SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE IS IN STUNNING SHAPE!

Staff at Slimming World Magazine were popping the champagne corks today with the news that the publication’s circulation is up 9.8% year on year – its biggest ever increase. Latest ABC figures show a rise for the third year running consolidating the magazine’s hold on its position as the top title in the Women’s Diet and Lifestyle sector. The latest rise takes the magazine from 27th largest actively purchased title to 19th -- the first time a slimming title has ever been in the top 20.

Reaching a new total of 336,067 the official ABC figures for July to December 2010, show Slimming World magazine’s circulation has grown from 306,077 year on year. The new statistics mean the magazine, which is published seven times a year by the UK’s leading weight loss organisation Slimming World, is one of the few magazines in its sector to see an increase.

Elise Wells, Editor and Publisher of Slimming World magazine, says: 'We work incredibly hard to create a magazine that's inspirational, supportive and totally targeted to the needs of real slimmers. We're also fortunate that Slimming World has invested in the magazine at a time when many other publishing companies are cutting back. This combination of genuinely useful content and quality makes the magazine a value-for-money purchase even in tough recessionary times. We're delighted that the magazine is hitting the spot for so many new and loyal readers.'

Slimming World magazine was started in 1998 as the flagship publication of Slimming World. The club was founded in 1969 to offer weight loss support that promised slimmers they could lose weight without going hungry or being humiliated. The largest weight loss organisation in Britain, Slimming World holds 7,000 weekly groups for around 400,000 members.

The recipe for the magazine’s success is based on using real-life members’ success stories and featuring real women on the front cover. The quality of editorial appeals broadly to both members and non-members of the slimming club with delicious healthy food and recipes, practical suggestions for getting active as well as advice and strategies for overcoming the emotional and psychological challenges faced by anyone trying to lose weight. The magazine complements the work done within Slimming World groups where slimmers make healthy lifestyle changes to their diet and activity based on behaviour change techniques to help boost confidence and self-esteem.

Commenting on the continued success of the magazine’s sales Tim Harris, MD of Select Publisher Services says: “Continued investment in the quality and retail promotion of Slimming World magazine has helped achieve a fantastic sales increase yet again. With so many magazines struggling to maintain their news trade sales we’re very pleased to have helped Slimming World achieve their highest ever ABC.”

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For further information or to interview Elise Wells, Slimming World Magazine Editor, please contact: Jenny Caven on 01773 546037 or jenny.caven@slimming-world.com

Caption: Coverscan shows member Abbie Rowe, who lost 2st 3lb and is confident that she’ll keep it off and stay at her goal weight for good.

AVERAGE NET CIRCULATIONS PER ISSUE

July to December 2009 – July to December 2010

Notes to Editors

• Slimming World magazine is the UK’s best-selling slimming magazine, produced and published by Slimming World, the UK’s most advanced weight management organization. The editorial team is based at Slimming World’s Derbyshire headquarters.
• Slimming World magazine was started in 1998 with the aim of providing real-life inspiration for Slimming World’s thousands of members who purchased it in group. In 1999 it hit the newsstands.
• Between August and December 2010 Slimming World magazine recorded an ABC of 336,067 making it the best ever selling title in the women’s Diet and Health sectors and in the top 20 actively purchased magazines.