As one of the world‘s largest and most recognizable convenience store chains, 7-11 has long been a go-to destination for quick snacks, drinks, and everyday essentials. But in an age of digital disruption and changing consumer habits, many shoppers wonder: does 7-11 still sell newspapers?
The answer is yes, but with some important caveats and context. To fully understand the state of newspaper sales at 7-11, it‘s helpful to first examine the seismic shifts that have reshaped the print news industry over the past two decades.
The Decline of Print Newspapers: By the Numbers
The story of print newspapers in the 21st century is one of steady and significant decline. According to data from the Pew Research Center, total weekday print circulation for U.S. daily newspapers has fallen from a peak of over 63 million in the late 1980s to just 24.3 million in 2020, a staggering 62% drop.
| Year | Weekday Print Circulation (millions) |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 62.8 |
| 1990 | 62.3 |
| 1995 | 58.2 |
| 2000 | 55.8 |
| 2005 | 53.3 |
| 2010 | 43.4 |
| 2015 | 35.8 |
| 2020 | 24.3 |
Source: Pew Research Center
This decline has been driven by the rise of digital media and the internet, which has fundamentally changed how people consume news and information. As of 2021, 86% of Americans report getting at least some of their news from digital devices, up from just 28% in 2013. Print newspapers, meanwhile, have seen their share of news consumers fall from 47% to 16% over the same period.
The shift to digital has also gutted the print newspaper business model, which traditionally relied heavily on advertising revenue. From a peak of nearly $50 billion in 2000, annual U.S. print newspaper ad revenue has collapsed to just $8.8 billion in 2020, a catastrophic 82% decline.
| Year | Print Newspaper Ad Revenue (billions) |
|---|---|
| 2000 | $48.7 |
| 2005 | $47.4 |
| 2010 | $25.8 |
| 2015 | $16.4 |
| 2020 | $8.8 |
Source: Pew Research Center
These trends have taken a heavy toll on the newspaper industry as a whole. From 2008 to 2020, the number of newsroom employees at U.S. newspapers fell by 57%, from about 71,000 workers to 30,820. This has led to a significant reduction in local journalism resources and coverage, with many communities now lacking a dedicated news outlet.
The Knock-On Effects for Retailers
The print newspaper industry‘s struggles have had significant ripple effects for the many retailers that have traditionally sold newspapers and magazines, including convenience stores like 7-11.
As overall newspaper circulation has fallen, retailers have had to grapple with reduced wholesale supply, increased per-copy costs, and lower sell-through rates. For many stores, newspapers have gone from being a high-volume, low-margin product to a low-volume, low-margin one, making them less attractive to stock.
Compounding matters, changing consumer habits have made newspapers less of an impulse purchase than they once were. Whereas newspapers used to be a staple item that customers would grab on their way to work or while running errands, fewer and fewer people now have a daily print news habit. This has made newspapers less of a foot traffic driver for retailers.
As a result, many stores have reduced their newspaper offerings or eliminated them entirely in recent years. Major pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens, which once had prominent newspaper racks at the front of every store, have significantly cut back on newspaper sales. Supermarkets like Kroger and Safeway have also winnowed their selections. Even major bookstore chains like Barnes & Noble have permanently removed newspaper stands from many locations to make room for more productive merchandise.
7-11‘s History with Newspapers
For much of its history, 7-11 was a major destination for newspaper sales, especially in urban and suburban areas with high foot traffic. A typical 7-11 store in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s would have featured tall stacks of local and national newspapers prominently displayed near the checkout counter, often alongside racks of magazines and tobacco products.
At its peak, a busy 7-11 location might have sold hundreds of newspapers per day, accounting for a significant chunk of total store sales. Newspapers were an important part of 7-11‘s product mix and a key reason why many customers visited the store on a daily basis.
However, as the print news industry began to decline in the early 2000s, 7-11‘s newspaper sales started to fall accordingly. With fewer copies available from distributors and less customer demand, 7-11 stores gradually reduced their newspaper orders and scaled back their displays.
In recent years, 7-11‘s approach to newspaper sales has become more varied and location-dependent. While most 7-11s still carry at least a small selection of newspapers, the exact titles and quantities can differ significantly from store to store based on factors like local readership, foot traffic, and franchisee preferences.
The Current State of 7-11 Newspaper Sales
As of 2023, the vast majority of 7-11‘s roughly 9,500 U.S. locations continue to sell newspapers in some capacity, though there is significant variation between stores. A typical 7-11 might carry a handful of popular national papers like The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, or USA Today, along with one or two local dailies and a small selection of weekly tabloids or specialty publications.
