Fears that the multiples will reduce the diversity of the magazines they stock have been eased with the news that Tesco is to increase by a third the number of magazines it sells in its larger outlets.

Publishers and wholesalers had expressed concern that the multiples would cut down on the number of titles if the Office of Fair Trading’s (OFT) draft opinion, which would lift the restriction on passive sales from outside exclusive territories, was upheld.

However Tesco has confirmed it is to offer 600 titles in its bigger stores, which would include a variety of subjects. The news and magazine industry still awaits the OFT’s final conclusion.