-By Lucia Moses

The closing of four Condé Nast titles continues a months-long trend of magazine foldings outpacing launches in the face of falling ad revenue. In the first nine months of the year, 383 titles were shelved and 259 were introduced, according to MediaFinder, an online database of U.S. and Canadian periodicals.
 
Country Home, Hallmark Magazine, Southern Accents and BestLife were among those folded in the first nine months of the year. Not included in the 383 titles were the four Condé Nast titles (Gourmet, Cookie, Modern Bride and Elegant Bride), whose closings were announced Oct. 5.
 
Gourmet’s folding notwithstanding, food was one of the most active categories for new launches, with 14 new titles started, including Edible Queens. Health/fitness and shelter also were active, with 13 new titles per category.
 
Regional titles saw a lot of flux, too, with 31 magazines closed and 15 introduced. Also hard hit were business and lifestyle magazines, with 14 and 13, respectively, closing.

Check out the latest updates to November monthlies at the Mediaweek Monitor.