It is a scenario that occurs with troubling frequency in the Australian newsagency channel. A retail owner, perhaps only months into a new arrangement with a marketing group, finds that the partnership is not a good fit. They may recall verbal assurances that they could exit the agreement if they were unhappy. However, upon reviewing the signed paperwork, they discover they are locked into a multi-year commitment. When they attempt to negotiate an exit, the friendly tone of the initial sales pitch is often replaced by the threat of legal action.

This situation serves is reminder of the importance of due diligence. For new owners entering the industry, a compelling sales presentation can be persuasive. It is vital to remember that a conversation is not a contract.

The most significant document in any business relationship is the written agreement. Verbal promises or implications carry no legal weight once your signature is on the page. If a representative claims you can leave the group at any time, you must insist they point out the specific clause that permits this. If the clause does not exist in writing, the promise does not exist in reality.

You must understand every term before committing. If an agreement contains jargon or confusing language, seek independent advice. You are responsible for every clause once the document is signed.

A professional salesperson is trained to build rapport and establish a sense of friendship. While a positive relationship is helpful, you are entering a legally binding partnership, not a social arrangement. Scrutinise the commercial offer rather than the personality of the person delivering it. If you feel pressured or uncomfortable during the process, do not sign. At the pre-signature stage, you maintain total control over the future of your business.

Every agreement includes a minimum term. Identify this period and consider it carefully. Committing to a specific strategy for three or five years is a significant decision. If the group’s direction does not yield results for your specific location, you may still be tied to their costs and requirements for the duration of the term. If you cannot confidently commit to that timeframe, the agreement is likely not right for you.

A common pressure point arises when buying an existing business that is already branded under a marketing group. Buyers are sometimes told they must join the group to maintain the branding or avoid de-branding costs. This is often misleading. The responsibility for de-branding should typically rest with the current owner as a condition of the sale. Do not join a group simply to solve a problem that belongs to the seller.

Ultimately, your reputation in the local community is your most valuable asset. In the newsagency channel, brand consistency is often lacking across different locations. Your personal service and business name will define your success far more than a corporate banner. Your signature is your bond; ensure you only give it to a partner that offers a fair and transparent framework.

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newsXpress is a marketing group that supports small local independent retailers to thrive. Find out more at help@newsxpress.com.au.

Retailers often fall into the trap of believing that a larger range naturally leads to higher sales. In the greeting card category, this logic frequently results in cluttered displays and stagnant inventory.

newsXpress helps newsagents make fact-based decisions in their business. We do this per store, based on their data and based on their personal situation.

Our recent analysis from 50 comparable newsagencies demonstrates that growth is not driven by the size of the range, but by the efficiency of the “pocket.”

While many newsagents achieved a 10.1% increase in total sales this year, the most valuable insights come from measuring sales per pocket. The data shows that carrying more stock can actually hurt your bottom line if that stock is not performing.

The Efficiency of the Middle Ground

Large footprint locations often struggle with a “long tail” problem. In these stores, the bottom 15% of stock frequently occupies premium floor space without generating a return. Data suggests that mid-sized stores are significantly outperforming larger locations in efficiency. These retailers have found a sweet spot where every pocket earns its keep. Bigger is not always better; it is often just more expensive to maintain.

Consistency in Everyday Categories

Seasonal events like Father’s Day and Christmas provide significant revenue spikes. In fact, Father’s Day performance saw a 24.1% jump in specific stores. However, the true engine of growth is the “everyday” category.

Sales in everyday cards are up 12.7%. Successful retailers use this consistent foot traffic to encourage customers to trade up into premium tiers. By focusing on these daily transactions, stores build a stable financial foundation that complements seasonal peaks.

Shifting Focus to Yield

The strategy delivering the best results involves rationalising slow-moving lines. By replacing underperforming cards with high-margin trending gifts, newsagents are proving they can sell more by carrying less.

This approach requires active in-store engagement. Local activations, such as competitions, give customers a reason to browse the card department when they might not have otherwise planned to. These small interactions turn a routine visit into a purchasing opportunity.

Reclaiming Control of Your Floor Space

As a retailer, you pay for the floor space and the inventory. It is essential that you manage these assets rather than handing control to a supplier. The newsagencies achieving the best results are those that avoid long-term, lock-in contracts.

Supplier interests do not always align with your specific business needs. When you maintain control of your data and your displays, you can make decisions that benefit your unique situation. Success starts with your engagement. Review your data, identify your least productive pockets, and reclaim your retail space.

Choosing a marketing group is a significant decision for any independent newsagent. In a competitive landscape, the right partnership can determine the long-term viability of a business. At newsXpress, we focus on providing tangible value, transparent communication, and a level of support that respects the independence of our members.

