he number of magazines to be circulated through the distribution networks is set by the Circulation Service together with the Company’s Commercial Department. Therefore, the number of magazines to be circulated is each time determined based on whether the magazine will be accompanied by a gift or offer or not, on the possibility of advertising the issue in the media, its cover and topics, the trends of readers at a particular time, and the previous month sales.  

Upon the end of the production process, the distribution of each copy to its end points of sale is undertaken by the distribution agency for a percentage fee based on the nominal price of each copy.

For the handling and distribution of all of its magazines, the Company employs the services of the daily and periodical press distribution agency ARGOS S.A., 5% of the share capital of which is held by IMAKO.

For Athens and Piraeus, magazines are picked-up from the press by ARGOS S.A. and, in accordance with the instructions of the Company’s Circulation Service, are distributed to its 4 branches responsible for specific geographical areas. Then, magazines are distributed by the 4 Branches to 450 newsagents. The number of end points of sale for the Athens-Piraeus region today is 6,500. Clearances for this particular region and payments to IMAKO, are made by ARGOS S.A. within one month from the withdrawal of each magazine.

For the rest of Greece, after picking-up the copies from the press and in accordance with the instructions of the Company’s Circulation Service, ARGOS S.A. sends them to the 57 Regional Subagents, each of which is responsible for and services the end points of sale in the specific geographical area. The number of end points of sale for the rest of Greece today amounts to approximately 5,800 located in different cities and villages. Clearances for this particular region and payments to IMAKO, are made by ARGOS S.A. within three months from the withdrawal of each copy from the points of sale.

At the international level, the Company’s magazines are forwarded through 15 sub-agencies, each of which undertakes their distribution in the country within its area of responsibility.

It is noted that the Company sells returned magazines to wholesale dealers for pulping.

The following table lists the commission rates of ARGOS S.A. for Athens, Piraeus, Thessalonica, and the rest of Greece, as well as the commission rates of newsagents and the withholdings from their Funds.

ARGOS S.A. WITHHOLDING RATES