After 32 years, the owner of the Daily Globe News Shop still believes in future of physical copies.
Colourful magazines and newspapers fill the shop, and vintage indoor decoration gives it the 90s vibe. A small section for groceries at the counter, with an old man ready to assist, even on Sundays.
Daily Globe News shop has stood alone in the vibrating Calgary’s vibrant 17th Ave since January 1992. They offer over 3,000 magazine titles, ranging across multiple languages and fields, no matter how niche.
Besides local newspapers, they also provide international newspapers. Customers can pick up titles like the Sunday London Times and the Sunday New York Times just from their neighbourhood.
“At one time, there were seven or eight independent stores like this. Today, I'm the only one independent left in Calgary,” said Nick Azahnia, the owner of the Daily Globe News Shop.
Azahnia used to run a convenience store. So, when he heard the Daily Globe News Shop was for sale in the 90s, he saw a lot of potential and bought it in 1992.
He added the tobacco, soft drinks and candy sections in the store.
“People come to buy magazines; they might buy chocolate bars. Hope they have choices,” he explained.
He noted, that about 65 per cent of the business's sales are from magazines and newspapers. The other 35 per cent is contributed by these additional sections.
The hourly customer traffic for the store ranges between five to ten people per hour. “I have many regular customers, they are very dedicated,” he said.
Aiming to meet more print-love customers, he used to expand this store to three locations downtown.
Now only this original store survived.
"Lot of challenges, year after year," he said.
He works for the entire week with only one part-time staff helping, managing everything from organizing the daily newspaper and magazine received from distributors to their sales.
“It's very challenging to get good and honest people to work for you,” he said.
He also says the increased rent brings him a lot of pressure.
"Almost half the money goes to the rent [each month]," he said.
The transition from printed newspapers and magazines to online formats has hit the business hard.
According to the Statista website, the magazine market in Canada is declining, as online platforms have replaced physical copies globally over the past decade.
“This business is only about 25 per cent profit margin [now],” he said, which is a significant decrease from before the pandemic.
After many years, Azahnia still hasn’t made an online website for advertising. He believes word-of-mouth is better advertising than any website could offer.
He remains optimistic about the future of print. He says that some young people are beginning to return to physical copies, seeking a break from their digital devices.
“There’s something about the texture and smell of paper that a screen can’t replicate,” he said.
