News UK has announced plans to move to a single-supplier national wholesale distribution model for newspapers and magazines from July 2027, taking a step towards strengthening the long-term sustainability of print distribution for News UK's titles, including The Sun, The Times and The Sunday Times.
Under the proposed model, News UK says it intends to work with Smiths News as its national wholesale distribution partner.
The new ten year contract is designed to simplify News UK’s wholesale process, remove structural costs from its supply chain and create a more efficient model to support retailers and consumers over the long term, added the publisher.
The transition reflects the changing dynamics of the print market, where declining volumes and rising operating costs place increasing pressure on the economics of newspaper and magazine distribution.
By moving to a national structure, News UK says it aims to:
- Simplify its wholesale network and reduce duplication across its distribution infrastructure
- Improve long-term sustainability for retailers
- Create a more efficient and scalable operating model for its brands
- And support continued access to newspapers and magazines for consumers across the UK
Tracey Hart, director of Retail and Wholesale, News UK said: “This decision is about building a wholesale model that is better suited to the future needs of our business. By simplifying how we operate and reducing duplication within the network, we can create a stronger and more resilient supply chain that benefits retailers and supports long-term access to print products.”
Jon Bunting, CEO of Smiths News plc, said: “We’re delighted to announce the extension and expansion of our partnership with News UK through to 2037.
“This deepens a relationship spanning more than 50 years, securing a reliable and sustainable national route to market for retailers and consumers — and enabling us to freeze the delivery service charge for our retail customers for the life of the contract.
“Smiths News has a long and distinguished record in print distribution and industry-leading service. Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone in securing a sustainable future for print news distribution, and reflects our shared commitment to supporting the industry for years to come.”
Keep up-to-date with publishing news: sign up here for InPubWeekly, our free weekly e-newsletter.
