Latest benchmark survey shows modest gains across channel.

 

Sales of stationery at newsagencies were up around five per cent in the first half of 2022, according to the latest newsagency benchmark study.

 

Carried out by newsagency owner and industry commentator Mark Fletcher, the survey covered 109 newsagencies of mixed sizes and locations, including members of Fletcher’s newsXpress marketing group but not shopping centre-based outlets.

 

“Newsagents, overall, had a good first half of 2022 when comparing trading figures with 2021. While the increases reported are modest, this is on the back of a better than good 2021 because of Covid,” Fletcher said.

 

In stationery, sales were described as strong for everyday items such as pens and paper and less so for less frequently purchased items. 

 

“Pens, for example, continue to command around 30 per cent of all stationery revenue in newsagencies with strong pen sales. Given their percentage of space allocation and capital requirements, this makes pens a prized segment,” Fletcher said.

 

 “I wonder whether there is an opportunity for newsagents to price some stationery with a convenience premium,” he added.

 

After comparing data from the businesses in the benchmark dataset here are the averages for business performance measurement points and categories, comparing January through June 2022 with the same months in 2021: