Category: newsXpress difference

newsXpress leverages unique opportunities to power success

newsXpress is genuinely unique in the newsagency marketing group mix.

We leverage the Tower Systems retail experience. Tower serves 3,500+ independent retailers across 10 retail channels. Data insights from these channels provide early insights that we leverage for newsXpress members.

The value of this dataset is extraordinary.

The work by Tower Systems with toy shops, homewares businesses, and gift shops has been instrumental in newsXpress members broadening the appeal of their businesses.

Through this we can speak to key metrics such as return on floor space, return on labour, and return on investment, and through these help you cultivate more value from your business.

We own, and run our own shops, as playing fields where we experiment for our members with their full knowledge, and guidance.

We were first with a consumer-facing online offer at the group level, and at an individual store level.

We have an active new shopper strategy, focussed through several suppliers that do not partner with any other marketing group.

We will disagree with you sometimes. If you ask our opinion, our feedback will be honest, and backed by evidence. We owe you the truth.

We do much more than this, leverage much more than this. So much is outside what is traditional for newsagents, and this is where we cultivate value.

Helping newsagents enjoy their transforming businesses

Okay, this is important.

Enjoying your business helps you make better decisions. It also helps those with you in the business make better business decisions.

Through our newsXpress community you have friends you can have a laugh with, and folks you can trust to decompress with.

In our Zoom meetings and other contact points we, together, have a laugh.

We listen, and share with you. We nurture your resilience and, sometimes, help you find enjoyment when it may not have been obvious.

It really comes back to why you are in business. The answer to this varies. Understanding it is key to the enjoyment you feel and achieve.

The business itself becomes enjoyable when speed bumps are overcome and stormy weather guided away. Having access to your own business mentor can help achieve these things.

Success is enjoyable. We encourage and help to find success so you can feel the happiness it brings.

We understand, too, that enjoyment can be different for each of us. We are keen to know what enjoyment feels like for you, to make sure that we tap into enjoyment in a way that is meaningful to you.

Next, let’s turn to the how …

How newsXpress helps newsagents cultivate value in. their businesses

The value of a product depends on its gross profit, what you sell it for less what you paid for it. The real value of a product is the gross profit less the labour, and retail space costs for the product. The value of a product over a year is these things times the quantity of the product sold.

If you sell a gift for $250 with a GP% of 50%, you make $125.00. That’s the same as the GP you would make from around 380 newspapers, 85 magazines or 100 or so lottery tickets.

newsXpress helps its members grow profit, and through this cultivate greater value for their businesses, and from that flows enjoyment.

Can anyone sell items worth $250 or more? In our experience, yes!

But, value is about more than the ticket price of an item. Other factors:

  • Buy price. We help you buy better.
  • Stock turn. We help you understand this and improve it.
  • We help you reduce the cost of theft.
  • We help you cast your business differently, to help improve shopper stickiness

We offer advice and support on these, data driven advice, helping you to maximise every value opportunity. Evidence is key, your evidence.

We know that if we help you maximise value at the transaction level, it plays out wonderfully when the time comes for you to sell your business.

newsXpress helps newsagents cultivate value in and from their businesses

Value is key in any business, especially in local indie retail like newsXpress. You need to think about both the value you create today and the value your business will have when you sell it.

The newsagency channel was created in the 1880s to distribute a magazine through the goldfields of Victoria. Some of the agency arrangements put in place then can still be seen in business arrangements today.

But while we respect the history of the channel, the future for our shops is the future. It’s nothing like those goldfield days.

newsXpress works to provide its members with opportunities of and for the future, opportunities for value.

What you sell, how you sell, when you sell, and who you sell to are all up for grabs. It all starts with the narrative of your business, how you pitch yourself.

How far you go is up to you. We’ll pitch ideas and opportunities, but what you do with them is up to you. Once you decide, we can help with the practical steps.

We understand that old-school products and services are valuable, but their value is declining. But you’re not alone. We’ll help you, work with you, hold your hand, and encourage you – as much or as little as you want.

Let’s talk about how we can help you create more value for your business today and in the future.

