Newsagents around the country have reacted in a positive manner, and despite the anger of so many over the phone hacking business many have backed tracked to offer News International full support of this new Sunday Sun newspaper.

News International informed News-insider today Wednesday Feb 22nd that no price had been fixed yet on the Sunday Sun, but when this had been decided the news trade would be the first to hear, which we find very alarming to say the least. One worried publisher also inform us the first edition may be 60p moving to a POUND the following week, but as yet everyone including NI seems to be in limbo on a matter that quite honestly should have been the first item on the agenda.

Without any doubt since the News of the World shut the doors the Sunday trade has fallen by 40%, with so many people simply not buying a alternative newspaper to read which has hit newsagents big time, hopefully this new newspaper will bridge that gap that will benefit everyone within the trade.

Some publishers have been recently gloating over their Sunday sales increase over the past twelve months, some have sat on their laurels and done little to capture the News of the World readers, and now they will regret letting the grass grow under their feet, for the Sunday Sun will certainly hit them all.

The biggest disappointment has been the Sunday Star, here was a newspaper that should have made major gains on a permanent basis, but after a bright start fell back into the syndrome of producing a alter thin newspaper with a free magazine which certainly lacked the value for money tag.

Only last weekend the Sunday Star sent Newsagents a letter with the headlines PRICE DECREASE, the Sunday paper would come down ONE PENCE to 99p, and even better news Newsagents would still get the same terms as if the paper was the normal one pound! What planet is this person on? What was the point of reducing the paper 1p? Is the person responsible for this decision brain dead? more importantly has he/she had their P45′s yet?

What ever happens in the weeks to come is anyone’s business, but its pleasing to note that most newsagents are very happy that the news trade can look forward to a brighter more profitable weekends than in recent months.

Poirot, he makes no excuse for copying what it is printed on the site of Monsieur Webb, for it is here that we may find some clue to the identity of the mole.

June 16th 2009
PHONE CALL received JUNE 16TH (715 am).
Webbo my old chum, where did you hear of news insider?
We haven’t started using it yet, but we will and god help those that don’t play ball!

What makes you think it’s a newsagent who has opened a new website?
You may be right, but you certainly could be wrong!.

We intend to tell the truth where certain publications are made to tow the party line,
look at RN this week, accurate reporting, didn’t do them any favours!

No Webbo, I’m not a newsagent, BUT I sure know what goes on,

On behalf of everyone within the trade your efforts are much appreciated for the ordinary
Newsagents, keep it up, I will be watching your site and may use your stuff!

Have a good life Webbo! And keep pulling those Inserts out!

Bye!
Who was the person?

Was it a Newsagent? Was a Publisher? Was it a Wholesaler?
Who knows,
but it certainly was NOT the NEW NFRN National President !

Monsieur Webb, he writes of the “we” but then his caller to him says “I’m not a newsagent”. Why then does Monsieur Webb seek the identity of a mole?; a little brown thing that undermines you, has teeth like the snippers, and who trips you up with la taupinière …. how do you say …. the mole-hill. This, it suggests to Poirot, is somebody on the inside of the NFRN; Mon Dieu, c’est possible, an employee of the NFRN? Poirot, he does not yet know.

Is it a publisher? L’homme with the longest nose, it is Monsieur Des O’Do Dah. He it is that cultivates Les Présidents like they are the species most rare. He sniffs around their private parts like the faithful dog licking his way into their confidence. He is too obvious to be the mole and in any case the mole he snips not licks.

Monsieur Webb, he discounts Monsieur Le Président Khonat but no explanation does he give. Why is this? Monsieur Webb, he knows already there is a mole and his identity it is known to him? They are the chums …. mais oui …. Monsieur Webb, it is already known to him the identity of the mole and it is not Le Président Khonat.

Monsieur Le Snipper, it is not because his command of the English – it is lacking. Mais oui, a mole he looks like …. mais oui, a mole he behaves like …. the mole that Poirot seeks …. mais non. Le Snipper, he does the deals most clandestine and his little arms they reach into every orifice of the Federation. But to Poirot, he is an insignificance.

