Smiths News plc announces extension of News UK contract to include London regions – 17 October 2023 8:00am

Smiths News PLC announces that it has now also acquired exclusive distribution of News UK titles in the existing London distribution areas which News UK currently operates as part of its ‘direct to retail’ business (a historical operation unique to News UK and with News UK) (like all publishers Others) are now appointing exclusive wholesalers throughout Great Britain for the first time). The new sales secured within existing London distribution territories represent approximately £27 million of existing sales value annually across the approximately 2,500 London retailers already served by Smiths News with titles from other publishers. Smiths News expects to begin distribution to these retailers on November 13, 2023.

As a result of this expanded award, Smiths News now has a contract to distribute News UK titles in all existing distribution territories until 2029. This award will also provide a material economic and operational benefit to the London retailers currently served by increasing overall distribution costs. It has been reduced and removed the significant complexity of having two newspaper suppliers in London.