National President Kieran McDonnell said: “We are delighted that the publisher has listened to reason and in such difficult trading times is recognising the needs of the independent retailer. For that I would like to thank them and I will be urging all members to get behind the Sunday Express. Publishers who support us deserve to benefit from our support.
The NFRN sprang into action last week when the newspaper publisher announced that it was cutting its cover price to £1 and would protect retailers’ margins for this issue only. However, it warned that as the price change was “until further notice”, that the 21.2 per cent margin (already the second lowest in the Sunday newspaper market) would apply to the reduced £1 cover price – effectively wiping more than a quarter off retailer terms as their pence per copy payment is reduced from 28.6p to 21.2p.
After the NFRN’s outcry and in a telephone conversation with the Federation, the Express’ Paul Goddard advised that the cover price would remain at £1 for this weekend but that margins would be protected. He added that no decision had been made on amending retailers’ terms.”
