The CTN (Confectioner, Tobacconist and Newsagent) remains a national phenomenon. There is a news seller for every 1,000 head of population in the UK and, despite various pressures, independent newsagents still account for over half of market share for all newspapers and magazines sales. This is a sector where small traders can and do survive, making their living by providing a local-style service. However, times are changing and the fortunes of CTNs have altered rapidly. Product areas that a CTN relies on are either static or declining as consumer tastes change. These include cigarettes, newspapers and conventional confectionery. Supermarkets have hit the sector, and now sell broader ranges of CTN goods in their stores, as well as making huge inroads to the convenience retail sector. CTN retailers have realised that to survive, change is the essence. They must shape up or be crushed by the opposition. As a result many CTN companies have shifted the emphasis of their businesses, away from the classic core mix, to become convenience stores themselves.

The latest report from Mintel Retail Intelligence, 'CTNs - UK, 2003' investigates the place of the CTN in the current retail climate, using exclusive consumer research and expert market analysis to provide a vital evaluation of the market's prospects, challenges and opportunities. Offering practical insight into:

Why the CTN sector is under-performing compared with all retailing

A particularly broad distribution of CTN goods

The nature of the intensifying competition from supermarkets

The factors that are forcing a contraction in the number of CTN retailers

Market share of CTNs as part of all news sellers

Local tensions created by wholesale news arrangements

Poor sales growth in core markets

Why there is a pressing need for CTNs to tailor product mix to cater for local needs

How population shifts are influencing demand for CTNs

Why the nature of smokers shapes much of CTN usage

A high rate of use by consumers

A potential drift away from CTNs

Why short visit times highlight importance of tactical promotions

The vital relationships between CTNs and customers with children and those from lower socio-economic groups

Mainstream supermarket shoppers are making less use of CTNs - can this be reversed?

The most popular items bought by consumers in CTNS

What customers want - demands and preferences

The major groups dominating the CTN sector

Understanding the price-margin mix

How CTN retailers can benefit by manipulating the mix of goods to drive up profits

Mintel's definition of a CTN includes kiosks and bookstalls, as well as other retail outlets specialising in the sale of confectionery, cigarettes, tobacco, newspapers and magazines, where these products account for at least 85% of turnover. This definition, therefore, excludes WH Smith, which is generally counted as a mixed retailer. However, this retailer is included in this report because of its importance in CTN product categories and its dominant presence as a wholesaler of newspapers and magazines.

Convenience stores and petrol forecourt shops have been excluded as CTN products, although important, they account for a smaller proportion of turnover.

Following these definitions, this report provides new analysis of:

Retail sales/ Sector structure/ Product mix in CTNs/ Consumer expenditure/ Market factors/ Consumer shopping trends/ Consumer attitudes towards CTNs and customer typologies/ Retail shares/ Retailer profiles/ Retail practices and operational issues/ Market prospects/ Market forecasts