Category: Stationery

Okay, so you can buy stationery from a ton of places: from the big blue stationery shop to online retailers, supermarkets, and other big businesses.

There is a difference, though, in much of the stationery big businesses sell and what your local Aussie newsagency offers, and we’re here to talk about that today.

Your local neighbourhood newsagency is a great place to find high-quality stationery to help you get organised and stay on top of your tasks. Local is the key word there. Being local, they support live local, they’re part of the community, your community.  

Convenience: Time is money. You don’t have time to spend driving around town trying to find the perfect notebook or pen, or waiting for an online order to arrive. By shopping at your local newsagency, you can quickly and easily find everything you need in one place.

Selection: Newsagencies carry a wide range of stationery products, from basic ballpoint pens to high-end pens, and from simple spiral notebooks to luxurious leather-bound journals. With so many options to choose from, you’re sure to find the products to suit your needs and style. Seeing is believing.  

Quality: Newsagencies are known for carrying brand-name products. If quality matters, you’ll like this. Newsagents tend to use the stationery they sell. If it’s on their shelves, they recommend it. You don’t get that in a big business where it’s all about volume.

Supporting Local Business: When you shop at your local newsagency, you’re supporting a small business in your community, and community matters to all of us locals for sure. The economy is circular, and the more you spend locally, the more help is available locally.   

Fun and Stylish: Stationery can be fun, as you can see in many local newsagencies where the shelves offer fun stationery for the kids, colourful stationery for the home office, and eco-friendly stationery for the planet.

Next time you’re in the market for some new stationery, check out your local newsagency. With their convenient location, great selection, and high-quality products, you’re sure to find everything you need to stay organised and inspired.

Footnote: Some may say that the local newsagency is expensive. Any time a price check has been done on a basket of home office stationery requirements, the local newsagency has performed well; they have not been the most expensive. Often they are among the cheapest without even factoring in the amount you save on petrol.

Just last week we chose 12 everyday stationery items and price checked our local newsXpress newsagency against two other big businesses, the newsagency for the overall basked was cheaper in one case by a couple of dollars and a few cents more in the other case.

Thanks for considering buying your stationery needs from your local newsagency.

The school bell is ringing, signalling the start of a new academic year and the inevitable last-minute back-to-school shopping frenzy. This year, let’s break free from the big-box mentality and rediscover the magic of shopping local, specifically at our neighbourhood newsagencies.

Gone are the days of dusty shelves and limited selections. Many modern newsagencies have undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving into vibrant hubs brimming with exciting possibilities. You’ll find a curated selection of high-quality stationery brands, from trusted classics to trendy new releases. Need inspiration for a teacher’s gift? Look no further! Newsagencies often stock a delightful range of unique and thoughtful presents, perfect for showing your appreciation. And let’s not forget the extensive card selection – the perfect accompaniment to any back-to-school gift or note.

But the benefits of shopping local extend far beyond product selection. By choosing your local newsagency, you’re directly supporting the heart of your community. These businesses are often locally owned and operated, employing local residents and contributing to the vibrant fabric of your neighbourhood.

Furthermore, your support has a ripple effect. Local newsagencies are pillars of the community, actively involved in supporting local schools and community groups through sponsorships, donations, and fundraising initiatives. By choosing to shop local, you’re directly contributing to these vital community efforts.

While big-box stores may boast lower prices on some items, it’s crucial to consider the bigger picture. The allure of “cheap” can be deceptive. Often, these lower prices come at the expense of quality. You might find yourself replacing broken or subpar items shortly after purchase, ultimately costing you more in the long run.

Moreover, the “price match” promises offered by large retailers can be misleading. They may not always be comparing like-for-like products, often substituting higher-quality items with cheaper, imported alternatives.

This back-to-school season, let’s make a conscious effort to prioritise quality, community, and conscious consumption. Let’s choose to support the businesses that support us. Let’s choose to shop local at our neighbourhood newsagencies.

Remember:

• Quality over Quantity: Invest in durable, long-lasting products that will withstand the rigours of the school year.
• Support Your Community: Every purchase at your local newsagency directly supports your neighbourhood and the vital community initiatives it underpins.
• Experience the Difference: Discover the personalised service and unique shopping experience that only your local newsagency can offer.

So, this back-to-school season, let’s ditch the big-box mentality and rediscover the joy of shopping local. Let’s make a positive impact on our communities and ensure our neighbourhood newsagencies continue to thrive for years to come.

This week, we are focussing on fundamental aspects of newsagency businesses that can significantly impact both bottom line and customer satisfaction. By returning to these basics, we can differentiate ourselves from competitors and re-establish our dominance.

Today, we’ll examine stationery. Newsagencies were once the undisputed leaders in this category in Australia. While external factors played a role, it’s essential to acknowledge our own part in relinquishing some of that market share.

Given the current landscape, it’s time to look forward and explore opportunities for stationery growth. To achieve this,consider the following:

• Unique Selling Proposition (USP): What sets your stationery offering apart? Clearly define your USP as it’s crucial for moving forward.
• Range: Ensure your stationery selection aligns with your target market. Whether you focus on convenience or specialise in school supplies, tailor your range accordingly.
• Pricing: Conduct a competitive analysis and adjust your prices accordingly. Many newsagents can command higher prices without negatively impacting sales.
• Customer Reach: Stationery is often overlooked. Enhance its visibility through prominent displays, including in-store promotions and cross-merchandising with complementary products.
• Expanded Offerings: Increase sales by offering catalogue orders and delivery services. Build relationships with local businesses to create a unique customer experience.
• Exceptional Customer Service: Go the extra mile by assisting customers in finding products and demonstrating a willingness to help, even if you don’t have what they’re looking for.
• Innovative Thinking: Expand your stationery selection beyond traditional items. Explore fashion-related stationery and promote it as a gift option.

By implementing these strategies and demonstrating strong leadership, newsagents can revitalise their stationery sections,boost sales, and increase customer engagement. This series from newsXpress aims to encourage a fresh perspective on often-overlooked areas of your business.

By offering this free advice, newsXpress is seeking to add value to the newsagency community more broadly, not just its 200 member stores. It’s part of a broader giving back approach to serving the Australian Newsagency community.

Key to success in stationery lies in understanding your customer – not only your local customer but anyone you can reach online. By considering their needs and preferences, you can refine your product range, pricing strategy, and marketing efforts accordingly. Continuous evaluation and adaptation are essential to staying ahead of the competition and ensuring the longevity of your stationery section.

To some, this is a stationery item, something on a booklist, required for school. In creative hands, it is a place to record creativity that will being joy to so many. Once full, it’s something to cherish.

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