Grocott's Mail's average newspapers sales increased 11% in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. This is the third largest sales increase of all local newspapers in South Africa, according to the Audit Bureaux of Circulation.
Grocott's Mail's average newspapers sales increased 11% in the fourth quarter of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. This is the third largest sales increase of all local newspapers in South Africa, according to the Audit Bureaux of Circulation.
Grocott's Mail's performance goes against the national trend. Average sales of local newspapers declined three percent in the fourth quarter of 2013, on the heels of a similar decline in the third quarter.
"The increase was a team effort," says Grocott's Mail director Steve Kromberg. "Everyone here made a huge contribution, including newspaper sales, advertising sales, our reporters and our production team."
"The increase can be partly attributed to the switch to a weekly, as well as improved writing and design," he said.
Kromberg also paid tribute to former editor Steven Lang, who was still editor at the time, as well as Rhodes School of Journalism and Media Studies staff and students.
"We're very grateful that our readers have remained loyal to Grocott's, despite the increase in our cover price and the tough economic climate," he said.
More readers means better value for advertisers, especially in Grahamstown where many people read each copy.
Many other local newspapers have not performed as well, with newspapers on the east coast such as Talk of the Town and the Knysna Plett Herald suffering the biggest drops in the country.
