Mail Newspapers has protected its current retailer margins in an upcoming cover price increase, taking effect from 1 April.

Monday to Friday editions of the Daily Mail will increase past the £1 price point for the first time to £1.10. The change leaves just two weekday titles below on or below the £1 price barrier, compared with eight two years ago.

The 10p increase retains the current 21.8% margin, resulting in nearly £12,000 extra profit for stores from sales of the title each weekday. Across the year, the price rise and margin freeze is expected to deliver more than £3m in profit for stockists, based on the title’s current sales figures.

In a letter to stores sent out on 20 March announcing the change, Mail Newspapers head of circulation Shaun Jones concluded: “Thank you for your continued support for our titles.”

New barcodes have been created for each day, with retailers advised to check their till system to ensure they carry the correct price. Weekend editions are unaffected by the price change.