Vol. 08 - Welcome to On the Dot Insights Newsletter

• We focus on the numbers, On the Dot shares an overview of media volumes in Print Media.
• We share some valuable insights from MarketForce presentation on “more than a price point: the value behind premium”.
• The WAN-IFRA Report | September 2025 case study on Financial Times using AI.
• We end off with some retail insights from international markets.

On the Dot – Your Partner in Logistics, Data and Strategy.

Print Media Volumes

Positive Momentum Amid Market Shifts

Despite ongoing pressures in the broader print landscape, the latest OtD Media Portfolio Review highlights several encouraging trends that signal stability — and even growth — across parts of the market.

• Our year-on-year results (Nov 23–Oct 24 vs Nov 24–Oct 25) confirm what many publishers already understand: print is evolving, audiences are shifting, and publishers who continue to innovate are seeing positive traction.
• The good news? There is strong consumer loyalty across both magazines and newspapers, and several categories are showing remarkable resilience and renewed interest.

The Outlook: Stabilizing & Strengthening

• Print remains an essential retail category
• High-interest segments (international, lifestyle, premium news) are expanding
• Local brands still dominate the market and retain deep loyalty
• The overall decline is easing, and several categories are already trending upward
• As supply and distribution continue to optimise, we expect further improvements in sales efficiency and revenue performance over the next reporting cycle.

Portfolio, active ONLY titles
reporting period: Nov 23– Oct 24 vs Nov 24 – Oct 25

More Than a Price point

What the Latest Global Research Means for SA Publishers

Price Increases Are No Longer the Enemy

• 75% of magazine titles increased their cover price in the past year — and consumers are still buying.
• With coffee up 30% and food inflation up 28%, magazines remain an affordable luxury and part of readers’ weekly routine.

Magazine inflation (+10–11%) is still the lowest of all lifestyle categories.

Timing Is Everything

• The research shows that the best moment to increase price is during high-demand periods — your biggest selling issues or seasonal peaks.
• A well-timed £1 increase resulted in a 10% YoY sales lift for one major publisher.

Strong sales periods = stronger acceptance and lower risk.

Charm Pricing Still Works

A simple but powerful tactic:

• Luxury titles → prices ending in 0
• Value titles → prices ending in 9

Consumers subconsciously round down — making increases feel lighter.

Premium Editions Are Driving Global Growth

More than 50% of magazine brands now run premium issues, and the performance is undeniable:

• Event-Led Issues: +116% sales | +135% revenue
• Seasonal Editions: +52% sales | +76% revenue
• Anniversary Issues: +28% sales | +70% revenue
• Premium Gifting: +36% sales | +54% revenue

Premium = profit.

Across every market segment.

Source MarketForce: (Insights sourced from “More Than a Price Point: The Value Behind Premium”)

More Than a Price point

Communicating Value Builds Trust

The research emphasises that readers respond positively when publishers:
✔ explain why prices are increasing
✔ highlight exactly what extra value they’re receiving
✔ maintain consistent brand identity and quality
With clear communication, 78% of consumers responded positively to price adjustments.

What This Means for SA Publishers

• Don’t hesitate to adjust pricing — the global market has shifted.
• Reinforce messaging around value, quality and timing.
• Explore premium opportunities (seasonal, gifting, commemorative).
• Tell readers what they’re getting — it makes all the difference.

Source MarketForce: (Insights sourced from “More Than a Price Point: The Value Behind Premium”)

Case Study

Financial Times – AI for Faster, Deeper Story Discovery

WAN-IFRA Where publishers are seeing AI’s real value – so far

The Financial Times (UK) has reimagined investigative journalism by building a dedicated Storyfinding Team, blending editorial, product, and technology to uncover stories faster and with more impact. This approach is a powerful signal to publishers: AI in newsrooms is not about replacing journalism — it’s about strengthening it.

