Unique Magazines: Our Purpose, Direction and Progress

Our Purpose

At Unique Magazines, we champion the power of print.

In an increasingly digital world, we believe magazines still matter. They offer depth, creativity and connection in a way that nothing else can. Our purpose is simple: to make specialist, independent and mainstream magazines accessible to everyone, everywhere, while creating spaces where readers can discover titles that inspire and inform.

We are a global online magazine retailer, delivering titles to customers around the world. Every order is guided by our commitment to Service, Quality and Trust.

To us, print is more than paper. It is storytelling, craft, culture and community. Our role is to honour the work of publishers and deliver it to readers with care.

Our Direction

While retail remains our foundation, Unique Magazines is growing into a creative hub for print and culture, rooted in the North East and connected globally.

Our direction focuses on three key areas.

Building a Print Community

Through The Magazine Room and our expanding events programme, we bring together readers, students, publishers and creatives. Talks, workshops and our annual Print Is Not Dead event celebrate the ongoing relevance of print and create meaningful industry connections.

Championing Independent Publishing

Independent magazines are at the heart of what we do. We provide a curated retail platform that gives niche and specialist titles visibility both in store and online, connecting creators with a worldwide audience.

Creating Opportunities for Learning and Collaboration

We work closely with universities and colleges to bridge education and industry. From live briefs to workshops and visits, we support students across journalism, media, fashion, photography and design, helping develop the next generation of creatives.

Our Progress So Far

In recent years, Unique Magazines has evolved into a dynamic centre for print and creativity.

We expanded our store to establish the Magazine Room, a curated space featuring over 900 titles. We have begun extending our shop to enhance the retail experience and create more room for displays and events.

The launch of the Magazine Studio has provided a dedicated space for talks, workshops and networking, supporting the North East’s creative community. Alongside this, The Mag Lounge offers a professional podcast studio for students, creatives and collaborators exploring audio production.

Our first Print Is Not Dead event brought together publishers, designers, photographers and students, firmly establishing it as an annual celebration of print in the North East.

We continue to strengthen partnerships with universities and colleges, invest in our online and global delivery services, and support local creatives through collaborations and events.

Looking Ahead

Our ambition is clear.

We will expand the Magazine Room through our shop extension, grow the Magazine Studio’s programme of events and further develop The Mag Lounge as a leading local audio hub.

We will continue building strong relationships with publishers worldwide, expand our global reach as an online retailer, and remain a cultural home for print in the North East.

Above all, we will continue delivering Service, Quality and Trust in everything we do.

Print is not just what we sell. It is what we stand for.