Greetings Today by Lema Publishing

Independently audited, ABC circulation of 6,089

The impartial voice of the greetings card industry March 2015 Issue 6 Volume 16

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© Disney. / The Great British Bake Off © Love Productions Ltd. 2015 Licensing by Metrostar Media Ltd. / © & TM 2015 Lucasﬁlm Ltd. All Rights Reserved. / TM & © 2015 Marvel & Subs. / © 2015 Notch Development AB and Mojang AB. MINECRAFT is a trademark or registered trademark of Notch Development AB. All rights reserved. / © HJL Design LTD. / © 2015 Under Licence to Bravado Merchandising. Published by the Bravado International Group Ltd. / © ITC. / 2015 1D Media Ltd. under license to Global Merchandising Services Ltd. / Minions is a tradmark and copyright of Universal Studios. Licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLC. All rights reserved.

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DANILO Award Winning Licensed Calendars, Diaries, Greetings Cards & wrap

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THE LARGEST COLLECTION OF

GREETING CARD PUBLISHERS IN THE WORLD

“We would insist to anyone who sells cards that this show is not be missed. Roll on PG Live 2015 we’re excited already!”

Emma and Pauline Gillett, co-owners of Special Occasions, Castle Bromwich.

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@PGLiveLondon

www.progressivegreetingslive.com

contents the team

Editor Tracey Bearton tracey@lemapublishing.co.uk Advertisement Enquiries Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk 01442 289930

Group Editor Mirella Cestaro mirella@lemapublishing.co.uk

Publisher Mark Naish mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

REGULARS 09

Leader

Gossip at Spring Fair, the 2015 Greetings Today golf day and Window On The World.

News

Meet The Newbies John Ryan

Talk Of The Town The voice of the people who matter, greetings retailers tell it like it is at the UK Greetings Christmas Roadshow.

Forget the weather, get down to some spring cleaning to freshen up your store, is the advice from John.

Retail Advice Independent retail advisor Henri Davis reveals what she found at the season’s fairs.

Windles-sponsored focus on industry newcomers

NEW! On The Shop Front Respected independent retailer Jo Barber joins the Greetings Today team.

Exhibition, People, Supplier, Licensing and General, it’s all here and there’s more on www.greetingstoday.co.uk

Circulation Manager Robert Thomas robert@lemapublishing.co.uk

Keep in touch - follow us: @greetingstoday

Spotlight & Gifts Spotlight

https://www.facebook.com/ greetingstodaymag

● Sarah Porter will be back with Frankly Speaking next month.

PUBLISHING

Lema Publishing Ltd that’s worth a massive £10billion a year.

Cover Story The Calendar King and his team talk about their latest products – and Danilo’s male-

Calendars, Posters & Prints Make a date with the National Calendar Awards and take a look at these great sellers.

Wedding & Anniversary Cards

Cards are an important part of the industry

ONLINE

Male & Father’s Day Cards We do love the men in our lives just as much as the ladies.

focused cards.

Managing Director Malcolm Naish malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk

A selection of this month’s latest releases.

FEATURES 20

Production Director Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

It’s All About Sales Agents Alina Clark and Neil Anthony speak from the stores.

Group Advertisement Manager Ryan Horwood ryan@lemapublishing.co.uk

Spring Fair Review Time to reflect on the happenings in Hall 4 at the big NEC show.

Show Round-Up A look back at Paperworld, Giving & Living and Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring.

Go to our website - www.greetingstoday.co.uk - for our online features, this month we expand on Male & Father’s Day Cards and you can look back at our archive of previous features and issues.

1 Church Gates, Wilderness, Berkhamsted, Herts HP4 2UB

Telephone: 01442 289930 www.greetingstoday.co.uk

At the heart of retail Greetings Today is independently audited with an ABC circulation of 6,089 (July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014) Subscription per annum: UK £60 (free for people in the greetings industry), Europe £80, ROTW £100 A member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation

www.greetingstoday.co.uk 5

UK Greetings Ltd. Mill Street East, Dewsbury, West Yorkshire WF12 9AW England. Tel (01924) 465200 Fax (01924) 431814 For more information please email: getintouch@ukgreetings.co.uk and quote ref: GT-Mar15

POPPY TRAIL A vibrant female collection that offers high style looks through use of black and bold colours and contrasting reverse polka dot prints on ďŹ&#x201A;at wraps and gift bags. The opulent feel is completed with black satin handles. Perfect for female sends of all ages & for those special gifts.

