newsXpress Blog

Two newsXpress finalists in ACP Magazines’ Retail Scholarship award

newsXpress is proud to see two newsXpress representatives among the three finalists for the 2010 Connections Retail Scholarship.

Fiona Matthews from newsXpress Salamander Bay and Jason Schwarten from newsXpress Forest Hill are in the finals which will be judged in Sydney next week. The winner receives seat on the next Westfield World Retail Study Tour. The major prize, valued at $18,304, runs for 17 days and visits Tokyo, Los Angeles, New York, London, and Barcelona.

The judging of all entries was undertaken by a panel of retail experts without the entries identifying the entrants name or the newsagency with which they are connected.

newsXpress wishes Fiona and Jason the best for next week’s tough judging.

Mother’s Day at newsXpress Bairnsdale

The team at newsXpress Bairnsdale (VIC) has put together a terrific window promoting Mother’s Day – demonstrating the wonderful blending of newsXpress and Hallmark developed marketing collateral.

Promoted in the window display is the Hallmark Mother’s Day sound cards as well as a terrific selection of Mother’s Day gifts.

The is attractive and commercially focused all at once – an ideal blend for a community focused newsagency.

Proud to support the QNF

newsXpress is proud to support the Queensland Newsagents’ Federation as a Platinum Sponsor of their State Conference today in Brisbane. As a sponsor of many years standing, newsXpress respects the work of the QNF and is grateful for an opportunity to once again put something back into this body which so well helps newsagents.

In addition to financial support, newsXpress will have a full contingent at today’s conference including senior management and our on the ground Business Development team – those working at the coal face helping newsXpress members transform their businesses.

Four creative winners at Yarram

The four winners of the Easter colouring competition were happy to be photographed outside newsXpress Yarram (VIC) when they came in to collect their prizes. The extent of entries can be seen in the background with artwork covering the windows – there is considerably more than in the photo. What a terrific result for newsXpress Yarram, and the fine young artists in their midst.

Awards like those at Yarram were made across the country as newsXpress members heaped praise on winners in local easter colouring competitions.

newsXpress members targeted by The Lucky Charm

newsXpress members are being targeted by The Lucky Charm trying to convince them to swap brands. The Lucky Charm team is out pushing because we have excellent members in our group and because newsXpress does not force members to stay through a long term contract. NewsXpress members stay with us because they want to where TLC members do not have the luxury of freedom until their five year iron-clad contract comes to an end.

One member approached by TLC told us they are happy to stay with newsXpress over The Lucky Charm because of how newsXpress is helping them transform their business with new traffic, better margin and greater sales efficiency. A check of the card rebate showed them how much better off they are staying with newsXpress.

Newsagents joining The Lucky Charm are, in our view, handcuffed to the group. A read of the franchise agreement by a lawyer will help prospective members of The Lucky Charm to understand the extent of the handcuff. There is the five year term as well as constraints surrounding the sale of the business. This makes getting out near impossible.

newsXpress does not believe in handcuffing members to the group for a long period and through a complex contract. Rather, we want members to stay with us because they want to stay. This is a newsXpress difference.

While we are flattered that The Lucky Charm is aggressively targeting newsXpress members, we felt it appropriate to encourage greater transparency around core elements of their pitch.

Mother’s Day collateral from newsXpress

newsXpress shipped Mother’s Day marketing collateral to all member locations several weeks ago. The newsXpress exclusive A1 double-sided posters reflect the bright and love-centred sentiment of the season. The artwork is a reminder for shoppers without getting in the way of other Mother’s Day collateral.

Our artwork has been carefully designed by our marketing and design teams to compliment artwork from core suppliers.

This artwork, like that for all seasons supported by newsXpress, has been provided without additional cost to members.

Another happy newsXpress winner

Cailin Wright is the happy winner of our Easter colouring competition at newsXpress Knox in Victoria. She was happy to come in and collect her prize hamper of chocolates, plush and other gifts.

Cailin was one of many entrants in newsXpress colouring competitions run around Australia in newsXpress stores this Easter. Our members used the opportunity to promote customer and community engagement as well as having fun.

Mother’s Day at newsXpress Eli Waters

The team at newsXpress Eli Waters has setup their first Mother’s Day display for the 2010 season. They are using gifts from the newsXpress range and newsXpress Mother’s Day marketing collateral provided free to newsXpress members.

the offer will expand as Mother’s Day approaches.

