ACS

The issue of the display of ‘Lads Mags’ in newsagents and convenience stores continues to be high profile in Parliament, with MPs now receiving complaints from their constituents regarding the problem, in addition to complaints being received by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR).

The display of magazines such as Zoo and Nuts is governed by a voluntary code of practice agreed by ANR, the industry and the Government.

John Lennon, Managing Director ANR said: “It’s important that news retailers are aware of and follow the code of practice and we actively encourage all our 33,000 members to do so.

“It’s also important for us to strike a balance between the freedom to display products that customers want, while not offending others.”

The voluntary code states that retailers do not display Lads Mags at children’s eye-level or below to ensure they are not in the direct sight and reach of children; that they are not displayed adjacent to children’s titles and comics and; where display space restraints preclude the above, that titles with front covers that may cause concern are part-overlapped with other titles so as to minimise the potential for offence to parents with children.

Contacts:

John Lennon Managing Director, ANR
01252 515001 / 07812 144439

Shane Brennan Public Affairs and Communications Manager
01252 515001 / 07921 372 978

Nina Collins Communications Coordinator
01252 515001

Julie Kirby/ Grappa PR
Michael Saxton 020 7602 9222

Notes to Editors:

1. The Association of News Retailing (ANR) was set up in 2001 as the news and magazines arm of the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS). ACS is the convenience store champion, helping local shops thrive through lobbying, insight, information and commercial services.
2. The voluntary Code is available at: http://www.acs.org.uk/en/news_industry/best_practice/