News UK has revealed plans to move to a single-supplier national wholesale distribution model for newspapers and magazines from July 2027.
Under the proposed model, News UK intends to work with Smiths News as its national wholesale distribution partner in a move which it says is a “significant step towards strengthening the long-term sustainability of print distribution for News UK’s titles, including The Sun, The Times and The Sunday Times”.
It added that the new ten-year contract is designed to simplify News UK’s wholesale process, remove structural costs from its supply chain and create a more efficient model to support retailers and consumers over the long term.
Director of retail and wholesale at News UK, Tracey Hart, said: “This decision is about building a wholesale model that is better suited to the future needs of our business. By simplifying how we operate and reducing duplication within the network, we can create a stronger and more resilient supply chain that benefits retailers and supports long-term access to print products.”
CEO of Smiths News plc, Jon Bunting, said: “We’re delighted to announce the extension and expansion of our partnership with News UK through to 2037.
“This deepens a relationship spanning more than 50 years, securing a reliable and sustainable national route to market for retailers and consumers — and enabling us to freeze the delivery service charge for our retail customers for the life of the contract.
“Smiths News has a long and distinguished record in print distribution and industry-leading service. Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone in securing a sustainable future for print news distribution, and reflects our shared commitment to supporting the industry for years to come.”
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