What newsXpress offers Aussie newsagents for the $175 a month membership fee

newsXpress membership is $175 a month including GST. This provides access to a package of opportunities and services that members will tell you delivers financial and operational rewards worth much more than the cost.

Here’s what the $175 a month provides access to:

  1. Personalised to your business, based on your data, card department reset – often resulting in a 15% to 40% increase in card sales.
  2. Easy access to more than 100 preferred suppliers, including some exclusive to newsXpress.
  3. Access to new shopper traffic products that help you expand your reach.
  4. Better than wholesale pricing on many items.
  5. Better supplier payment terms.
  6. Supplier problem resolution. We actively represent you.
  7. Landlord negotiation. We help you negotiate.
  8. Low EFTPOS rates.
  9. Budget planning to help stabilise the business.
  10. Retail business refresh / reset to help those looking to change focus and attract new shoppers.
  11. Supplier product swag bags that enable you to touch and feel plenty of products without leaving your shop.
  12. Free supply of customer loyalty cards for card shoppers, plush shoppers and pop culture shoppers.
  13. Easy online selling for 3 products categories with out the need for you to have your own website.
  14. Half price Shopify website development from Tower Systems.
  15. Digital collateral. 100s of exclusive assets for your use each year.
  16. Exclusive to newsXpress seasons. To help you attract new shoppers.
  17. Social media collateral. Images, and videos ready for you to use.
  18. Team member training.
  19. Visual merchandising advice, training, and inspiration.
  20. Shop fit, and layout advice. We have helped save thousands of dollars.
  21. Timely access to award rates.
  22. Member meetings. Online. Via Zoom. Recorded for later watching too.
  23. Supplier launches / presentations. Filmed by us, for you.
  24. Private Facebook group. Talk about anything, any time.
  25. Online knowledge base. 150+ business management articles.
  26. We can be your sounding board on anything.
  27. Mental health support. We will help any way we can.
  28. We do more than this every day.

The $175 a month membership fee is paid each month, by direct debit. This is your membership fee. It pays in part for our services. We also receive rebates from suppliers. these are disclosed to members annually.

You are under no obligation to purchase from any newsXpress preferred suppliers.

In all of our years of operation, there has been no profit distribution from newsXpress. Everything earned by the group has been reinvested for the benefit of member businesses.

Helping local newsagents thrive in this economy

Some big retailers are predicting flat or declining sales through 2023 and into 2024 in the US and some here in Australia. There are forecast reports of comp (comparable) store sales, we tend to call these same store sales, of 3% to 5%.

The challenge is that journalists and news editors hear this and attach the downward forecast to all retailers.

We know plenty of independent retailers, including independent newsagents, who are forecasting growth over the same period. Know, not massive growth, but growth nevertheless.

In our own stores, we are planning for 5% growth and hoping for closer to 10%. 

But more important than the sales revenue growth number is growth in business GP percentage achieved. Growing that several points is more important than revenue growth.

If you grew business GP% by, say, 3% and overall revenue by 1% the bottom line benefit to the business would be considerably magnified compared to no change in GP% and 1% revenue growth.

There are many growth opportunities in our channel, many opportunities for retail newsagents to achieve good growth in revenue and in gross profit percentage performance.

How do we achieve that?

Look at your current sales data, look for green shoots, indicators of opportunity for you. In a retail newsagency these are typically in cards, magazines and stationery. Sales in these departments can indicate opportunities outside of them, maybe in new areas for the business, better margin areas for the business.

We know of many retail newsagents where this approach of data lead range review and gross profile percentage growth is successful. It’s the newsXpress approach.

Covid.

One of the consequences of Covid was that many shoppers tried local retail for the first time in years. We showed that we offered diversity in products and personal service. We can continue to leverage these differences. But we have to show rather than tell.

Big retail looks like big retail. Their displays tend to be blah and their differentiator tends to be price.

In local retail, displays that are more fun, appealing and enticing can work well. Back this with shop floor knowledge and genuine personal service and price is a secondary factor. people want to enjoy shopping. They want to walk out of the shop feeling good. That feeling is currency, it pushes pure price to a secondary consideration as value is felt in other ways.

The economy.

