The new contract will see Smiths News appointed as News UK’s exclusive national wholesale distribution partner from July 2027. The new ten-year contract is designed to simplify the wholesale process, remove structural costs from the supply chain and create a more efficient model to support retailers and consumers over the long term.
Smiths News will be working with News UK on a detailed implementation plan to ensure a smooth transition ahead of July 2027.
Jonathan Bunting, Chief Executive Officer of Smiths News, commented:
“We are delighted to announce the extension and expansion of our partnership with News UK through to 2037.
“This deepens a relationship spanning more than 50 years, securing a reliable and sustainable national route to market for retailers and consumers – and enabling us to freeze delivery service charges for our retail customers for the life of the contract.
“Smiths News has a long and distinguished record in print distribution and industry-leading service. This announcement marks a significant milestone in securing a sustainable future for print news distribution, and reflects our shared commitment to supporting the industry for years to come.”
Tracey Hart, Director of Retail and Wholesale, News UK, commented:
“This decision is about building a wholesale model that is better suited to the future needs of our business. By simplifying how we operate and reducing duplication within the network, we can create a stronger and more resilient supply chain that benefits retailers and supports long-term access to print products.”
Smiths News is exhibiting at Multimodal on stand 1045
