The Australian newsagency is a unique business. Each of the 4,500 newsagency businesses across Australia features a similar product mix, ownership structure and customer care ethos. Yet each is a slight variation on others in the channel - such may be the independent nature of newsagencies.

The very first newsagency was opened in Australia, in their state of Victoria, in the 1800s in the middle of the gold rush. It absolutely was created by a publisher to sold a distribution problem - hence the word agent. Up to this day, suppliers play a vital role in the newsagency channel, imposing many rules on the merchandise mix, how items are merchandised, price and even operating hours.

A normal Australian newsagency can have a broad mixture of products:

Magazines. The common title range in between 1,000 and 1,500 different magazine titles. Along with a broad selection of Australian magazine titles, you will find tiles from the US and UK. They're laid on unique racking and made readily available for open browsing by shoppers.

Newspapers. Along with the area daily newspaper, newsagencies also carry a broad selection of foreign language newspapers plus a choice of international titles. Greeting cards. between 800 and 1,500 different greeting card designs are given in the average newsagency. Most are supplied by the major brands such as for instance Hallmark and John Sands (American Greetings).

Stationery. The stationery range is broad, usually composed of between 1,500 and 5000 different items. Most are home and small office items. The typical newsagent stationery offer is situated around convenience. Lottery products. Most newsagents offer products from the area lottery company. Transport tickets. Bus, train and tram tickets can be purchased in several newsagencies Business services. Photocopy, faxing and laminating services will also be offered by most newsagents. Australian news

Newspaper distribution. Around 65% of newsagents will also be contracted to home deliver the daily newspapers. Through this they also distribute newspapers to supermarkets and other retailers. The typical newsagency business is open from 6 am right through to 6pm Monday through Wednesday, to 9pm Thursday and Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. They are extended hours for almost any retail business. Newsagents provide the service as a residential district focal point. This community connection is a key point of difference.

Australian newsagencies provide a unique geographic footprint which many suppliers leverage for distributing product nationally which they cannot get into the national stores. While the independent ownership has its challenges, it also presents suppliers with excellent opportunities.

The most crucial role for newsagents is not commercial, it's their community connection. Newsagencies are places where people gather and share stories and connect. Newsagents understand their role in the community and are very happy to serve in this way. While the newsagency business model may seem out of date, it is important in the Australian retail landscape.