TORONTO – A survey of shoppers and retailers conducted by BrandSpark International for Magazines Canada found that Canadians of all ages enjoy browsing for and buying magazines on shopping trips. They are willing to pay for the convenience and experience of reading a physical copy, and they demonstrate a deep appreciation of Canadian content.

The study shows that actual consumer behavior around magazine reading and buying makes a compelling business case for magazines at retail. Retail stores that have maintained magazine space and selection report that they have maintained sales. Shelf space allocation, especially at checkout locations, and reduced checkout waiting time are major, retailer-controlled influences on sales volumes of magazines.

“This is the first new data we've had in some time on how Canadians choose and pay for magazine content in the marketplace,” said Matthew Holmes, Magazines Canada's CEO. “It tells us that magazines bring great value to the retail environment: from the impulse to buy something extra, to the conversion rate compared with other categories, to the shopper's overall satisfaction with their trip. And consumers who read magazines also follow through on the advertising and products they encounter there as well—reaffirming magazines' unique ability to inspire and satisfy consumers.”

Key findings from the research:

• Readers buy magazines at a variety of locations: 56% at grocery stores, 44% at discount mass merchants, 41% at drug stores and 24% at book stores. Other locations named by 31% of survey respondents are convenience stores, newsstands and gas stations.
• Reading frequency: 50% of survey respondents read a magazine in print format at least once a week, while 28% read digital editions with the same frequency. Survey respondents are also frequent newspaper and book readers. Four in 10 watch movies at home at least once a week.
• Buying frequency: 41% of respondents buy one or more magazines per month—more often than the 26% who purchase books this often. Average purchase frequency is higher in Quebec. Purchase frequency is similar among all age groups except those age 18–34, who buy less often.
• People who pay for magazines—at retail or by subscribing—tend to read them more often. Subscribers purchase magazines at retail almost as often as do non-subscribers, suggesting that a subscription does not replace single-copy purchases. A minority of readers (35%) report accessing only free magazines, such as pass-along or public place copies.
• Browsing at the newsstand is an in-person, tactile experience that's not possible online. On average, survey respondents browsed magazines during 3.5 of their last 10 shopping trips, purchasing a magazine on 1.1 of these trips. Most commonly, buyers mentioned front covers as purchase motivations.
• Retailers typically carry a relatively small selection of Canadian magazines, yet shoppers demonstrate a strong appetite for Canadian content. In many stores, Canadian magazines outsell their U.S.-based counterparts.
• The research found a correlation between paid media and awareness of its origin. Readers who pay for magazine content know whether it's Canadian or not.
• Survey respondents whose shopping trip included a magazine purchase report greater satisfaction with their shopping experience.

Read Magazines Canada's full analysis of the research.