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A RENEWED SENSE OF PURPOSE FOR NEWSAGENTS As recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic proceeds and the new normal settles in for retail businesses catering to shoppers, retailers have been forced to adapt, with some trying online trading for the first time. Others have had to create new products to protect their bottom lines. Some, regrettably, have been forced to close. By Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association CEO Ben Kearney. For many retailers, the new normal has meant going back to the drawing board. As large, enclosed spaces such as shopping centres have become places of high risk, suburban and rural areas are revisiting the high street as a safer shopping destination. Return of the high street retailer What has become evident is the re-emergence of shopping local to fill the gap from the curtailed ease and convenience of the larger malls. Shoppers find reassurance in their local shops and at the same time are more compelled to contribute back to the community. A recent study by McKinsey showed that the pandemic has led to a stronger sense of ‘we’re all in this together’ among Australian families. The study found that more were actively switching their spending to prioritise buying from local businesses and producers, even if it meant they ended up paying more in price or convenience. With border restrictions in place and hesitance to use public transport, many have discovered through local shopping that everything we need is right on our front doorsteps. While many consumers had gone online for purchases, activities and services, the ecommerce experience certainly had shown its limitations. The same McKinsey study found that Australian consumers had lost some faith in online retailers’ ability to deliver on their needs, citing ‘out of stock’ messages, excessive delivery times and price gouging as examples of their shortcomings. Local newsagents to the fore Newsagents have evolved from merely their traditional print categories to stocking all the essentials. Today’s newsagents around Australia have combined toys, gifts and homewares with bookshops, post offices, cafes, florists, design and printing businesses, IGA supermarkets, art supplies shops and pharmacies, with great success. Many are full- service mini department stores. Some newsagents have discovered their local niche, finding a sizable market of customers who, for example, like to collect things, with items such as collectable plush bears and high- end handbags becoming a significant source of revenue for some. Newsagents have also found a more important purpose: to keep customers and the community informed during times of crisis, and entertained in isolation, locally and nationally. As shoppers are driven to stay confined in their areas, newsagents have become the beating heart of the community, helping families survive and thrive during the crisis. Newsagents have been trusted for decades with the news to keep people informed, so it’s a natural transition for them to become the go-to provider for day-to-day basics that we often overlook. In challenging times like a pandemic, newsagents have also become the source for the ‘forgotten treasures’ such as colouring books and arts and crafts for kids and adults alike. National Newsagent Week As newsagents across the country find renewed impetus to serve communities in need, ALNA drove a celebration of our newsagents during National Newsagent Week (NNW) 2020. From 19-26 September, the campaign themed ‘Community’ drove greater awareness and recognition of the essential contributions of your local newsagent. In its second year, the NNW included a number of in-store and online activities, such as the NNW Magazine Competition and a host of newsagent offers from suppliers. ALNA also unveiled its new branding and logo, which marks the next phase in our journey. The new logo and visual identity are the result of our reflection on everything that the original ALNA brand stood for and everything that we aspire to become as we move forward into an exciting future. We invite all newsagents, suppliers, partners and community members to be part of NNW and celebrate the significance of our local newsagents within our local community. For information on how to participate, please visit alna.net.au/ INDUSTRY INSIGHT About Ben Kearney Ben Kearney is the CEO of the Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association (ALNA), the peak national industry body for Australia’s newsagents and lottery agents. alna.net.au SEP/OCT, 2020 CONVENIENCE WORLD 35