Category: newsXpress difference

A recent ABC Gippsland report on the closure of the Sale Authorised Newsagency highlights a significant disconnect between media narratives and the actual state of our channel. While the report focuses on the “end of an era,” it fails to capture the vitality of the many newsagencies currently experiencing double-digit growth.

The story in Sale is essentially one of retirement. Terry Stewart, after 38 years of dedicated service and 2:30 am starts, has chosen to close his doors. However, the ABC’s editorial framing suggests this is an inevitable symptom of an industry in decline. This type of reporting ignores the success stories of newsagents who have actively transformed their businesses to meet modern consumer needs.

There is a telling detail in the ABC article: Terry noted that his product mix had not changed much over the decades. In the context of a successful, modern newsagency, this is an outlier. For many thriving newsXpress members, approximately 80% of what they sell today is different from what was on their shelves a decade ago.

Success in this industry is no longer found in simply being an “agent” for legacy products like newspapers and magazines. It is found in becoming a retail destination. Stores that are growing are those that have pivoted into high-margin giftware, collectible trading cards, plush toys, and boutique stationery. These businesses are seeing substantial increases in average basket value, often offsetting the decline in traditional categories.

When the national broadcaster chooses to cover a retirement-led closure while ignoring the innovation happening in the rest of the channel, they provide a skewed perspective. They miss the newsagents who are breaking sales records by embracing data-driven stock management and diverse product ranges.

The newsagency channel is not a monolith of decline. It is a tale of two different paths: one of tradition and one of transformation. While we respect the legacy of long-serving newsagents like Terry, it is essential to recognise that the industry’s future is being written by those who view their four walls as a flexible retail space rather than a fixed “news” agency.

We encourage newsagents to look beyond the headlines. The data shows that for those willing to change their product mix and engage with new shopper demographics, the opportunities for growth have never been better.

newsXpress helps newsagents thrive.

Choosing a marketing group is a significant decision for any independent newsagent. In a competitive landscape, the right partnership can determine the long-term viability of a business. At newsXpress, we focus on providing tangible value, transparent communication, and a level of support that respects the independence of our members.

Exclusive Supplier Partnerships

One of the primary advantages of newsXpress membership is access to exclusive supplier relationships. We have established a unique partnership with the Royal Australian Mint, a government agency that deals with us exclusively within the newsagency channel. This collaboration delivers exceptional value to our members, providing access to products that are not available through other marketing groups.

Furthermore, we work closely with various suppliers to develop products specifically for the newsXpress network. These exclusive lines help our members differentiate their offerings and attract a broader customer base.

The Power of Local Engagement

Our seasonal marketing program, Seasonal Edge, is designed to drive traffic and increase sales during key periods like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. While the program focuses on these major events, its broader goal is to promote the sale of greeting cards throughout the year.

A distinctive feature of Seasonal Edge is its local focus. Unlike national competitions where the chances of winning are slim, every participating newsXpress store has a local winner. This approach fosters a stronger connection between the business and its community, as customers know their patronage directly supports a local prize. In 2025, newsXpress invested over $1,500 per store in cash prizes and promotional materials to ensure the success of this program.

Transparent and Honest Business Advice

We believe that professional success is built on a foundation of honesty. At newsXpress, we provide our members with candid feedback based on benchmark rankings and performance data. We do not believe in offering empty praise; instead, we offer the same advice we would apply to our own businesses.

As active participants in the retail sector, we own and operate our own newsagencies and e-commerce platforms. We share the lessons learned from our successes and our mistakes, ensuring our members benefit from real-world experience.

Investing in Member Growth

NewsXpress is committed to the continuous improvement of its members’ businesses. We reinvest our profits back into the group to fund initiatives like Seasonal Edge and our Deep Dive program. The Deep Dive program takes small groups of members to off-site locations, such as Bali or New Zealand, for intensive three-day strategy sessions. These sessions allow retailers to step away from daily operations and focus on creating actionable plans for growth.

