News International to scrap bulk copies of The Times

News International has confirmed plans to scrap bulk copies of The Times and The Sunday Times.

The Murdoch-owned company said “it has served notice on partners and wholesalers with whom it has an agreement to supply ‘bulks'”.

The move, which will have a substantial impact on the titles’ audited circulation figures, is expected to take effect from January 2010.

In the latest ABC release, for September 2009, bulk copies were responsible for 47,858 copies of The Times‘ total circulation of 571,506 and 16,543 of The Sunday Times‘ overall circulation of 1,207,141.

In the past, Times Newspapers have sold bulk copies to airlines and hotels at heavily discounted rates on the basis that they were samples.

However, the cost of producing and distributing extra copies with little return made the publisher question the value of bulk sales.

The group is expected to make significant bottom line savings as a result of the move, which will not effect ad revenues because buyers already ignore bulk copies when buying ad space.

Telegraph Media Group is also thought to be considering scrapping bulks.