Newsagencies helping customers connect with news
Central News on Victoria Street in Bunbury is renowned for being a leader in technological innovation – and the business has the awards to prove it.
Central News won the WA Newsagency of the Year and the National New Technology Newsagency Award last year.
Owner Suzanne Cross said increased technology was where many industries wre going now, particularly the newsagency industry.
“Magazine and card returns have to be online now, we are computerised with our cash registers and our ordering is done online, ” she said.
“Technology is paramount.”
Central News is continuing the trend, leading other newsagencies in the technology race by being the first in Bunbury to use CONNECT.
CONNECT is a new newsagency-based system allowing bills to be paid and parcels to be sent directly from the newsagent stores, as well as a range of other services.
Mrs Cross said Central News viewed CONNECT as a point of difference to bring extra foot traffic into the store and give people another reason to shop there.
“I think newsagencies throughout Australia are feeling the pressure of other industries taking part of our product range and selling it, ” she said.
“So to have something specific to the newsagency channel will drive the industry forward.”
Australian Newsagents’ Federation chief executive officer Alf Maccioni said WA newsagents were embracing the CONNECT solution.
“The new CONNECT solution which will bring healthy competition to the ‘Parcel Delivery’ space, will see the consumer win by enjoying significant savings on delivery charges, ” he said.
“It will also incorporate a range of other new services not traditionally expected in the newsagency space, including online deals that could only previously be purchased over the internet, travel insurance, bill payment, gift cards, online books, energy switch and subscriptions.”
A total of 36 newsagents from across WA are already operating the CONNECT system with more than 300 newsagents using it across Australia.
Rueben’s News in Collie is another newsagent embracing the system, which will increase its service in the South West.
Co-manager Paul Reuben said it would benefit customers wanting to pay bills.
“Like anything we take it on to increase our customer service, ” he said.