Yes, there is pressure in the economy because of rising interest rates. There is still plenty of money around for what people want. Want is a big driver for spending. It’s the emotional purchase where you have good opportunity. 

Especially as a skilled local retailer who is able to feed into the want.

You.

The reality is that there will be more tough economic news and negative reports about retail. You can choose to watch that and worry, or you can create the retail experience that is an oasis of happiness, a place locals enjoy and are happy to spend. Every day, choices you make in your business determine this.

If you do what you’ve done every day for years, your results will be what you are used to. We think the Aussie newsagency channel can do much better than that. 

…

newsXpress helps newsagents grow overall GP%, attract new shoppers and run more enjoyable shops.

newsXpress can help. Email or call: help@newsxpress.com.au 0400 331 055. we can show what you get for the $175 a month membership fee.

How to Be Motivated Every Day: Advice for Local Retailers from newsXpress

When it comes to local retail, to owning and running a local retail newsagency shop, motivation is key. As a local retailer, it can be tough to stay motivated every day. The hours are long, the work is challenging, and sometimes it feels like nobody appreciates all that you do. But it’s important to remember why you got into retail in the first place, and to find ways to stay motivated throughout the day. In this blog post, we will share some advice on how to stay motivated and keep your energy up!

First, it’s important to have a clear goal or vision for your local retail newsagency business. What are you hoping to achieve? Write down your goals and refer to them often. This will help you stay focused and motivated as you work towards something specific.

It’s also important to take care of yourself physically and mentally. Get enough sleep, eat healthy meals, and take breaks when you need them. This will help you stay focused and energized throughout the day.

Finally, remember to have fun! Retail can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding, it should be rewarding, you can make it rewarding. Find ways to enjoy your work, and don’t forget to celebrate your successes along the way. With these tips in mind, you’ll be well on your way to being motivated every day!

Here’s a secret that works every time for motivation: have a list.

Yes, it is that simple. try it. End the day with making a short list for the next morning. This means you start the day with things to go, goals to achieve and joy to feel when you tick them off. make sure that the list kicks off with some easy wins.

Never let the list get out of control. Always have it with you, so you can pick something to do, something you know needs doing. Then, do it.

And, if something does feel overwhelming, rather than getting sucked down a sink hole of thoughts, m worry and doubt, take a step, a single step, yes take a step forward because even one step, some small step, can help you feel you have achieved something toward that goal.

While we are not mental health professionals, our experience in local small business retail and working with many retail newsagents is that a small step toward a goal can be motivating, encouraging. In some cases this is the foundation of motivation. It’s why a list can work, why it can be the answer to motivation for a local small business retailer like a newsagent.

newsXpress helps local retail newsagents run more enjoyable and valuable shops. We do this is a range of unique ways that we have developed over the years of working with newsagents, primarily local retail newsagents on the high street and in regional and rural Australia.

newsXpress is a marketing group delivering support, ideas, motivation and commercial opportunities to newsagents – from which they can choose what works best for them.

Advice for anyone considering buying a local retail newsagency

Buying a newsagency can be a good move. They are solid businesses with plenty of opportunity. From the traditional to the innovative, the local Aussie retail newsagency is a good business to own, one in which new retailers and experienced retailers can thrive.

newsXpress helps local Aussie retail newsagents make the most from their businesses.

There has been a surge of interest in buying a newsagency in the last couple of years. It makes sense. newsagencies are good businesses to own. Hard work, for sure, but good solid businesses that can improve in value.

Retail businesses in our channel are appealing, and, looking out in the market, there are some excellent opportunities.

A common question we are asked by people who find me through is what should I ask for when looking at buying a newsagency?

The question itself, when asked, indicates how green a prospective purchaser is when it comes to purchasing a business. Our first advice is that they better understand the newsagency business of today, to understand what they could be buying into.

There are newsagencies for sale today that are ready to run, and that are easy to run. There are others that need some love and attention. Either could be right for you, depending on your circumstances and what you are looking for.

This is why it is important to you are sure about what it is you are looking for from a retail newsagency you buy. Yes, it starts with what you want.

Here is an updated list of data we suggest prospective newsagency business purchasers access from the vendor or their representative:

P&L from the accountant for the last two years. i.e. not a spreadsheet created for the purpose.

