Category: newsXpress difference

New Business Development Manager appointed in Victoria

michael_elvey.jpgnewsXpress has appointed Michael Elvey to the role of Business Development Manager of Victoria and Tasmania.

Michael brings more than twelve years experience working in newsagencies in an operational capacity and helping newsagencies in a senior management role with Tower Systems.

“I have had the privilege of working with Michael in newsXpress newsagencies over the last two weeks in NSW and Victoria and have seen his expertise first-hand. His knowledge and approach to helping our members will help newsXpress grow in Victoria and Tasmania.” said Roger Bortfield, NSW/ACT Business Development Manager.

In the business development role, Michael will help newsXpress members develop more successful businesses around the exclusive strategies offered by newsXpress nationally through regular in-store meetings with newsXpress members.

“Michael has the knowledge and discipline necessary to helping newsXpress members and newsXpress as a company maintain its position as the strongest newsagency retail group in Australia. He is a welcome addition to our team.” said Graham Randall, Managing Director of newsXpress Pty Ltd.

Michael Elvey commenced his new role with newsXpress today.

Training in how to make money from calendars

newsXpress is hosting an online training session for members tomorrow, April 7 at 10am, on Making The Most from 2010 Calendars.  This free online session training is in addition to face to face and over the phone assistance provided to newsXpress members who want to maximise their calendar opportunity in the 2010 calendar season.

By hosting an online session we are able to bring members together from various states and thereby facilitate a broader cross-section of views on calendar opportunities.

We have members who have increased the bottom line contribution from calendars from $1,000 to more than $10,000 in one year by following our advice from ordering toprice management to retail display.  The advice from our calendar expert, Michelle Caia, is a keyfactor of the success of our members in the calendar category.

newsXpress strategies drive growth

newsXpress is reviewing the performance of several newsagencies which joined our group in the last three months of 2008 and which have embraced newsXpress exclusive offers. The results are staggering.

In one store we are seeing an improvement in gross profit of 20% in the first three months of 2009. Most of this is from new categories we have introduced to the business.

Another new newsXpress member is reporting increasing gross profit from around $1,000 to close to $10,000 in a category they previously ran in the traditional way. Last year, newsXpress introduced new suppliers and significantly better margin – driving the reported improvement in profit contribution.

The key to achieving such excellent results is engagement. We have several key product category offers backed by management strategies which will be successful. The key message we repeat around these offers is trust the process. Those who do trust the process have more money in the bank as a result.

This is another example of the newsXpress difference. We are happy to share specific location details, with permission, with prospective newsXpress members.

The lucky charms which enhance newsagency sales

the_lucky_charm.jpgnewsXpress members are enjoying success with the lucky charms in the photo and others of similar style.  These are an ideal add on for a card purchase, a good way to extend the shopping basket.  They are especiaally popular with women.  newsXpress regularly works with suppliers on a range of basket extension opportunities.  Products like the lucky charms are easy to try and locate within a busy shop.  What can make them work well is the retail expertise newsXpress offers from being able to draw on the success of 160 stores.

More online workshops for newsXpress members

Michelle Caia, our in-house calendar expert, is hosting an a repeat of her successful online Making the Most from 2010 Calendars workshop for newsXpress members.  Michelle’s knowledge and newsXpress calendar deals make this a valuable category for our members.

Trent Shields, our National Marketing Manager,  is hosting a repeat of his successful workshop for newsXpress members on Local Area Marketing.  This workshop provides an excellent networking opportunity as Trent faacilitates practical business discussion and a sharing of local marketing ideas.

These online workshops are in addition to newsXpress’ face to face member meetings – the next series of which is being held in April.  Workshop details will be announced to newsXpress members in the next couple of days.

Expansion of Business Development Team in Queensland

jeff8.jpgJeff Walsh is moving from a merchandise role to a Business Development role with newsXpress in Queensland. Jeff brings a wealth of experience in the stationery and related categories to this new role. He suggested the move after spending the last six months working in the field with newsXpress members on planagrams for several key newsXpress stationery offers.

Jeff will retain a watching brief in the merchandise role, ensuring that the group leverages his excellent industry contacts and knowledge for newsXpress members nationally.

