"Swiss Press Bikes" project fails due to sales figures

The Swiss Press Association and Valora Press & Books Switzerland have ended the "Swiss Press Bikes" test project in Zurich. The mobile sales outlets, which were first launched on July 1 (see "New sales channel 'Swiss Press Bikes' at the start"), were withdrawn due to insufficient sales figures. According to the Swiss Press Association, the personnel and logistical costs were not commensurate with the sales figures and could therefore no longer be justified.six three-wheeled "Swiss Press Bikes" were on the road around the Zurich lake basin and on Zurich's Bahnhofstrasse for eight hours over seven days in fine weather. The mobile sales outlets had a strong visual presence and were perceived as appealing by passers-by and the media, according to the association. In addition, the cooperation between the various partner companies and official bodies involved worked well, and it remains to be seen whether the "Swiss Press Bikes" will be used in other Swiss cities in 2007 as planned. Those responsible for the project team have announced that they will be reviewing the possibility of carrying out this or a similar campaign next year under improved conditions. At the same time, work is continuing intensively on further ideas for promoting the sale of newspapers and magazines at newsstands and other points of sale.