Rules & ResourcesNewspaper Support Center
Verified Circulation Guide—U.S. Newspapers (Effective October 1, 2010)
Verified Circulation: Retail/Business
Definition
Verified, retail/business circulation represents copies requested by businesses for reoccurring distribution to its patrons. See ABC Rule C 3.3 Other Verified Distribution, section (c).
Qualification Requirements
Circulation classified as verified, retail/business will qualify as such if all the following requirements are met:
- A business or organization specifically requests newspapers for distribution to its patrons.
- Distribution is reoccurring.
- The request contains the following:
- List of distribution locations
- Days of delivery (Mon, Tues, Wed, etc.)
- Quantity of newspapers for each day of the week
- Business name and address
- Printed name, title and contact information of the requestor
- Signature and date of the requestor
- Records are maintained by the publication to confirm the business’s request and delivery.
Financial Transactions
ABC’s qualification review and audit processes won’t govern or consider financial transactions related to verified distribution (invoices, payment, rates charged, etc.). The focus of ABC qualification and classification for verified circulation is confirmation of request, distribution location and delivery.
Payment for verified newspapers may be obtained from the businesses that request delivery of the newspapers for their patrons. Since the guest or patron isn’t paying for the newspaper, the copies are still classified as verified for ABC reporting purposes, regardless if any payment for the newspapers is obtained from the business.
A newspaper may also wish to charge the businesses for additional services related to the verified circulation effort, such as ROP advertising, in-store signs, and wraps to promote the partnership. The decision to charge any amount or nothing for these services is up to each individual newspaper and not governed by ABC.
NOTE:
Copies purchased by hotels for distribution at their own facilities and copies purchased by businesses solely for distribution to designated employees (by name or title) may be considered business/traveler paid circulation. See the Business/Traveler guide for more information.
Program Examples:
- A cafe requests 10 copies every Monday through Friday for use by its customers.
- A doctor’s office orders three copies per day to have in their waiting room.
- A nursing home, hospital, auto dealership and tax office each request 20 copies per day to have available in their common areas or to distribute to patients and preferred clients.
- An airline orders 50 copies per day for use on its flights and airline clubs.
- A car rental agency orders 25 copies per day to place in the vehicles of their Gold Club members.
- A fast food place orders 30 copies per day for a month to give out to customers who order the new chicken meal.
- A hotel orders 50 copies per day for distribution to its guests. NOTE: If a hotel pays for its newspapers, the copies may be considered business/traveler paid circulation. See the Business/Traveler guide for more information.
- A company orders 20 copies per day to place in common areas for use by its employees. NOTE: If a company pays for its newspapers solely for distribution to individually designated employees (by name or title), the copies may be considered business/traveler paid circulation. See the Business/Traveler guide for more information.
Request Example:
Want to add extra value for your patrons or guests?
Bring newspapers into your business or waiting room!
Having newspapers available for your guests can improve their overall experience. Whether they're eating a meal or waiting for an appointment, reading a newspaper helps pass the time and keeps your customers informed on the day's news, sports scene, and upcoming local events.
Interested in making your customers' experience better? Sign up today! To get delivery started, complete and submit this form to The Daily News, 100 Main Street, Anytown, IL 60000 or go online to www.dailynews.com/retailrequest.html.
Yes! Please begin delivery of newspapers to my business as soon as possible so I can make them available to my guests.
# of newspapers: ______ (Limit 20 per day)
Days of delivery (circle all that apply): Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
| Business name: | ______________ | ||
| Street Address: | ______________ | ||
| City, State, ZIP: | ______________ | ||
| Requestor's Name: | ______________ | Requestor's Title: | ______________ |
| Phone #: | ______________ | E-mail Address: | ______________ |
| ________________________ Signature | ______________ Date | ||
