Shop Talk

Name: Nish Kanabar, director Shop: Ace Cards

Address: Wetherby, West Yorkshire

Please describe your shop. Originally established on the same site in 1974, we are Wetherby’s oldest card shop, which has been owned by only three families in its time. In the past seven years we have transformed the business by installing LED lighting in the store, giving it a bright clean feel, cutting our energy use, and also working, with suppliers to focus on cards manufactured in the UK, and removing, as much plastic as possible from product packaging.

The store is around 400 square metres and located in the centre of Wetherby in Market Place, in one of the most iconic buildings in town on the corner of The Shambles. We have a mixture of customers from young mums, gentlemen looking for cards for their wives, and then folks looking for cards for 40th, 50th, 60th and 70th anniversaries - so a real age mix of customers.

How did you get into greeting card retail?

I come from a family retail background, and our businesses have always sold cards, from our first sweet shop to our family convenience store, to our stationers, and now a bespoke card shop.

You’ve just celebrated your seventh anniversary - what has changed in that time?

Traditionally, trade has been constant, apart from when the store shut down during Covid - though we continued to trade through delivery and collections. We were able to move over to LED lighting, and generally update the store during that down time, so we bounced back really strongly.

Can you give an example of the customers that come from further afield to visit you?

We have quite a few customers that call in to see us from York, Harrogate, Hull, Selby, and Leeds to name a few places, but we even have customers drop into us, with their lists of cards, as they are travelling up, and down the A1, as Wetherby is next to the A1.

What are the best and worst things about working in retail?

The best thing about working in retail is meeting lots of lovely people from all walks of life, and working with our great suppliers who really support us. The worst thing about working in retail is how sometimes members of the public don’t realise how hard we work, as we always tell them standing behind the counter and taking the money is only a very small important part of running a business.

What cards are selling well in your store at the moment?

For us it is always humour and local cards such as Jonny Javelin, and Peartree Heybridge, but to be honest we don’t really have cards that don’t sell, as we work very closely and at great length with our suppliers to pick great ranges. What card range or category do you always ensure you keep in stock because of its popularity?

It has to be humour cards, and of course age cards.

What’s in your window at the moment?

We have a great range of gifts in the store window, but we do change products in, and out on a regular basis.

What’s by your till at the moment?

By the till we currently have heart confetti, and Keel Toys’ new eco plush teddies. What’s the most surprising thing a customer has said or done or asked for!?

We once got asked for a divorce card. Sometimes customers bring us little treats in to thank us for helping them choose the perfect card or gift.

What do you think makes your shop stand out?

It has to be our customer service, and the fab ranges of cards and gift lines we carry in store.

If you could send anyone a card from the past or present, who would it be and why?

It would have to be my parents just to say thank you. Unfortunately, neither are with us now.

How do trade magazines like Greetings Today help you?

They are great for looking at new lines, trends, and industry articles.