The NFRN statement continues: Not only does this scheme aim to steal customers from retailers, it aims to do so through unfair competition by offering consumers free delivery, guaranteed delivery before 7 a.m. (8.30 a.m. on Sunday) and is giving subscribers who sign up a free gift worth £60, none of which independent newsagents can compete with.
Newsagents were particularly incensed over the fact that there was no communication and no consultation of any kind on this move, and coming on the back of intense criticism over the way the Guardian communicated its recent terms reduction to newsagents, this latest move highlights just how contemptuous publishers can be for the retailers whose living depends on newspaper sales.
NFRN National President Kieran McDonnell said: “After recently meeting with the Guardian’s Senior Management and having secured their promise to improve communications and to work together for mutual benefit, I am absolutely livid over this callous action against London members.”
He continued: “By giving retailers no notice of this loose subscription advertising pre-insertion, many will not have known of its existence and will have inadvertently let this go out to customers in today’s paper. I’m assuming this will be a one-off loose insert since if the Guardian thinks it can get away with this stunt again once retailers are pre-warned, they may be badly mistaken.”
He concluded: “This is potentially damaging to our ongoing working relationship with the Guardian which must be built on trust.”
