New sections, more pages and a better all-round product helped the Express & Echo boost its sales to top the table of fastest-growing paid-for evening regionals in the
latest ABC figures.

But a new edition structure may have been the key to clinching the accolade, which is the third success in recent weeks for the Exeter-based paper.

The paper has been shortlisted for the Newspaper Society Campaigning Newspaper of the Year award again, and could also be in line for a Picture Editors’ Award if Matthew Austin wins Young Photographer of the Year following his nomination this week.

The Express & Echo now has an audited circulation figure of 26,198 – up 3.31 per cent – the best rate of increase for the sector in the past six months.

Editor Steve Hall said: “The biggest single factor is the fact we have changed the edition structure so that all the major outlets have our first edition by 11.30am.

“The copies we have added to sales figures in that crucial lunch time period have contributed most to the rise.

“We have also invested heavily with point of sale material, improved our relationship with retailers and with customers we deal with direct. We have introduced new sections to the paper as well as improving what is already there.

“The rate of growth is certainly a success story but we are under no illusions about what comes next: we’ll be working hard to keep the momentum going to continue to move forward from this position.”

Another paper that did well was the Southend Evening Echo, which managed to add 2.99 per cent to its total, which is now 19.806.

Editor Martin McNeill said: “We have a sustained commitment to local news, with different local editions to meet the needs of different market places.

“We have always had a high proportion of home delivery, but have increased retail growth this time by getting an early evening edition into the shops at an earlier time.”

Get in touch with your news
E-mail [email protected]

Back to the Analysis index