The National Federation of Retail Newsagents claims the Yorkshire Post’s cover price rise has been a ‘kick in the teeth’ for local retailers.
The Post has gone up 10p to £1.10 but has been accompanied by a 1 per cent cut in the margin received by newsagents, meaning that instead of earning 24p from a £1 cover price (24 per cent) newsagents will now receive 25.3p from £1.10p (23 per cent).
The move by the Post comes after it scrapped four of its district editions after moving its printing operation from Leeds to Sunderland (weekdays) and Dinnington (Saturdays).
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The West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and North Yorkshire will now be combined into a single edition.
Commenting on the price increase, NFRN Yorkshire district President James Wilkinson said:
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By making this move the Saturday Yorkshire Post will cost me £145 a year in lost revenue. We have supported the Yorkshire Post in promotions, sales and subscriptions yet once again have been kicked in the teeth.
NFRN trading director Russ Simper added:
This is a backward step from an old and backward publisher who just doesn’t want to interact with independent retailers. I would strongly urge parent company Johnston Press to get the Yorkshire Post to think again.
The most recent ABC figures for the Yorkshire Post show circulation was down 4.4 per cent to 38,411 in the last six months of 2011.
Johnston Press has not responded to requests for comment.
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