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leader Editor Tracey Bearton

OSSIP is the lifeblood of big shows and, with a relatively small community like the greetings industry, it becomes a mini-village in the hall as everyone chats over the symbolic garden fence of the stand dividers. When you’re in the depths of the NEC for five days straight it must be a bit like being in the Big Brother House, you only see and hear what’s going on inside and the rumours racing round before emerging, blinking, back into the daylight and the real world to find out whether any of it was true. Potential mergers, buy-outs – one with a £38million price tag mentioned – interesting personnel moves, publishers up for sale, quite a few little snippets reached my ears as we wandered Hall 4 this year though nothing official has come through since getting back to the office. There was also the general chit-chat and opinions voiced over the move of Greetings & Stationery back to Hall 3 for the 2016 Spring Fair, with varying degrees of satisfaction over how the dissemination of information and stand bookings were handled. Given the doom and gloom of recent years with the economic downturn, the pleasing thing was the general air of optimism and hope. Although some had a quiet show, many reported a good response from retailers and buyers. But even that can be fraught with difficulties as one company’s way of moving forward can adversely affect others, witness the problems brokerage and the bigger suppliers can cause to smaller firms wanting to get or keep their own share of the market. It’s one of those dilemmas that’s hard to resolve because bigger firms have just as much right to try to expand their business as smaller firms, but their size and fame can give them extra muscle and leverage that the little ’uns feel is unfair. I came across other interesting revelations while helping my older daughter, who’s about to start a trial as a greetings card sales agent as it seems a reasonable way to run your own business which allows some flexibility over hours and workload. I’ve only been in the greetings industry myself since April 2012 but have been made aware of

‘

the time it takes to find a good agent, the almost universal lament that there are very few new ones coming through, and the even louder wail about the lack of youngsters joining. So, imagine my surprise when we trawled the internet for advice on becoming and working as an agent only to discover there was very little available and the one reliable source I did find was less than encouraging, which was a shame as the contract advice was pretty good. The advice was only to choose an agent with an established territory and a strong customer base, and not to pick anyone who’s semi-retired, too old or too young – hmmm, as far as I can tell that rules out giving any newbies a chance, and also tells potential employers to be ageist in both directions, and perpetuates the difficulties older folk have finding work as well as preventing the industry from bringing in new blood! Thankfully the greetings industry itself has more than lived up to its friendly image and we’ve found some lovely people willing to ignore those instructions and give the daughter – I’ll not name her yet in case it doesn’t work out – some really useful advice, and that much-needed break. ● At Greetings Today we might not run award events or exhibitions, but we do organise a fantastic annual golf day and this year’s event will again be held at Northamptonshire’s Staverton Park, on June 11. Lema Publishing MD Malcolm Naish said: “We celebrated our 10th year last year with 44 golfers enjoying a fantastic day with excellent weather, great prizes and a most generous host – me!” For £95 per person there’s a nine-hole morning Texas Scramble, followed by a sumptuous ham, egg and chips lunch and then the afternoon individual Stableford and team four-ball competitions. With the on-site hotel offering a single room at £60 and a twin/double at £85, those who wish to stay after the three-course presentation dinner can network well into the early hours with industry colleagues. Malcolm added: “And for the first time we’re in the process of finalising a package with the hotel that will include a number of spa treatments that can be enjoyed by non-golfers followed by the presentation dinner.”

