Lekiosk is an iOS, Android and Windows 8 app that allows consumers to purchase magazines from a rotating 3D news-kiosk. According to new research by Lekiosk, it appears that the number of people reading magazines digitally has risen significantly in 2013.
The ‘Zine on Screens’ report, gathering information from 2000 consumers nationwide, found that one in 20 Brits have purchased digital magazines this year, with this increasing to one in ten among the younger generation, primarily 18-24 year olds.
This spike in digital sales opposes the drop in circulation experienced by a great deal of print publishers. Recently publishers like Bauer Consumer Media saw a discomforting -10.9% YoY decline, while Egmont Magazines saw a surprising 23% growth.
When looking at circulation figures for the top women’s lifestyle magazines for Jul-Dec 2012, we can see that a shocking 28 out of the 38 most popular titles received negative growth, with MORE magazine receiving the worst hit of -39.4% YoY.
Nathaniel Philippe, one of the founders of lekiosk commented on the rising interest in digital magazines produced abroad
Source: tech.uk.msn.com
“Digital magazines are easily exported across borders and continents and we’ve seen quite a few users from countries where we don’t source magazines download our apps to get access to the magazines from the countries where we are working with publishers,” he said.
“We’re seeing the start of a trend which could see the digitisation of magazine content drive the globalisation of a wide range of magazines.”
Having to go back and forth between the pages of a magazine, struggling to find some content you are interested in seems extremely time-consuming. Compare this medium to digital editions where the reader can interact with the website and have the information accessible in an easy way, allowing them to automatically go to a desired section i.e. beauty, fashion or property. What seems better? Additionally, sending articles/links to friends to share information is a popular, new trend, a huge bonus of digital magazine editions.
However, despite the decline of print, it still appears to perform a necessary role in the publishing industry.
At the PPA Conference last month, Grazia’s editor-in-chief Jane Bruton and TopGear’s editor-in-chief Charlie Turner were quick to protect print, explaining its significance:
“There will always be a place for magazines,” said Bruton, with Turner adding that magazines are for “expanded and more interesting content that has more value,” before explaining that TopGear often reserves exclusive content as a reward for loyal readers.
In addition, we can appreciate how bringing your tablet into the bath just isn’t the same as taking in a pristine, new magazine and having a leisurely read.