Jeff joins Belinda Adshead in sharing Business Development Manager responsibilities for our large Queensland member base. This means we will be able to get to members more regularly. These visits by our Business Development Managers provide members with practical help in building healthier businesses.

Best of all, the regular visits by newsXpress Business Development Managers are free – part of the newsXpress deliverables.

Newsagent networking opportunity

The newsXpress member meetings which we are hosting in April will have a strong networking component – there will be excellent opportunity for newsagents to share ideas with each other and learn from each other. Our role is to provide the environment and the open discussion between colleagues.

We have several discussion starter topics we will bring to the meetings to get people sharing their approach to issues newsagents face. Our goal is to focus discussion on parts of newsagencies which local management can change.

Newsagents considering joining newsXpress are welcome to ask for an invitation to a member meeting – or book directly online at our website.

Ron Thorpe guides newsXpress members on greeting cards

ron_thorpe.jpgAs National Business Development Manager for Hallmark Cards, Ron Thorpe developed an excellent reputation for his formidable knowledge about greeting cards and how newsagents can configure their businesses for optimum competition in this category. In his role with newsXpress, Ron guides the group on greeting card strategy.  Our access to Ron’s insights and knowledge is a key point of difference in the newsXpress offer.  Ron is also available as a resource to members on store-specific card issues.

newsXpress has assembled a team of experts to help in various parts of member businesses. Thanks to the expertise of Ron Thorpe and the rest of the team, newsXpress is able to help newsXpress newsagents lead the channel on year-on-year growth.

Customers responding to newsXpress coupons

nx_coupons.jpgnewsXpress members are reporting a good response to the call to action coupons on the latest HOT Ink! flyer.  Redeeming the coupons, customers are able to go beyond the very competitive pricing on the flyer.  This is another way newsXpress is positioning the brand with a differentiating value proposition.

We understand that we need to keep innovating to find new customers for our members.  This month’s coupon offer will evolve in the next HOT Ink! flyer.  What will not change is our commitment to brand – in this marketplace, brand is important as it represents value in the minds of consumers.  This is why we boldly support HP, Canon, Epson and brother.

newsXpress baskets make shopping easy

nx_shop_bag.JPGThe newsXpress branded basket makes shopping easier in our stores while reinforcing our brand at the same time. The quality of the basket itself speaks to the quality of the newsXpress brand.  These baskets are another opportunity for our members to anchor their businesses around the newsXpress brand and distance themselves from the more generic and vague newsagency shingle.

We understand the importance of shoppers knowing where they are – knowing the name of the business helps being them back to us based on the experience.

The baskets, our newsXpress branded bags, staff uniforms, name badges and other in-store tools professionally represent the newsXpress brand and the shopping experience.  Attention to these details is as important as is attention to having the right mix of products sourced for the right price.

Local area marketing workshop

newsXpress is hosting an online workshop on Local Area Marketing next week, on Tuesday March 24. 

How to grow your sales using Local Area Marketing will be facilitated by Trent Shields, our National Marketing Manager.  This is set to be an informative session and is sure to deliver tools newsXpress members can use to grow their businesses.  Crucially, the session will connect members from various states in a discussion abut local marketing – it is networking like this which newsXpress members love.

Bookings are via the members area of the newsXpress website.

Transparency with newsXpress members

As part of our commitment to transparency, newsXpress has provided six pages of notes from the recent round of member meetings.  This keeps those unable to attend in the loop on what was discussed and opens opportunities for further discussion on the many topics covered.  The notes also hold newsXpress accountable to its members on responses to issues and other deliverables.

This is another way newsXpress demonstrates its difference in the newsagency marketing group space.

newsXpress supports Queensland newsagents

newsXpress is proud to be able to demonstrate practical support for newsagents by being a major sponsor of the Queensland Newsagents State Conference next week.  Our newsXpress Gold sponsorship and a Bronze sponsorship by Newspower are the only newsagent marketing group support for the conference.  Other marketing groups have passed on the opportunity to show their support not only for the QNF but for newsagents more broadly.

newsXpress urges all marketing groups to proactively support newsagents and events like next week’s conference for it is these events which strengthen the channel which is important to us.

