Daily Mail Group and Reach made “scrooge-like” cuts to retailer percentage margins during price rises last week, according to the Fed. 

The damaging move for stores came in contrast to The FT, i, Sport and National World regionals, which protected retailer terms in their price rises. 

The FT on week days rises by 20p to £3.50 from 3 January with its 20% retail margin protected. 

From 31 December, weekday i editions rise 10p to 80p, while the iWeekend jumps 20p, with their 22% and 21.5% respective margins protected. 

From 28 December, Midweek and Weekend Sport editions increase by 10p to £1.60, while the Sunday Sport increases by 10p to £1.90, also with percentage margins protected. 

The Times margin rise worth an extra £108.75 in profit

However, a letter from Daily Mail Group’s head of circulation Shaun Jones blamed “market conditions” for a “difficult but necessary” cutting of its margins to 20.5%. 

From 31 December, mainland UK Saturday Daily Mail editions increase by 10p to £1.40 while Mail on Sunday editions increase by 10p to £2. 

Reach made a similar move, cutting margins on the Mirror, Star, Express and People to 18.5%, while putting up its prices. 

From 2 January, all editions of the Mirror, Express, People and Star jump by 10p, except the Daily Star weekday, which increases by 5p. 

The Fed said Daily Mail Group and Reach had shown their “miserly” colours”, describing the decision as a “kick in the teeth” for stores. 

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