Tag: extra

newsXpress supports the Breast Cancer Network Australia with charity boxed Christmas cards.

newsXpress supports the RSPCA with charity boxed Christmas cards.

We help newsagents thrive

We all know the story so far. You’ve been the cornerstones of your communities. Our focus is on future, recognising that the spirit of the local newsagent, the community focus, can help us navigate to success.

Think about the opportunities. People are craving connection, convenience, and unique local experiences. You are perfectly positioned to tap into these needs. newsXpress is configured to help with that.

Join us and we’ll explore growing together, valuably. We’ll talk about decluttering, making money online, new traffic, and at how we can collectively shape the next chapter of the Australian newsagency.

The world is changing, and change brings opportunity. Your localness and adaptability are superpowers. We bring a process success mindset of innovation, collaboration, and proactive growth.

Let’s work together to make your business worth more.

Oh, if you are looking at joining newsXpress solely for supplier discounts, we’re not the group for you. While we have these, you’ll make more money from everything else we do.

We can help you find new customers.

We can help you guide shoppers to spend more each visit.

We can help you love your business more.

We can help you attract good staff.

We can help you leave the business when you’re ready.

We can help you make more money.

There is no single easy fix to achieving any or all of these. What we do with and for each newsXpress member varies by business. Active collaboration is the key to how much we engage with each member.

Whether your shop is small or large, in the city or deep in the country, in a shopping centre or on a suburban street, you are welcome at newsXpress.

We bring decades of physical and online retail experience.

What we seek in prospective members is a desire to run a valuable and enjoyable business.

newsXpress is not your typical newsagency group. We are not a franchise. We are not average or basic.

What we are is 100% focussed on the success of our member businesses.

Email: help@newsxpress.com.au or call Mark on 0418 321 338 or Michael on 0400 331 055.

newsXpress is a privately owned company. We have been in business since 2001. We are a marketing group.

We’re not a franchise. Nothing we pitch is mandatory. We do not charge a fee based on your turnover.

Corporately, we are newsXpress Pty Ltd, ABN 99 098 073 833.

Our head office team is small:

  • Managing Director: Mark Fletcher. Has owned newsagencies since February 1996.
  • Retail and online strategy and management: Anthony Suta. Anthony has 18 years retail experience in physical and online retail.
  • Supplier manager and retail mentor: Jennifer Searle. Jennifer has 30+ years retail experience including running her own shops.
  • Data analyst and retail mentor: Michael Elvey. Michael has 28 years tech, data analysis and retail shop floor experience.
  • Corporate store manager and retail mentor: Chris Farrell. Chris has 15 years retail experience in local indie and national corporate retail.

In addition to running the newsXpress head office and providing member advice, support and services we also run related businesses:

Physical shops in Victoria and four successful online businesses.

Shopping for Dad, Grandpa, Pop or a mate this weekend?

Shopping for Dad, Grandpa, Pop or a mate this weekend? 🎁
As you look for that perfect gift, remember that when you step into a local shop, the guy at the counter is probably a local dad, a proud grandpa, or a great mate from right here in our community.
Your support helps their family and keeps our neighbourhood strong. It’s a reminder that everyone, dads, mums, grandparents, and friends, makes our community what it is.
Thank you for choosing local this Father’s Day. It means the world. ❤️

This is the newsXpress difference

Thanks to wonderful support from Australian owned and made Henderson Greetings newsXpress stores across Australia are each giving a lucky local shopper an opportunity to win an awesome prize this Father’s Day. This is part our exclusive to newsXpress year-round Seasonal Edge campaign. To enter, shoppers need to purchase a greeting card, any greeting card. The result is a nice spike in all card sales, not only Father’s Day cards.

Local newsagents are the best shops for cards, any time of the year.

The Aussie newsagency has changed

Find the Perfect Father’s Day card at your local newsXpress

For Father’s Day this year, the best place to find your card and gift is your local newsXpress. The reasons are simple: you’ll find a better product range, enjoy a better shopping experience, and make the best choice for your community.

A purchase that supports your community. Buying a Father’s Day card from your local newsXpress is a direct investment in your community. Our stores are locally owned and operated Australian small businesses, often run by families in your suburb. They are the shops that give local kids their first jobs and support community clubs. Shopping with us helps keep your local shopping strip alive.

We are passionate supporters of Australian-made products. When you are choosing a card, we encourage you to turn it over and see where it’s made. At newsXpress, we are proud to sell cards from companies like Henderson Greetings, a Melbourne-based business that has been making quality products in Australia for over 70 years.

A card that gives back. Choosing an Australian-made card can also support a cause close to the hearts of many families. When you purchase a Henderson Greetings Father’s Day card, you are also supporting the incredible work of the McGrath Foundation, helping them place specialist Cancer Care Nurses in communities across the country.

You’ll find a better card. Compared to supermarkets and large department stores, newsXpress offers a superior selection.

