The ABC audit report showed a 6.2% year-on-year (YoY) decline in gross copy sales in the second half of 2008, which also represented a 2.2% decline compared to the first half of 2008 (PoP).

The auditor noted that the decline was largely seen across the full range of publication categories, which it described as reflective of “these soft economic times”.

Industry heavyweight ACP recorded 7.8% YoY and 0.8% PoP declines, whilst Pacific Magazines recorded 1% PoP growth, though not without also recording a 3.8% YoY loss.

However, both publishers increased their market share, with ABC pointing to successful magazine launches for ACP with Top Gear and Grazia, and “good performances” from Pacific titles such as Better Homes & Gardens and Famous.

Meanwhile, News Magazines recorded a gross copy sales decline of 4.5% PoP and 5.9% YoY, which ABC attributed to “softening sales in the Entertaining and Food category which is a major strength for the publisher.”

The Australian Women’s Weekly maintained its position as the highest selling magazine in Australia, despite 7.3% PoP and 13.8% YoY drops, whilst Woman’s Day maintained its status as the country’s highest selling weekly with 0.1% PoP growth, though this was coupled with a 12.9% YoY loss.

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