Mark Fletcher explains how  to increase stationery sales.

 

Revenue from stationery products in “traditional” newsagencies dropped by four cent in 2025 in contrast to a five per cent increase in sales at “transformed” businesses.

 

The reason for the difference is highlighted in the latest newsagency benchmark sales study by industry commentator and NewsXpress owner Mark Fletcher.

 

“The results reveal a stark contrast between businesses maintaining a traditional model and those that have embraced transformation,” he said.

 

“These figures highlight fundamental differences in product offerings, pricing strategies, customer demographics, and overall business approach. While traditional categories like magazines and newspapers continue to decline across the board, transformed newsagencies are leveraging new opportunities to drive significant growth,” he said.

 

Fletcher added that the stationery category needed to be addressed on two levels - stationery people need versus stationery people want. 

 

“This second component of stationery is high-end, good-margin, harder-to-find stationery for stationery collectors and lovers," he said. 

 

“This type of shopper, in a shop with stationery they love, will spend $250 a visit and more. They are a valuable shopper. Traditional newsagency stationery suppliers don’t offer product for this shopper,” he added.

 

According to the survey among all levels of NewsXpress members, the growth categories in newsagencies included books, homewares, clothing, trading cards, plush, collectibles and gifts.