The winners of MagSell'09 are:
Independent Retailer of the Year
Winner: Rob Harding, Good News
Good News is a traditional CTN business in the centre of Worcester. There are two shops, both in prime city centre locations near the train station and high street. The larger store has an impressive magazine range with over 600 titles in store, while the smaller shop has over 300. Rob uses innovative ways to grow sales such as using category flags for in store signage and a free standing 12 facing unit to display magazines at the till point.
Both stores are shining examples of how to manage the magazine category. Rob has a great team behind him who all share the same merchandising principles.
Judges’ comments: “A range retailer who actively promotes both the breadth of magazines available as well as best selling brands.
Focussing on HND, Shop Saves and business to business deliveries, Rob demonstrates a real dedication and commitment to selling magazines.”
Shortlisted
• Newsworld
• Vyas Food Stores
Magazine Retailer of the Year – Small Multiple (up to 100 stores)
Winner: Rippleglen
Rippleglen has approximately 100 stores based in and around the Midlands, split between a variety of fascias: Supernews and Arden News operate in a convenience store format; Eastcliffe stores operate as traditional CTNs. The Eastcliffe stores in particular have a real ‘news and mags’ offer, regularly promoting the variety, depth and breadth of its range as well as HND and Shop Save. Rippleglen has introduced an ‘advantage points’ scheme to motivate store staff and support in store promotions.
Judges’ comments: “Rippleglen is always keen to work with publishers and distributors, is flexible, offers real innovation and is committed to growing magazine sales.”
Shortlisted
• GT News
Magazine Retailer of the Year – Large Multiple
Winner: Martin McColl
Over the last 12 months Martin McColl, with the help and guidance of the Smiths News buying alliance, has delivered a fresh and innovative approach to the news and magazine category. News and magazines is a major category accounting for 30% of revenue and 28% of share. Placement of magazines on the counter across the entire estate has resulted in a 22% increase in sales. Martin McColl has delivered tangible results and continues to grow its range, re invest in fixturing and work with publishers on innovative initiatives to drive magazine sales.
Judges’ comments: “The Martin McColl / Smiths News partnership has produced a strong vision and strategy for a modern range retailer. They have demonstrated that focussing on the principles of engaging with the industry, putting the consumer first and training store personnel are key retail attributes.”
Shortlisted
• M&S
• WHSmith Travel
Buyer of the Year
Winner: Roos Clarke, Tesco
Roos Clarke started in his role as Category Manager at Tesco in June 2002 and over the years has been one of the biggest supporters of the news and magazine category in the industry. Roos has implemented a robust and transparent range review process to ensure publishers and distributors have every opportunity to present products and opportunities for consideration. Having recognised the fast changing nature of the magazine market, he responded by introducing a number of review opportunities to ensure Tesco could respond quickly and effectively to maximise its sales and react to the ever changing needs of the consumer.
Judges’ comments: “There have been a lot of new buyers entering the industry in the past 12 months and as such we wanted to take the opportunity to commend Roos on his dedication to the category. He has been instrumental in the increase in the number of titles available within Tesco, providing a range offer akin to a high street retailer. This has allowed Tesco to become a destination magazine retailer for a number of consumers due to the breadth of titles available.”
Highly Commended
Scott Partridge, Rippleglen
“Scott demonstrates a passion for the magazine category and proactively generates ideas to drive sales. Scott focuses on growing sales and working collaboratively with publishers.”
Shortlisted
• Amy Scott, WHSmith Travel
• Matt Stone, Asda
Best Sales or Marketing Initiative of the Year
Winner: M&S Tills, D Cipher
Since 2004, Marks & Spencer has significantly contributed towards driving magazine sales. Since summer 2008, magazines have been tried and tested in store as part of a checkout offer bringing fantastic growth opportunities and adding over £130,000 of magazine sales a week, totalling over £7m per annum. More than one in two belted checkouts now has a 20 title magazine display in store, replacing, in many instances, high volume confectionery lines. In a difficult trading environment M&S has committed to full national rollout of the offer in 450 stores, taking annual magazine sales to £25m (38% increase YOY).
Judges’ comments: “Often the most effective sales driving initiatives are the simplest. Not only has D Cipher secured magazines on the most impulsive space in store at M&S, they have single handedly expanded the reach of magazines in a highly competitive environment and executed it perfectly.”
Shortlisted
• ‘Jamie Launch’ – WHSmith Group
• Ocado.com
Outstanding Contribution to Magazine Retailing
Winner: David Stephens, D Cipher
David, with his D Cipher staff, has tirelessly driven the magazine category forward by securing new stockists of magazines at M&S and more recently Bhs, as well as maximising sales through existing stockists such as Boots.
David has been fundamental in changing retailers’ views of the category from wanting to avoid a time consuming and complicated category to one which can be harnessed and grown to mutual benefit. Many publishers have seen sales growth of circa 100% in both M&S and Boots over the last three years something that no other retailer has been able to come close to.
These results would not be possible without David's passion and enthusiasm for the magazine category or his knowledge of the supply chain and how this can be harnessed to get the best results for either new or existing stockists. To his credit, David has always looked to get new businesses on board by utilising existing infrastructure which has made D Cipher’s offer compelling to magazine suppliers.
Judges’ comments: “David is a long standing servant of the magazine industry who continues to positively and passionately drive the category forward. His significant impact on the category is evident in the work he has done to maximise the magazine category for both retailers and publishers and the results he has achieved.”
