Buried in the Office of Fair Trading’s report National Newspapers: A review of undertakings relating to the supply of national newspapers in England and Wales are some interesting nuggets.

It confirms:

• a modest recent decline in overall retail outlets (prob reflecting small newsagents going under)
• the shift from independent newsagents to multiples (e.g. supermarkets/filling stations). Newsagent’s share of sales down from 84% in 1983 to 42% in 2007
• the importance of multiples, especially at weekends
• home delivery down from 40-45% in 1993 to 25% in 2007

My favourite reminder was this:

70 percent of newspaper sales are made by 10am.

Maybe earlier trips to the supermarket would sell more papers…