A major shift is coming to UK print distribution. News UK will move to a single-supplier model with Smiths News from July 2027. The deal aims to streamline operations and support retailers.
News UK is set to overhaul its print distribution by moving to a single-supplier national wholesale model for newspapers and magazines starting July 2027. The publisher, whose titles include The Sun, The Times, and The Sunday Times, announced it intends to partner exclusively with Smiths News under a new ten-year contract. This move is designed to simplify the wholesale process, cut structural costs from the supply chain, and create a more efficient system for retailers and consumers.
The decision comes as print volumes decline and operating costs rise, putting pressure on the economics of newspaper and magazine distribution. News UK said the new national structure will reduce duplication across its distribution network, improve long-term sustainability for retailers, and support continued access to print products for consumers across the UK.
According to Tracey Hart, director of Retail and Wholesale at News UK, the change is about building a wholesale model that better fits the company's future needs. She said simplifying operations and reducing duplication will help create a stronger, more resilient supply chain that benefits retailers and ensures long-term access to print products.
Jon Bunting, CEO of Smiths News plc, said the extended partnership with News UK, which now runs through 2037, deepens a relationship spanning more than 50 years. He noted that the agreement secures a reliable and sustainable national route to market for retailers and consumers, and will freeze the delivery service charge for retail customers for the duration of the contract. Bunting also highlighted Smiths News' longstanding record in print distribution and its industry-leading service.
This announcement follows ongoing changes in the UK media landscape, where issues of distribution, regulation, and public trust remain central. For example, the UK press regulator's recent actions on complaints have drawn attention to industry standards, as detailed in this report on press complaints outcomes.
