Three titles stood out in the women’s weekly sector as Reveal, Bella and Star all recorded strong circulation increases amid year-on-year declines for the rest of the sector.
Sales of H Bauer’s Bella magazine slumped 25 per cent int he second half of last year however in the first six months of 2009 it was up 27.4 per cent year on year to average circulation of 243,991 each edition.
Natmag’s celebrity weekly, Reveal, rose 14 per cent year on year to 315,660 with its entire sale actively purchased.
Northern and Shell’s gossip title Star shot up the table with a rise of 10.6 per cent year on year to 317,940, although 11,845 of those are regular bulk sales overseas.
Closer magazine saw a small increase of 0.5 per cent to 530,371, but the rest of the sector didn’t fair so well with declines all round.
Take a Break, although still retaining the top spot in the weekly sector, dropped 6.3 per cent to 920,060.
Showbiz weekly from IPC Media, Now, dropped 14 per cent to 384,356.
Wedding-hungry rivals Ok! and Hello! both saw a drop in sales, OK! dropped 1.2 per cent to 599,847 and Hello! 6.9 per cent to 397,634.
Women’s interest weeklies (all percentages are year on year)
Take a Break – 920,060 (-6.3%)
OK! Magazine – 599,847 (-1.2%)
Closer – 530,371 (0.6%)
Heat – 445,192 (-5.3%)
Chat – 434,929(-11.2%)
New! – 400,189 (-7.8%)
Hello! – 397,634 (-6.9%)
That’s Life – 386,875 (-10.8%)
Now – 384,356 (-14.0%)
Woman’s Weekly – 335,118 (-3.3%)
Woman – 331,065 (-10.6%)
Pick Me Up – 323,171 (-21%)
Star – 317,940 (10.6%)
Reveal – 315,660 (14%)
People’s Friend – 313,711 (-5%)
Love It – 308,304 (-17.2%)
Woman’s Own – 307,407 (-9.4%)
Best – 296,971 (-1.5%)
Bella – 243,991 (27.4%)
Real People – 201,960 (-12.2%)
My Weekly – 145,676 (-6.1%)
Full House – 135,592 (0.1%)
National Enquirer – UK Edition – 79,669 (n/a)
The Lady: – 28,721 (-1.35%)
Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog
