According to the NFRN: In the latest instance the publisher has produced a multipack containing a copy each of Woman and Woman’s Own and, despite reassuring NFRN members otherwise, has not supplied retailers with individual copies of Woman’s Own.
NFRN National President Kieran McDonnell (pictured) said: “The issue is about consumer choice. Some consumers are happy to buy the multipacks and get two titles for a discounted price, whilst some still prefer to buy the single title. What is absolutely wrong though is removing the choice between multipacks and single titles and, in particular, forcing home delivered customers to take the multi-bagged version, and having to pay for the second title even though they have not ordered it. That is why publishers MUST still supply the single titles along with the multipacks. This practice of sending out multipacks without making separate copies of the magazines involved has to be stamped out as it is costing consumers money as well as lost sales and embarrassment for retailers.
“We are aware of many customers up and down the country who are unhappy about being supplied with two titles – one of which they did not require – and having to pay more for the privilege of receiving them.
“This also impacts negatively on NFRN members. Some newsagents have already reported instances of customers who receive a home delivered copy of the magazine or have a copy saved for them in store cancelling their orders because they don’t want to pay extra for the second magazine.
“In addition some customers already buy both magazines and when they are bagged together in a multipack the retailer loses money.”
