ABC Results Jan-Jun 2005:Zoo Increases But Nuts Remains Ahead
The latest round of ABC data shows Britain’s men’s magazines in good health by and large, with the market increasing circulations by over 2.5% year on year overall, and several titles increasing sales into double-figure percentage growth.
Emap’s weekly title, Zoo, saw the largest rise in sales, with a 30% increase pushing the title closer to its nearest rival, IPC-owned Nuts.
Zoo’s circulation now rests at 260,317, just over 40,000 behind Nuts, which now commands sales of 304,751.
In period on period analysis, however, Zoo is seen to have increased its circulation by 8.4%, compared to Nuts‘ addition of 10.6% in the same time-frame.
However, Emap’s celebrations over Zoo‘s sales increase will be dampened slightly by a slip in circulation for the company’s flagship men’s title, FHM, which has lost 2.4% year on year from its circulation in the six months to June.
FHM remains the nation’s best-selling men’s title, however, with a circulation of 560,167. Meanwhile, IPC’s rival monthly, Loaded, managed a year on year increase of 0.8% in the six months to June, with sales now totaling 237,083.
Elsewhere, Emap’s Arena magazine saw a healthy circulation increase of 10.8% year on year, pushing its total to 46,680.
Dennis Publishing’s Men’s Fitness also performed well in the six months to June, adding a respectable 7.2% to its circulation year on year. The title now commands total sales of 66,474, although this remains a long way behind closest rival, Natmag-Rodale’s Men’s Health, which currently holds a circulation of 228,108 – up 3.2% year on year.
Dennis’ men’s portfolio also saw some declines, however, as Bizarre reported the largest percentage crop in circulation, down 12.6%. The title’s circulation now stands at 76,328, having lost more than 11,000 in real terms.
Highbury Lifestyle’s Front magazine also looked downbeat, having lost 12.1% from its circulation year on year in the six months to June.
Elsewhere the National Magazine Company’s more up-market men’s title, Esquire, struggled to fend off circulation decline, shedding 0.8% from its total in the same period.
| Men’s Lifestyle Magazine Circulations: Jan-Jun 2005 Year On Year Comparisons | |||||
| Title | Publisher | Jan-Jun 04 | Jan-Jun 05 | Actual Change | % Change |
| Arena | Emap | 42,136 | 46,680 | 4,544 | 10.8 |
| Bizarre | Dennis Publishing | 87,331 | 76,328 | -11,003 | -12.6 |
| Esquire | National Magazine Company | 64,136 | 63,605 | -531 | -0.8 |
| FHM | Emap | 573,713 | 560,167 | -13,546 | -2.4 |
| Focus | BBC Origin Publishing | 52,236 | 55,073 | 2,837 | 5.4 |
| Front | Highbury Cabal | 100,259 | 88,154 | -12,105 | -12.1 |
| GQ | Condé Nast | 124,685 | 125,050 | 365 | 0.3 |
| Loaded | IPC Media | 235,140 | 237,083 | 1,943 | 0.8 |
| Maxim | Dennis Publishing | 227,017 | 227,377 | 360 | 0.2 |
| Men’s Fitness | Dennis Publishing | 62,008 | 66,474 | 4,466 | 7.2 |
| Men’s Health | Rodale Press | 221,049 | 228,108 | 7,059 | 3.2 |
| Nuts* | IPC Media | 290,337 | 304,751 | 14,414 | 5.0 |
| Stuff | Haymarket Publications | 70,230 | 77,373 | 7,143 | 10.2 |
| Zoo* | Emap | 200,125 | 260,317 | 60,192 | 30.1 |
| Total | 2,350,402 | 2,416,540 | 66,138 | 2.8 | |
| *Published Weekly | |||||
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