Newsagents prove a positive force in their communities through pandemic
Join newsagents nationwide as they mark National Newsagent Week on 11-18
September 2021 and help celebrate the importance of small businesses in the
community
Australia, 7 September 2021: The Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association (ALNA) is
honouring newsagents and all small business owners across the country during National
Newsagent Week (NNW) 2021, in recognition of the tenacity and strength they and their
communities have exhibited throughout this ongoing pandemic.
There are approximately 3,000 independent, family-owned news and lottery agents in Australia. An
industry that employs more than 15,000 people. The role of the newsagent in the community has
been essential, as they continue to provide positive local service at a time when shopping local has
never been more necessary.
From 11-18 September, the campaign – themed ‘community’ – honours the essential contributions of
your local newsagent to their community and all small businesses who are facing difficult times
during the COVID-19 pandemic, and celebrates their value and evolution.
Ben Kearney, CEO, Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association (ALNA) said:
“Newsagents have proved once again to be resilient in the face of COVID-19, continuing to trade as
essential services throughout lockdowns, and supporting their local communities. In turn, their
communities have embraced local shopping, with newsagents leading the trend.
“Newsagents across the country are continuing to find new ways to serve their communities in need,
during our time of crisis. They have been fortunate to be able to continue to keep customers and the
community informed and entertained through many lockdowns and isolation, locally and nationally.
“We want to use National Newsagent Week this year to thank our community and honour our
newsagents’ service and the service of all small businesses during the pandemic. We thank our
customers, but also want to recognise the importance of small businesses and acknowledge how
tough it is right now for many, especially those businesses who have not been allowed to trade.”
During the pandemic, newsagents have played a pivotal role in keeping Australian’s informed as
well as providing necessary supplies for communities who have found themselves working and
learning from home. Newsagents have become crucial providers of everyday supplies for activities,
including jigsaw puzzles, magazines and cards to send to loved ones we can no longer see in
person.
“As shoppers are driven to stay confined in many local areas, newsagents have become the heart
of their community, helping their local area survive and thrive during the crisis. We invite all
Australians to join us and our key partners to thank all small businesses within our local community
during National Newsagent Week.”
GO LOCAL FIRST spokesperson and COSBOA chair, Mark McKenzie, said: “Newsagents are a
shining example of how small business people around Australia are tackling challenging economic conditions head-on. They’ve successfully managed to adapt to a constantly shifting landscape, and
have shown resilience, strength, and tenacity in order to continue supporting their local
communities.
“Small businesses do more than just sell products and services – they help build and bring character
to our local communities. Small businesses contribute to a third of our economic activity, keep
millions of Australians in jobs and are responsible for paying wages to more than half of our
workforce. They are vital to our everyday lives – especially now, as our country faces the long road
to economic recovery. We can all support our small business communities by choosing to Go Local
First.”
For the third year, magazine publishers including ARE Media, Next Media, NewsLifeMedia, Lovatt’s
Media, DC Thompson, Genera, Just Media, Marketforce, Puzzler Media Australia, Seymour,
Universal Media and Yaffa Media have joined forces to launch an initiative to give back and show
their appreciation of the role newsagents play in Australia’s local communities.
The publishing industry, working in conjunction with ALNA, Ovato Retail Distribution and Ovato
Print, is offering customers who purchase a magazine at any newsagent between 6 September and
3 October the chance to enter a draw and win $50,000 with a guaranteed prize of $5,000.
The promotion is being supported with in-store displays, social media and advertising across
national and metro magazines and newspapers. Consumers will be surprised when they step back
into these newsagents and see the diversity of essential products on offer and that they can safely
and conveniently make quick purchases in their local communities.
Additionally, newsagents are using the week as an opportunity to highlight the role communities
play in supporting charities. Newsagents are well known for being a strong support in their
communities, with initiatives including fire and flood recovery, Foodbank donations, special
shopping opportunities for aged care residents, and the RUOK Day card initiative seen in
newsagents across the country recently.
“We’re grateful to have the support of our partners and the community, as we recognise the
enduring and essential role of the thousands of small businesses that we represent. While our
newsagents’ offerings will continue to evolve, they will continue to offer members of their local
communities two things that cannot always be offered online: community and convenience,”
concluded Kearney.
– Ends –
For further information, interviews and images, please contact:
Phoebe Netto, Pure Public Relations on 0401 036 610 or [email protected]
About Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association (ALNA)
The Australian Lottery and Newsagents Association (ALNA) is the peak national industry body for Australia’s newsagents and lottery agents. Representing a significant part of the Australian economy, ALNA advocates for the largest non-franchised family-owned business sector in Australia.
* Participating newspapers: (exclude WA) NSW: The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph. VIC: Herald Sun, Sunday Herald Sun, Geelong Advertiser. QLD: The Courier-Mail, The Sunday Mail, Gold Coast Bulletin, Cairns Post, Townsville Bulletin (possibly Toowoomba Chronicle) SA: The Advertiser, Sunday Mail NT: NT News, Sunday Territorian TAS: The Mercury, Sunday Tasmanian