Removals & Storage (R&S) Magazine

Publishing a member magazine for a rapidly evolving industry

The challenge

As the official publication of the British Association of Removers (BAR), for over 125 years R&S has functioned as the premier knowledge source, advertising platform, and voice for the BAR’s members, and the wider UK removals and storage industry. It is an essential tool for maintaining professionalism, promoting and upholding industry standards, driving business growth, and connecting the entire supply chain within the UK moving industry.

Our team has been carrying out the magazine’s production, print management and ad sales functions for several years, and when the incumbent editorial team decided to give up the role in 2021, we successfully pitched to take over the additional responsibility.

Our approach

We knew that Members consider the magazine a key membership benefit, so we put together a value proposition for the publication going forwards.

This included greater emphasis on content providing essential knowledge and advice, insights into industry best practice and innovation, legislative updates, professional development and standards. In addition, the magazine also has a non-member industry audience, therefore we needed to be mindful of the magazine’s potential as a recruitment (and retention) tool, as well as ensuring that it provided unparalleled targeted marketing opportunities for members and industry suppliers alike.

The results

We removed many of the internal adverts and made layout and page furniture changes to allow for more editorial and paid-for ads, whilst reducing the overall page count to create a decluttered publication and save cost, with no loss of content.

Advertising revenue was increased to cover the majority of this key member benefit, and we are currently working towards a cost-neutral publication

For me, R&S is one of the few industry publications I genuinely look forward to reading. I value it for two main reasons.

Firstly, it keeps me connected to what’s happening across the industry, from regulatory updates and industry news to wider trends that affect how we operate day to day. In an industry where it’s easy to become inward-looking, R&S helps maintain a broader perspective.

Secondly, I really enjoy the people-focused content. Reading about other businesses, operators, and individuals within the industry creates a strong sense of community and shared experience. It’s reassuring (and motivating) to see the challenges, successes, and journeys of others who understand the realities of this sector. We can also always learn something new, as no one knows it all (as much as we like to think we do).

I often share the release of the magazine on social media to champion it, as I think it plays an important role in bringing the industry together and giving members a platform that feels both relevant and representative.

I read R&S from cover to cover, and I prefer the tangible aspect of a printed magazine as so much is online nowadays, which can be easy to miss.

The articles on other companies are very interesting as it can lead us into new ventures and see how other owners are dealing with problems that we all face from a different angle. It has always provided us with a very good resource for European and Overseas removers through the trade section.

I find the articles covering the keys issues, driver shortages and other day to day problems that we face very useful and informative. Through the articles on training, we now have three apprenticeships now running, which we are looking to add to on a regular basis.