November 20, 2013: News UK has launched Retail+, a major new initiative to improve communications with and maximise sales for over 30,000 independent retailers who sell The Sun, The Times and The Sunday Times.

The website, found at www.newsretail.co.uk is a free service to every outlet selling News UK titles. The service has been devised and created with input from the industry at a number of focus groups that have been held in the run up to today’s launch. Key features of the website include:

• All the latest News UK retail news in one place
• Category management advice and case studies to increase newspaper sales
• Ability to register for monthly newsletter
• A list of frequently asked questions
• Access distribution updates for retailers within London
• Ability to raise shortage claims, invoice queries or supply amendments online with News UK Direct
• Retail+ Partner area
• Sales Development

For all UK retailers, there are a number of areas to visit:

Category management – News UK’s top 7 sales tips and 5 key facts to increasing sales in store. Along with latest shopper insight and best practice to help retailers grow their news category sales.

Latest News – All the latest press releases and weekly promotional updates. Big promotions like £9.50 holidays and content like The Rich List drive additional footfall and sales and News UK will let retailers know in advance when they are coming up.

Direct links to order Point of Sale, Newsbags and Security boxes – retailers can order point of sale directly from us, or for items like security boxes we can put them in touch with relevant suppliers.

Distribution issues – The site links directly to Smiths and Menzies for any distribution queries outside the M25.

Contact us – The ability to search frequently asked questions and contact News UK directly if question not answered.

For retailers who are supplied directly by News UK within the M25 there is additional information including distribution updates and the ability to manage orders and claims online.

An SMS alert system is also available for London retailers who are invited to opt in for distribution updates to be sent direct to their mobile phones. A link to News UK’s Customer Service team has also been devised to enable issues to be rectified and feedback to News UK to be shared as speedily as possible. Independent retailers within the M25 are also able to record claims and make alteration to supply requests.

Retailers are invited to register their interest in joining the Retail+ Partner Programme which is aimed at retailers who demonstrate a real desire to grow sales for News UK titles. A small number of retailers will be invited to take part at launch to help grow the programme with the News UK team. Features of the Partner Programme include the latest category management information and research to maximise sales, latest news, offers and field support. The Retail+ section also features case studies and a retailer of the month that showcase best practice in action. Other features of Retail+ include advice on promoting the Home Delivery Network and the opportunity to work with News UK to grow subscription sales.

Chris Duncan, Director of Customer Sales at News UK, said: “The new Retail+ website is the next stage in News UK’s service to our retail partners. We have created a one stop shop for every independent retailer in the country, enabling access to the very best of our research into the industry to maximise newspaper sales. The associated Partner Programme will also provide benefits to the very proactive retailers who work collaboratively with News UK.”

The service was launched yesterday evening (19 November) with retail partners at a reception held at News UK’s HQ in Wapping, London.