News UK has pledged to help independent retailers grow newspaper and total store sales in 2016.

The aim is to change retailers’ perception of the news category in the face of price cuts by rival publishers and wholesalers’ charges by prioritising digital and online channels to improve communication and service to retailers.

News UK will launch a trade website where retailers can report news trade issues directly and access sales data for their stores, to follow the launch of a YouTube information channel and build on the ongoing support offered by the team.

The Youtube channel is a video content sharing platform for News UK's promotions including Sun £9.50 Holidays, Home News Delivery, how to guides and information.

The My Perfect Store initiative will also be expanded by focusing on time-of-day and mission-based merchandising, such as cross-selling newspapers with confectionery and bakery products to attract extra sales during peak morning periods.

Independents Sales Manager, Greg Deacon, said:

We want to help retailers make more money, sell more newspapers and give shoppers a better experience in-store.

We plan to create solutions and an unrivalled service for retailers that will fit modern retailing and make newspapers more relevant to retailers and shoppers.