Introducing Plus News

Having consulted with our customers, Palmer and Harvey have recognised the need for independent Category Management advice in the key area of News and Magazines, which is traditionally a very complex category to manage. With good margins and fixed cover prices, Plus News is designed to help retailers build your business and complete on equal terms with the multiples in your area. Research tells us that there’s a great opportunity here with customers who buy papers typically visiting a store four times a week and often buying soft drinks or confectionery too.


Plus News will be FREE to Palmer and Harvey customers and also promises support with ranging, including best-in-class planograms, better availability and better promotional packages including deals pairing news and magazines with products in other categories. Retailers will be given an operational manual, a helpline you can call about problems with the supply chain and monthly sales reports. It’s something like a head office function for independents and will operate on the principle that the best way to compete with the multiples is to become and act like one.

We have brought in outside expertise from the newstrade sales consultancy Lucid Direct, who have years of experience of working with major multiples and prior experience in magazine publishing and news wholesaling.

What does Plus News Support Package offer? 

  • Category management solution including range and planogram advice
  • Improved availability through using the combined turnover of our Plus News membership
  • Discounted fixture solutions from a leading manufacturer
  • Monthly promotional package
  • Supply chain management i.e. Liaison with the wholesalers and publishers to sure that they operate efficiently

Range

  • Planograms for both News and Magazines are available by fixture size incorporating the top titles which will drive sales based on fixture size and store location
  • Category beacon brands will drive range, however “optional” space will be available to enable you to satisfy local needs and demands
  • Your range will be locked into wholesale systems and will be visible to you at all times. However, no amendments to the range can be made without confirmation from our central buying team – including new titles
  • We will provide an email helpline to all Plus News members providing a rapid response on all issues and queries 

Availability

  • We will negotiate with publishers to ensure necessary News and Magazine availability and business efficiency
  • We will set availability levels that publishers can then aspire to achieve – independent retailers currently suffer greater availability problems as the publishers control the print runs and give greater focus to the retailers such as Tesco etc (TBC)
  • By building availability on the core selling brands we will reduce the level of unwanted product normally allocated out by Wholesalers to meet publisher demands
  • We will enable a reduction in the level of waste (as a result of unnecessary allocations and non adherence to process), together with better copy management which will increase cash flow 

Promotional Packages

  • New promotional solutions will be supplied to all members as part of the membership up agreement: 5 Hotspots/Clip on units, in fixture defined promotional space and additional in store 8/12 Facing Magazine Promotional Unit
  • Structured, Targeted and Controlled Promotions will be negotiated direct with the Publishers
  • Specific calendar of promotional activity on a monthly basis, supported by briefing packs and Point of Sale material
  • Cross category and link-save promotional activity from associated product groups will be centrally negotiated e.g. ‘Buy The Sun and get a Crunchie Free’
  • Strong promotional packages will be centrally agreed for new title launches to maximise sales  

Supply Chain

  • Will manage the supply chain (i.e. the wholesalers/ publishers) on behalf of all members
  • Will focus on availability to acceptable and defined standards
  • Raise profile and standards for an Independent based retail group
  • Identify areas of good/bad performance and instigate on behalf of members bespoke action plans (monthly performance packs)
  • Offer one point of contact for primary ranging and promotional decisions 

Fixtures

  • Equipment deals from manufacturers will be negotiated on behalf of our members, including news cubes and fixtures  

What do you have to do to be a member of Plus News?

  • Sign up for an initial period of 6 months
  • Provide 3 months notice to withdraw membership
  • Dedicate a minimum 2m space of wall fixture or 3m space of gondola fixture for the sale, promotion and development of the categories
  • Commit to X% compliance and availability with all agreed promotional activity and use POS supplied • Maintain availability on magazines at a minimum X%
  • Maintain planogram, ranging and retail disciplines
  • Maintain range compliance and availability on News at X % & Magazines at Y %
  • Full compliance and support for all Home News Delivery campaigns if this is a service you provide