PPA Announces “Blueprint” To Answer Distribution Concerns

The Periodical Publishers Association has this morning announced the development of an industry-wide distribution system for magazines and newspapers. Amid recent proposals by Tesco and WHSmith to establish a national distribution system, the new scheme – called ‘Blueprint’ – is aimed at maintaining the current network with improvements to answer the concerns of major retailers.

At the heart of the proposals is the creation of a Central Publications Unit (CPU) which will standardise magazine delivery, create a central database of information and allow invoicing and account management to be centralised. Such a system will, it hopes, answer the current problems faced by retailers by simplifying the supply chain to retailers and consolidating supplies and deliveries at a regional level. Thus waste will be reduced, consumer availability will improve and ultimately magazine sales will increase.

Unveiling the new plans at a presentation this morning Ian Locks, CEO of the PPA said: “Alerted to the potential implications [of a national distribution system] the companies involved have now agreed to work with the rest of the industry in formulating a new distribution system. This system – known as ‘Blueprint’ – will take all the best elements of the existing model and add to them the extra benefits for the retailer.”

He said that a national distribution system, which would see “three or four major retailers having power over the main route to market for publishers” would unbalance the current equilibrium and lead to not only the closure of small independent retailers, but also “threaten the freedom of the press”.

The first phase of the plans is expected to launch in April 2001, after a period of consultation during autumn 2000 to establish the creation and membership of the CPU.

PPA: 020 7404 4166