DataBar Coding: Transitioning to Reap Eventual BenefitsBy Matt Herman, Chairman, IPDA Technical Committee A new DataBar product coding format that's capable of incorporating existing UPC information plus identifying the issue and its correct price is coming. Although it’s several years away, publishers and others in the magazine and book distribution supply chains should be aware of this development, the transition that will be involved and the eventual benefits for our categories. Without getting overly technical, here’s a summary of where this product coding transition scenario stands and why it will eventually matter to all of us. |
|
Read more...
|
FEATURE
Home for the Holidays: Opportunities in Current Consumer Behavior
With research showing budget-strapped consumers intending to stay home to entertain over the holidays and buy more practical gifts this year, magazines and books represent opportunities to drive sales of other products...along with sales of publications benefiting from the intensified "nesting" trend.
 |
|
Read more...
|
INDUSTRY UPDATES
Early Read on Impacts of Last Few Weeks' Economic Rollercoaster September retail sales trends were weak to say the least, as even grocery sales growth slowed. As for October, consumer confidence has dipped sharply in the past few weeks, and nearly 60% of consumers are now reporting that they are emphasizing needs over wants in purchasing, according to one researcher. Magazines are among discretionary categories suffering in recent weeks. Sources report that both units and dollars have dipped, after apparently performing roughly on par with Q1 during July, August and pre-meltdown weeks in September. |
|
Read more...
|
Book Publishing Execs View Online As Industry's Biggest Challenge
The book publishing business’s slowness in leveraging online as a channel is the biggest threat to its health, in the opinion of nearly 20% of 385 publishing executives recently surveyed by Publishing Trends. Another 14% said competition from online sources is the biggest threat. |
|
Read more...
|
Rodale Wins Supermarket News Excellence Award Publisher cited for driving store sales through unique health and wellness role, supporting research, effective promotions. |
|
Read more...
|
Maghound Dynamics Not Competitive With Newsstand, Say Publishers Publishing companies trying the new online magazine service say its consumer dynamics are akin to those of traditional subscription sources, rather than impulse-driven single-copy sales.. |
|
Read more...
|
Publisher Briefs
Dead And Loving It: Vampire-themed paperbacks flying off shelves...Macrovision sells TV Guide magazine to investment firm for under $1...US Weekly to launch style/fashion spin-off in March...Atlantic and Economist promotions build on elections momentum |
|
Read more...
|
Retailer Briefs Wegman's testing self-scan...Walmart opens Marketside small grocery formats in Arizona...Third-Party Gift cards look hot for holidays, grocery chains upping incentives |
|
Read more...
|
|