“Of the 20 brands audited, 13 titles have shown resilience in difficult trading conditions recording period on period increases. Eleven titles have recorded year on year increases with the majority of NatMag brands taking market share.
Brand loyalty remains strong with subscriptions up year on year for a number of titles. Star performances, in particular, have come from Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Harper's Bazaar, Reveal, and NatMag Rodale title Men's Health.
Highlights include:
• Cosmopolitan retains its position as the No 1 women's monthly at retail, delivering more RSV (retail sales value) than any other women's monthly retains its position as the No 1 women's monthly at retail, delivering more RSV (retail sales value) than any other women's monthly
• Good Housekeeping takes market share and retains its No 1 position in the market, posting its 3rd consecutive increase takes market share and retains its No 1 position in the market, posting its 3 consecutive increase
• Harper's Bazaar records its highest ever ABC performance, its 14th consecutive increase, up 1% year on year. Subscriptions are also at their highest ever level, up 5% year on year
• Reveal delivers its second significant ABC increase up 4.8% period on period and 22.5% year on year
• Men's Health posts a 16th consecutive year on year ABC increase
Arnaud de Puyfontaine (pictured), Chief Executive of the National Magazine Company says, "We have a strong story to tell. As per our last ABC period, NatMag continues to show resilience and strength in what have been difficult trading conditions. Our titles continue to outperform, subscriptions have increased and we retain market share in many sectors. This success is credit to the strong brands that we produce and the talented people at NatMag who create them. The market is beginning to recover and with increased innovation, investment and cross-platform growth for our brands, NatMag is well placed to continue this pattern of growth into the future."
Title highlights
Best: total ABC - 301,440
Best delivers its second consecutive increase in the challenging classic weeklies market. New Editor, Jackie Hatton, joined the title in January 2010 and is bringing a fresh look to the magazine this year.
Coast: total ABC - 41,778
Another great performance by Coast posting an ABC of 41,778. Subscriptions now account for 48% of total circulation, with a record high subs base of 20,013.
Company: total ABC - 240,035
A superb performance from Company in the volatile young women's market, with the title up 4.3% period on period. The launch of Company offshoot, The High-Street Edit, next month is testament to the magazine's success in this market.
Cosmopolitan Bride: total ABC - 39,227
Cosmopolitan Bride celebrates a strong performance, up 5.6% year on year - its 2nd consecutive increase.
Cosmopolitan: total ABC - 430,353
After 38 years, Cosmopolitan proves its longevity and stability in what continues to be a tough, heavily promoted market. Cosmopolitan retains its position as the No 1 women's monthly at retail, delivering more RSV (retail sales value) than any other women's monthly.
Country Living: total ABC - 197,891
Country Living continues to be the market leader by a mile in its sector, up 4.6% year on year and 2.8% period on period. Subscriptions remain solid, accounting for 40% of total circulation.
Esquire: total ABC - 59,160
Esquire posts a 12% period on period increase with subscriptions at an all-time high, growing 2.5% to 18,510.
Good Housekeeping: total ABC - 430,089
Good Housekeeping retains its No 1 position in the market, posting its 3rd consecutive increase and both year on year and period and period growth (1.1% and 4.9% respectively). Good Housekeeping has more than 216,000 paid subscribers, accounting for 50% of total circulation.
Harper's Bazaar: total ABC - 110,638
Harper's Bazaar posts its highest ever ABC performance, its 14th consecutive increase, up 1% year on year. Subscriptions are also at their highest ever level, up 5% year on year.
House Beautiful: total ABC - 168,035
A fantastic performance for House Beautiful, posting an ABC increase - up 4.3% year on year and 12% period on period. Subscriptions continue to highlight the strength of this brand, with an impressive total of 60,175.
Prima: total ABC - 288,301
The leading domestic women's monthly, Prima continually sells more than 288,000 copies each month, posting year on year and period on period increases (1.5% and 5.3% respectively). Prima is also celebrating its highest-ever subscription total of 115,868.
Prima Baby: total ABC - 43,694
Prima Baby posts an ABC of 43,694. Subscriptions are stronger than ever up both year on year and period on period.
Real People: total ABC - 216,038
Real People gives a great performance, up 6.5% period on period in the competitive real life sector.
Reveal: total ABC - 330,911
Reveal delivers its second significant ABC increase up 4.8% period on period and 22.5% year on year. Continued investment in "The celebrity magazine written by celebrities" proposition has created standout in a crowed market. Jane Ennis joined as Editor late 2009
SHE: total ABC - 150,074
1% growth period on period for SHE magazine and with new Editor Claire Irvin on board this brand will continue from strength to strength reaching affluent, working women.
You & Your Wedding: total ABC - 50,142
You & Your Wedding posts a respectable ABC of 50,142. New Editor, Miranda Eason, joined the title in January 2010.
Zest: total ABC - 93,130
Zest continues to be a force in the women's healthy lifestyle sector posting an ABC of 93,130 with a loyal following of subscribers (currently 27,687).
NatMag Rodale
Men's Health: total ABC - 250,577
Men's Health posts its 16th consecutive year-on-year ABC increase, showing 0.2% growth against Jan-June 2009. This sustained period of growth is a record for the men's market.
Runner's World: total ABC - 96,352
Runner's World posts its highest-ever ABC to continue to dominate the UK running market This is its 15th consecutive year of growth, with sales up 2.0% against 2009.
Triathlete's World: total ABC - 13,062
A highly impressive debut ABC from Triathlete's World making it the biggest triathlon title on the UK newsstand."
