Newsagents

Around 3,000 newsagents are currently operating in the UK, from independent shops to huge national chains. This is a slight decline from previous years. Note that this figure does not include every single store which sells newspapers.

The average weekly delivery charge for newspapers in the UK is £2.25, on top of the cost of the newspaper itself. Of course, there is substantial variation here, depending on which region of the UK you are shopping in.

By definition, newsagents sell newspapers. But they usually sell other items, too. These might include confectionery, tobacco, lottery tickets and all of the small items you might find in a small corner shop. Stationary and bookshops also tend to offer a wide selection of daily and weekly newspapers, too. 

A good newsagent will provide most of the items that you need to get by on a given day. Thus, if you forget something in a big weekly shop, you will be able to simply pop down to your newsagent at your convenience. As such, it is worth being on good terms with your local newsagent. You never know when you might need to rely on them!

Some newsagents sell prepaid SIM cards, which are ideal for those staying in the country for a short time, or who need a replacement phone for a short period. You will usually find newsagents of this kind around transport hubs. It is usually a good idea to call ahead to confirm that there are SIM cards available.

Smaller shops usually charge more for the same goods that you might find in larger ones. This is because they have higher overheads to cover. You might find a markup of 33% or more of the one you might get from Royal Mail directly. As such, you are paying a hefty premium for the convenience. 

The Royal Mail insists that retailers who buy their stamps directly from Royal Mail for resale must sell them for face value or lower. There are around fifty-thousand outlets in the UK who are obliged to sell at face value.

There are two problems here. First, there is nothing to stop a retailer buying the stamps from an intermediary, and thereby getting around the price controls. Second, there is no straightforward way of determining which retailers have bought stamps from Royal Mail.

Market forces, for the most part, determine what you pay. If you are in a hurry and need a stamp urgently, then you might expect to be charged a premium. You can avoid this problem easily, however, by always keeping a few spare stamps in the back of your wallet. 

You can find nearby newsagents with the help of the Yell.com listings. Simply look for newsagents, and make sure you specify your location. The ratings system might help you to track down those extra-special independent retailers who deserve your custom!