Magazine Industry Data

 Industry Data 

General 

- The broad term for the magazine industry is the ‘magazine publishing industry’ or ‘periodical publishing industry,’ the latter of which encompassing other print products such as newspapers. It focuses on producing and distributing magazines both in print and online. 

- In 2021, the global magazine industry was valued at $123.93bn but has been projected to decline at an annual growth rate of around –2.3% between 2022-2028.

- In the UK, the magazine industry is expected to value at approximately $5.14bn in 2025 and is expected to decline annually by 2.63%. According to Statista, by 2030, it is expected to reach a value of $4.50bn. 

- The industry has been significantly challenged by the move to digital media, so the industries have had to innovate how they present content and ensure a retained audience. 

- Audiences primarily consumed magazines online in the UK, between 2021 and 2023. 

- Between 2019 to March 2020, the primary magazine consumed by audiences in the UK was the Radio Times. 

 

- In 2024, the combined average monthly circulation of magazines was 18.7m, which was a decrease from 2023’s figure of 21m. 

Top-Selling Magazines

- In the UK, the top-selling magazines are primarily focused on nature and lifestyle. 

- The most popular magazines in the UK are National Geographic, Good Food, The Big Issue, The National Trust Magazine and Countryfile.  

- For the consumption of news and current affairs, people in the UK will typically read The Economist, Private Eye and The Week.  

- For TV listings, audiences typically purchase TV Choice and What’s on TV. 

- Other magazines audiences read are New Scientist, Reader’s Digest, Vogue, Kerrang! And Positive News.

- The main publishers in the British magazine market are Bauer Media, Immediate Media and Future Publishing. 

- In the UK, the most popular style magazines are Vogue, Elle, Cosmopolitan and Harper’s Bazaar – targeted towards women. 

- Condé Nast is the primary publisher of many style magazines for both men and women. 

- Harper’s Bazaar was America’s first fashion magazine. In contrast, the UK’s first fashion magazine was The Gallery of Fashion, which published between 1794-1803. 

- As of 2025, National Geographic, Vogue and Playboy are considered the most famous magazines. 

History of the Magazine Industry: General 

- The magazine industry started in the 17th century in the form of brochures, pamphlets and almanacs. Publishers shifted towards finding regular readers with specific interests. It resulted in a publication acting as a middle ground between newspapers and ‘pleasure reading.'

- The first magazine was published between 1663-1668 in Germany by Johann Rist, under the title Edifying Monthly Discussions. This inspired the publication of Denis de Sallo's French Journal des Scavans (1665), the Royal Society’s English Philosophical Transactions (1665), and Francesco Nazzari's Italian Giomale de'letterati (1668). This continued to spread across the globe. 

- In the 1830s, publishers began to take advantage of the decline in printing and mailing costs, producing cheaper magazines with wider audiences – the beginning of mass-appeal magazines. This led to the offering of magazines to other audiences, through family, children’s and women’s magazines. Women’s publications were notably popular. 

- In 1893, Samuel Sidney McClure sold his own literacy and political magazine at the price of 15 cents (this is equivalent to $5.36 now) compared to the usual 25-35 cent ($8.93-$12.50) of other magazines. This was followed by Cosmopolitan at 12.5 cents and Munsey Magazine at 10 cents (around $4.64 and $3.57 respectively). All three of these were widely successful. 

- Advertising became crucial by 1900. Prior to this, most publications tried to keep advertisements out, since publishers were fond of literature and writing. The rise in circulation meant advertisers wanted magazine space to reach wider audiences. Advertising rates were increased, leading to a rise in profitability. Advertising became the norm in the 20th century. 

- New types of magazines began to be published in the 20th century – newsmagazines and picture magazines. 

- In the 21st century, publications have had to move online due to the changing interests of audiences, who favour print products less. 

History of the Magazine Industry: Fashion

- The first fashion magazine can be traced back to the late 1600s, with a magazine under the name ‘The Treasure Hidden Secrets’ which provided the ‘honest matrons and virtuous virgins’ with information, such as that relating to the plague. Queen Anne’s reign led to a shift towards a more female-centric audience. 

- Louis XIV of France’s reign led to magazines featuring illustrations of fashion pieces typically worn by aristocrats.  

- Le Mercure Galant was considered the first publication to have reported about the fashion industry, founded in 1672 by Jean Donneau de Visé. It was pivotal in the spreading news on fashion, luxury goods, etiquette and court life. 

- In 1731, The Gentleman’s Magazine became the first general-interest magazine in England, covering essays and articles from other publications. This was the first use of the term ‘magazine’ for a periodical. It ran until 1922. 

- 1867 resulted in the first publication of Harper’s Bazaar – the first publication dedicated to focusing on women’s lives through fashion. It also included content relating to social etiquette, politics, music, fiction and poetry. It endorsed the suffrage of women, with articles covering the importance of work and education for women. 

- The publication of Harper’s Bazaar was likely the beginning of the fashion/style sector within the magazine industry. 

History of Vogue Magazine

- Vogue magazine was founded in 1892 by Arthur Baldwin Turnure, for the social elite of NYC. It primarily covered news for the local social scene, traditions of high-society and social etiquette. 

- It also included reviews of the art forms; books, plays and music.  

- Its first editor, Josephine Redding (serving 1892-1900) was credited with naming the publication. 

- During 1948-1972, Vogue was published 20 times a year, becoming a monthly publication in 1973. 

- In 1909, Condé Montrose Nast (founder of Condé Nast Publications) bought Vogue, transforming it into a women’s fashion magazine which focused on beauty, composure and etiquette. 

- The magazine became known for its photography and high editorial quality – the best illustrators and photographers of the day were hired, producing consistently sophisticated (and sometimes revolutionary) covers.  

- The first international edition (British Vogue) was launched in 1916. The French edition was launched in 1920. 

- In 1932, Vogue was one of the first magazines to use a coloured photo on its cover. 

- In the 1960s, Diana Vreeland (editor in chief 1963-1971) redefined the look of female models – avoiding the use of shapely figures to highlight thin gender-neutral physiques. 

- Vogue Italia launched in 1965. 

- In August 1974, Vogue was the first magazine cover to feature an African American model, Beverly Johnson. 

- In 1988, Anna Wintour began emphasising the woman’s body, rather than just her face, after becoming the editor. She frequently featured Hollywood actresses and celebrities, in contrast to traditional models, causing an international trend.  

- She started Teen Vogue in 2003, and Men’s Vogue (which lasted between 2005-2008). 

- Condé Nast released the digital version of Vogue in 1995 (vogue.co.uk). The American .com version was available, but only on style.com, a fashion website launched by Condé Nast in 2000.  

- In 2003, the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) inaugurated the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund. This offered financial support and business mentoring to the next generation of designers.  

- In 2009, the film documentary “The September Issue” chronicled the production of the magazine’s record-breaking 840-page September 2007 issue and was released to critical acclaim.  

- In 2009 Vogue launched “Fashion’s Night Out,” a joint global initiative encouraging people to act as patrons for international designers and retailers during the global financial crisis; the affair marked the largest shopping event in history and was held yearly until 2013. 

- Diana Vreeland, Grace Mirabella and Anna Wintour are considered the 3 legendary editors-in-chief of American Vogue.