Location key to sales growth in wake of coronavirus.

 

While some retail newsagencies report 40 per cent and more growth in revenue in April 2020 compared to April 2019, others report 60 per cent and more decline, according to an independent survey by newsagency commentator and owner Mark Fletcher.

 

In his latest newsagency industry blog, Fletcher said: “Looking at comprehensive sales data from 139 newsagencies the results are stunning in that never before in 20 years of benchmark analysis have I seen such a gap in business performance.

 

“Whereas in previous studies, geography was the key factor, now, in this COVID-19 world, location is the key. High street retailers – those retailers outside of shopping centres - are faring much better.”

 

The survey found sales at high street newsagencies were up six per cent while sales at ‘çity malls’ were down 38 per cent. Regional high street newsagency sales were up 12 per cent while regional shopping mall newsagency sales were down 24 per cent.

 

The survey revealed strong sales for stationery in both city and regional high street newsagencies – up nine per cent and 13 per cent respectively. City and regional mall sales were down 42 per cent and 16 per cent respectively. 

 

Fletcher commented that a “challenge” with stationery had been supply.