DAVID Hall Publishing has made a cracking start to 2002. Figures just released for the first quarter show sales of its consumer titles, which include Match Fishing, Total Sea Fishing and Total Carp magazines, up year on year by 25.6 per cent.
Company boss David Hall said: “This is fantastic news for our advertisers – they are enjoying the bonus of getting to 25.6 per cent more anglers whilst still paying 2001 prices.”
Sales of advertising are up 26.9 per cent, which David suggests is as a result of the dry winter.
He added: “We have got used to wet winters, we know the trade is buoyant in the summer, but if it rains from September through to March, our profits, like the rain, go down the drain. This year we have enjoyed a reasonable winter and the anglers have kept going fishing and this is reflected in a mood of optimism within the trade so we are delighted.
“As vice chairman of the Angling Trades Association it pleases me that the trade is having a good start to the year. The past five years have been tough and we have had our casualties. Our turnover is up 23.1 per cent and I know a number of other companies are looking at increased profitability. Let’s hope we can keep it going.”