  • More designs: We stock cards from multiple companies, giving you a wider variety of styles to choose from.
  • Specific captions: If you need a card for “Grandpa,” “Pop,” “Uncle,” a mentor, or a step-dad, you are far more likely to find it with us.
  • Higher quality: You can feel the difference. The cardstock is often better and the finishes are superior. You can be proud to give a card that feels special.

A simpler shopping experience You can browse our card selection at your leisure in a calm environment. Our staff are there to help if you need it, but they won’t pressure you. For convenience, many of our stores also have gift bundles ready to go, making it a quick and easy stop.

A Father’s Day card is more than just a piece of paper; it’s a keepsake that Dad can look back on for years to come. To find the best selection, be sure to shop early. Visit your local newsXpress and find the perfect way to celebrate Dad this year.

Shop for Squishmallows at your local newsXpress

So many have joined the Squishmallows craze, loving these adorably and cuddly plush like they are family, for life!

Wee are so grateful to offer Squishmallows at newsXpress stores around Australia.

The super-soft, endlessly cuddly and highly collectible plush toys are taking Australia by storm, and for good reason! Whether you’re a seasoned collector hunting for a rare find or looking for the perfect gift, your search might be easier than you think. Your local newsXpress is a fantastic place to find your new favourite friend.

Your local hub for cuddly collectibles

While you might think of heading to a large toy store, your local newsXpress is a treasure trove for Squishmallows. Because our stores are all locally owned, each one has a unique range. This makes visiting your local newsXpress a bit like a treasure hunt—you never know which adorable character you might discover! It’s always worth popping in to see the latest arrivals to the squad.

Shop local, cuddle big

When you buy a Squishmallow from your local newsXpress, you’re doing more than just adding to your collection. You are supporting a local, Australian-owned small business. Your purchase directly supports a family in your community, helps create local jobs, and contributes to a vibrant local shopping strip. It’s a feel-good purchase in every sense.

The perfect All-in-One gift stop

Squishmallows are the perfect gift for birthdays, a get-well-soon present, or just a simple ‘thinking of you’ surprise. The best part about shopping at newsXpress is the convenience. You can find the perfect cuddly character, pick out a matching greeting card, and even grab the gift wrap all in one quick, easy visit.

Ready to find your next cuddly companion? Pop into your local newsXpress today and see which Squishmallows are waiting to be hugged!

The Squishmallows story begins back in 2017, when the first squad of just eight lovable characters was launched. Inspired by the irresistibly cute and soft plush toys of Japan, the goal was to create a unique, marshmallow-like toy that was comforting to hug. Their popularity soared to a global phenomenon, largely thanks to social media platforms like TikTok, where fans and collectors began sharing their squads and hunting adventures. With unique names and personalities for every character, the desire to collect them all began!

How are some newsagents performing better than others

The choice of newsagency software can be the reason some newsagency businesses perform better than others. That, and how the newsagency software is used.

The technology that powers a successful newsagency has changed dramatically in just a few years. The needs of our businesses have evolved, our connections with suppliers are more direct, and the tools at our disposal are more powerful than ever. If your Point of Sale (POS) software is still just processing transactions, you are missing out on a truly transformative business partner.

Modern newsagency software has moved far beyond the basics to deliver efficiencies and create opportunities that directly impact the bottom line.

The AI Game-Changer

The single biggest evolution is the integration of Artificial Intelligence. I use it every day, and I cannot imagine running my business without the embedded AI tools now available. These aren’t science fiction; they are practical, accessible tools that anyone can use to save time and drive revenue.

Tower Systems has been delivering AI tools for newsagents since 2022, putting the Tower newsagency software ahead. Here’s what that looks like in practice:

  • Optimised product listings: Generate SEO-friendly product names and descriptions in seconds, boosting your online visibility and attracting more customers.
  • Strategic content marketing: Create engaging blog posts to promote products and connect with your community, amplifying your marketing reach with minimal effort.
  • Data-informed pricing: Use AI-powered price comparison tools to ensure your strategies remain competitive in a dynamic market.
  • Efficient inventory management: Leverage AI-driven stock forecasting to minimise stockouts, reduce dead stock, and maximise your sales potential.

Streamlining every part of the business

Beyond AI, the everyday efficiencies are profound. I am yet to find a supplier invoice PDF that I can’t import into my system in seconds, saving hours of manual data entry each week. Direct integrations with accounting software reduce overheads and simplify bookkeeping.

Robust e-commerce capabilities are enabling massive growth.

The Tower Systems difference

This level of integration and innovation is why Tower Systems now serves more than 1,800 newsagent customers.

Tower is focused on helping smart, engaged retailers thrive, even in rough waters. If your software isn’t delivering these kinds of tangible benefits, it’s time to ask why.

Take a look at what modern, AI-powered newsagency software can do for your business.

Not sure what card to buy for Father’s Day?

Turn the card over and check. We are grateful to offer wonderful Father’s Day cards made in Australia by Henderson Greetings that support the wonderful work of the trusted and beloved McGrath Foundation.