Exclusive Supplier Partnerships

One of the primary advantages of newsXpress membership is access to exclusive supplier relationships. We have established a unique partnership with the Royal Australian Mint, a government agency that deals with us exclusively within the newsagency channel. This collaboration delivers exceptional value to our members, providing access to products that are not available through other marketing groups.

Furthermore, we work closely with various suppliers to develop products specifically for the newsXpress network. These exclusive lines help our members differentiate their offerings and attract a broader customer base.

The Power of Local Engagement

Our seasonal marketing program, Seasonal Edge, is designed to drive traffic and increase sales during key periods like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day. While the program focuses on these major events, its broader goal is to promote the sale of greeting cards throughout the year.

A distinctive feature of Seasonal Edge is its local focus. Unlike national competitions where the chances of winning are slim, every participating newsXpress store has a local winner. This approach fosters a stronger connection between the business and its community, as customers know their patronage directly supports a local prize. In 2025, newsXpress invested over $1,500 per store in cash prizes and promotional materials to ensure the success of this program.

Transparent and Honest Business Advice

We believe that professional success is built on a foundation of honesty. At newsXpress, we provide our members with candid feedback based on benchmark rankings and performance data. We do not believe in offering empty praise; instead, we offer the same advice we would apply to our own businesses.

As active participants in the retail sector, we own and operate our own newsagencies and e-commerce platforms. We share the lessons learned from our successes and our mistakes, ensuring our members benefit from real-world experience.

Investing in Member Growth

NewsXpress is committed to the continuous improvement of its members’ businesses. We reinvest our profits back into the group to fund initiatives like Seasonal Edge and our Deep Dive program. The Deep Dive program takes small groups of members to off-site locations, such as Bali or New Zealand, for intensive three-day strategy sessions. These sessions allow retailers to step away from daily operations and focus on creating actionable plans for growth.

Whether you require assistance with lease negotiations, supplier issues, shop layout, or human resources, newsXpress is here to help. Our goal is to ensure your business thrives in 2026 and beyond.

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newsXpress is a marketing group that supports small local independent retailers to thrive. Find out more at help@newsxpress.com.au.

Running an independent newsagency is a complex endeavour, yet the right partnership can transform daily challenges into sustainable growth. At newsXpress, we focus on helping business owners find new customers, increase shopper spend per visit, and ultimately, find more enjoyment in their work. We are 100% focussed on the success of our member businesses through active collaboration and evidence-based advice.

A Different Kind of Retail Group

newsXpress is not a traditional franchise; it is a privately owned marketing group established in 2001. We do not enforce mandatory pitches or charge fees based on your turnover. Instead, we charge a flat monthly membership fee of $295.00 for your first store, with up to two additional stores included at no extra cost.

Our small head office team brings decades of diverse retail experience. This team includes:

• Mark Fletcher (Managing Director): A newsagency owner since 1996.
• Laura Sharp: retail management experience and marketing experience.
• Anthony Suta: 18 years of expertise in physical and online retail strategy.
• Jennifer Searle: Over 30 years of experience as a supplier manager and retail mentor.
• Michael Elvey: 28 years specialising in tech, data analysis, and shop floor management.
• Chris Farrell: 15 years of experience across independent and national corporate retail.

The Seasonal Edge Advantage

One of our most significant member benefits is the Seasonal Edge program, which is exclusive to newsXpress and provided at no cost to members. In 2025, we allocated more than $1,500 per member to fund prizes and marketing collateral.

This program provides each shop with a high-value prize pack (worth $350 or more) to give away during major seasons like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Christmas. The program is designed to drive local engagement and has resulted in proven revenue bumps, including reported 20% increases in high-margin greeting card sales for some stores.

Evidence-Based Business Growth

We help you make informed decisions by assessing your business data to identify “low-hanging fruit” and opportunities for improvement. Our whole-of-business approach focuses on critical touchpoints:

• Profitability: We help you buy better through 130+ preferred suppliers and central billing programs that unlock delayed payment terms.
• Efficiency: We provide tactical training to improve stock turn, shrinkage, and return on investment for labour and floor space.
• Differentiation: We help you cast your business differently to improve “shopper stickiness” and attract new traffic.
• Exclusivity: Many of our preferred suppliers provide exclusive products or first-to-market opportunities that are not available to other newsagents.

Transparency and Community

We believe in full transparency and share our financial performance data with members at national conferences and in one-on-one sessions. Funds are consistently reinvested into the business to support members through difficult times, fund overseas trade show visits to stay ahead of trends, and provide market-leading lower EFTPOS fees.

Ultimately, newsXpress is a community where you can find business mentors and peers to help navigate the complexities of retail. Success brings happiness, and our goal is to help you achieve both.

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newsXpress is a marketing group that supports small local independent retailers to thrive. Find out more at help@newsxpress.com.au.