'Independent' records year of sales increases

The Independent has recorded its twelfth consecutive month of sales increases.

The Independent has recorded its twelfth consecutive month of sales increases.

The audited circulation figures for September show that the average daily sale increased to 264,594, the highest figure since October 1997.

This rise of 21.1 per cent on the same period last year is The Independent's best year-on-year performance since 1988. Over the same period, The Times showed an increase of 4.5 per cent, while The Daily Telegraph was down 3.6 per cent and The Guardian recorded a fall of 4.8 per cent.

The Independent's share of the quality newspaper market has grown to 12 per cent, its highest share for eight years.

The Independent on Sunday is the only quality title in the Sunday market to show year-on-year growth, which it has done for the second consecutive month. Its audited September figure shows an average sale of 214,188, a year-on-year rise of 1.4 per cent.

Ivan Fallon, chief executive officer of Independent News & Media UK, said: ''We are delighted that the momentum recorded over the last 12 months continues. Full price daily sales are still showing an impressive 33 per cent increase year-on-year while the majority of the quality market shows decline.

"It is also extremely encouraging that The Independent on Sunday is the only paper in the quality market to show a year-on-year increase.''