Nearly two-thirds of newsagencies surveyed by software company Tower Systems reported a 4% decline in stationery sales in the three months to 31 March, compared to the previous corresponding period.

Tower System's latest newsagency sales benchmark survey covering 200 newsagencies  found that 63 per cent of newsagents reported an average decline of  four per cent in stationery revenue while 20 per cent of newsagents reported average growth of 13 per cent.

"This is not good for the channel and is further evidence of the problem for newsagencies," said Tower Systems managing director Mark Fletcher.

"Pens and paper remain at the core and they usually account for close to 50 per cent of sales," he said. "The sales losses are at the fringes, where stock turns are lower." 

Fletcher said there are some "fundamental challenges" for newsagents when it comes to stationery. 

"The data shows that we are all over the place – some have a great story while others do not. This confuses shoppers and ensures they cannot have a consistent stationery experience in a newsagency," he said.

More than 80 per cent of newsagents reported a decline in magazine sales, with the average decline being seven per cent.

Sixty-eight per cent of newsagents reported an average growth of  five per cent in greeting card sales.