Independent retailers should seize the sales opportunities offered by Waitrose’s decision to scrap its free newspaper to its customers, the The Federation of Independent Retailers (NFRN) has warned.
According to the national president of the NFRN, Narinder Randhawa, the supermarkets free newspaper offer has long been a “bone of contention with independent news retailers, as it has cannibalised sales.”
“The announcement that Waitrose’s is scrapping its free newspapers later this month should provide retailers in the vicinity of its stores an excellent opportunity to pick up more casual sales. We will be encouraging members in those areas to ensure their newspapers are prominently displayed at point of sale and, if possible, on their shop counters too.”
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The news follows the grocer emailing myWaitrose card holders informing them they will no longer receive a free newspaper when they spend £10 or more from 22 Februrary.
“Nobody shops quite like you – so we’re updating myWaitrose to make it even more personal,” the email stated.
“As part of these changes, the myWaitrose newspaper offer will be ending on 22 February 2022. But we’re replacing it with something new – look our for updates in the coming weeks.”
Randhawa added: “The NFRN’s news department will also be working with news wholesalers to ensure that members have extra copies to enable them to capitalise on this exciting opportunity.”