There is good evidence to suggest that going out early with a season like Mother’s Day, right after Easter, is appreciated by shoppers. newsXpress and partner suppliers support this with early access to product and collateral.

Easter at newsXpress Deception Bay

The window display at newsXpress Deception Bay reflects the colour and excitement of Easter. It is a real feature of the centre and a draw-card for the business.

While in-store the newsXpress collateral is used to full advantage, the window display is used to create wonderful retail theatre. The display is a wonderful of excellent visual merchandising.

Top Gear at newsXpress Wetherill Park

The newsXpress Merchandise team delivered a terrific product opportunity to member stores capitalising on the on going success of the original UK Top Gear and the launch of the TV show on Channel 9 this year.

newsXpress Wetherill Park are always early adopters of merchandise opportunities and supported this new range with a superb display on a prominent aisle end that showcased the full range of: Stig Pens, watches, clocks, USB Drives, key chains, mini torches, Boxed mugs and journals.

Easter colouring competition at newsXpress Milsons Point

Entrants for the Easter colouring competition at newsXpress Milsons Point have their artwork on display in the window for friends, family and the locals to see and admire.

There has been no shortage of entries for this popular competition. The friendly team at newsXpress Milsons Point have made the most of the opportunity to better connect with their local community and to show off the newsXpress difference.

newsXpress encourages members to show off the art in the window as it gives the artists an audience and it shows the community that the business cares.

Happy Holidays

newsXpress wishes Roger and Lesley Bortfield, our NSW/ACT Business Development Managers and Rob Henderson, our National Merchandise Manager, happy and safe travels as they head overseas to far away places for their respective vacations. Roger and Lesley will be in the USA and canada and Rob will be in the UK.

newsXpress Wetherill Park lottery win in the news

newsXpress Wetherill Park featured in the news against this weeks thanks to a $1.8 million lottery win and a wonderful story about a soon to be married customer not knowing they had won. here is part of the story from the Fairfield Advance:

FOR five weeks, a bride-to-be had no idea the Lotto ticket she bought at Wetherill Park was worth $1.8 million.

The woman, 30, is planning her dream wedding after winning the top prize in the Valentine’s Day Lotto draw.

“I’ve been working overtime to pay for my wedding, which will be later in the year,” she said. “Normally I check my tickets regularly but I’ve been so busy I haven’t had a chance.

“I opened up my wallet last week and the ticket fell out and I thought I’d better get it checked. I still can’t believe it.”

Sisters Antonella Difranco and Ginella Postaj, who own NewsExpress at Wetherill Park, couldn’t be happier for their lucky customer.

Easter at newsXpress Mortdale

The team at newsXpress Mortdale (NSW) has a delicious selection of Easter eggs and chocolates on display along with newsXpress marketing collateral at the front of the business. The display looks stunning and is attracting plenty of attention and sales from happy customers.

The energy and focus of the team at newsXpress Mortdale, a new member of the newsXpress family is terrific to see and experience.

New look newsXpress Robina

The new shopfit just completed by Rowe shopfitters for newsXpress Robina (QLD) looks stunning. It makes a bold brand-based statement from the front of the shop and throughout. Professionalism like this is crucial in a competitive retail environment. The new fit does Chris and Tony McNamara and the newsXpress brand proud. Click on the image to see a larger version of this photo.

Easter at newsXpress Beechworth

The creative team at newsXpress Beechworth (VIC) has placed their Easter display on the high-traffic dance floor – facing customers as they enter the shop. The focus in this display is on eggs capped by the newsXpress Easter marketing collateral.

There is excellent consistency across the newsXpress network in the use of collateral and customer engagement around the Easter season. As a group we are set to record some excellent numbers again this year.

New Golden Casket corporate image launched

The new Golden Casket corporate image was launched at newsXpress Robina with the opening of their new store.

Looking very professional with smooth and clean lines, the new image is the result of considerable work within Golden Casket and working with proactive retailers such as Chris, Tony and the team at newsXpress Robina in Queensland.

A strong corporate image is important in retail. newsXpress is grateful to Golden Casket for their innovation.

Easter at newsXpress Emerald

Sally and Peter Murphy at newsXpress Emerald along with their team have created an amazing easter wall to display their range of plush toys and gift lines. The display stands out due to the use of the exceptional newsXpress A1 posters along with shelf wobblers promoting the range of Hallmark Easter greeting cards surrounding the product.

newsXpress newsagents have reported a strong focus on developing their gift range this year to complement the traditional chocloate and confectionery offering.