Gazette launches private home delivery

PHUKET: In response to increasing demand from readers for home delivery, as well as pressure from advertisers for paid (vs ‘give-away’) circulation, the Phuket Gazette has today launched a “Phuket Special Delivery” subscription. Available to readers in Phuket Province only, the new service promises direct, hand delivery to homes and offices virtually anywhere on the island – “every Saturday morning, rain or shine”. The Special Deliveries start this Saturday, March 13. Priced at 1,560 baht for a full, one-year (52-issue) subscription, the product is tailored for a limited, high-end market. “It works out to 30 baht per issue, vs the newsstand price of 20 baht,” noted Gazette publisher John Magee. “But we had to do something to ensure the loyalty of our advertisers at a time when they’re wary of unpaid circulation. “We had to get away from the clutter of the give-aways on the tables of Phuket’s shops and restaurants. Most of the resorts booted out the give-away publications a couple of years ago.” The Gazette took its first step to fully-paid circulation five years ago when it began distribution through newsstands. “We learned quickly that a vendor will cooperate – often allocating eye-level rack space, or prominent table or counter space – when there’s a transaction, rather than a ‘favour’, driving the merchandising,” Magee said. Because of the high costs of island-wide physical delivery, the newspaper plans to cap its local subscriptions at 500. Readers who wish to subscribe may do so at https://thethaiger.com/subscribe.asp Alternatively, they may email subscriptions@phuketgazette.net or telephone Khun Jib at 076-236555.