Stores praised publishers and wholesalers for efforts to keep deliveries going despite dangerous weather conditions this month, but asked for better communication regarding delays. 

The Fed’s Contact Centre received more than 100 calls on 12 December about delays. 

Publisher data seen by Better Retailing showed estimated arrival times of beyond 11am into some wholesale depots, while some stores reported got no supply at all. 

OPINION: Our news summit will tackle the late newspaper delivery crisis – Jason Birks, national president, The Fed

Prinal Patel, of Raj’s Premier Store, Isle of Wight: “In other countries they just deal with it, why can’t we?” 

Fed head of news and Contact Centre Brian Murphy called on wholesalers to invest in greater real-time van tracking, allowing stores to see the location of their papers. 

Guy Pollington, based in Walton on Thames, Surrey, received no supply or contact from his wholesaler, News UK. The company apologised to all stores affected and promised to credit all those left without supply. News UK also gave the roundsman an improved delivery slot. 

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