You’re not alone, especially if you’re traveling. It appears that W.H. Smith, which operates a number of book stores with magazine stands has pulled The Economist from its locations, according to an article in the British paper The Sunday Herald.
Writer Steven Vass reported, “THE Economist has been withdrawn from high street branches of WH Smith after attempts to renegotiate a retail deal broke down last week.
“In what will be seen as a sign of major retailers trying to force publishers to concede more generous terms, the magazine will only be available at smaller WH Smith stores and travel outlets.
“Yvonne Ossman, The Economist’s UK circulation and marketing director, said: ‘We haven’t been able to agree terms under which WH Smith retail will stock us in their high street shops … We hope to continue discussions.’
“Nick Mazur, deputy chief executive of the Periodical Publishers Association, said he was surprised the retailer had taken this step, and added that he would be raising his concerns at their next meeting.
“He said while it was understandable that retailers were focused on raising profits, ‘it is unfortunate when the actions end up restricting people’s access to magazines because these people also buy other things.”
Read more here.
