News kiosks diversifying
Print Edition
THE Oriental Newsstand franchise that has been operating in the city for nearly two decades has changed its business scope, with kiosk owners expanding into sale of other goods to counter a downturn in the publications market.
Newsstand owners said competition from mobile platforms has been shrinking the market for newspapers and magazines.
“It was impossible to survive by just selling newspapers,” said a newsstand owner in Minhang surnamed Zhang, whose kiosk is on Xindong Road. “Now all Oriental newsstands also sell other goods.”
“Other goods” usually means drinking water, soda beverages and popsicles. Sometimes they also include portable chargers, batteries, phone cases and lighters.
“Only seniors buy newspapers anymore,” said Zhang.
“On a good day we can sell 40 issues of the ‘Shanghai Morning Post,’ the most popular newspaper in the city. On a bad day, when the weather is terrible or there is no big news, we sell only four,” Zhang added.
Even with the change, eking a living is tough for Zhang and other kiosk owners.
“By selling other goods, we make only about 3,000 yuan (US$459) a month,” he said. “You can imagine what would happen if we didn’t.”
The Minhang District has 38 Oriental Newsstand kiosks, and all of them are selling other goods. Many of the stall owners are people who have been laid off other jobs.
The Minhang Postal Service, which manages the franchise, said selling goods besides publications actually violates regulations, but authorities have been willing to turn a blind eye, given the plight of the kiosk operators.
The postal service said it will at least try to persuade the operators to keep other goods off sidewalk racks so as not to blight the environment and affect traffic.
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