However, the quantity of each title is usually quite limited compared to the past. Whereas a 7-11 might have once stocked dozens or even hundreds of copies of major papers each day, most stores now get by with a fraction of that amount to minimize waste. It‘s not uncommon for popular titles to sell out by mid-morning, leaving only less mainstream papers available.
The placement of newspapers within 7-11 stores has also evolved. Historically, papers were given prime real estate near the registers to drive impulse sales. These days, however, newspapers are often relegated to small racks on side walls or even near the back of the store, while high-margin convenience items like snacks and drinks dominate the front end. This can make newspapers harder for customers to find and further depress sales.
According to industry estimates, a typical 7-11 store sells between 50-200 newspapers per day, accounting for less than 1% of total store sales on average. With wholesale costs of around 25-35% off the cover price and limited retail markups, newspapers are far from a major profit center for most 7-11s. However, many franchisees continue to stock them as a service to older and more traditional customers.
Interestingly, 7-11‘s international locations tend to place a higher emphasis on newspaper and magazine sales than their American counterparts. In countries like Japan, where 7-11 has an even larger footprint than in the U.S., newspapers and magazines account for a larger share of total sales and are given more prominent placement in stores. This likely reflects differences in local reading habits and the relative strength of the print news industry in those markets.
Adapting to a Changing Landscape
As the decline of print newspapers continues unabated, 7-11 and other retailers are exploring new ways to adapt and evolve their offerings.
One approach has been to focus on special editions, collectible issues, and other premium publications that can drive higher margins and create a sense of exclusivity. For example, some 7-11s now stock commemorative issues, puzzle books, and adult coloring books alongside regular newspapers to capture impulse sales.
Another trend has been the bundling of newspapers with other high-margin products to create attractive promotions. For instance, a store might offer a discounted breakfast sandwich or coffee with the purchase of a newspaper to incentivize sales.
Some retailers have also experimented with print-on-demand models that allow customers to select and print individual newspaper articles or sections in-store, reducing inventory costs and waste. However, these efforts have been limited so far.
At the same time, 7-11 and other convenience stores are investing heavily in e-commerce and delivery capabilities to meet changing customer needs. By offering online ordering, curbside pickup, and local delivery options, stores can make their inventory more accessible and convenient than ever before. This could potentially create new opportunities to bundle print newspapers with other high-frequency purchases.
The Future of Newspapers at 7-11
Looking ahead, the long-term trajectory of newspaper sales at 7-11 and other retail chains remains uncertain. Much will depend on the ability of the print news industry to stabilize its business model and maintain a critical mass of readers and advertisers.
If current trends continue, it‘s likely that the overall volume and variety of newspapers stocked by 7-11 stores will continue to shrink over time. Titles with low sell-through rates or inconsistent readership may be discontinued entirely, while even popular papers will see their orders cut back to the bare minimum.
At the same time, expect to see a continued shift toward higher-margin special editions, collectibles, and bundled promotions as retailers look to maximize the profitability of their shrinking newspaper sales. Print-on-demand and other technological solutions may also gain traction as a way to reduce waste and inventory costs.
Ultimately, the future of newspapers at 7-11 will depend on the value that customers continue to place on the print reading experience. While younger generations have largely embraced digital news consumption, a significant cohort of older readers still prefer the tactile experience of flipping through a physical paper. As long as there is some demand for print newspapers, 7-11 and other retailers will likely continue to serve this niche audience, even as the overall market declines.
Conclusion
In conclusion, 7-11 does still sell newspapers at the vast majority of its locations as of 2023, though the selection and quantity available has declined significantly in recent years due to larger trends in the print news industry. With print circulation and advertising revenue in freefall, newspapers have become a much less attractive product for retailers to stock, leading to reduced orders and less prominent placement in stores.
However, 7-11 continues to serve as an important point of access for many customers who still prefer to purchase print newspapers, particularly in urban and suburban areas with high foot traffic. While newspapers are no longer a major sales driver or profit center for most 7-11s, they remain a valued part of the product mix and a key service for a loyal cohort of readers.
As the print news landscape continues to evolve, 7-11 and other retailers will need to adapt their strategies and offerings to meet changing customer needs and preferences. This may involve a continued shift toward special editions, bundled promotions, and print-on-demand solutions, as well as greater integration with e-commerce and delivery platforms.
Ultimately, the future of newspapers at 7-11 and beyond will depend on the ability of the industry to maintain a critical mass of readers and find sustainable business models in an increasingly digital world. While the road ahead is uncertain, there is still value in serving the needs of those who appreciate the unique experience of reading a physical newspaper, and 7-11 will likely continue to play a role in meeting that demand for the foreseeable future.
