Reach protects margins with Mirror price increase

Independent retailers have praised Reach for maintaining margins in its latest cover price increase of the Mirror.

The publisher said retailer margins will remain pro-rata, after stating that from 1 Feb, weekday editions of the Mirror will increase by 5p. This means that in England the title will cost 90p, with retailers earning 18p per copy sold.

In Scotland, the paper will cost 95p, with retailers earning 19p per copy sold.

Responding to the changes, the NFRN’s national president Stuart Reddish said: “We are pleased that Reach executives executives have clearly taken on board our arguments and have responded so positively by applying pro-rata terms to its latest price increases.

“Now, more than ever, independent retailers are facing ever increasing operating costs and to remain viable, we need the publishers support.”

The move comes just three weeks after Reach increased cover prices on its Daily Express, Daily Star and Saturday editions of the Daily Mirror, but cut the terms that retailers receive to 20%.

Reddish added: “Earlier this month, we had a very constructive, high level meeting with Reach when we made clear our members’ dismay and anger at the adjustment to their profits.  We also put forward the NFRN’s expectation for pro rata terms whenever newspaper cover prices rise.

“We are pleased that as well as listening carefully to our concerns, that the Reach executives have clearly taken on board our arguments and have responded so positively by applying pro-rata terms to its latest price increases.  Now, more than ever, independent retailers are facing ever increasing operating costs and to remain viable, we need the publishers support.”