The number of late deliveries made by publishers to wholesalers increased from March to April. 

In the four-week period covering 31 March to 27 April, publishers’ deliveries to wholesale depots that were more than 15 minutes after the agreed cut-off time rose by 24% compared with March. 

While this is a much smaller increase than from February to March (which was up by 70%), it shows the number of late arrivals into depots is climbing, likely causing more frequent late arrivals to more stores. 

While the overall number was up, several titles managed to reduce the number of late deliveries they made. The Express, Star, Mirror, Guardian and Racing Post were all late less frequently in April than March, and the Sport and People delivered all copies on time. 

However, dates that saw the highest number of late arrivals were those on which the Sport is not delivered. 

EXCLUSIVE: Increase in late newspaper deliveries into depots

While in March Smiths News’ Newmarket depot was the worst-affected by late deliveries, in April it was the InPost Newstrade-run Ryde depot.  Newmarket was significantly less affected, not featuring among the top 10 worst-hit depots. 

While the top spot has changed hands, the proportion of InPost and Smiths depots making up this top 10 is unchanged at four Smiths depots and six InPost. Ryde, Aberdeen, Ashford and Exeter remained in the list. 

Ryde and Aberdeen saw increases in the number of late deliveries they receive per week, on average (at three and 1.5, respectively, in April), while Ashford and Exeter saw fewer lates in April than in March, on average, at 1.25 and 0.75, respectively). Ashford is the only depot to remain in the top 10 for three months running. 

Read more news and advice about the newspaper and magazines category and click here for the latest ABC circulation figures

These figures are taken from data gathered by National Distribution Monitor. While these figures are industry standard, they do not take into account many exemptions such as cut-off extensions – where publishers agree among themselves that their arrival times can be later without counting as late – nor errors beyond publishers’ control, such as ferry schedules or depots with specific early-supply requirements.