newsXpress Blog

6-Pack translates to success at newsXpress Lowood

newsXpress Lowood have come up with an innovative idea to stimulate sales of their Lotto Syndicates. The recent OZ Lotto Draw saw them set up each Syndicate as a System 11 with 21 shares available, each share costing $11.22.

For each Lotto draw the store sets up at least six Syndicates and have begun promoting a ‘6-Pack’ sale. The intrigued customers are then offered a share in six System 11’s at a cost of $67.32.

Calling it a six pack has really got a great sales punch. and Lowood Team Members have now moved on to selling multiple six packs where they sell a six pack for each night.

Sales thus far have been extraordinary and the team have greatly enjoyed making and decorating the store with some simple marketing materials.

Care & Friendship Launches in Indooroopilly

The newsXpress exclusive Care & Friendship promotional event launched at newsXpress Indooroopilly yesterday.

With the exclusive backing of the Hallmark Alliance Program the promotion is certain to generate excitement in stores. Each newsXpress received sensational Marketing Materials centred around the competition to win a giant 36″ Forever Friends Bear.

For the launch Hallmark representatives assisted newsXpress Indooroopilly team members to create a spectacle with Balloon and other prize give aways, the always popular Forever Friends Bear making regular appearances, a Kodak Photo Docking station (to have your picture taken with the furry friend), and a colouring competition for the little ones.

Care & Friendship Day will be celebrated on Sunday, July 27th so get down to your nearest newsXpress store and purchase any two Forever Friends or Wellington Bear branded products to be in the running to take home one of the Giant Bears.

newsXpress announces further National Conference sponsorship

Sponsors continue to be drawn to the newsXpress National Conference to be held at Jupiter’s Casino on the Gold Coast in September.

Today we wish to acknowledge the generosity of NGT Marketing and Tower Systems in contributing to this showcase event.

‘Top Gear’ a winner in print at newsXpress

The popular SBS Jeremy Clarkson vehicle (pun intended) launched as a magazine in Australia today with many newsXpress stores getting in on the act. Sales so far have been very strong and hopefully will find a long term market once the local production hits the airwaves later this year.

newsXpress Indooroopilly created a typically impressive display utliising the supplied POS aswell as some very apt props.

newsXpress Glendale maximised the shows appeal as a drawcard by setting up a TV screen with episodes showing as part of their Top Gear display. They predict they will run out of supply by tomorrow.

newsXpress Sarina got into the rev head spirit borrowing an FPV GT from Powerhouse Ford in Mackay for the Top Gear launch. Several customers were spotted taking photos and wanting to take the car for a spin around town!

Scott & Cassie from newsXpress Toowong proudly stand before the display that has generated over 40 sales in just two days.

newsXpress National Conference announces further sponsors

newsXpress are delighted to announce the addition of supply partners NDD and ABW (Australian Book Wholesalers) as sponsors of our inaugural National Conference in September.

Pacific Pines in the money!

Lotto sales throw up a lot of challenges to retailers, however the feeling when you sell a winning ticket makes it worthwhile!

newsXpress Pacific Pines had that winning feeling in last Wednesday’s Gold Lotto Draw selling the $1,000,000 winning ticket to a lucky customer. Well done guys!

Bev & Julie from newsXpress Pacific Pines, Gold Coast

More Supply Partners come on board!

We would like to acknowledge the contribution of 3M and GWPM in becoming sponsors of our National Conference in September.

The support of our supply partners is greatly appreciated and we are excitedly preparing an event for the ages.

newsXpress National Conference announces further sponsors

newsXpress heartily applauds both Pentel and Interfit Retail for agreeing to sponsor our national Conference in September.

A strong contingent of supply partners have already signed up to be involved in this exciting event. For further information please contact Paul Waite paulw@newsxpress.com.au

BRISBANE MARKET FAIR – THE BEST YET!

More than 80 newsXpress proprietors and team members came along for the Queensland Market Fair at the Greek Club in South Brisbane yesterday with 27 suppliers also on hand.

Several Supply partners made the astounding claims shortly after the fair that they had enjoyed their single most successful sales day’s ever. This is an extraordinary endorsement of the Market Fairs that began as a simple idea several months ago.

We now look forward to Perth next week albeit a smaller more intimate event in a blossoming market for newsXpress.

newsXpress Members and suppliers descended upon the Greek Club in record numbers.

