News UK has announced plans to overhaul its newspaper and magazine distribution network by moving to a single-supplier national wholesale model, appointing Smiths News as its sole wholesale distribution partner from July 2027.
The publisher said the move is designed to strengthen the long-term sustainability of print distribution for its titles, including The Sun, The Times and The Sunday Times, amid continued declines in print volumes and rising operating costs across the sector.
Under the proposed arrangement, Smiths News will become News UK's national wholesale distribution partner under a new 10-year agreement running until 2037.
The change will see News UK adopt a single national wholesale distribution model from July 2027, a move the publisher says will simplify its wholesale operations, reduce costs within the supply chain and create a more efficient route to market for its newspaper and magazine brands.
News UK said the new model is intended to support retailers by creating a more sustainable wholesale network while ensuring continued access to newspapers and magazines for consumers across the UK.
Tracey Hart, director of retail and wholesale at News UK, said the move reflects the changing economics of the print market.
“This decision is about building a wholesale model that is better suited to the future needs of our business,” she said.
“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.”
Smiths News said the agreement would enable it to freeze delivery service charges for retail customers for the life of the contract, providing greater certainty for retailers facing rising operating costs.
“We’re delighted to announce the extension and expansion of our partnership with News UK through to 2037,” Jon Bunting, chief executive of Smiths News plc, said.
“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.”
Bunting added that the agreement marked “a significant milestone in securing a sustainable future for print news distribution” and reflected both companies’ commitment to supporting the sector for years to come.