Newsquest’s 30% classified decline is worse than Gannett

Fun with statistics. It would appear that Newsquest’s classified revenues in the UK fell more rapidly than those of its parent company Gannett during August. (I assume the overall numbers for Gannett include the UK).

Only in employment ads is the picture worse in the US. In property and automotive markets, the UK declines are steeper.

Gannett classified (all) — August: down 28%

— Real estate: Down 40.9%
— Employment: Down 33.6%
— Automotive: Down 21.1%

Newsquest UK classified — August: Down 30.4%

— Real estate: Down 53.6%
— Employment: Down 27.2%
— Automotive: Down 25.9%

This might mean something, it might mean not so much.

August is a thin month, and the YOY comparisons for the UK will have been tougher than for Gannett as a whole. (That’s because the downturn in the US started earlier than here, where we’re still making YOY comparisons with pre-downturn numbers).

All the same, if this pattern continues, it’ll be time to start wondering what the future holds for Newsquest.