Hearst U.K. Bucks Circulation Figures as Condé Nast Faces Challenging Numbers
LONDON — In a challenging media landscape, Hearst U.K. is bucking a circulation slowdown as Condé Nast tries to find its feet.
According to data published by the U.K.’s Audit Bureau of Circulation citing the period January to December 2024, Hearst U.K. experienced 2 percent year-on-year growth across its portfolio.
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Hearst U.K.’s digital subscriptions increased by 25 percent year-on-year and paid subscriptions increased by 4 percent year-on-year.
At Condé Nast, circulation saw a drop.
British Vogue’s circulation fell 5 percent, putting the magazine at a circulation of 180,036. The magazine edited by Chioma Nnadi had a circulation of 190,333 the year before.
Similarly at GQ U.K., numbers were tough as circulation fell from 85,090 the previous year to 72,058 in 2024.
Tatler saw its circulation fall by 8 percent and Vanity Fair by 14 percent.
The only Condé Nast title that saw an increase in circulation was Wired as it jumped 8 percent from a circulation of 41,871 to 45,203.
Natalia Gamero del Castillo, Condé Nast’s managing director for Europe said that the publisher decided to reduce free circulation copies of their magazines by 27 percent in order to “build a stronger, intentional audience through direct purchases and subscriptions – as a result actively purchased copies are up across a number of titles including GQ, Condé Nast Traveller, British Vogue and Tatler.”
She added that digital subscriptions have grown by 64 percent across Condé Nast.
According to Castillo, British Vogue is leading the way in the fashion category at Condé Nast, where print subscriptions have increased by “4 percent and digital by 73 percent.”
“We’re extremely proud that Hearst U.K. has delivered headline growth across our portfolio, bucking market trends. It’s also pleasing to see five brands in market-leadership positions, and our subscription growth continuing to accelerate, as we develop our multiplatform membership propositions,” said Katie Vanneck-Smith, chief executive officer of Hearst U.K.
Elle Decoration came up on top of the Hearst U.K. results with a 15 percent year-on-year increase and a circulation of 51,043, followed by Women’s Health with a 13 percent year-on-year increase and a circulation of 91,064.
Elle U.K., which is celebrating its 40th anniversary, registered a 4 percent increase year-on-year and a circulation of 79,804.
“We’re extremely proud to have posted headline ABC growth, which has been driven by a strong paid subscription performance. Elle U.K. has always had a really vibrant and engaged community, and we’ve been building on this with the launch of Elle Collective, our membership proposition, which was a natural next step in our evolution,” said Kenya Hunt, the magazine’s editor in chief, in an interview.
The magazine kicked off its birthday year with Cynthia Ervio on the cover in Louis Vuitton and hosted a cocktail reception with the French luxury brand last month.
On Wednesday, Elle U.K. will be launching a “40 for 40 Women in Film” power list in partnership with Bulgari, spotlighting women “who will define film over the next four decades,” said Hunt.
“We’ll continue to mark our 40th with a host of events, special print and digital covers, plus celebrations of established icons and rising powerhouses. We’re also excited to expand our Generation Next program, offering emerging designers an opportunity to accelerate their career and gain support from experts within the fashion industry,” she added.
Other Hearst U.K. titles that had growing numbers included Runner’s World by 8 percent year-on-year; Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar by 2 percent year-on-year, and Red by 3 percent.
Numbers for Esquire U.K. were not disclosed as the title is in the midst of a rebrand after its editor of 14 years Alex Bilmes revealed last year that he would be stepping down. He plans to leave in March as Hearst U.K. hunts for his successor.
According to Vanneck-Smith, Bilmes made the decision to resign in order to pursue writing projects outside the Hearst universe.
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