Some of the Hallmark team with Ian Chapman from newsXpress Kinkora and Sun Valley in Gladstone

The Olympic Games Visual Merchandising pack – contact nxpcommcentre@newsxpress.com.au for more information.

A wide hot of the hustle bustle in Brisbane yesterday.

Happy Birthday newsXpress Victoria!

Today, newsXpress turns 3 years old in Victoria. We have come a long way. Picking up some excellent stores throughout the state and consolidating the National Support Centre in Melbourne. This base has been integral in developing supplier and other relationships which are providing great rewards for the group.

newsXpress was started in 2001 by current Director Graham Randall and two other entrepreneurial newsagents in South East Queensland. The group grew within Queensland for four years before branching out south of the border. 7 years after introducing newsXpress we have over 140 stores in each of the 8 states and territories throughout Australia.

More sponsors come on board for the newsXpress National Conference

newsXpress warmly welcomes both Pacific Magazines and Lovatt’s as sponsors of the inaugural newsXpress National Conference at Conrad Jupiter’s in September.

It is a great credit to our supply partners to possess the foresight and vision to champion this exciting event. We hope to announce several other strategic sponsors over the coming weeks.

Melbourne Market Fair brings suppliers and proprietors together

Another great outcome from the most recent newsXpress Market Fair held in Melbourne was the opportunity for proprietors and other newsXpressers to meet with supply partners.

This face to face interaction is often taken for granted, but with a great number of our newsagents being located in regional areas this benefit is proving invaluable.

The Hallmark display complete with exclusive newsXpress Alliance promotion Care & Friendship POS.

Robyn, Neil & Leonie from newsXpress Whittlesea are impressed with the great range of plush products from Jasnor

Janine & Jason from newsXpress Shoreline in deep discussion with Marilyn& Dean from Diddl.

Phil Johnson from newsXpress Keysborough and Tim Batt from Tower Systems go through the finer points of the programs operation.

Jim O’Toole and his daughter Ainslie from newsXpress Rutherglen spend a few minutes catching up with newsXpress Chairman Graham Randall and Ashley Horne from Canson.

newsXpress launch Pre-Paid cards

newsXpress are elated to announce the launch of the SCX Global range of Pre-Paid cards through the Tower System eziPass platform and available to all newsXpress members.

To read the entire press release: scx-ezipass-newsxpress-launch.pdf

newsxpress NATIONAL CONFERENCE IS ATTRACTING THE RIGHT SPONSORS

We are pleased to announce that ACP Magazines and Network Services Company have both agreed to be sponsors of the inaugural newsXpress National Conference at Conrad Jupiter’s in September. It is pleasing that both companies have agreed to partner in this event.

Melbourne Market Fair finesses Sydney success

The second newsXpress exclusive Market Fair was held at the Brighton Savoy in Melbourne today with over 45 newsXpressers from Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania in attendance.

Once again 25+ suppliers presented their wares, upcoming ranges and fair offers to the delight of the large newsXpress contingent. The third fair takes place at the Greek Club in Brisbane on Thursday.

The colorful and exceptionally popular Canson Creative Christmas Promotion.

newsXpressers interact with supply partners in the intimate surrounds.

newsXpress members listen intently to presentations from Mark Nagy, newsXpress CEO, Canson, 3M & Hallmark.

EVOLUTION IN MARKETING

newsXpress continues to innovate and grow its marketing to reflect this which no other group in the channel does. The newsXpress offer is equally sophisticated and effective in what it puts together for it’s National network of stores and this is where the point of difference becomes apparent.

Care & Friendship is a fantastic example of an idea that came from a newsXpress member and then embraced by the group and has grown to the point where strategic partner Hallmark wanted to get involved and make it an exclusive Alliance program for newsXpress.

This perfectly illustrates the level of faith and belief that Hallmark, Australia’s largest Greeting Card supplier has in newsXpress.

The evolution of Care & Friendship – history-of-the-care-friendship-promotion-2008.pdf

newsXpress appoints National Merchandise Manager

newsXpress last week announced the appointment of Ben Kay as National Merchandise Manager.

Ben has had a tremendous grounding in retail and the Newsagency channel and has a wealth of knowledge in technology, retailing, product development and selection gained over many years in serving this channel and newsXpress in a wide range of senior roles.

Ben can be contacted through merchandise@newsxpress.com.au

To read the full press release: newsxpress-pr-ben-kay.pdf

EXCLUSIVE ALLIANCE PROMOTION WITH HALLMARK

In recognition of the massive volumes of Hallmark merchandise being driven by the newsXpress group of stores, Hallmark have decided to provide an exclusive Alliance promotion for newsXpress.

