Newsagents look forward to more foot traffic through their doors as COVID-19 restrictions ease
Coronavirus has led to a run on some newsagency products - and they’re not necessarily the items you might think.
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Newsagents have played a crucial role in keeping their communities up-to-date through the coronavirus crisis, particularly for those who still prefer their news in print, and newsagency owners are now looking forward to increased foot traffic through their stores as COVID-19 restrictions lift.
Phil Jenner and his wife Leoni have owned the Port Mall Newsagency for the past 23 years.
Mr Jenner said coronavirus had been a mixed bag for the business.
“In April, we actually had a real boost in sales,” he sad.
“As people were looking to lockdown, they were coming to us for jigsaws, puzzles, magazines and home office stationery. In May, we’ve noticed foot traffic dropping away, particularly as more and more people work from home.”
Mr Jenner believes newsagents played a key role through the COVID-19 crisis.
“Newsagents have played a very important part in this period, in ensuring people can get their news, especially for a lot of older people who may not have access to a computer and don’t look at their phone for news.
“They’re relying on the paper to get that information,” he said.
Mr Jenner said he was looking forward to restrictions easing and a vibrant cafe culture returning to the Port.
“Our Port Mall is really noted for its lunchtime trade,” he said.
“Usually tables would be full, but of course that hasn’t been able to happen recently.
“(Restrictions easing) won’t just mean more customers – it gives a much better vibe when there’s people around.”
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Lloyd and Di Bilney have owned the Goolwa Newsagency for 32 years.
Mr Bilney said the newsagency had weathered the COVID-19 storm reasonably well.
“We’ve definitely notice our sales change and more people getting their papers delivered,” he said. “We’ve had people ring up and say ‘my parents are in their 80s or 90s and I don’t want them going out, so I’ll pay to have their paper delivered’.
“We’ve definitely sold more of certain categories like jigsaws, magazines and papers, with people having more time on their hands than they normally would.”
Mr Bilney said one of the most pleasing aspects to COVID-19 restrictions being lifted was seeing increased visitors to the regions again.
“Certainly in the last two weekends, we’ve had a lot of day-trippers, some who have come into the store and said it’s been so good to get out of their house,” he said.