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DataBar Coding: Transitioning to Reap Eventual Benefits

By 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.

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FEATURE

ImageHome 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.

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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. 

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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.

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Rodale Wins Supermarket News Excellence Award 

Publisher cited for driving store sales through unique health and wellness role, supporting research, effective promotions.

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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..

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Publisher Briefs  


ImageDead 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

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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

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