In a statement, released on 23rd December, the NFRN said: “In a move that Scrooge would have been proud of and on the eve of Christmas, Mirror Group Newspapers has announced that it will be raising the price of its Saturday edition and reducing the margin that retailers receive to 22 per cent.
This sly and cynical move has been slammed by the NFRN which is calling on the OFT to take urgent note of this action.
NFRN National President Kieran McDonnell (pictured) said: “I am appalled that the Mirror – up until now the newsagents’ friend - could take such despicable and deplorable action. The Mirror claims that its costs are going up but so are the costs of our members.
“This move is particularly galling as it comes at a time when most publishers are realising the importance of working with independent newsagents. Just recently we have seen the Telegraph and Express increasing their prices with pro rata terms, while we have just announced an exciting new promotion with the Guardian. The Mirror’s action flies in the face of all its rivals and I am shocked by this move.”
Chief executive Paul Baxter added: “Having announced that it is delaying making a decision on referring the newstrade to the Competition Commission until the New Year, we hope that OFT chief executive John Fingleton will sit up and take note of the Mirror move.
“We have demanded an urgent meeting with senior MGN officials but in the meantime are carefully considering what other actions we can take.”
While the cover price of the Saturday Mirror will rise to 70p, the percentage margin falls from 23.4 per cent to 22 per cent. The pence per copy margin will increase slightly from 15.21p to 15.4p.
At the same time the price of the Daily Record will rise to 45p with the margin down from 23.5 per cent to 23.2 per cent.”