Chocolatier eggs for Easter

nx_choco.jpgnewsXpress has partnered with the respected Chocolatier brand for premium Easter chocolate products.  From single eggs to gift packs, newsXpress newsagents are able to source an excellent range of Easter chocolate products.  We are especially pleased to have available the Pink Ribbon related Easter range – the sale of which raises funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

The relationship with Chocolatier is part of the new national confectionery strategy announced earlier this year – this strategy unlocks an excellent range of confectionery products for newsXpress members at competitive prices.

Mother’s Day offers for newsXpress members

newsXpress last week advised member newsagents of Mother’s Day offers from seven suppliers.  Our merchandise team has negotiated a range of offers which will help our members have well-priced gifts and associated lines with which to celebrate Mother’s Day this year.  This is another season through which we can expand the gift offer.

In developing our seasonal plans, our merchandise experts meet with many suppliers, attend Gift Fairs and talk with newsXpress members strong in the gift space.  This information is considered and the final selection developed through the year.

By releasing Mother’s Day in mid-March, our members are able to plan and have stock available immediately after Easter.

Exclusive Select AFL cards promotion

nx_select.jpgnewsXpress members in Victoria are participating in an exclusive marketing campaign around the Select AFL Champions cards.  In addition to receiving premium promotional material, newsXpress members have access to an exclusive competition based on in-store marketing of the cards.

This promotion is timely in AFL-mad Victoria where the Select cards usually sell out.  newsXpress locations are well positioned to drive tremendous success from this opportunity and be known as the go-to retailer for the Select AFL Champions cards.

newsXpress member meetings

newsXpress has announced the next round of member meetings.  The agenda for these meetings includes: new great deal product opportunities, merchandise plans for Q3 2009, talk about brand compliance, year to date group financials and an update on our magazine project.

Brisbane: April 21, 10am
Brisbane Technology Park, Eight Mile Plains

Melbourne: April 23, 10am
Malvern Valley Golf & Reception Centre (Arlington)

Sydney: April 28, 10am
The Lakes Golf Club, Eastlakes NSW

Perth: May 5
Online

newsXpress will be represented by the Directors and senior management.  Each meeting will include an open forum as well as networking opportunities.  Booking is via the members area of the newsXpress website.

Prospective newsXpress members who would like to attend should make contact with us on availability.

More than the deals

12th-march-002.jpgWhile newsXpress negotiates exclusive deals on products for its members, it is at the back end of the business that we deliver tremendous benefit for our members. Deals will not sell unless you pull new people in with professional marketing. Deals will not sell unless you present them professionally. Deals will not sell unless you provide training and product knowledge for staff which helps them leverage them.

Troy and the team at newsXpress Wagga Wagga understand this and embrace all that newsXpress offers – right down to our branded sale table cover as shown in the photo from their store this week.

By promoting the brand of the store along with a hot deal around art, newsXpress Wagga Wagga is pitching true value of customers walking past their newsagency. Pitching the brand even in this subtle way is important because now, more than ever before, the difference in newsagencies is obvious.

From table cloths, to uniforms, to name badges to shop signage, newsXpress offers a branding solution to enable members to be proud of their newsXpress membership and to let customers know where they can experience the newsXpress difference.

Reinventing the newsagency ink offer

hotink7.jpgnewsXpress has evolved its Hot Ink! offer to keep its 160 newsagent members ahead of the pack when it comes to ink, toner and related products.  While previous Hot Ink! offers have worked very well for us and our members, we knew we could not rest on our laurels.  Hence changes which include four supplier-funded offers.  Two of these offers are exclusive to newsXpress newsagencies.

The two-page brochure, distributed to hundreds of thousands of homes around Australia, is the first of its kind in the newsagency channel in that it promotes coupons, cashbacks and bonuses is a way never used by newsagents.

Historically, newsagents have promoted ink around price using catalogues that look like price lists.  Our goal was to create a professional and compelling offer which separated us from this me-too marketing approach and which worked as a call to action.

Beyond the marketing support, newsXpress helps with ranging, merchandising and staff training.