The consumer magazine market, in common with other sectors, shows the effects of the recession, but remains resilient despite one of the toughest periods for the industry. The latest Audit Bureau of Circulation (ABC) figures for January – June 2009 show that overall magazine circulation for the UK consumer magazine market is down just 1.9% on the previous period.
Consumer interest remains strong in finance, business and current affairs. Both MoneyWeek (MoneyWeek) and The Economist (The Economist - UK edition) posted year-on-year circulation rises of 15.3% and 2.6% respectively. The Week (Dennis) and Private Eye (Pressdram) posted year-on-year rises of 10.3% and 0.6% respectively.
Other notable year-on-year highlights include:
Specialist and niche interest titles
* Empire (Bauer) +3.6%
* Total Film (Future) +0.6%
* BBC History (BBC) +9.2%
* Top Gear (BBC) +0.1%
Women’s interest titles
* Look (IPC) +2.6%
* More (Bauer) + 17.3%
* Grazia (Bauer) +0.7%
* Vanity Fair (Condé Nast) +0.5%
* Reveal (NatMag) +14%
* Women's Fitness (Trojan) +78.6%
* Health & Fitness (Hubert Burda) +13.4%
Men’s lifestyle titles
* Men’s Fitness (Dennis) +3.6%
* Men’s Health (NatMag Rodale) +2.1%
* ShortList (Shortlist Media) +6.1%
Jonathan Shephard, PPA chief executive, commented: “It is no surprise in a recessionary climate that different sectors are performing in different ways. The industry continues to innovate, and there are signs of encouragement from better economic indicators. An overall percentage fall of less than 2% testifies to the strong relationship that magazines continue to have with their readers.”
