Single Copy Sales - National Newspapers

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Single Copy Sales

A single copy sold to a consumer direct by the publisher.

Principles

1. Single copy knowingly paid for by the consumer

2. Copies are purchased direct from the publisher

3. Cover price must be published on or inside front or back cover of the publication

4. The price paid for the publication by the consumer must be clear and conspicuous

5. If the final rate classification is not known then estimates must be made

6. Reported by rate, comparing price paid by the consumer with the Basic Cover Price

Requirements

1. Single copy knowingly paid for by the consumer

1. The purchase by the consumer may be in cash or by other means agreed by ABC in writing.

2. You cannot claim sales of back issues.

Guidance Available

2. Copies are purchased direct from the publisher

1. You must account for UK and ROI sales on an issue by issue basis.

Guidance Available

3. Cover price must be published on or inside front or back cover of the publication

No additional requirements.

4. The price paid for the publication by the consumer must be clear and conspicuous

1. If a voucher from a publisher controlled promotion is used the amount paid by the consumer is deemed to be the total of the cash paid to the publisher and any cash they paid for the voucher.
   
   
2. The value (or perceived value) of gifts or cover mounts to the consumer have no effect on the price paid for ABC purposes. However cash reimbursements to the consumer must be taken into account (excluding limited low chance lottery style promotions).
   
   
3. You must retain details of promotional or special offers during the reporting period.

Guidance Available

5. If the final rate classification is not known then estimates must be made  

1. If at the time you submit your circulation claim you are running a promotional scheme where the final position (e.g. the number of discounted sales via redeemed vouchers) is not known you must make an estimate of the final classification. In this case you must adjust your claim in the following period to reflect any difference between the estimated classification and the actual classification. 

2. In relation to promotional schemes utilising voucher redemption: If you are reporting on a monthly basis and the effect of not making an estimate is judged to be unlikely to affect the figures claimed by more than 2% of the total average circulation then you can account for the vouchers on a wash through basis (i.e. as they are redeemed).

Guidance Available

6. Reported by rate, comparing price paid by the consumer with the Basic Cover Price

No additional requirements.

Reporting

You will report single copy sales as follows, which will be broken out on the ABC Certificate (note: the term Full Rate will replace full or Basic Cover Price for reporting purposes):

1. By geographical type:

1. United Kingdom

2. Scotland - as a subset of UK

3. England, Wales & N. Ireland – as a subset of UK

4. Republic of Ireland (ROI)

2. By rate band:

1. UK, UK subsets and ROI each by:

   1. Full Rate

   2. Below Full Rate

3. By combination with other circulation types.

1. Single copy sales will be reported combined with retail sales (sale or return).

4. By total average circulation over the period. 

Guidance

G1. Single copy knowingly paid for by the consumer

1. Cash means legal tender notes and coins, cheque, credit/debit card, wireless payment systems.

G2. Copies are purchased direct from the publisher

1. You will need to ensure all records required to support the single copy sale claim are available for audit. This will include financial records that adequately identify the numbers of each issue of the publication sold, including an audit trail to verify the money received.

2. For copies sold at exhibitions or events evidence you may need might include: 

   1. Till receipts/cash sheets allowing monies to be traced through to evidence of banking.
      
      
   2. Evidence that the publisher or their representatives had a presence at the exhibition or event to corroborate that copies were sold there. For example: evidence the publisher had booked a stand or pitch at the event, or evidence the copies were delivered to the event venue.

G4. The price paid for the publication by the consumer must be clear and conspicuous

1. As the price paid may be affected by promotional schemes you should keep details of purchases and promotional spends so you can demonstrate copies are purchased and that sales under incentives/offers are classified correctly, or disallowed as necessary.
   
   You can contact ABC for confidential advice, supplying copies of the promotional material and offer wording.
   
   The information kept may include:
   
   
   • Title/s involved
   • Issues involved
   • Duration of promotion
   • Outlets involved
   • Wording of the promotion displayed
   • How the resultant copies are claimed
   • How the promotion will be paid for
     
     
2. Promotions/gifts examples
   
   
   • If a publication ‘ABC News’ is promoted as ‘Buy ABC News and get a free bottle of water’ then the bottle of water is treated as a free gift and it is clear the price paid is solely for the purchase of the publication.
     
     
   • If the promotion is ‘Buy a bottle of water and get a free copy of ABC News’ then the publication will be treated as free for ABC purposes.

G5. If the final rate classification is not known then estimates must be made 

1. In relation to promotional schemes utilising voucher redemption a wash through basis means vouchers are accounted for as they are redeemed. The specific point at which they are treated as redeemed is not prescribed but you should use a reasonable and consistent basis.