Whether you require assistance with lease negotiations, supplier issues, shop layout, or human resources, newsXpress is here to help. Our goal is to ensure your business thrives in 2026 and beyond.

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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.

Running an independent newsagency is a complex endeavour, yet the right partnership can transform daily challenges into sustainable growth. At newsXpress, we focus on helping business owners find new customers, increase shopper spend per visit, and ultimately, find more enjoyment in their work. We are 100% focussed on the success of our member businesses through active collaboration and evidence-based advice.

A Different Kind of Retail Group

newsXpress is not a traditional franchise; it is a privately owned marketing group established in 2001. We do not enforce mandatory pitches or charge fees based on your turnover. Instead, we charge a flat monthly membership fee of $295.00 for your first store, with up to two additional stores included at no extra cost.

Our small head office team brings decades of diverse retail experience. This team includes:

• Mark Fletcher (Managing Director): A newsagency owner since 1996.
• Laura Sharp: retail management experience and marketing experience.
• Anthony Suta: 18 years of expertise in physical and online retail strategy.
• Jennifer Searle: Over 30 years of experience as a supplier manager and retail mentor.
• Michael Elvey: 28 years specialising in tech, data analysis, and shop floor management.
• Chris Farrell: 15 years of experience across independent and national corporate retail.

The Seasonal Edge Advantage

One of our most significant member benefits is the Seasonal Edge program, which is exclusive to newsXpress and provided at no cost to members. In 2025, we allocated more than $1,500 per member to fund prizes and marketing collateral.

This program provides each shop with a high-value prize pack (worth $350 or more) to give away during major seasons like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Christmas. The program is designed to drive local engagement and has resulted in proven revenue bumps, including reported 20% increases in high-margin greeting card sales for some stores.

Evidence-Based Business Growth

We help you make informed decisions by assessing your business data to identify “low-hanging fruit” and opportunities for improvement. Our whole-of-business approach focuses on critical touchpoints:

• Profitability: We help you buy better through 130+ preferred suppliers and central billing programs that unlock delayed payment terms.
• Efficiency: We provide tactical training to improve stock turn, shrinkage, and return on investment for labour and floor space.
• Differentiation: We help you cast your business differently to improve “shopper stickiness” and attract new traffic.
• Exclusivity: Many of our preferred suppliers provide exclusive products or first-to-market opportunities that are not available to other newsagents.

Transparency and Community

We believe in full transparency and share our financial performance data with members at national conferences and in one-on-one sessions. Funds are consistently reinvested into the business to support members through difficult times, fund overseas trade show visits to stay ahead of trends, and provide market-leading lower EFTPOS fees.

Ultimately, newsXpress is a community where you can find business mentors and peers to help navigate the complexities of retail. Success brings happiness, and our goal is to help you achieve both.

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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.

Finding distinct ways to drive new customer traffic is a constant goal for independent retailers, like Aussie newsagents. At newsXpress, one of our most successful initiatives over the past six years has been our exclusive relationship with major mints, providing members with a unique edge in the gift and collectables market.

A Direct Pipeline to High-Demand Collectables

newsXpress holds a preferred supplier relationship with the Royal Australian Mint. This contract ensures that all our members have direct access to new coin releases as they are launched. Furthermore, we collaborate on exclusive products specifically created for the newsXpress network.

Our reach extends beyond Australian borders to include:

• The Perth Mint: Access to a wide array of precious metal coins.
• The New Zealand Mint (Agoro): Bringing international collectables to local counters.

These programs are designed to serve the needs of the mints as they reach regional and rural Australia, while simultaneously helping our members build more vibrant businesses.

Proven Success and Foot Traffic

The impact of these programs on store traffic is significant. On release days, it is common to see lines of customers at the front of newsXpress stores, eager to secure the latest items. These shoppers often include coin collectors and pop-culture enthusiasts who may not typically frequent a traditional newsagency.

