ABC Results Jan-Jun 2005:New Launches Boost Women’s Weeklies
The women’s weekly market saw several downturns year on year during the six months to June, with only a handful of titles fending off negative percentage growth.
Worst hit was Lady magazine, shedding 10.5% of its circulation year on year to total 34,582. However, several high profile titles were also impacted by the downturn, as IPC’s Woman shed 9.5% from its total in the same period, with the title now commanding sales of 485,463.
H Bauer’s market-leading Take A Break also suffered a decline, although its downturn was relatively small, losing 0.7% year on year but retaining its position at the top of the table with a circulation of just over 1.2 million – almost double that of its nearest rival.
The sector was not all doom and gloom, however, with new launches from Emap and IPC both performing well. Emap’s Grazia performed well, reporting a debut circulation of 155,157 to surpass expectations and give Emap cause for celebration (see Emap’s Grazia Hits Shelves).
IPC’s newest women’s weekly, Pick Me Up, also performed well, debuting with a circulation of 503,950 after its launch in January, backed by the UK’s largest ever sampling exercise (see IPC Launches Pick Me Up To Boost Weekly Portfolio).
More established titles such as Emap’s Closer also gave a glimmer of hope to the sector, as the title bucked the trend for decline and added 12.5% to its circulation year on year. The magazine’s total sales now number 540,044, up by almost 60,000 in real terms year on year.
IPC’s Now also improved its fortunes, adding 2% year on year to push its circulation to 591,795.
| Women’s Weekly Magazines: Jan-Jun 2005 Year On Year Comparisons | |||||
| Title | Publishing Company | Jan-Jun 04 | Jan – Jun 05 | Actual Change | % Change |
| Bella | H Bauer Publishing | 414,984 | 389,100 | -25,884 | -6.2 |
| Best | ACP Natmag | 401,678 | 398,289 | -3,389 | -0.8 |
| Chat | IPC | 606,599 | 609,163 | 2,564 | 0.4 |
| Closer | Emap | 480,187 | 540,044 | 59,857 | 12.5 |
| Grazia | Emap | n/a | 155,157 | n/a | n/a |
| Heat | Emap Entertainment | 540,556 | 560,438 | 19,882 | 3.7 |
| Hello! | Hello! Ltd | 361,225 | 392,481 | 31,256 | 8.7 |
| Lady | Lady | 38,645 | 34,582 | -4,063 | -10.5 |
| My Weekly | DC Thompson & Co | 248,904 | 225,914 | -22,990 | n/a |
| new! | Northern & Shell | 403,864 | 373,039 | -30,825 | -7.6 |
| Now | IPC | 580,007 | 591,795 | 11,788 | 2.0 |
| OK | Northern & Shell | 553,777 | 532,843 | -20,934 | -3.8 |
| Peoples Friend | DC Thompson & Co | 369,430 | 363,638 | -5,792 | -1.6 |
| Pick Me Up | IPC | n/a | 503,950 | n/a | n/a |
| Reveal | ACP Natmag Ltd | n/a | 273,159 | n/a | n/a |
| Star | Northern & Shell | n/a | 182,393 | n/a | n/a |
| Take A Break | H Bauer Publishing | 1,208,473 | 1,200,397 | -8,076 | -0.7 |
| Thats Life! | H Bauer Publishing | 573,966 | 569,631 | -4,335 | -0.8 |
| Woman | IPC | 536,364 | 485,463 | -50,901 | -9.5 |
| Womans Own | IPC | 446,194 | 424,292 | -21,902 | -4.9 |
| Womans Weekly | IPC | 451,690 | 425,568 | -26,122 | -5.8 |
| Total | 6,313,095 | 7,294,740 | 981,645 | 15.5 | |
The figures listed in NewsLine’s ABC reports are those reported by the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) as at Thursday 18 August 2005. Late submissions and changes may be made after this date, and will thereafter be amended in MediaTel’s Press database.
ABC: 01442 870 800 www.abc.org.uk