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INNOVATION CONTINUES

At the newsXpress corporate store at Watergardens we decided to build a purpose built book stand for our new group partnership with Australian Book Wholesalers (ABW). In terms of competition in the book space we forge ahead against Angus & Robertson, Dymocks, and two other major anchor mass merchants in Watergardens Town Centre. Newsagents need not be afraid as initial signs of this new innovation are remarkable with the books attracting a lot of attention and adding another string to the newsXpress bow. Project XLR8 is working well at newsXpress.

Member Meeting experiences

The NSW newsXpress Cluster meeting was well attended with members and visitors traveling to Newcastle from as far as Canberra. The members then went to visit Phil and Wendy Banks store in Glendale. Phil and Wendy were very proud and pleased to explain their gift concepts.

Member Meetings around Australia

newsXpress is proud of it’s member network and ensures regular meetings are held to get everyone together to share ideas, discuss strategies, deliver information and catch up.

Below are some photos of recent member meetings around Australia. Meetings are held in each state every 2 months.

**WA newsXpressers**

**QLD newsXpressers**

**VIC newsXpressers**

VANA BALL – OH WHAT A NIGHT! Part II

Some further photos have shown up from what was a fantastically well attended (300 +) industry function. Enjoy!

From left to right: Karen Sutton (Business Development Manager), Andrew & Jacqui Ryan (newsXpress Ivanhoe) and Michelle Caia (Category Manager Seasons & Gifts)

From left to right: Craig Lawlor (newsXpress Greenvale) and the photogenic Karen Sutton (Business Development Manager)

From left to right: Garry Angus (newsXpress Pall Mall), Karen Sutton (Business Development Manager), Graham Randall (Director Business Development) & Mark Nagy (CEO)

MR newsXpress BEACON BRANDING

Now that ‘Mr newsXpress‘ Graham Randall is back out on the road serving newsXpressers, he had to learn how to beacon brand. See the “Chairman” in action here at newsXpress Westpoint learning how to do it.

Mary McNeil one of our Business Development Managers was on hand to teach both Graham and the Westpoint team how to beacon brand. As part of our overall 4 point magazine strategy beacon branding has helped newsXpressers lift magazine store on store sales to the highest in the industry in terms on volume per outlet.

We love magazines at newsXpress.

Hot Golf from team newsXpress at the VANA Golf Day

Believe it or not team newsXpress won the day with the best score. Pictured are Phil Johnson form newsXpress Parkmore, Ian Urquhart State Business Manager for VIC/Tas/SA, Gary Angus from newsXpress Pall Mall, Chris Samartzis from newsXpress Reservoir and Richmond football Club legend Francis Bourke. Rumor has it Chris carried them all day. Well done Christos!

Other photos are of Gary Lovell from Lovell’s newsagency in Shepparton and Peter Cowley and Bronwyn Roney from VANA.

A hot day for hot golf in 38 degree temperature at Royal Keysborough.

From left to right: Phil Johnson, Ian Urquhart, Gary Angus, Chris Samartzis & Francis Bourke

LOCAL MEMBER MEETINGS & SHARING INFORMATION

As a part of our member meeting in NSW/ACT we had a store visit to newsXpress Glendale. The learnings for our members were tremendous. The networking opportunity even more valuable.

NSW/ACT newsXpress members meeting 11/03/08

NSW/ACT meeting in Newcastle was held on Tuesday to allow members to cross-pollinate, share ideas and have ideas to take back to stores to be implemented. newsXpress continually holds regular local member meetings in each state to get members together and drive their business due north.

newsXpressers at play

newsXpress believes in the importance of a work/life balance, taking time out of your business to work on it not in it.
These 2 photos are of two different networking functions that are held at different times of the year…the Ballarat Race Day in November and the Fraser Island Getaway in February.

Both these annual events give business owners the opportunity to escape the everyday grind enabling them to network with other like minded, positive retailers in a relaxed environment. These getaways are open to all newsXpresser’s, Newsagents, Industry partners, Suppliers and friends.

The importance of stepping outside your business can provide benefits in many ways:

A break from the insular stress of your own four walls
An opportunity to look upon other retail businesses with fresh eyes
A clear message of independence and responsibility to your team
The realisation that the world goes on without you (while this can provide a kick to your ego, it is just about the most important message to learn in business).
A chance to live your life and indulge in your outside interests and passions
Spend more time with family & friends
Renewed vigour and focus when you are at work
And many more…

If anyone is interested in joining in on the next event, please do not hesitate to contact us at nxpcommcentre@newsxpress.com.au

INNOVATION, INNOVATION, INNOVATION

At the newsXpress laboratory at the Watergardens Town Centre in Taylors Lakes, Ben and the team continue to experiment and innovate with new product, fixtures and fittings. Not only are the learning’s from the Sophie Randall card and gift business being translated into the store with new style gift tables and displays. The Moorish range of product suggested by Bradley Dean from newsXpress GPO in Brisbane has been introduced with great effect. We take learning’s from our interstate members, cross pollinate with one another and implement new money strategies into our network of stores.
Its only through sharing ideas and expressing our views that the group grows. By only having quality members, regular state and cluster meetings combined with the newly introduced One on One Business Development sessions, we get to share. That’s what makes our group strong.