Recent highlights of our coin programs include:

• The Australian Women’s Weekly Birthday Cake Book Program: A highly successful release from last year.
• Exclusive Releases: We have developed four coins exclusive to newsXpress to date, every one of which has completely sold out.
• Diverse Price Points: Our range caters to all budgets, from $17.50 coin-in-card products to premium $25,000 coin sets.
• Beyond the Sale: Building a Thriving Business

The benefit of the coin program extends beyond the initial transaction. These collectors are “efficient” customers who often purchase other items while in-store, increasing the overall basket value. With current gold and silver prices remaining strong, the appeal of these products continues to grow.

As a marketing group, we provide the process and the support to make these releases run smoothly. We are not a franchise with restrictive rules, but we do offer proven systems that help our members attract a diverse demographic and run a more successful retail operation.

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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.

Personalised support for a changing retail landscape

The modern newsagency is a complex business, and at newsXpress, we recognise that no two stores are identical. Every location faces unique demographic challenges, and every business owner has a different set of goals for their future. Because of this, our approach to membership is not a one-size-fits-all model. Instead, we focus on providing a service that is tailored to the specific situation and aspirations of each individual member.

While every newsXpress member enjoys access to our comprehensive suite of tools, including preferred supplier relationships, network-wide connected websites, seasonal marketing collateral, and digital assets, the true value of the group often lies in our personalised, evidence-based business support.

Evidence-based advice for real results

We believe that the best business decisions are made when they are backed by data. Our team works with members to assess their business data, allowing us to offer advice based on facts rather than assumptions. Quite often, this process reveals what we call “low-hanging fruit”—immediate opportunities for improvement or growth that may have been overlooked during the busy day-to-day operations of the shop.

Our approach looks at the whole of the business. We take into account your specific location, your current product mix, and your available financial and people resources. Most importantly, we listen to what you want and need from your business. Whether you are looking to prepare for a future sale, increase your take-home income, or simply streamline your operations to find a better work-life balance, our engagement is guided by your objectives.

Professional support on your terms

We respect the independence of our members. Some newsXpress store owners prefer to manage their operations autonomously, using our tools as a background resource. Others appreciate a more hands-on, engaged approach from our head office team. The level of collaboration is entirely under your control. Within the newsXpress community, nothing is mandatory or forced upon you; we are here to provide the level of support you find most helpful for your specific journey.

Strengthening the everyday retail foundations

When it comes to the practicalities of in-store retail, we focus on several core pillars that directly impact your profitability and sustainability:

• Buying power: We assist you in securing better buy prices, ensuring your margins remain healthy in a competitive market.
• Stock turn: Our team helps you identify ways to move products faster, reducing the amount of capital tied up in slow-moving inventory.
• Shrinkage: We provide strategies to help reduce the costs associated with theft and administrative errors.
• Differentiation: In a crowded retail environment, we help you position your business differently to improve “shopper stickiness” and customer loyalty.
• New traffic: We assist with marketing and range strategies designed to attract people who are not currently shopping with you.
• Overhead management: We work with you to identify and tame the rising costs of doing business.

At newsXpress, we are more than just a marketing group. We are a partner in your business, actively engaged in helping you make things happen. By combining our national resources with a deeply personal understanding of your specific needs, we help ensure your newsagency remains a vibrant and profitable part of your local community.

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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.

Success in the newsagency industry in Australia often relies on the ability to differentiate a business from the competition while managing the constant pressure of overheads and marketing requirements. At newsXpress, we remain committed to providing our members with practical, high-value tools that drive both foot traffic and bottom-line results. One of the most effective examples of this commitment is our exclusive Seasonal Edge program.

Seasonal Edge is unique in the Aussie newsagency channel.

