The Sun, The Times and The Sunday Times publisher said the strategic move is aimed at further bolstering the retail sector, while ensuring the widespread availability of newspapers in various outlets.
The decision to cease the direct-to-retail delivery service comes as part of News UK’s ongoing efforts to enhance its partnership with the retail community, the company added.
By eliminating the delivery charge associated with this service, it said £3m of cost will be saved by the retail category, with both independent retailers and multiples benefitting from this change as neither party will have to pay a dual carriage charge.
Moving forward, News UK said these deliveries will move to relevant territories for both Smiths News and Menzies Distribution.
The publisher also said the environmental impact of its move away from direct-to-retail is exponential, stopping the use of 100 vans per day. As a result, this will save 3,930 miles per day and 1.4 million miles per year, ultimately stopping 320 tonnes of CO2 emitted every year.
Tracey Hart, commercial director of Newsprinters, said: “I fully understand the cost pressures that retailers are facing in today’s dynamic market. The decision to discontinue our direct-to-retail service is designed to alleviate some of these challenges, enabling the affected retailers to benefit from the elimination of the dual carriage charge.
“Moreover, this strategic move allows us to contribute to a positive environmental narrative by removing 1.4 million miles from the road each year. We are committed to fostering a resilient retail category and promoting sustainability in our operations.”
In July, Printweek revealed that News UK and Daily Mail owner DMG Media were considering combining their printing assets to create a more cost-effective and efficient production solution in the face of declining print runs.
This was confirmed earlier this month when simultaneous announcements were made at News UK’s Newsprinters sites at Broxbourne, Knowsley and Eurocentral, and at DMG Media’s Thurrock and Dinnington factories.
The two media groups are partnering to create a new joint venture – currently named ‘NewCo’ – for newspaper production and logistics, and with the aim of creating a long-term and more sustainable solution for the printed newspaper.
