Retail outlets in the UK are supplied copies of paid-for magazines through a national network of wholesalers. No individual wholesaler has contractual agreements to distribute across the whole country.
Smiths News distributes magazines within specified postcode areas
Smiths News distributes magazines within specified postcode areas. We receive magazines direct from publishers, or a specialist distribution company, and then deliver them to retailers in our areas. A list of potential distributors can be found on www.ppa.co.uk
Magazines carry a cover price and are supplied on a full sale or return basis. Returned copies are scanned back at the wholesale depots and credits given to retailers and claimed back from publishers.
All magazines require an issue specific 15-digit barcode on the front cover, available from the British Library.
The wholesaler and the retailer take a percentage of the cover price of the units sold, typically up to 50%.
Large retail chains will make centralised buying decisions about listings and promotions. Publishers need to agree these with the retailer concerned. These listings and promotions normally require a reasonable launch budget to secure agreements and stock listings.