task 5 news stand

For part of task 5 I looked for a newsstand where music magazines were sold. I searched for the front cover and how each magazine was displayed.

I found this magazine newsstand in Whsmith store and they had sections with many categories of magazines. In the music section magazines were displayed according to genre, so Pop, Rock grime were displayed in each of their own section. I think the reason why it’s in this setting is because customers would most likely be interested in magazines in the In the genre they like in one section of its own rather than all mixed up which will cause chaos looking for them.

The magazines are all speeded out displayed in a way that the masthead id the centre of attention on every magazine.The masthead is in bold some that are placed behind the main image even though some letters are covered it maintains brand identity as some magazines are more known than others.

Traditional methods include mail order, direct-mail selling, cold calling, telephone selling, and door-to-door calling. More recently telemarketing, direct radio selling, magazine and TV advertising, and on-line computer shopping have been developed

Readers of magazines, mainly niche publications, may wish to subscribe to a number of issues, and have want the magazine posted to them once when every issue has become available. By having this clever option if you’re a regular customer then it’s easier for the audience, and ensures a regular core readership for the magazine.  Electronic distribution works in a similar way, except the magazine will be delivered to the customer’s inbox, Kindle Fire or iPad / tablet.

Promotional sales people on the streets / in institutions

Sometimes you will see people in the streets or in institutional buildings like universities handing our promotional or full copies of a magazine/

      The top shelf the magazine ‘SLASH’ has a bright yellow label stating that it has £2 off. This promotion will interest customers and appeal to them due to its bright colour.

      The popularity of magazines can be shown as on the newsstand the names of a few magazines are printed on the shelf

Ezines

E-zines is very much different from a website, in that they are electronic versions of a magazine, with features like pages that can be turned, adverts, page numbers. For music magazines, RWD is a good example. These e-zines are usually free.

Apps

Many magazines now have android or iOS apps to reach it’s a bigger audience. Apps with some or all of the content available in the hard copy of the magazine this is why its usual better for people to purchase hard copy magazines however there are obvious advantages to the apps vs magazines such as Weight size and price.

Electronic brand extension

Most magazines now extend their brand with an online presence  on social networks such as Instagram, Twitter, Facebook as this is too make more people aware of their brand and make it well established. 

Distribution networks

Each publisher uses a network of distributors, who manage the flow of magazines from the printer to the final newsstand, where the magazine is sold.  Magazines are delivered to regional distributors and then goes on to the shop / newsstand.  The main shops where magazines are sold are supermarkets or newsagents.

Sale or Return

Sale or Return is the scheme used by magazine and newspaper suppliers with newsstands. The copies not sold are picked up from the store returned to the distributor, with no cost to the retailer. This is a really good scheme as theirs no waste in newspapers and they are then used over gain plus retails don’t lose any money at all as they make money on how many sold and the unsold is not costly.