Commenting on the appointment, NFRN Chief Executive Paul Baxter said: “There’s no doubt that Mike is facing a challenging 12 months and with the current supply chain clearly not working, our challenge to Mike is to really look closely to see what improvements to service levels can be made so retailers can receive the service levels they require to better retail newspapers and magazines, and publishers, wholesalers and news retailers can all enjoy increased sales.”
Mr Baxter continued: “The NFRN has never been able to support the PDF because it has systematically failed to get to grips with the really pressing issues affecting independent newsagents and the retail trade in general.
“And while no one would deny the potential value of a Press Distribution Charter that provides guaranteed service standards and a mechanism to resolve disputes, it has many faults and frailties that have to be overcome.”
According to the NFRN, its specific concerns with the PDF include:
* Its reluctance to discuss prices and charges. Whilst there are legal constraints on agreements that fix prices and charges, there is nothing which prevents discussion on the principles involved – yet the PDF has consistently refused to discuss any of these matters. If the PDF wishes the retail associations to engage with it, its publisher and wholesaler members must stop using retailers as the industry’s cash cow.
* Under current arrangements, there is no recourse to independent arbitration on the admissibility of proposed new standards – retailers ask for what they need to provide a service to consumers, yet publishers, distributors and wholesalers either grant or deny at a whim.
* The current caps on financial restitution and the frequency criteria for admissible claims are unacceptable. These restrictions should be removed and claims allowed based on proven losses.
* Retailers need more options for control over their supply allocation, subject to certain guidelines to avoid unacceptable wastage.
Details of the above, together with further service enhancements are detailed in the NFRN’s own News Distribution Service Charter, which was launched earlier this year.
Mr Baxter concluded: “We have accepted an invitation to meet with a delegation from the PDF early in the New Year and we approach that meeting with an open mind. We have already made available to the industry a copy of the NFRN’s Charter so there should be no surprises as to what the NFRN needs in order to endorse and fully engage with the PDF. I believe it is time that the news industry started treating each other as necessary business partners, rather than enemies, so that we can devote the future to mutual best interest and driving sales, rather than wasting energy though argument and litigation.”
