Wall St. Journal and Financial Times to raise newsstand prices

Since the last weekday newsstand price increase in April 2001, the newspaper industry has faced significant challenges such as rising costs and falling advertising revenue.  Already in a potentially precarious situation, many newspapers are hesitant to jeopardize sales with increased newsstand prices.  Due to the Wall Street Journal’s desirable product and affluent reader base, industry analysts do not predict major drops in sales.

Despite having a high newsstand price, the Wall Street Journal is part of a slim minority of American papers with growing circulation.  Because the subscription price will not change, 90% of the Journal’s buyers will not be affected.

Another well-circulated paper, the UK’s Financial Times, will raise the Saturday edition cover price from £1.50 to £1.80.  On Monday, June 18, the weekday price jump from £1.00 to £1.50 will go into effect.  According to an FT spokeswoman, these price changes reflect the significant investments in improving content and design, as well as a successful “global operation with the world’s best newspapers.”

Source: The New York Times through Media Bistro and Brand Republic