Monsieur Le Serpent-Blanc, he is never sure what it is known to him so him it cannot be? Or could this be the bluff? Could it be that be that he plays the double agent? He puts on the charade of incompetence in order to mislead? We know he can be decisive when it is necessary but the decisions, are they right? It is not for Poirot to rake over the ashes here because it deflects him from his quest for the mole. It is sufficient that Poirot, he says that Monsieur Le Serpent-Blanc is too narrow minded to be the mole.

Monsieur Le Jagged-Edge, he also could be la taupe but he I am thinking he is la vipère, how do you say, The Viper. The snake in the grass that spreads his poison like the black adder. He that is feared by the hierarchy of the NFRN because, for his favours, he extracts the price most high. Monsieur Le Snipper, he will soon find this out and the day he met Le Jagged-Edge he will regret …. a clandestine deal too far.

Poirot, he suspects it is Monsieur Pissoir that is the mole because it is he who runs the National Executive Committee. Monsieur Webb and Monsieur Pissoir, they have kept their allegiance well hidden, behaving as enemies, waving at one another the big stick, how do you say, the Rule 34. Here is the bluff most brave. But the proof, it is lacking.

For now, Poirot, he rests the little grey cells and will return another day with the answer most profound.

The only problem that I foresee is that it is too late to order for Christmas 2009 and too early for Christmas 2010.  Fortunately I eat crispy pork anytime so long as there’s apple sauce to go with it.

Publishers are bending over backwards offering money off vouchers to the consumer for regular sales of their newspaper in a time when daily sales are certainly on the decline. Publishers are still fighting each other at a cut throat rate, and the news that that News International has cut the Sun price to 20p Monday to Friday in the North of the country clearly says it all.

It was News International who caused a storm a few weeks back by withdrawing their contract with Dawson News, and newsagents were given 48 hours notice that they would be delivering their supplies direct. What was the reason for this sudden decision?

News International were concerned that Dawson’s had servere financial problems, which was not to difficult to understand why considering this wholesaler had recently suffered a major setback when a number of publishers gave their business to Smiths and Menzies. It must be also said that NI did offer Dawson’s nine areas, but the lost of other titles was causing immense concern. 

Rumour has it that Dawson’s have debts running into millions of pounds, and its quite possible that one particular situation may break the camels back and this well known National tabloid Newspaper may be the first to go from the news stands.    

Its been widely reported that the Independent is having a difficult time and it would be no surprise to the news industry if this title disappeared, its also been said the Express is struggling, but if the Dawson rumours are true then its highly possible the Daily Mirror may be beat them both to it!

The Mirror has been losing sales over the recent years but to lose this title would have a serious effect to everyone connected with the industry, which could have devastating effect to newsagents all over the country.

The honourable rogue Webbo “disappointed” me at the Torquay Conference recently, when News International Clive Milner was on the rostrum informing everyone that the only way forward in the future was to work together, and he praised Naresh Purohit the outgoing President for this on behalf of the NFRN over the past 12 months, and he was of the opinion new president Solly Khonat would follow this lead.

Questions were asked from the floor and the last delegate to speak was Webbo, and I said to my partner “this will be interesting” as I expected him to hit Milner between the eyes with a few home truths. I’m still shocked to this day, and now this Dawson business has surfaced I should imagine Brian is spitting feathers knowing an opportunity had passed.

Webbo’s questions to Milner were important to the HND agents, and if you can believe Milner is true to his word then in the not to distant future all home delivered copies will be rewarded with higher profit margins, but as so many times before newsagents will believe that when it happens!

I was expecting Webbo to launch an attack on Milner considering he without doubt is a newsagent’s best friend and with all this direct delivery coming into effect in London and the Birmingham areas I anticipated fireworks!

It was after all Webbo who stood on the same platform some six years ago and told conference that News International was the only national publisher who sends all newsagents a good morning message six days a week through its publication of the SUN newspaper.

S.U.N. to him means “Stuff You Newsagents” and remembering that I expected Webbo to say to Milner something like, Good presentation Mr Milner, you paint a pretty picture, and as I personally stood on that same spot six years ago telling Conference that you was the only newspaper to send us a good morning message I certainly don’t hear anything that you have said today to change my mind!!

