The Saturday Star has been given little choice, says the National Federation of Retail Newsagents, but to follow the lead of the Sun by also reducing its cover price from 50p to 30p with effect from 23rd October 2010.
NFRN Scottish District President Abdul Qadar said: “Whilst both publishers are maintaining retailer terms on the higher price (which is to be welcomed) retailers question the validity of cut pricing which provokes tit-for-tat action by competitors that simply neutralises any long term sales benefit that might be derived from this activity and does no lasting good for anyone. For that reason we applaud the Daily Record for not entering this battleground and, like it, we would much prefer other publishers to invest in its support for retailers and in improved quality that is more likely to keep consumers buying newspapers.
“Conversely, it is welcome news that the Scottish Daily Express Monday to Friday editions will increase from 25p to 30p and retailer terms will continue to be based on the pre-promotional price of 35p.”
Mr Qadar continued: “Scottish newsagents have been given some good news from the Scotsman’s stable of titles where the price of the Edinburgh Evening News is rising from 45p to 48p from 25th October 2010 and a pro rata increase on retailer’s terms will see their cash margin increased to 12p per copy sold. That has to be welcomed.”
Mr Qadar concluded by giving a positive view on the launch of “i” newspaper from Independent Print Ltd. “I would like to welcome the new entrant to the newspaper market which, at a launch price of 20p provides competition for free titles such as the Metro,” he said “As this new title is aimed specifically at younger readers, I would encourage members to support it, particularly near schools and colleges, to get the younger generation to take up the paper reading habit, and I suggest that this provides an opportunity for retailers to get in touch with their local schools and colleges to pursue orders for Media student classes.”