The concept behind Seasonal Edge is straightforward yet powerful. We provide our members with significant prize packages, valued at $350.00 or more, to give away to their customers during key retail periods such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Christmas. This is not a national draw where a winner is chosen from a massive pool; every participating newsXpress store receives its own prize pack. This ensures that a local customer from your specific community is guaranteed to win, which creates a genuine sense of excitement and goodwill within your precinct.

What makes this local retail marketing program a true standout is that the prizes and the accompanying marketing materials are provided to members at no additional cost. In 2025, newsXpress spent more than $1,500 per member in funding for prizes and marketing collateral. This includes professionally designed and printed in-store signage as well as digital assets for social media and email marketing. By removing the financial and creative burden of campaign development, we allow owners to focus on what they do best: serving their customers and managing their teams.

The financial impact of these local retail marketing promotions is well-documented across our network. Seasonal Edge delivers a proven revenue bump by encouraging customers to spend more time in-store and engage with seasonal ranges. Some of our members have reported increases of up to 20 percent in high-margin greeting card sales specifically tied to these promotional periods. Beyond the immediate transaction, the program acts as a powerful tool for customer acquisition. Many stores report seeing entirely new faces who have entered the shop specifically to participate in the local prize draw.

There is also a strategic product discovery element to the program. The items included in the prize packs often serve as a litmus test for new trends. By observing customer reactions to the prize displays, members can identify specific products that resonate with their local demographic, providing valuable insights for future stock procurement.

Being part of newsXpress means you are never working in isolation.

The Seasonal Edge local retail marketing program fosters a unique sense of community through our private member forums. Here, colleagues share photos and videos of their in-store displays, exchanging ideas on what works best and how to maximise the visual impact of the promotion. This collaborative environment allows every member to learn from the collective experience of the group, ensuring that their own execution is as effective as possible.

Seasonal Edge is designed to put money in your bank while nurturing the relationship between your business and your local community. It is a professional, turnkey solution that enhances the relevance of the local newsagency in a crowded retail landscape. By providing the prizes, the marketing, and the support network, newsXpress ensures that our members have a distinct advantage every single season.

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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.

The traditional newsagency is changing. newsXpress helps you lead that change. We don’t just offer supplier discounts; we provide personalised, local strategies to help you find new customers, increase spend, and build a business that is both profitable and enjoyable to run.

• The newsagency is dead. Long live your new business.
• Stop running a shop from the past. Start building a business for the future.
• More than a name, more than a newsagency.

newsXpress offers help for Australian small business newsagents keen to improve the performance of their business.

Owning any kind of local retail shop is challenging. It’s lovely, hard work and confronting and you wade through regulation, money complexities, supplier shifts and the need to be ear present for customers.

That’s all before we look at what’s happening with online and with some categories of products moving away from physical retail, like newspapers, magazines and lotteries.

All in though, an Aussie newsagency is a good business to run, as long as you don’t look at as a traditional newsagency. The only part of an Aussie newsagency business that may have any connection to the history of newsagency shops is the business name. The rest, in our view, is up for grabs.

newsXpress helps newsagents transform their businesses. We do this personally, for each business that wants this engagement. Our advice and support is tuned to each business and the needs locally and of the owners. There is no one size fits all approach.

We all know the story of newsagency businesses so far.

You’ve been the cornerstones of your communities.

Our focus is on future, recognising that the spirit of the local newsagent, the community focus, can help us navigate to success.

Think about the opportunities.

People crave connection, convenience, and unique local experiences.

You are perfectly positioned to tap into these needs. newsXpress is configured to help with that.

Join us here at newsXpress and we’ll explore growing together, valuably. We’ll talk about decluttering, making money online, new traffic, and at how we can collectively shape the next chapter of the Australian newsagency.

The world is changing, and change brings opportunity. Your localness and adaptability are superpowers. We bring a process success mindset of innovation, collaboration, and proactive growth.

Let’s work together to make your business worth more.

But wait: If you are looking at joining newsXpress solely for supplier discounts. we’re not the group for you. While we have these, you’ll make more money from everything else we do.