The Care & Friendship promotion is a newsXpress exclusive which has been running for a few years originally initiated by newsXpress proprietor Terry Augustine. Hallmark have seized the chance to partner in this promotion and the creative is nothing short of brilliant. Look out for some huge sales at newsXpress stores in July.

newsXpress gives back to its stores by providing the Hallmark Alliance program free of charge to its members. Hallmark Alliance Program

Trade advertisement for the newsXpress exclusive Care & Friendship promotion in conjunction with the Hallmark Alliance Program as featured in the June edition of National Newsagent.

SYDNEY MARKET FAIR IS BETTER THAN EXPECTED

Yesterday we held our very first newsXpress market fair at Castle Hill RSL in Sydney’s North/Western suburbs. It would be fair to say we did not know what to expect.

We invited 25 supply partners and service providers in line with newsXpress‘ long term goal of streamlining its supply chain to drive increased margins and eliminate unnecessary costs for its members and supply partners. What was planned to be a low key affair turned into something special with a wide cross section of national brand suppliers and service providers being involved.

newsXpress wanted it to be a low cost event so that suppliers could concentrate on delivering for the members. A number of suppliers commented on how inexpensive this fair was to attend in comparison to others. By developing long term supply partnerships everyone benefits.

Next week we do it all again in Melbourne & Brisbane and then the following week in Perth as we want to make sure every store in our network can benefit.

Proud: newsXpress Castle Towers proprietor Geoff Hilder and newsXpress Chairman Graham Randall

Networking: newsXpress CEO Mark Nagy, Nici Wceszniak & Shirley from newsXpress Castle Towers

Purchase Opportunity: Vinay Soni, proprietor of newsXpress Roselands buying books from Ross Morris of Australian Book Wholesalers (ABW)
Pens, Glorious Pens: Terry & Rosalie from newsXpress Northgate perusing the Pentel exhibit
Say it with a card: Maureen & Paul Blunden, newsXpress Orange talking Christmas Card orders with Lynn Mason from Cardpac

Art made easy: newsXpress Wagga Wagga proprietors, Dean Sutherland (left) & Troy Sutherland (far right) with Ashley Horne from Canson

Ecstatic: A very happy Phil Banks from newsXpress Glendale mills around the 3M display

Intimate: A wide shot of the interaction between suppliers and members at Castle Hill RSL for the Sydney Market Fair

Atmosphere: With over 25 suppliers and 40 newsXpress representatives in attendance the fair was a hive of activity for the four hour duration.

Hallmark Alliance: Nici, Geoff, Shirley (newsXpress Castle Towers), Graeme Baker (newsXpress McArthur), with Julie-Anne and Christine from Hallmark

Smile for the camera: Vinay (newsXpress Roselands) & Hallmark ladies Julie-Anne & Christine

Bright, bold, beautiful: Karen Sutton & the crew from newsXpress Singleton Heights listening to a presentation from hiPP

Gifts for everyone: newsXpressers Ben Kay & Lesley Bortfield enjoying the fair alongside Scott & Steven Brooker from Care and Share

Work & Play: Anthony & Nicky McCormack of newsXpress Woden with their Pentel representative

Rollerboy: Sandy Burke of newsXpress Wauchope, with a senior team member discussing stationery requirements with Pentel’s Rob Henderson

All the fun of the fair: Paul Waite & Karen Sutton

Going well: Graham Randall & Ben Kay

Catch Up: Roger & Lesley Bortfield, newsXpress NSW/ACT/NT Business Development Managers spending some time with their QLD/WA counterpart Karen Sutton

Worth the wait: Maureen Blunden from newsXpress Orange & Karen Sutton

newsXpress National Conference

newsXpress has announced it will be holding its inaugural national conference at Conrad’s Jupiter’s on the Gold Coast starting on the 17th September.

The proprietors have been asking for a couple of years now, so in keeping with only having the best people possible working with newsXpress, Paul Waite has agreed to join the newsXpress team to look after the conference. Paul is well known in the industry as a former CEO of the ANF and NANA and has exceptional skills in event management.

Paul’s brief is to put together something different drawing on his experience and using his knowledge to build not only an event that is relevant, but to focus on the development of newsagents to retailers. Paul can be contacted at paulw@newsxpress.com.au