Newsagencies

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

The following dates are public holidays:

Thursday 25th December, 2008
Friday 26th December, 2008
Thursday 1st January, 2008

Newsagencies are now represented even more directly within The Retailers Association with a dedicated Committee and Chapter, focused on their sector specific interests and requirements.

Welcome to the specialist Newsagencies  Info Section and Members Entry Portal. This specialist section of our
Association is dedicated to members who own independent NEWSAGENTS, STATIONERY SUPPLIERS and GIFT
CARDS RETAILERS.

If you are a member of The Retailers Association and require access to wages sheets for your sector, information
sheets on important issues that impact your business, or the latest rules and laws that you need to be aware of,
you can simply click on the red MEMBER SIGN IN button at the left of the screen and enter your member number
and password. If you have not requested a password before, simply call our reception on 1300 721 730 and we
can issue you with one so that you have 24/7 access to information critical to your business.

The Retailers Association has many members in the retail Newsagents sector across Australia who enjoy our
advice, support and guidance everyday. This is your entry point to greater support for your specialist retail sector.
Check back regularly for comments, updates and info on issues impacting your sector.

Our focus on serving and assisting the retail Newsagents sector in Australia is reflected in the specialist support
and advice provided to members from our Head of Corporate Development, Ken Murphy. Ken offers a wealth of
retail Newsagency sector experience, having been the CEO of the Queensland Newsagents Federation for over
17 years, prior to joining us in his current capacity and taking on this key National leadership role.

Ken now works closely with our Executive Director, Scott Driscoll, to genuinely ensure members needs are
recognised, supported and valued and that the federal and state governments are lobbied on the issues that really
matter to our Newsagent members across Australia.

SOME RECENT ISSUES IN THE AUSTRALIAN RETAIL NEWSAGENTS SECTOR:

  • A significant development has occurred in Victoria with  Tattersalls being the first Australian lottery operator to rollout a new offer of a Victorian statewide distribution for the TattsQuick game with the 7-Eleven convenience chain starting before the end of the year?
     
    It is understood that the Lotteries Agents Association Victoria is considering some legal action over the cannibalisation of sales and on the belief that 7-Eleven has negotiated lower 'franchise fees' for their stores.
     
    Newsagents nationally should be alerted to such development as there might be some lobby or negotiation opportunities before the matter extends beyond Victoria

  • The ACCC have announced that the organisation Lottery Agents Qld have "re-authorisation for 5 years to
    collectively negotiate terms and conditions of agency agreements and arrangements with the Golden
    casket Lottery Corporation.
     
    Other newsagency representation for newsagents for lottery product should be pursuing the required
    Authorisation for collective negotiation to overcome Trade Practices issues with such activity.
     
    The current Authorisation for newsagency associations to collectively negotiate with key
    publisher/distributor suppliers are nearing the end of the 5 year term granted and will also need re-
    authorisation.
     
    It is to be hoped that opportunities for collective negotiation with these suppliers will be better utilised than
    in the past and that the newsagency industry will have strong unified position to present to
    publishers/distributors.
     
    The Retailers Association will be appraising needs of Authorisation for Collective Negotiation on behalf of
    our newsagent members and other independent retailer members.

  • Newsagents need to be aware of an email promotion to businesses and others of significantly discounted magazine subscription via magshop marketing via email. Obviously certain publishers are arranging these promotions to disadvantage their specialist retail channel of newsagents?

    What should newsagents do?

    Well, upon awareness of the magazines involved they should not give these publications prime display space in their shops and ensure they individually tell the particular publisher they are doing so and are dissatisfied with this marketing of magazines.
    The more newsagents who take such action the more likely impact it will have with magazine publishers/distributors.

  • Newsagents should be aware that the ACCC have applied to the Federal Court for action against Bill
    Express and associated companies for contraventions of the Trade Practices Act.
    Newsagents who are still paying monthly lease payments should be reassessing these arrangements.
    The Retailers Association will continue to monitor and liaise on ACCC considerations. The Retailers
    Association is reviewing alternative arrangements with other parties, including major bank institutions.

  • Some of the most challenging times in the Newsagency sector have been of late. These have included the
    uncertain nature of online payment options and contracts, locking Newsagents into services that weren't
    delivering what many feel was promised and the destabilising and the unnecessary infighting in the retail
    Newsagency sector that has been in the public domain for far too long.
  • The Retailers Association has recognised the need for a fresh approach to strengthen and support the
    retail Newsagency sector in Australia. As the peak national industry body for the independent retail sector
    in this country with many thousands of members, we have the ability to deliver genuine support, reforms
    and a positive way forward for Australian Newsagents. 

  • The Retailers Association has recognised the need to draw a line in the sand in the Newsagents sector
    and is not interested in the "politics" of yesterday. Our Newsagent members enjoy strong representation
    by way of lobbying state and federal governments, provision of first class in house industrial relations
    advice, support and advocacy and a suite of reduced rate essential business services at levels usually
    only enjoyed by major retail chains.
  • In a recent member survey, some of the key issues that were identified as areas The Retailers
    Association can assist members in the Newsagency sector is via our industrial advice and support
    telephone service, our wages updates, and our regular E-Bulletins that members receive giving industry
    tips and outline current trends and events. Also highlighted as valuable was our special reduced merchant
    fee deals, specialist business insurance products which we provide at highly competitive rates to our
    members also.
  • Staff training and professional development is also critical to maintain a competitive edge in the
    Newsagency sector. The Retailers Association provides members with tailored and recognised
    training courses and traineeships for staff to attract and retain the best and help your business grow.

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