Given the doom G and gloom of recent years, the general air of optimism m was pleasing

’

Send your views and submissions for the magazine to: tracey@lemapublishing.co.uk Tel: 01442 289930

Want to appear in ? APRIL FEATURES: British Craft Trade Fair Preview London Stationery Show Preview Gift Wrap, Bags, Accessories & Stationery Retro, Vintage & Nostalgia Cards APRIL COPY DATE MARCH 13

MAY FEATURES: Pulse Preview NSS & Surtex Preview PR Live Preview Art & Photographic Cards MAY COPY DATE APRIL 17

WINDOW ON THE WORLD CONWAY Cards in Garstang, Lancs, has been a family-owned independent shop since 1982, run by keen Cardgains buying group member Alison Allen. “We have a loyal local and tourist customer base,” she said, “as we specialise in being different. Hand-made cards such as Janie Wilson and Talking Pictures, and Blue Mountain Art cards sell well. “As a rural area Alex Clark Art is one of our best sellers, along with Nigel Quiney’s Pizazz and Berni Parker’s Ladies Who Love Life ranges. Nigel Quiney’s Man’s World and Gibson’s Gentleman’s Gallery do well for men. “We also sell a lot of celebration balloons, being recommended by several local wedding and party venues, and we offer a personalised wedding service including

www.facebook.com/greetingstodaymag @greetingstoday

stationery, seating plans, postboxes and calligraphy writing. Our best-selling gift range is Santoro’s Gorjuss.”

T: 01995 605919 www.conwaycardsandgifts.co.uk

www.greetingstoday.co.uk 9

SEE MORE NEWS ON www.greetingstoday.co.uk

in the news news in brief Meet the mice A BOTTLE of bubbly is on the way to Colette Mellor after her cute tale was picked as the winner of Showcase Greetings’ name the mice competition for their card range by Cherry Pie Design. Colette wrote: “Cardia and Casey – twin mice whose parents hadn’t chosen names when they brought them home from the mouseternity hospital. “It was only when Mrs Mouse asked her husband, ‘Where have you parked the car dear?’ that they came up with a girl’s name and added, ‘You take our son just in case he wakes up,’ which gave them the idea for a boy’s name!”

Facing the fearsome five SWEATING away under the intense gaze and quizzing from the fearsome five Dragons on BBC TV, Jackpen inventor Andy Jewson and fellow director Gary Patterson found the experience nerve-racking but rewarding. Despite coming away without an investor, the miniature ballpoint pen that stores in the headphone jack of a mobile, did get the thumbs-up in the February 15 broadcast from long-serving Dragon Peter Jones.

1st class design A CAROLINE Gardner drawing features on one of the Royal Mail’s new first class stamps for 2015. The design of a hand-drawn three-tier wedding cake topped with two colourful hearts was chosen as part of their Smilers 2015 First Day Cover Collection, celebrating special occasions and achievements.

Disappointment over action DISAPPOINTMENT was the GCA’s reaction to the World Wide Find For Nature’s call for card retailers to better scrutinise their supply chains, because the industry has been working with the charity to promote positive environmental credentials. The Greetings Today online story highlighting the article first published in The Independent has led to the newspaper changing the image used to illustrate the article, and prompted the response from the GCA. A WWF-UK report on their testing of 20 greetings cards and envelopes from a range of High Street retailers showed that two, bought at Card Factory and Clintons, contained varying amounts of mixed tropical hardwood (MTH), suggesting the fibres originated from illegally-sourced natural growth tropical rainforests. A joint statement from GCA CEO Sharon Little and President Chris Houfe said: “The Greeting Card Association applaud the efforts that WWF are making to strengthen the EU Timber Regulations. “We as an industry take our environmental credentials incredibly seriously and are committed to using sustainable paper sources. “The GCA are pleased to report that, through our members’ efforts, our industry has moved to using paper and board from sustainable sources as a matter of

course. Even the vast majority of overseas production is now chain of custody certified with almost 100 per cent adoption in sight. “WWF’s laboratory reports show that while some trace of unknown source (‘unknown vessel’) was found in three of the 40 items tested, there is as yet no verified proof that this is from mixed tropical hardwood (MTH). Of these three products, one was made of FSC board, with full chain of custody certification. “We are somewhat disappointed by WWF’s action on cards, given that we have been working with the charity to highlight the greetings card industry’s positive environmental credentials.” UK Greetings supply Clintons and in a statement they said: “UK Greetings are proud of their commitment to responsible sourcing. UK Greetings take steps to ensure all of our paper products are legally sourced, irrespective of whether they fall inside or outside the EU Timber Regulations. “Our ongoing commitment to maintaining rigorous internal processes justifies our claim, made in good faith, that we take all reasonable steps to mitigate the risk of illegally-sourced timber entering our supply chain.”

