Newspaper sales declining?

[retailworld]

I was reading the other day that more and more papers are producing their daily paper 'free' on the internet.

Has anyone noticed a drop in sales recently? Do you think it will discourage people from buying a physical paper?

[jack]

I don't think that it will really. I know that with wireless connections that it is easier to connect to the internet and that it is common in most households but I wouldn't think it is a threat at all.

[dozydave]

It's a thing people have either when they are on the go , or as a method of relaxing and it's not always possible or the preferred option to sit infront of a computer screen.

[JoanWalsh]

Everything is happenening with computers these days and I think it is very much out with the old and in with the new. There are alot of changes going on and this being one of them . I think technology is taking over everything , which has both good and bad points.

[brianJ]

It hasn't affected our sales . But we have a good location beside the hospital and the majority of customers come into us for a newspaper anyway . Maybe in the next few years we might see a decline but I can't see it some how.

[emmab]

Wouldn't they loose money if they got rid of newspapers all together? I know advertising would pay for the bulk but wouldn't they still make a loss? I don't think retailers have anything to worry about really.

[retailworld]

Our local paper (the MEN) is given away free Mon-Fri, with Saturday's edition only 35p-ish. ALl their revenue comes from advertising, and because it is free, circulation has gone through the roof.

It's the same with the Metro, and I believe London has a couple of free papers.

[emmab]

ALl their revenue comes from advertising, and because it is free, circulation has gone through the roof.

I take it back ;)

[retailworld]

I take it back ;)

At the end of the day, you wouldn't sustain a loss-making business, so you always have to factor that they are gaining revenue from somewhere.