make up kits and more that people are loving from newsXpress newsagents.

There are so many celebrations in families, with friends, work colleagues and more where local newsXpress newsagencies are able to help support the joyful celebration with greeting cards, gifts and more. We are seeing card sales grow because more people are finding more things to celebrate and be happy about.

We are seeing people celebrate new homes, new jobs, new babies, engagements and weddings … so much good news, happiness and joyfulness. This makes our local newsXpress newsagency businesses happy places as people come in with their stories, their news, and they allow us to help them celebrate. It is wonderful. makes us smile every time.

Your local newsXpress newsagency is a place for all these celebrations and more. We have stationery, craft items and other things you can use to make for happy times, fun times and fulfilling times. No matter your age or situation.

Many local newsXpress newsagencies will happily post packages for you and deliver locally within their area. They can help you celebrate those you love and care about and through this help you bring jy to the lives of others.

Yes, the news may be doom and gloom. Your local newsX[press newsagency is a happy place, a rainbow of joy where you can be sure to smile and celebrate all the good things in your life and the lives of those you care about.

Storytime: Father’s Day 2020

Storytime:  “I need a father’s day card for my sister,” Ilona said, “so it can’t be all traditional and masculine.”

We looked through the cards and found one Ilona was happy with.

At the counter, Ilona explained. “Our dad died when I was 3. I was the youngest. Gretel was the eldest, 10 years older. She’s been like my dad, always there when I needed her. So, I wanted to recognise that this Father’s Day.

We are seeing people buy Father’s Day cards this year for uncommon reasons. It is wonderful. #FathersDay #Dad2020 #CardsAsHugs #Love

Storytime: Father’s Day 2020

Storytime:  “This is for my neighbour, Len,” said Valeria, as she put a Father’s Day card on the counter. “He coached cricket for 20 years, both my boys, another boy across the road and two further down the street. He was like a dad to so many kids. With his family all gone I wanted to let him know that Father’s Day is as much about him and his contribution as it is for all dads.”

We have the most wonderful and giving customers.

We are seeing people buy Father’s Day cards this year for uncommon reasons. It is wonderful. #FathersDay #Dad2020 #CardsAsHugs #Love

Storytime: Father’s Day 2020

Storytime:  I was surprised when I saw 80-something Ian slide a Father’s Day card across the counter. Ian’s a regular, he likes a chat and had never mentioned his dad. “It’s for my grandson,” Ian said, “he’s just become a new dad, unexpectedly as it happens, and he’s a bit stressed about it all, so I figured a Father’s Day card is an opportunity for me to tell him that I think he’ll be a fine dad.” Ian smiled his classic wide smile.

We are seeing people buy Father’s Day cards this year for uncommon reasons. It is wonderful. #FathersDay #Dad2020 #CardsAsHugs #Love

Storytime: Father’s Day 2020

Storytime:  “I’ve got no idea what to write on a Father’s Day card.” I could retire if I got a dollar for every time I heard that. Father’s Day cards appear to be the hardest cards to write for so many. We’re not sure why.

Our advice when considering what to write on a Father’s Day card is always simple: think about what you would want discovered on the card years later. You know, when someone is packing up the home and are going through stored memories.

Since many cards are kept in boxes for sometime in the future, think about what you would like to be the memory shared when someone sees your Father’s Day card. Because, that card you give today is for today and for the memories down the track.

#FathersDay #Dad2020 #CardsAsHugs #Love

Father’s Day cards – 2020

Storytime:  Billie slid 3 Father’s Day cards across the counter. “This one’s for my husband, he’s awesome,” she said with a bright smile. “This one’s for my father-in-law. He’s perfect and we love him.” Billie paused with the last card. “This one’s for my dad, who died when I was 5. Every year I write a card and put it on the side table, next to his photo.”

Days like Father’s Day are for all sorts of heart warming memories. #FathersDay #Dad2020 #CardsAsHugs #Love

Helping small business newsagents have a terrific 2020

newsXpress is a newsagency marketing group that helps small business newsagents in Australia to run more enjoyable, successful and valued local retail businesses.

Most of our newsXpress newsagent member businesses are in regional Australia, on main streets, serving local shoppers and local community groups.

newsXpress newsagents are local families with kids in local schools, hiring local people, serving the local community.

Our local newsXpress newsagent businesses can be found in all states and territories of Australia. We are national but all of our newsXpress newsagent businesses are locally owned and locally run.

This is why no two newsXpress businesses will look the same. They sell products in service of their local community. They are responsive and engaged.

newsXpress helps its members to find products appropriate to their businesses preferencing Australian made because of what this means for local jobs because here in 2020, local jobs do matter.

Helping small business newsagents in this way, to run moire locally focussed and successful and safe businesses is a core part of the newsXpress newsagency marketing group mission – in service of all in the local newsagent business who rely on the business for income.