T: 020 7619 0396 www.greetingcardassociation.org.uk

Ladies (and a man) in red

EVERYONE was seeing red at Ling Design’s Bath studio on February 6 where they joined in the British Heart Foundation’s charity fundPolypropylene & biodegradable bag specialists raiser. Staff from Ling and sister publisher Talking Pictures took part Over 40 years quality service to the trade in the foundation’s Wear it Red Day Hotfoiling also available with various activities helping raise £132 for a very worthwhile cause.

www.lingdesign.co.uk www.talking-pictures.co.uk

GREETING CARD

FRIENDLY, EXPERT ADVICE DEDICATED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE TEAM FAST AND EFFICIENT SERVICE HIGH QUALITY FILM BAGS

T 01206 396209 E sales@badgerconverters.co.uk www.badgerconverters.co.uk 10 www.greetingstoday.co.uk

Card Factory ‘eyeing rivals’ CARD Factory are considering placing a bid for upmarket rivals Paperchase, which went up for sale in October with a £150m asking price, Retail Week and The Daily Telegraph have reported. Paperchase owners Primary Capital hired PwC and Fianco last year to begin the process of finding a buyer and, having reported a strong Christmas trading period a fortnight ago, press speculation was rife that the specialist retailers of design-led stationery, greetings cards, wrap and gifts were poised to start the formal sale. Yorkshire-based Card Factory manufacture their own cards and are positioned more towards the budget end of the market, as opposed to Paperchase’s premium positioning. Retail Week added that Paperchase Chief Executive Timothy Melgund plans to retain a stake in the company following any sale and hopes to stay on for the new owner.

www.paperchase.co.uk

42 jobs lost at Regent TROUBLED Regent Greeting Cards have been sold with 42 of their staff being made redundant – but Regent Envelopes are not affected as the two companies operate independently out of the same West Yorkshire premises. Howard Smith and Jonny Marston from KPMG’s Restructuring Practice were appointed as joint administrators to Regent Greeting Cards on February 10 and sold part of the business to iParty Limited. A statement from KPMG said the sale included the transfer of 38 staff with 42 employees being made redundant, and added: “The Shipley-based business, which had 82 employees, operated as an importer and manufacturer of greetings cards and party goods.” iParty Limited also have their registered address at Regent House, Dockfield Road, Shipley, along with Regent Greeting Cards and Regent Envelopes.

www.regent-group.com www.regentenvelopes.com

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licensing news

exhibition news Hotbed of talent offers something different

Three from Five THREE Famous Five products have been released in a new stationery range of notebook, postcrads and notelet book after Quarto Publishing Group imprint Frances Lincoln signed a licensing deal. Brands With Influence Worldwide have been appointed by the Enid Blyton Estate to manage the licensing programmes across three of the author’s most famous book series.

www.franceslincoln.com/stationery www.brandswithinfluence.com

Love your Ladybird LADYBIRD Books are celebrating their centenary and owners Penguin are capitalising with an official licensing programme for their re-imagined Vintage Collection that captures the nostalgic British view of life. The first products available include greetings cards from Kiss Me Kwik, Portico’s dated stationery and wooden postcards from the Wooden Postcard Company.

www.kissmekwik.co.uk www.porticodesigns.com www.thewoodenpostcardcompany.com

Meet the Twirlywoos GEMMA and GB Eye are two of the new licensees for Ragdoll Productions’ new pre-school series Twirlywoos, about four small, birdlike characters who are inquisitive, enthusiastic and always looking to learn something new about the world. Gemma will produce greetings cards and partyware and GB Eye have the licence for posters.

www.gemma-international.co.uk www.gbeye.com

Smurfin’ good fun LIFE could be going blue if Rocket Licensing have anything to do with it as they’ve just been appointed the exclusive UK and Eire agents for The Smurfs. Brand owner International Merchandising, Promotion & Services of Belgium have asked Rocket to develop a dual licensing strategy that expands the range of the classic brand as well as developing product for Sony’s new Smurfs film, due in 2016. The classic brand campaign has already begun with licensees including International Greetings and the movie brand will include prints, calendars, cards, and stationery.