Why FT Built Storyfinding

• Rising data volumes made investigations slower and harder.
• AI now helps journalists cut through noise and find patterns quickly.
• Supports deeper, more analytical journalism.
• Backed by an experimental team (“Accelerate AI”) to test new tools safely.

What the AI Tools Enable

• Faster investigations: Surfaces hidden trends across 8 datasets → led to 4 major stories.
• Automation: Clustering, similarity detection & data ingestion save hours of manual work.
• Smarter collaboration: Editorial + product + tech co-build tools for the newsroom.
• Scalability: One-off projects become reusable data tools for future investigations.

Real Examples

• AI-generated summaries (edited by journalists) increase article engagement and depth.
• Automated datasets (e.g., UK MPs’ Register of Interests) update almost in real time.

What FT Learned

• Editorial buy-in early → smoother adoption.
• Culture shift matters more than tech → encourage experimentation and training.
• Start small, scale fast → prototype in the newsroom, then expand.
• Build reusable tools → reduces duplication and boosts impact.
• Automation frees journalists → more time for real analysis and storytelling.

Why This Matters for On the Dot Publishers The Financial Times case study shows:

• AI isn’t a threat to journalism — it’s a force multiplier.
• Small teams can build high-impact tools that streamline workflows.
• AI improves story quality, speed, and reader engagement, even when revenue impact is still emerging.
• Publishers who experiment now will gain competitive advantage as AI accelerates newsroom transformation globally.

For South African publishers, the takeaway is clear: Start small, test continuously, and build tools that make real journalism stronger.

Source WAN-IFRA - Where publishers are seeing AI’s real value – so far

International Retail Trade Press Update

Grocery inflation eased to 4.7% as supermarkets ramped up promotions, driving dealled spending up 9.4% while full-price spending rose only 1.8%. Tesco and Lidl made the strongest share gains, while Asda continued to struggle in a cautious consumer market. Despite tighter budgets ahead of the UK Budget, premium own-label lines are expected to hit record December sales as shoppers still prioritise quality for Christmas.

Co-op will open more than 50 new and revamped stores across the UK before Christmas, bringing its annual investment to over £200 million across 200 upgraded sites. The retailer says future growth now depends on the government delivering business rates reform to protect small shops and support long-term community retail.

Waitrose is expanding its loyalty programme by giving MyWaitrose members up to three ‘Little Treats’ each month, unlocked as they spend £50, £100, and £250. Following highly successful trials, customers nationwide can now track and redeem treats—ranging from fresh flowers to pizza and vouchers—directly in their app or online.

M&S has launched a curated selection of its beauty products on TikTok Shop to reach younger shoppers and tap into the platform where a beauty item sells every second. The pilot allows creators to make instantly shoppable content and helps M&S expand awareness of its Apothecary, SKINKIND and fragrance ranges while testing new ways to engage a new generation.

Retail News: Subdued Month for Retail Sales as Consumers Wait for Black Friday Deals, Retail sales grew just 1.6% in October, the weakest rise since May, as shoppers held off purchases and saved for Black Friday and the festive season. Food and non-food categories both slowed sharply, with the BRC warning that upcoming Budget decisions could further dent already fragile consumer confidence.

Consumer News: Retailers Braced for Black Friday Blitz UK shoppers are expected to spend £3.36bn on Black Friday, driving total weekend sales to £9.52bn, with 76% of consumers planning to spend the same or more than last year. Cyber Monday will lead the surge at £3.38bn, marking a strong rebound as shoppers chase pre-Christmas deals both online and instore.

NEW LAUNCHES

Panini launches the first-ever EFL 2026 sticker collection covering all 72 clubs, generating huge fan excitement ahead of its 20 November release, while Peco introduces the Railway Modeller 2026 Christmas Special at £9.99.

Both launches are positioned for strong seasonal demand, with high social buzz for Panini and strong gifting appeal for Railway Modeller.

Source: Market Force - NamNews