Here is a small part of what we have done with and for newsXpress newsagent business members already in 2020:

  • Early access to state and territory grants. Even where they did not quality for JobKeeper we helped plenty make the case for grant funding.
  • Rent relief. We have helped many newsXpress members with rent relief, which has ranged from 25% off rent for 6 months to 75% off rent for 6 months.
  • Bonus GP%. On top of newsXpress preferential pricing, 51 suppliers provided an additional 5% of GP April through June on all purchases in an exclusive
  • First with jigsaws. In February we pitched jigsaws as a growth category in a Covid world. Our members grabbed inventory, and achieved excellent sales.
  • Online with jigsaws. In March we turned on a national jigsaw website connected to newsXpress stores to win delivery and click and collect sales. It’s been a hit.
  • First with nesting. In March we identified nesting as a popular growth category. Members following our advice have added thousands of dollars in revenue.
  • New suppliers. We have brought on 15 new suppliers in recent months, almost all of whom have not previously dealt with newsagents.

There are many more items on this list, many more benefits delivered to local newsagency businesses as 2020 has rolled out and there is plenty more to come, in service of local communities around Australia.

newsXpress – helping Aussie newsagents be more relevant than ever

newsXpress helps Aussie newsagents run more relevant and appealing businesses, serving local communities in Australia with product they want – in-store and click and collect.

Through newsXpress local newsagents can easily sell online for delivery anywhere in Australia as well as for fast and easy click and collect.

This is the newsagency of the future – an efficient tech based model that delivers to local community products newsagents are known for like papers and magazines and plenty more products like awesome games, toys, gifts and more.

newsXpress newsagents bring to you the very best in toys, collectibles, jigsaws, games and other fun and enjoyable items that are helping to make 2020 a year of happy memories.

There are newsagents and, then, there are newsXpress newsagents. newsXpress newsagents are a happy group, vibrant, changing and serving communities with funky and enjoyable products and doing this in ways that are relevant in 2020 and beyond. This is a year of wonderful change and newsXpress through its newsagent members is embracing the change.

From stationery, to birthday cards, to packaging materials, to candles, to gifts for him, to gifts for her, to gifts for yourself … your local newsXpress is bound to be able to serve your needs. Plus, it can do this online, too.

newsXpress is a wonderful place for celebrating, enjoying, remembering and generally engaging in live and the emotions of life.

We help local newsagents make businesses that are enjoyable and valuable for those who rely on the business.

This is the difference newsXpress brings to newsagents who partner with the newsagency group … we offer opportunities, not demands. Everything we do and suggest is optional, up to the local retailer to decide as to relevance for their local business situation.

Selling online has been part of the newsXpress newsagent opportunity for more than five years. Most of our members have an online connection through the online engagement opportunities newsXpress offers. This could be for local delivery, out of town delivery, click and collect and more. Online is one of a bunch of key differentiators that newsXpress offers its members and for which it has terrific runs on the board.

How newsXpress helps small business newsagents run more valuable retail businesses

newsXpress is a newsagency marketing group focussed on helping small business newsagents top run more successful and enjoyable retail business.

By understanding what is important to us you can discover what we focus on for newsXpress members. Based on our work with newsagents, here are the top things we hear in 2020 are important to small business newsagents.

  • Helping you save money. Because, cash is king.
  • Exclusive products. Through which to differentiate your business.
  • Helping you find customers you would not usually reach.
  • Helping you enjoy your business because enjoying your business is key for you and all who working the newsagency business.
  • Change is inevitable. COVID-19 brought about urgent change and newsXpress was engaged from the outset, supporting, guiding, helping … providing confidence.
  • Good business data can help reveal trends. newsXpress has been first with advice to leverage fads and when to exit.
  • Brands support newsXpress and member businesses. We put brands first.
  • We love to see and hear newsXpress members talking with each other, sharing experiences and insights. Great ideas have been discovered on a shop floor.
  • The journey. We prefer to focus on the steps we take today rather than where we might be tomorrow because we know in small business, in retail and in newsagencies, tomorrow is an unknown. We focus on what we know and the next step we will take.
  • New traffic. We chase products and opportunities to drive new traffic, people you do not usually see in your business – ideally, new traffic that will return.

Newsagents are demonstrating their value to local communities, value in helping keep people informed, helping people connect and helping people get through challenging situations.

Newsagents are core to local communities and newsXpress is core is its focus of support for newsagents. Every day we work with newsagents to help them, in practical and valuable terms, to help small business retailers in the newsXpress newsagency community to run better businesses.

Better can be a subjective term. To us it is a business that is more enjoyable, more profitable and more valuable.

The help newsXpress offers is personal and nuanced to local needs, based on what the newsXpress newsagent says they need or what the objectives are for their personal situation