Neighbourhood retailers are set to gain a far greater say in the talks to resolve the problems surrounding newspaper and magazine distribution.
The Association of Convenience Stores has won a seat on the Joint Industry Group which comprises newsagents, publishers and wholesalers trade associations by taking over one of its five current members.
The Multiple Newsagents Association, whose members include T&S Stores and TM Group, is being absorbed into ACS, and its seat on JIG will be taken by ACS.
ACS chief executive Trevor Dixon explained that all the MNA's members were also members of ACS, and said: "We are in advanced talks regarding absorption of the MNA into ACS, and it should be completed shortly."
The move comes at a crucial time for JIG, because it has been charged with overseeing the implementation of an "industry solution" to provide a more efficient distribution system.
This is a blueprint which was developed by publishers and wholesalers after WH Smith News announced its plans to provide national distribution of magazines to WH Smith stores, Tesco and Safeway.
After pressure from publishers WH Smith agreed to shelve its plans and back the industry solution too (The Grocer, January 6, page 6).
Mike Greene, chairman of the ACS News Group, said: "We will bring a greater retailer representation to JIG, with a lot of members who are new entrants to news selling, such as forecourts, and independent retailers who have not been represented before."
Greene said the industry solution suited the needs of publishers and wholesalers, and he believed the ACS would be able to provide a more balanced retailer input.
He added: "The sector needs to be consumer pulled rather than producer pushed, and retailers should be able to manage what's on their shelves, instead of just putting out what's produced."
- Tesco, Safeway and the other major multiples are not represented on JIG at present, but the BRC has been offered a seat.
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