What a perfect time to buy a jigsaw from your local newsXpress: participating stores each offer an awesome prize of one lucky local

Retail management advice for Australian newsagents: Everyone Can Do Visual Merchandising! Here’s How.

Visual merchandising might sound like a complex retail science, but at its heart, it’s simply about displaying products in a way that attracts people to them, to look, touch and feel. Ultimately, it is about displaying products so you sell more. The best part? Anyone can do it.

The advice we share here today is for people who say I can’t do displays, I don’t know how, never have done one, I am no good at it, I wouldn’t know where to start.

Oh, and while we have written this advice for Australian newsagents, it is advice any retailer could follow.

Anyone can create a successful product display. Successful means a display that results in products being sold.

Here is our advice for creating beautiful, effective displays in your newsagency.

First things first, find your space. Start with a clean, flat surface in a good location within your store. This is your blank canvas.

The best display often looks like a pyramid, with your hero product, the star of the show, at the top of the pyramid. From this hero product, let other complementary products flow down towards the wider base of the display. Be careful not to overcrowd the space; you want customers to clearly see what you want them to see. The goal is a balanced, even look.

If the display is for a particular season or event like Mother’s Day or Christmas, make sure any posters or signs are placed with the display so shoppers can see it without having to look for it.

The best displays have a narrative or purpose. Think of yourself as a curator making editorial choices. A good display is a collection of items from multiple suppliers, categories, and segments that make sense together. This tells a story and allows a shopper to choose several items for a gift or for themselves.

We are not big fans of single product or single supplier displays. While suppliers love them because they act as a billboard for their brand, what suits them will likely not suit you. Your curated collection is far more compelling.

For a display of gifts, always be sure to include greeting cards.

From a colour perspective, a good display has no more than two core colours as its focus. You can use coloured paper to highlight certain products, but don’t go for a full rainbow effect.

While balance is usually key, there are exceptions. A display can look untidy, and that is okay in some circumstances. Imagine a fun, chaotic pile of Beanie Boos looking like they are exploding from a box—it’s eye-catching and fun!

Similarly, if you are promoting homewares, the pyramid approach isn’t necessary. Instead, go for something that looks more natural and relatable, as if the items were styled in a home.

Don’t treat this as an engineering challenge. The key is to keep it simple and fun! Take your time and enjoy the creative process. Remember that mistakes are okay; every display is a learning opportunity. The alternative is no display at all, and anything you create is better than that.

  • Keep it Fresh: Don’t leave a display up for too long. Our advice is one week, or two at the absolute maximum. Knowing a display has a short lifespan helps you allocate the right amount of time to create it. If you’re not sure how long to spend, set yourself a one-hour time limit and get it done.
  • Ask for Feedback: If you are new to this, ask for opinions once you’ve finished a display. Learn from the feedback. Each display will be an improvement on the last.
  • Track the Sales: While the opinions of others can be nice, what truly matters from any display is the sales it achieves for you. Be sure to track this data, as it will inform your future choices and help you understand what your customers respond to.

A final note to others who may be around when someone is creating their first display: we all did our first display once. Be gentle and encouraging.

What is the future of the local Aussie newsagency?

newsXpress CEO Mark Fletcher made this video in September 2024 following poor reporting by the ABC about a newsagency that closed in Victoria.

This video explores the evolving landscape of Australian newsagencies, challenging outdated perceptions and offering a forward-thinking perspective on the path to success. Delve into an analysis that moves beyond the traditional view of newsagencies as simple community hubs, and discover how these organisations are transforming into dynamic and profitable retail businesses.

The presentation highlights innovative strategies that successful newsagencies are employing, from expanding their product offerings to include categories like beverages, toys, and gifts, to leveraging the power of online sales to reach a global customer base. Learn how a proactive and engaged approach to retail can unlock new revenue streams and ensure the long-term viability of these essential businesses. This video is a valuable resource for anyone in the retail sector, providing practical examples of how to adapt and thrive in a changing market.

Discover the proactive strategies that are empowering modern newsagencies to not only survive but thrive in today’s competitive landscape. This presentation delves into practical, real-world examples of how businesses are achieving significant success by:

  • Expanding product categories to include high-growth areas such as drinks, coffee, toys, and gifts.
  • Broadening their customer base beyond the local community through powerful online sales channels, including international shipping.
  • Innovating their business models by testing new products online that later become in-store bestsellers.This is essential viewing for any newsagent, retail professional, or entrepreneur looking to understand the keys to profitability and long-term success in the evolving Australian market.

The Australian newsagency is evolving. This video challenges traditional thinking and showcases how savvy operators are finding new paths to profitability by diversifying their offerings and embracing e-commerce. A must-watch for anyone in the Australian retail sector.

newsXpress helps newsagents navigate change, embrace opportunities and love their business more along the way. Our focus is on helping local small business retailers thrive in a time of wonderful opportunity and extraordinary change.

Our ideal newsagency is one owned and run by someone who wants to run a successful local retail business they love.

What’s the future of the Aussie newsagency? Bright if you embrace change and don’t allow yourself to be constrained by legacy thoughts on the shingle.