Magazine titles could be cut by EU competition

News by

05 August 2004

The number of magazine titles could halve if the government presses ahead with plans for competitive distribution, according to the PPA.

Chief executive Ian Locks said the reduction in titles happened in the US after it switched to a free-market approach to distribution. The claim followed government plans to adopt EU competition regulations and allow retailers to choose wholesalers, moving away from the "exclusive territories" (PrintWeek, 29 July).

"No one can predict what could happen but the best analogy is the US market," said Locks.

He was speaking at the launch of The New Deal For Retailers, a self regulatory plan to head off the government move. The plan has support from wholesalers and national newspapers. The PPA's next challenge is to get retailers on board.

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