www.rocketlicensing.com

Tired Ted perks up HIT design brand Tired Ted has bagged another licensing partner, with Cherry Orchard Publishing signing up with Bulldog Licensing for greetings cards. Visitors to Spring Fair were the first to see Cherry Orchard’s designs using the brand which features a mix of illustrative and photographic art complemented by an endearing integral back story about the little bear with a big heart who has been loved by several generations of the same family.

www.cherryorchardpublishing.co.uk www.bulldog-licensing.com

Bob’s in the money THE street cat who changed the life of a homeless busker has been signed by TPA licensing agency with products including calendars and posters expected for the Christmas 2015 market. A Street Cat Named Bob became a publishing sensation when James Bowen wrote about befriending and caring for the injured moggy.

chris@thepartnershop.co.uk

12 www.greetingstoday.co.uk

FIVE hundred exhibitors means the British Craft Trade Fair is fully subscribed for the April 12-14 event at the Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate. The unique show is the only one that selects exclusively British hand-made products, making it a hotbed of talented designer-makers with greetings cards featuring high on the list of categories. Philip Bunn, of organisers PSM Ltd, said: “It’s only relatively recently that the BCTF has come on the map for greetings card buyers but, with the demand for made in Britain from consumers, the fair is well worth a trip if you’re sourcing something different to stock your shelves this year.” BCTF has been promoting British hand-made giftware for 40 years, longer than any other trade fair and that Made In Britain label really does help

sell, with buyers from galleries, hoMe and giftware shops, craft stores, greetings shops, art galleries and museums among the visitors to the show. Award-winning author and illustrator Judith Ashworth sums up the creative element of what to expect at this year’s BCTF with her luxury cards themed around animals and flowers. These are created using a wide variety of techniques both old and new – from the ancient art of origami to digital artwork and printing, all of which are combined to form unique cards and gifts for book lovers. The range includes greetings cards, bookmarks, gift boxes, gift tags and notebooks and each product is teamed with a useful, quirky bookmark made from stainless steel or paper.

T: 01444 246446 www.bctf.co.uk

More room for magnificent seventh show WITH three months to go, more than 90 per cent of the stand space at PG Live 2015 has been sold – so they’ve negotiated some extra room. More than 220 exhibitors are due at the twoday event over June 2-3 at London's Business Design Centre, which is the world’s largest specialist greetings fair and attracts major retailers and leading independents from more than 40 countries. “We've had an incredible response to the show this year,” said Simon Boyd, joint show director for organisers Max Exhibitions. “The Artists' Quarter sold out weeks ago and the Springboard Extra section sold out last week – we've negotiated more space so we can extend the Springboard@PGLive section again!”

Many high-profile exhibitors are exclusive to this seventh edition of PG Live, making this the only chance to see the 2015 lines from Hallmark, UK Greetings, Carte Blanche, Emotional Rescue, Paperlink and Gemma, among others. “PG Live is the only dedicated trade show for the greetings card industry,” Simon added, “and the significant growth we are seeing this year is extremely positive news for the industry as a whole. We can't wait until June!” All visitors to the show receive a free lunch, refreshments throughout the show and there’s a free drinks party on the first night.

T: 01635 297070 www.progressivegreetingslive.com

Biggest exhibitor list yet is write on target THE biggest exhibitor line-up yet is a good reason to visit this year’s London Stationery Show, with more than 200 brands and suppliers from around the world. Now in its fifth year, the exhibition takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 28-29, at the Business Design Centre in London and the organisers’ vision includes National Stationery Week, April 27-May 3, and the first World Stationery Day on April 29. The focus on fashionable, functional and fun stationery and writing products has created a unique platform for suppliers and a key event for buyers in this vibrant sector, with writing products, notebooks, diaries, calendars, social stationery, filing and storage, stationery gifts, licensed and children’s stationery, leather goods, wrap and desktop all represented. “The exhibition is an exceptional opportunity for buyers to get to grips with how the stationery market is developing and how these fashionable and design led products fit into their offer,” said show director Chris Leonard-Morgan.

