View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Media Business
September 30, 2015

Daily Star set to halve cover price to 20p on weekdays – newsagents body condemns move as ‘commercial suicide’

By Dominic Ponsford

The Daily Star is set to halve its cover price from 5 October.

According to newsagents trade body the NFRN, retailers have been told the price will fall to 20p during the week, 30p on Saturdays and 50p for the Sunday edition.

It currently costs 40p in the week, 60p on Saturdays and £1 on Sundays.

Retailers have expressed concern about the move.

NFRN president Ralph Patel said: “Northern & Shell is attempting to justify the move as a ‘very bold strategy to inject some overdue sales and excitement into the category’. Well, I disagree. In fact to me such a move can only be described as commercial suicide.

“Will independent newsagents be prepared to do double the work to get the same return as before? I don’t think so.

“Instead, I wouldn’t be surprised if members react by cutting back their Daily Star supplies or even removing the title from display.  Based on the calls I’m getting from members it seems that the Stars won’t be coming out in many independent retailers’ stores from next week.”

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

The Daily Star currently has an ABC of 416,801, down 11.6 per cent year on year.

On a Sunday the title sells 261,425 – down 13.9 per cent year on year.

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network