Big U.S. mags saw 7-year newsstand decline of 31%: ABC

Newsstand sales for 70 of the biggest American magazine titles declined 31% in the seven years 2001 - 2008, according to an analysis done by the Audit Bureau of Circulations. It was reported by in MediaDaily News. 55 out of 70 titles saw newsstand sales fall and the over all decline was from an average 22.3 million in the second half of 2001 to 15.4 million in the second half of 2008.

These figures suggest that the long-term decline in evidence from 2001-2007 accelerated during 2008, probably because consumers cut back on extras as the recession took hold. From 2001-2007, newsstand sales fell 23%, or an average 3.3% per year, followed by a 9% drop in 2008.