Naturally, no one at the time knew this new Dawson upheaval was about to erupt, but its my belief that  Webbo is now spitting feathers of a chance missed,  but then again the NFRN should be doing that on behalf of the members instead of laying down somewhat gutless.

I am concerned that, until the Terms of Reference of this new Department are published, there is the possibility that it may wander and encompass the Other.  The thought that the sub-committee responsible for day to day governance of the new Department might be lead by Snipper Singh is too much to bear; my eyes are watering as I lie on the floor howling with laughter.

I cannot take it for much longer – THE DEPARTMENT OF THIS THAT AND THE OTHER.

NEWS INTERNATIONAL CALL TIME.

NEWSINSIDER was about to break the news of the sudden collapse of News Wholesaler DAWSON NEWS, but we read the news flash on the Webbo site who it seems was one step ahead. However we have been digging for information and can now reveal the latest news.

We have been aware of the problems facing Dawson’s for the past few weeks, and have knowledge of the vast sums involved owed to Publishers, so its no surprise that News International have made the first move on making alternative arrangements to get their titles delivered to the retailers. No doubt the other publishers will follow the NI route by pleading to the other two main wholesalers Smiths News and Menzies to help them out.

It must also be a concern for the National Federation of Retail Newsagents for we know that Dawson’s collect their weekly subscriptions on their behalf, and simple arithmetic will shock the finance committee at Yeoman House.

Newsinsider believes the officials hopefully have the situation ring fenced, but estimating the wholesaler having some 3000 NFRN customers, for the last seven weeks (we anticipate the month of April being paid) the NFRN could be waiting in the region of a six figure sum!

More worrying for the federation this closure could lead to a membership collapse, the newsagent will be informed of alternative arrangements in collection of membership fees, which undoubtedly will be a shock to some newsagents actually remembering they were still paying the £5.75p weekly fee.

It’s also apparent that some newsagents will consider the options of whether the benefits are beneficial in today’s current climate which could lead to massive losses to the federation income

Obviously, the NFRN big boys saw this coming or were they too busy partying on the Torquay Riviera! OUCH!

Solly Khonat from Blackburn who was elected by a show of hands, has been on the scene for a number of years, and whilst his die hard supporters may be happy with his success of reaching the pinnacle of the federation even they must have been alarmed of his new revolutionary plans for the next twelve months.

Within minutes of his opening remarks he mortified conference when stating that the NFRN have been spending too much time on news and magazines which is now irrelevant in a declining trade, and emphasised the NFRN would now focus their attentions to fighting the erosion in Tobacco sales!

This created headlines news in the weekly trade magazine (Retail Newsagent) last Thursday and despite Khonat now trying to retract such remarks the damage has already been done, and the backlash from the industry certainly waits! Copies of the man’s speech are available on the federation website, and whilst it paints a slightly different picture, the facts remain not everyone at the venue was asleep!

The outgoing National President Naresh Purohit from Kent had his supporters to the degree that in one publisher’s opinion he was the federations best ever president, and whilst that comment may fail to attract every ones opinion, the man never the less had the professional knowledge knowing that the NFRN main objective was news and magazines, always has been, and always will be.

This was clearly stated at the February National Council meeting Birmingham when Purohit emphasised most strongly he did not need to apologise for the time being spent on the subject because news and magazines is the NFRN and always will be.

Whilst delegates were flabbergasted, no doubt publishers and wholesalers were organising a party to celebrate the NFRN no longer being an issue within the news trade for the NFRN National President believes his members now believe the industry is heading into the non entity syndrome.

Mind you, if everyone believes the statement made by Khonat in the current edition of the Convenience Store that against all odds the NFRN membership is currently increasing, then he must have the opinion the sky is the limit!,

No doubt Mr Khonat is now looking remove the whole news operations committee, and I should imagine the head of the news/magazines Stefan Wojciechowski will be seen down the his local job centre, but then again he could be in line on the new public affairs committee!

Only time will tell, but the sooner someone starts to install the mechanism of the NFRN to Khonat the better, for unless this decision is reversed immediately then newsagents guru Webbo’s prediction of five years ago will almost certainly become a reality! And that would never do!

(NFRN)

Not For Real Newsagents!