We can help you find new customers.

We can help you guide shoppers to spend more each visit.

We can help you love your business more.

We can help you attract good staff.

We can help you leave the business when you’re ready.

We can help you make more money.

This is what newsXpress does. We help local Aussie newsagents create and run thriving businesses, businesses they enjoy.

There is no single easy fix to achieving any or all of these. What we do with and for each newsXpress member varies by business. Active collaboration is the key to how much we engage with each member.

Whether your shop is small or large, in the city or deep in the country, in a shopping centre or on a suburban street, you are welcome at newsXpress.

We bring decades of physical and online retail experience.

What we seek in prospective members is a desire to run a valuable and enjoyable business.

newsXpress is not your typical newsagency group. We are not a franchise. We are not average or basic.

What we are is 100% focussed on the success of our member businesses.

Email: help@newsxpress.com.au or call Mark on 0418 321 338 or Michael on 0400 331 055.

P.S. We’re serious about the “no one size fits all” rule. When you call Mark or Michael, you won’t get a cookie-cutter sales presentation. You’ll get a real conversation about your specific shop, your local competition, and how we can personally help you put more money in the bank.

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.

newsXpress is grateful for the opportunity of exclusive access to this 1g gold ingot featuring SpongeBob. This will be another new shopper traffic driver, another win for local newsXpress stores.

The reserve bank announces this week that it has delayed its decision on payments surcharges.

The Reserve Bank has received 174 written submissions from consumers, small businesses, corporations, government entities, banks and the payments industry.

newsXpress members were represented in a comprehensive and professionally prepared submission.

A week ago, RBA governor Michele Bullock also noted the bank was “going to take the time to get these changes right”.

The bank also noted “To give due consideration to this substantial body of information and the policy implications, the RBA has decided to extend the time for concluding the Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging until March 2026,” .

Our view here at newsXpress is that a surcharging ban would be acceptable only if significant reforms were made to the whole system, eliminating the huge gap in costs between small and large businesses. We need to see the splitting of debit & credit card fees, removal of blended rates, and the implementation of dynamic least-cost routing from all payment providers.

This issue is a test for politicians of all sides. During election campaigns they say how important small businesses are to Australia. On this issue they can demonstrate actions to support their  claimed position, they can lobby and call for arrangements to be put in place that support small businesses.

The current arrangements for card processing fees is unfair, placing a considerable burden on small businesses retailers and unfairly advantaging big businesses.

It is time for all politicians to be clear and loud about this, it is time for them to actively support small business retailers.

The surcharges themselves are a distraction from the core issue: small businesses being charged more per transaction than big business competitors even though the costs are the same to those providing payment services in small and big businesses.

The current arrangements are a tax against small businesses.

This delay to March 2026, while presented by the RBA as necessary for “getting it right,” unfortunately provides no immediate relief for the very small businesses being hurt by these inequities. It effectively locks in this unfair “tax” for a longer period, forcing independent retailers to continue subsidising the operations of their largest competitors and the profits of payment providers. This extension only heightens the urgency for political action.

Small businesses cannot afford to wait over a year for fairness, in fairness comes at all; they need politicians to intervene now and demand the structural reforms, like transparency and the removal of blended rates—that will level the playing field immediately.

newsXpress is a financial supporter of the Independent Payments Forum, a body made up of retail business representatives, a body working for equity and fairness for small businesses, local independent businesses. The work of the IPF is professional and backed by excellent quality research.

newsXpress is proud to support them.

newsXpress stores are helping Aussies celebrate teachers with a wonderful range of thank you teacher cards out now.

 

Wow, what a 24 hours. newsXpress stores across Australia had lines out the front as Aussies sought to get their hands on Bluey Christmas coins released yesterday. newsXpress bright the opportunity members.

newsXpress supports the RSPCA with charity boxed Christmas cards.