March saw an increase in the number of late arrivals into wholesale depots, with the average week in March seeing a little more than 15 late arrivals into wholesale depots by publishers, a 70% increase from the average of nine in February. 

This is the first full month of data after the scheduled arrival times (SATs) for these deliveries were updated in response to News UK and Daily Mail Group’s merging their print operations more than six months ago. 

Ashford and Norwich remain InPost Newstrade’s most-affected depots, with Norwich retaining an average 1.25 arrivals per week coming in significantly late and Ashford seeing a small increase from 1.25 to 1.5. 

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An average of 1.75 significantly late arrivals per week was still the highest level recorded, although this is now held by Newmarket and Newport, whereas February saw just one depot suffering this many (Birmingham). 

While the overall number of late arrivals had increased, some titles were able to decrease the number. 

The Daily Mail was significantly late 17% less often in March than in February, the Telegraph 25% less, the Mirror 33% less, and regional titles collectively were 60% less. 

Unlike February, however, there were no titles that made zero late deliveries in March, which was managed by the Sport and the People in February. 

The largest increase was seen on the Sun, with the number of late arrivals quadrupling from 0.25 per week on average to one. 

However, the Sun was not the paper that was most frequently delivered into wholesale late, which was instead the Racing Post at 1.75 late arrivals per week, on average, compared with one per week in February. 

These figures are taken from data gathered by National Distribution Monitor. 

While they are industry standard, they do not take into account exemptions, such as cut-off extensions, where publishers agree among themselves that their arrival times can be later without counting as late, delays beyond publishers’ control, such as ferry schedules, or depots that have specific early supply requirements. 

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