PPA's analysis of latest ABC figures
ABC figures released today reveal that the consumer magazine market has increased 6.4 per cent year-on-year in the number of copies actively purchased. Total average net circulation per issue has also experienced a significant uplift of 10.5 per cent to 62.5m.
These figures hide an even greater increase in overall volumes of magazines sold as the weeklies markets continue to shine.
The Women’s Interests: Women’s Weeklies sector has risen by 10.5 per cent selling some 860,000 copies per week more than in 2004. Stand-out performers include Closer with a year-on-year percentage increase of 12.6 per cent and the new titles Pick Me Up and Grazia with initial launch figures of 500,261 and 154,550 respectively.
Other weekly success stories can be found in the TV listings and Men’s weekly sectors. What’s on TV remains the highest selling actively purchased title with a year-on-year increase of 2.4 per cent while TV Choice has moved up the ranking from 4 to 3 with a year-on-year increase of 6.9 per cent. Meanwhile newcomer, TV Easy, posted a strong debut figure of 340,018.
In the Men’s weekly sector, Zoo continues to rise with a year-on-year increase of 30.6 per cent while Nuts has broken the 300,000 copy sales mark for the first time with an increase of 4.5 per cent year-on-year
On the monthly side, the Women’s Interests: Women’s Lifestyle/Fashion sector increased by 20.5 per cent year-on-year. Strong performers include Good Housekeeping up 13.8 per cent year-on-year and new title Easy Living with an initial ABC figure of 168,164. In the Men’s sector, Loaded sales have increased by 7.4 per cent following a re-launch earlier this year.
Other strong performers year-on-year include Red , up 12 per cent, BBC Top Gear up 14.8 per cent, B Magazine up 31.6 per cent, What To Wear up 50.4 per cent, Elle up 7.8 per cent, Metal Hammer up 20.9 per cent, Mojo up 14.2 per cent and Golf International up 28.2 per cent.
Director of Marketing, PPA Marketing, Phil Cutts comments: "The latest ABC figures are testament to the continuing strength of the medium. Last year’s focus was firmly on the Men’s Weekly sector - this year we are seeing more emphasis on the Women’s Weekly market with strong increases for existing titles such as Closer and new launches including Pick Me Up.
"Consumer expenditure on magazines has grown in real terms every year for the past five years - more than £2bn per annum for the first time according to the Advertising Association. The latest ABC figures and increases in volumes of magazines purchased indicate that consumers’ increasing appetite for magazines continues.
