15 replies to this topic

[Mini Waco]

Curious if others have subscribed to the Mini World Magazine.  They have done a great job of delivering 13 issues per year since 2006 except for during covid of 2020 where they delivered 12.  This year for some reason, they are short 2 months and I'm curious to know why this may be.

[mab01uk]

I subscribe to MiniWorld and all have been delivered so far this year up to the latest August issue, however the July issue did not arrive before it appeared in local shops. So I phoned MW subs up and they apologised and posted me out a copy that arrived a couple of days later.

[Mini Waco]

But if you subscribed and believing to have paid for 12/13 issues. April and May were combined, therefore one month down. Then no summer issue. Just wondering what is going on without any acknowledgment for Kelsey media

[mab01uk]

I am guessing it may be what we call 'shrinkflation' in the UK....most people seem to notice it when their favourite chocolate bar or other food & drink items gets smaller but stay the same price! 

"Shrinkflation is when a product's size or quantity decreases while its price remains the same, effectively increasing the cost per unit. It's a way for companies to raise prices without making obvious price increases."

I must admit I did notice April/May MW issues were combined (and the printed paper quality also seems to be reducing) but did not think about it any further and i tend to forget there is (or was) usually 13 issues. If this is the reason then it does not surprise me as most specialist magazines are struggling to survive and they probably don't want to increase the cover price in UK shops which is currently £5.99 to over £6.00 and further reduce sales and the number of subscribers needed to stay viable...remember Kelsey has already had to close Mini Magazine which may have gained MW some of its subscribers at least for a while.

Edited by mab01uk, 21 July 2025 - 07:35 AM.

[Colinmac1330]

I did notice this too to be fair, maybe email them and let us (me) know 

[mab01uk]

Update:

If you check inside the cover of the April/May 2025 edition it says:-

Subscriptions: 13 issues of MiniWorld are published per annum.

 

If you check inside the cover of the June 2025 edition onwards it says:-

Subscriptions: 12 issues of MiniWorld are published per annum.

 

Cover price and annual subscription cost remains the same but personally I prefer to have one less issue than a price increase....never really understood why it went up to 13 issues some years back anyway, when there are 12 months in a year.

Edited by mab01uk, 23 July 2025 - 05:04 PM.

[Colinmac1330]

But if they have scrapped the summer issue and the April/May issue was combined then surely that is only 11?

[Mini Waco]

But if they have scrapped the summer issue and the April/May issue was combined then surely that is only 11?

Correct. I talked with a person named Daisy with Kelsey Media and she had a difficult time doing the math. She got so upset that she merely canceled my sub. The end result is that Kelsey has abandoned their subscribers of MWM who end up paying more for less. I will have to merely buy the remainder of the year single issue.

[mab01uk]

 

But if they have scrapped the summer issue and the April/May issue was combined then surely that is only 11?

Correct. I talked with a person named Daisy with Kelsey Media and she had a difficult time doing the math. She got so upset that she merely canceled my sub. The end result is that Kelsey has abandoned their subscribers of MWM who end up paying more for less. I will have to merely buy the remainder of the year single issue.

 

 

However would you rather pay a higher price rather than one less issue per annum? (Buying single issues usually costs more than a subscription). In the UK there is currently a 'cost of living' crisis for most people so the first things people cut back on are the non-essentials of life like magazine purchases.

 

Note: The next step Modern MINI magazine (also a Kelsey mag) went to after their last price increase was to go bi-monthly, until it eventually closed and then combined with Mini Magazine...a short time later Mini Mag also closed. It will be a shame to see MiniWorld go the same way but sadly I think many other motoring magazines will disappear soon, as most EV's are about as interesting to read about as a washing machine or other domestic appliances! 

Edited by mab01uk, 24 July 2025 - 10:18 AM.

[Bobbins]

I suspect a major problem for Mini World (Kelsey) is related to postage costs dramatically increasing in recent years and clearly the actual number produced per year has a direct effect, even if maintaining content is not an issue. I read Mini World via the Readly app which negates any postal costs but I'm not sure what level of revenue magazines actually get from the likes of Readly.

[68Deluxe]

It is a tough time out there for print media and even moreso for hobbyist print media.

 

The classic car hobby is not exactly flourishing or at the top of anyone's priority list when they can't afford milk and eggs. 

 

Here is Aus periodicals are nearly dead, with the exception of newspapers. 

[Shep76S]

I’ve purchased MW from issue three and to be fair the appeal is getting less and less. The rot set in with Daniel Bevis taking over. I think he will run it into the ground just like MM. Maybe this is the problem of having a general motoring journo rather than an enthusiast first.

[Mini Waco]

 

 

But if they have scrapped the summer issue and the April/May issue was combined then surely that is only 11?

Correct. I talked with a person named Daisy with Kelsey Media and she had a difficult time doing the math. She got so upset that she merely canceled my sub. The end result is that Kelsey has abandoned their subscribers of MWM who end up paying more for less. I will have to merely buy the remainder of the year single issue.

 

 

However would you rather pay a higher price rather than one less issue per annum? (Buying single issues usually costs more than a subscription).  

 

two less issues (not one).. and in my case, it's actually less expensive to purchase the single issues having them mailed to a friend in the UK.  I will purchase the remaining 2025 single issues and only then decide on whether or not I continue with future issues.  I'm reluctant to leave MW because it was this magazine that kept my mini dream alive for a number of years after returning to the USA.  I too currently own every single issue from No.1 & 2 of 1991 including all the special issues.  Truth be told, there is virtually no new or exciting Mini stories or updates per issue although reading of the special restorations is always heart warming.  Yes, it must be a struggle to produce the magazine.  What the UK terms "shrinkflation', we say "Fleecing of America".  The real issue is not Shrinkflation, but principle in the lack of acknowledgement after subscribers have paid in full.  Then after inquiring, unwarranted poor service is provided.  Poor service is synonymous with Shrinkflation I suppose. All in all, MW has brought many a smile and dreams.  Perhaps this years sub count is a result of unexpected circumstance. 

[mab01uk]

I’ve purchased MW from issue three and to be fair the appeal is getting less and less. The rot set in with Daniel Bevis taking over. I think he will run it into the ground just like MM. Maybe this is the problem of having a general motoring journo rather than an enthusiast first.

 

I bought two copies of MW issue 1 as back then I did not think there would be any further issues of a magazine just about Minis!

 

I have just received the September 2025 issue of MW (in July!) and like you I think the appeal is getting less and it is looking more like the last months of Mini Magazine in its steadily declining content.....

Edited by mab01uk, 26 July 2025 - 08:48 AM.

[mab01uk]

The only Mini magazine that I pretty much read cover to cover each month is 'CooperWorld' which is a high quality magazine published by the 'Mini Cooper Register' written by enthusiasts and its members and is included in their club membership subscription of £39 per year. Always a good read it features articles on classic Minis (and some Modern MINI stuff) and now covers all types Minis and not just Coopers. Also available as a PDF download as well as the full colour, glossy paper mag delivered to your letterbox.

 

CooperWorld is the monthly magazine of the Mini Cooper Register:-

https://minicooper.o...world-magazine/

 

JUNE 2025 COOPERWORLD magazine is here:-

https://minicooper.o.../?post_id=31075