A list of add-backs used to achieve a profit figure on which the asking price is based.

Tax returns for the same two years. While note always appropriate given business structures, they can provide a cross check with the accountant P&L.

Sales data reports, for the last two years, from the POS software in use – to verify the income claim. This source data is key.

Sales data reports from the lottery terminal to verify the income claim.

BAS forms to confirm data in the P&L.

A list of all inventory in the business including the purchase price and date last sold for each item. And, copies of invoices from which you can randomly select to verify.

A copy of the shop lease.

A copy of any leases the vendor expects you to take on board.

A list of all forward orders placed on behalf of the business.

A list of all employees: name, hourly rate, nature of employment, start date, accrued leave and accrued long service leave.

This is good basic information, a starting point, which will enable any purchaser to undertake reasonable assessment of a business.

Our advice to newsagents looking to sell who may be concerned about this list is: think about it now and focus on your business so the data we have listed looks good. The time to prepare your newsagency for sale is every day you are in the business.

This is why we say every day is your pay day. Run a smart, lean and profit focused business and you will have a good pay day today and a good one when you come to sell.

The most appealing businesses are those that are easier to run and are making money.

Sure a purchaser can turn a business around. They should get the rewards if they are expected to do that for your business.

The price you can sell your business for will be based on what it is making now.

But back to those considering buying a newsagency:

Know what you want.

Know what you are capable of.

Know what you could achieve in a retail newsagency.

Buy based on opportunity.

Own the decisions yourself. It would be a mistake to buy a business Ess solely based on what someone else tells you you can do if they themselves are not going to be there to help you achieve those things. It’s why we say you need to own the decisions yourself in terms off what you can do.

newsXpress supports local retail newsagents. We do offer advice and practical help. we nurture, encourage and train. We provide a toolkit and commercial opportunities.

newsXpress can be the sounding board, the support network, the well of assistance. But, ultimately, your local retail newsagency is yours to run how you choose.

newsXpress can be a good support for anyone buying their first newsagency business. We can help you achieve.

Why shopping local matters to the local community and how newsXpress helps local retail newsagents serve locally

Shopping local has a big impact on the local community. Here are four reasons why shopping local matters:

1. It supports the local economy.

When you shop at a locally owned business, more of your money stays in the local economy. This is especially important in small towns and rural areas, where every dollar counts.

2. It creates jobs.

Local businesses are often the biggest employers in their community. By shopping local, you’re supporting the businesses that provide jobs for your friends and neighbors.

3. It helps the environment.

Local businesses tend to use less energy and resources than big box stores. They also generate less waste. And since they’re often located in downtown areas, shopping local can also reduce your carbon footprint by cutting down on transportation emissions.

4. It builds community.

Local businesses are usually owned by people who live in the community. They’re more likely to give back to local causes and sponsor community events. When you shop local, you’re investing in the community that you call home.

Where you shop is a choice you can make, and 100% it is your to make. But if you are in a community group that needs support, the more local businesses you support the more they are able to support local community groups.

Additionally, many local business donate a certain amount of their proceeds to local charities or they fundraising for local groups and often sponsor local community events. So, not only are you supporting the local economy, but also causes that may be important to you.

When people shop at large corporations, very little of that money actually stays in the community. In fact, most of it goes to shareholders who live in other parts of the country or even in other parts of the world. Corporations have a primary responsibility of driving shareholder value.

But when you shop local, the vast majority of the money you spend stays right here in town, benefiting everyone who lives and works here.

Plus, local businesses are more likely to hire people from the community, so you’re also supporting your friends and neighbors.

So the next time you need to buy something, think about shopping local first. It’s good for the community, and it’s good for you, too.

So, the next time you need a birthday card, some stationery, pens, pencils, magazines or even wonderful gifts, shop your local retail newsagency and see the difference in and value from supporting local retail businesses.

newsXpress helps local retailers, local retail newsagency businesses to transform into more valuably current retail experiences, offering more products people want today and doing this in a way that respects the local community.

In your local newsXpress retail; business you are bound to find plenty of Aussie made products, which help support local Aussie jobs.