Gloom rather than gloss in latest ABCs

LONDON - Publishers have estimated that sales of women's glossy monthlies fell between 7% and 10% in the July to December 2007 ABC period year on year.

In a tough market for the monthlies, Condé Nast’s Glamour will keep hold of its market-leading position and is expected to add 7% to its circulation of 544,653 over the six months, but year on year the title is expected to fall by around 3%.

Among the others expected to report increases are Essentials, Easy Living and Vogue, while Marie Claire and Cosmopolitan sales are stable.
But Emap’s monthly title NW (formerly New Woman) continued to decline in circulation over the past six months and prompted speculation about its future under prospective new owner H Bauer.
The title is said to have lost more than half of its circulation year on year and as much as 25% since the last ABCs.
One publishing source said: “If ad budgets are cut, NW will be the first to suffer. If we were looking at these figures, the title would be closing. How long can it go on?”
An Emap spokeswoman said: “Given the position of the Emap titles being taken over by Bauer, I cannot comment on the title, but there are no plans to close NW.”
Glamour publishing director Simon Kippin said the market is “definitely tough”, with weeklies having an impact on monthly titles.
Condé Nast’s Easy Living is expected to post a slight increase.
In December, Glamour and Easy Living were offered at a combined discounted price, boosting sales.
IPC’s Marie Claire is said to be holding its circulation level, while Haymarket’s Eve is expected to be up over the past six months, but down by a low single-figure percentage year on year.
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Fiona Ramsay Media Week 22-Jan-08