Extension of News UK Contract to London Areas

Smiths News PLC

17 October 2023

 

 Smiths News PLC

("Smiths News")

Extension of News UK Contract to London Areas

Following the announcement on 12 April 2023 (see RNS Number 8770V) of Smiths News having secured a new five year contract through to 2029 with News UK & Ireland Limited (publisher of The Sun, The Times and The Sunday Times), Smiths News is pleased to announce that it has now additionally been awarded the exclusive distribution of News UK's titles across our existing London distribution areas which News UK currently serves itself under its 'direct to retail' operations (a historic operation unique to News UK and which now sees News UK (like all other publishers) exclusively appoint wholesalers across all the UK for the first time).

The new business secured within our existing London distribution areas accounts for c.£27m in current sales value per annum across c.2,500 London retailers who are already served by Smiths News with other publishers' titles. Smiths News expects to commence distribution to these retailers with effect from 13 November 2023.

As a result of this extended award, Smiths News is now contracted to distribute News UK titles across all of our current distribution territories through to 2029.

This award will also provide a material economic and operational benefit for the London retailers we currently serve, reducing their overall costs of distribution and removing significant complexity from having two suppliers of newspapers within London.

Jon Bunting, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"I am delighted to have reached this extended agreement with News UK. It marks a milestone in our relationship to be distributing News UK titles across our whole network. It is also excellent news for London retailers, reducing costs, removing complexity and making the category much easier to manage on a day-to-day basis. It clearly demonstrates the desire of publishers and wholesalers to promote the long-term sustainability of the newspaper supply chain."

ENDS

Enquiries:

Smiths News PLC Jonathan Bunting, Chief Executive Officer Paul Baker, Chief Financial Officer	Via Buchanan
www.smithsnews.co.uk
Buchanan Richard Oldworth / Jamie Hooper / Toto Berger [e-mail] www.buchanan.uk.com	020 7466 5000
News UK Libby Darcy, External Comms Manager, News UK [e-mail]	[phone]

About Smiths News PLC

Smiths News PLC and its core business, Smiths News, is the UK's largest newspaper and magazine wholesaler, with approximately 55 per cent. market share. It distributes newspapers and magazines on behalf of the major national and regional publishers, delivering to approximately 23,000 retail outlets across England and Wales. The speed of turnaround and the density of Smiths News' coverage is critical to one of the world's fastest physical supply chains.

Ancillary businesses include: Smiths News Recycle, which collects plastic and cardboard waste from Smiths News' customers for recycling; Dawson Media Direct (DMD) which supplies airlines and travel points with news and media; and Instore, which offers field marketing services to retailers and suppliers across the UK.

Person responsible for arranging release of this announcement:

Stuart Marriner, General Counsel & Company Secretary

Smiths News plc

Rowan House

Cherry Orchard North

Kembrey Park

Swindon

SN2 8UH

email: [e-mail]

About Newsprinters

Newsprinters encompasses our three strategically located print centres at Knowsley, Eurocentral and Broxbourne. These centres provide print and distribution services for clients across the industry.

Newsprinters triple width presses each produce over 80,000 copies per hour feeding into our time-sensitive nationwide logistics network. Operating 364 days a year, our print, distribution and direct to retail/consumer services have the firepower to deliver for the industry. Whether you are looking to distribute your title nationally, through the mail or locally, Newsprinters have a range of bespoke services to help you get to market as efficiently as possible. Find out more here: https://newsprinters.co.uk/

About News UK

One of the leading media businesses in the UK and Ireland, our newsbrands include The Times, The Sunday Times, The Sun, The Sun on Sunday and The TLS. Our national broadcast brands include talkSPORT, Times Radio and Virgin Radio UK, and we have market-leading local radio stations across Ireland. In April 2022 we launched TalkTV, a major new TV channel available to everyone across the UK, delivering a schedule of news, current affairs, entertainment and sport, with Piers Morgan in a primetime evening show. Our world-famous brands provide news, analysis, opinion and entertainment to almost 40 million people each month. Spanning digital and print, audio and video, events and experiences, our brands are home to a plurality of opinion, representing the diverse communities we serve. News UK is wholly owned by News Corp. News Corp (Nasdaq: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV)

 

END