VANA BALL – OH WHAT A NIGHT!

newsXpress loves supporting industry events all around the country, both at national and state level. Not only did we have a large number of newsXpress members there on the night it was a great way for all to mix on a social occasion and get to know the who’s who in the industry.

Pictured here is Vaughan Lawrence from newsXpress Beechworth with celebrity, journalist, TV and radio personality and host for the night Beverley O’Connor.

Networking benefits

Following the Queensland newsXpress member meeting, some members took the opportunity to participate in a smaller more interactive group discussion on in store systems and procedures.The Business managers answered questions and shared resources on staffing, security procedures, magazine returns and team member training.

newsXpress member meetings are diverse in structure to deliver the most effective and relevant resources to our members.

HOT ink! TV Commercial

Attached is our TV commercial which starts on air tomorrow. This is a proud moment for the newsXpress family. We’re going to be on TV promoting our brand in a way no other newsagent marketing group has ever done nationally.

Meet the newsXpress Team

Meet Sonia Ruhland, newsXpress Group Administration Co-ordinator. Sonia joined newsXpress in 2005 and provides members with up-to-date information to support their business, a keen eye for detail and a wealth of IT knowledge.

Sonia is pictured in our new Brisbane Support centre located in Capalaba. We recently moved our Queensland operation to this new facility to accommodate the expanded team and also to benefit from shared IT capabilities which will make the business more efficient.

Basket Size is what counts

newsXpress continues to drive extraordinary basket sales through its store network. Add on sales and complementary sales is what works in retail today. Its amazing what you can sell a customer if you suggest it through creative or strategic merchandising…

‘New’ member at newsXpress Queensland meeting

Queensland members were greeted by a ‘new’ member as they arrived at the Glen Hotel in Brisbane yesterday.

This cute little thing hung around for hours, keen to learn more about newsXpress.

Driving Magazine Growth

newsXpress continues to have the largest growth in the magazine category in the Newsagency channel. With its unique magazine strategy of beacon branding, header cards, the magazine club card and just in book marks, newsXpress leads the channel in growth by combining its great relationships with ACP, Network, Pacific and Gordon & Gotch.

To have the highest growth in the country exceeding all others by a long way is no mean feat. Its testament to the hard work by newsXpressers in driving the category and the unique IP of the newsXpress support team.

newsXpress has a no fuss attitude with magazines. We believe in working with suppliers and distributors to drive the category, and getting on with business and not being stuck in the past.

newsXpress appoints Stationery Category Manager

newsXpress are pleased to announce the appointment of Jeff Walsh as the newsXpress Retail Groups National Stationery Category Manager.

Jeff has over 30 years experience in the stationery field in both the retail and commercial wholesale sectors. He is already well known to newsXpress members as the Queensland State Manager for Stationers Supply and will use this relationship to drive sales throughout the group.

“We see a gap in the stationery market for newsagents” said Graham Randall, founding Director of newsXpress “and the appointment of Jeff to the role of National Category Manager is a means for us to deliver on this opportunity to our members”.

Jeff will begin with newsXpress on the 1st of March and be stationed in the Brisbane support office. He will report directly to Keith Sonerson, National Merchandise Manager.

newsXpress appoints National Property Manager

newsXpress, the premier marketing group for Australian newsagents, has announced the appointment of Chris Hicks as the newsXpress retail groups National Property Manager.

Chris Hicks with his extensive property leasing centre management experience earned through negotiating for national groups for several years joins newsXpress to manage the growing portfolio of the newsXpress retail model.

“He has extensive contacts and relationships with all major landlords” said Mark Nagy, CEO of newsXpress “He has proven his worth to the newsXpress retail group by being involved in securing over 40 leases to current members and providing advice to many other members in the group”.

Chris will be responsible for procuring new sites for current members; assisting with out posting and casual leasing; expand the calendarXpress portfolio; securing sites for other newsXpress retail group business models; and marketing the brand to developers and landlords.

“We are delighted to bring this new service to all members that is exclusive to newsXpress and also an industry first to help protect your investment and guide you in your relationships with landlords and property matters” commented Nagy.

NSW/ACT Member Meeting

newsXpress hold regular member meetings in each state every two months. Late last year they initiated a regional meeting program to ensure the opportunity to attend and contribute to the network was maximised among its member group.

Early 2008 saw the first such meeting held in the ACT with Dominic De Marco and his team at newsXpress Jamison hosting the meeting and then resigning later in the evening to dinner.

Among the topics covered in the relatively open forum were:

Stationery strategies
HOT ink! Flyer #5 www.hotink.com.au
The newsXpress exclusive Canson Creative Centre and other art opportunities
Giftlines and recent experiences
The newsXpress obsession with magazines &
Valentine’s Day