The investigation by the Si.Na.GI Modena trade unions into the state of health of Modena’s newsstands was presented yesterday evening. An in-depth survey among citizens and newsstands in Modena and its province conducted in recent months, which revealed interesting data on habits and preferences regarding local newsstands. A study that offers valuable ideas for improving the service and strengthening the role of newsstands in the community.
Present at the initiative were newsagents, journalists, citizens, political representatives and associations.
Andrea Rivieri and Giuliano Barbieri, co-secretaries of Si.Na.GI Modena, Enza Rando, PD senator, Francesca Maletti, PD regional councilor, Stefano Vaccari, PD deputy, Stefania Gasparini, former deputy mayor of PD Carpi, Ludovica Ferrari, former councilor of PD Modena, took part in the initiative. , Mila Vaccari Rete Studenti, Carlo Barbieri (Si.Na.GI board of directors and newsagent), Gabriella Borbeggiani representing the mayor of Formigine, Kamel Malak (M5S), Fabio De Giuli (Cna), Maria Grazia Modena (councillor Modena x Modena) , Anna Paragliola vice mayor Vignola, Ermanno Zanotti (Telethon), Giorgio Benincasa (Slc Cgil Modena), the journalists Davide Berti (La Nuova Gazzetta di Modena) and Gianpaolo Annese journalist (Il Resto del Carlino), Viviana Gualtieri (newsagent), Albano Arletti (Spi Cgil) and Giovanni Bertoldi (Lega Modena councilor).
The newly elected mayors Massimo Mezzetti (Municipality of Modena) and Matteo Mesini (Sassuolo) were unable to be present due to previously scheduled commitments, but they sent letters in support of the work of the newsstands to improve the services offered, ensuring that the newsstands remain a meeting and cultural point even in the digital age in which we live. Due to unexpected commitments, Stefania Ascari (M5S parliamentarian), Daniela Dondi (FdI parliamentarian), Luca Sabattini (PD regional councilor) and Stefano Manicardi (PD Modena councilor) were also unable to participate.
Below is the summary of the investigation Si.Na.GI Modena which is among the first at national level.
Citizen satisfaction
Most citizens say they are very satisfied with the service offered by local newsagents. This high level of satisfaction is found among both men and women. The newsstands in Modena and its province are able to effectively respond to the needs of a vast range of users, confirming themselves as reliable points of reference for daily information.
Many citizens visit the newsstand daily, while others prefer weekly attendance, demonstrating stable loyalty. Newsstands represent not only a place to buy newspapers and magazines, but also a space for social interaction.
Impact of Price Increases
Price increases due to mandatory inserts and combinations are not well received by customers. In particular, women prove to be more sensitive to these increases, often reducing purchases or stopping buying altogether. This suggests that any price change needs to be managed carefully, clearly explaining to customers the added value of the inserts.
Suggested Improvements
Various areas of intervention emerge from the survey to improve the newsstand service:
- For newsstands: Expand the assortment of products and services, with particular attention to the needs of women and young people. Improving inventory management and ensuring the availability of back issues could increase customer satisfaction.
- For Publishers: Innovate editorial formats and introduce current topics to maintain the interest of readers, especially younger ones. Transparency about additional costs and offering valuable content can better justify any price increases.
- For Politicians and Local Administrators: Promote the use of newsstands as access points for local information and encourage the production of content focused on local stories and issues. Offering tax breaks and economic incentives can help support these crucial community businesses.
Responses from newsagents
Newsagents have highlighted that the majority of their customers are men, especially in the over 55 age group. Women also represent a significant portion of the clientele, particularly in the same age group. This data underlines the role of newsstands as meeting points for the mature population.
The main problems reported concern the difficulty in obtaining back copies for customers and the negative impact of price increases linked to mandatory inserts. More timely communication from publishers about new editorial initiatives would allow for more effective inventory management and better service.
Conclusions
The results of this survey offer a clear vision of citizens’ preferences regarding the purchase of publications and suggest effective strategies to improve the service of newsstands. Newsstands continue to play a crucial role in the community, representing not only a point of access to information, but also a place of social interaction. Close collaborations between newsagents, publishers and local authorities can further improve the service offered and ensure the sustainability of these activities in the long term.
For further information, visit www.sinagimodena.net.
