A recent ABC Gippsland report on the closure of the Sale Authorised Newsagency highlights a frustrating trend in national journalism. When a long-serving newsagent retires, the media often frames the story as an obituary for the entire industry. By focusing on a single closure in Gippsland, the ABC has once again demonstrated poor editorial judgement, failing to report on the newsagencies currently experiencing double-digit growth.
The story in Sale is one of personal transition, not industry collapse. Terry Stewart is closing his doors after 38 years because he is ready to retire, not because the business failed. He noted that the industry has been “really good” to him. Yet, the media narrative persists in “talking down” the channel, ignoring the reality of the 1,800+ newsagents Tower Systems serves, many of whom are thriving.
There is a significant “tell” in the ABC’s reporting. The article mentions that the products in the Sale newsagency had not changed much over the decades. In the modern retail landscape, this is the exception, not the rule. Among the most successful newsagents in the Tower Systems community, much of what they sell today is entirely different from their inventory a decade ago. from the ABC story, Sale appeared to not have changed.
Success today is driven by aggressive diversification. Thriving newsagents have moved far beyond the “agent” model. They are now destinations for high-margin giftware, collectible toys, specialized stationery, and unique home décor. These businesses are using data-driven insights to pivot their stock mix, meeting the demands of a new generation of shoppers.
By focusing on a business that remained largely static, the ABC provides a skewed and inaccurate view of the industry’s health. They overlook the innovators who are breaking sales records and revitalising their local high streets. The newsagency channel is not disappearing; it is being redefined by those willing to evolve their product mix and embrace modern retail strategies.
At Tower Systems, we see good stories every day. We see the growth, the reinvestment, and the success stories that the national broadcaster chooses to ignore. While we acknowledge the end of a long career for a newsagent like Terry, we refuse to accept a narrative of decline. The newsagency of the future is here, it is profitable, and it is vastly different from the one the media prefers to profile.
We are grateful to serve Australian newsagents.
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