National Home News Delivery Month, which runs throughout October, is an industry wide initiative to celebrate and promote the home news delivery service provided by more than 1,000 retailers who have registered across the UK.
These retailers will all have promotional posters and leaflets promoting their service.
Reach titles will be running in paper adverts with very strong offers as an incentive for customers to place their order for home delivery during October.
Home Delivery Month is a chance to spotlight the incredible work of loyal retailers that provide this outstanding service. The Home News Delivery service creates strong newspaper sales and relies on brilliant delivery partners who work around the clock to ensure people receive newspapers or magazines on time.
Among them is Craig Etchells and his brother Chris, who have run C & W Etchells Newsagent and Convenience Store for 30 years after taking it over from their parents Carol and William.The newsagents is located on 44 Beech Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester. Through the week they deliver to around 160 customers and on the weekend that number rises to 230 customers.
Craig says Home News Delivery Month is important because it helps the older generation feel connected to the world outside their front doors. He said: “Older people tend to read the newspapers and it is an important bridge allowing them to be in touch.
“It is also easier to digest news in front of you rather than read it online.
“We have always had positive feedback from our customers on Home News Delivery.”
The newsagents employ between ten and 12 newspaper delivery workers who deliver newspapers to people’s doors either by bike or on foot.
Craig added: “The home news delivery service allows us to give younger people jobs and experience of getting into a work routine. Parents want them out doing something rather than being sat at home on an iPad.”
Craig is also the National Deputy Vice President of The Federation of Independent Retailers.
He helps other newsagents organise Home News Delivery and has developed a good relationship with multiple newsagents such as Smiths News.
The newsagents will be offering the first four weeks of home delivery for free.
Craig says incentives like these help the newsagents and they have found the majority of customers who use the service for the first four weeks free stay on for at least six months and enjoy the convenience of having their paper delivered during the colder months.
The store also sells staples such as milk and bread and delivers groceries to some customers, particularly the elderly.
In addition, the family business has been supporting their community by sponsoring the Beer and Cider Festival at St Clement’s Parish Church in Chorlton-cum- Hardy for a few years.