“One in three exhibitors are new to this year’s show and over two thirds are exclusive to it, so they haven’t been seen by buyers anywhere else in the UK this year.” Buyers will be able to meet the people behind almost every major stationery brand in the UK market, as well as key international suppliers from countries which include China, France, Hong Kong, Czech Republic, Germany, India, Ireland, Latvia, Singapore, Spain, Japan, USA and Vietnam. A fantastic line up of top names includes Parker, Filofax, Cross, Wild & Wolf, Lamy, NPW/Moleskine, Quadrille, Letts, Pyramid, Uni-Ball, Sheaffer, Collins, Midori, Maped Helix, Staedtler, Zebra Pen, Faber-Castell, Pukka Pads, Montegrappa, Leuchtturm1917, Stabilo, Caran d’Ache, Portico Designs, Paperblanks, Kaweco, Snopake, ExaClair, Castelli, Knock Knock, and Pentel.

www.stationeryshow.co.uk www.nationalstationeryweek.com www.worldstationeryday.com

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people news

supplier news Taking foils forward

Goodbye Stephen STEPHEN Bradley of greetings and gifts wholesale supplier Select Cards passed away recently, with his funeral being held on February 10. Known throughout the industry, fellow publishers Holy Mackerel posted this photo of happier times with Stephen and said: “A sad day at the funeral of Stephen, he made our trade shows such a pleasure and we can’t really believe he’s gone.”

www.selectcardsuk.com

NEW API Foils production manager Robert Forsyth will be responsible for a 56-strong team as he helps drive the company’s expansion plans forward. Robert brings more than 30 years’ general manufacturing experience with a number of major international companies to the role. He said: “I’m joining API Foils at a very exciting time as they’re really gearing up for future growth.

T: 01909 770551 www.apigroup.com

Martin to the (Emotional) Rescue HUMOUR publisher Emotional Rescue have announced that Martin Nevin, owner of their independent trade distributor Is It Art Ltd, is set to join the ER management team as joint Managing Director. Both current MD Peter Caunt and ER founder Tony Spooner remain with the business, supported by the existing ER head office team in Tewkesbury. Tony maintains a pivotal role in future product and brand development, while Peter and Martin will split other business duties, and Martin remains a shareholder of IIA. Tony said: “These are interesting times for the industry but we can see more doors opening for us than closing, and having Martin on board will help us immeasurably.”

T: 01684 272385 www.thedogsdoodahs.com

Just one sheet! FOR 130 years, GF Smith have been a great resource for beautifully-crafted paper in large quantities – but the new Paper Smith service means it’s now available to order one sheet at a time. The concept was introduced at Design Junction 2014 and they’ve spent the past few months building the website that’s essentially the pick ’n’ mix counter of the paper world with all 50 colours in the Colorplan range available as paper, card, folded card and matching envelopes. With no minimum order, the Paper Smith makes GF Smith’s finest papers accessible for customers working on projects of any scale, and includes five of their other collections, Treasury, Marlmarque, Parchmarque, Tapestry and Peregrina Majestic with new stocks and substrates to be introduced regularly. GF Smith have also teamed up with Brighton-based design experts Studio Makgill to produce their Packaging Applied sample pack showcasing the vast possibilities of paper packaging.

www.gfsmith.com/papersmith

Swatch detail ANTALIS have produced a new swatch for their Edixion Offset and Laser papers, detailing the unique benefits of this uncoated range suitable for high speed printing and very long runs. The swatch showcases the range of grammages available in the two papers for which the pulp used is FSC certified and EU Ecolabel.

T: 0870 607 9014 www.antalis.co.uk

Whether you are an individual starting out, or an established publisher, we have the all-inone solution for printing your greeting cards. You can choose to print in black and white or in a world of colour; whatever your choice, we will work to enrich your creations. And should you want that extra bit of magic, we have it all for you from foiling and die-cutting to varnishing and flittering.

Contact us: telephone 01892 825 083 info@theimagingcentre.co.uk Follow us: www.theimagingcentre.co.uk twitter.com/ImagingCentre facebook/The Imaging Centre

colour that is us. www.facebook.com/greetingstodaymag @greetingstoday

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meet the newbies New but with decades of experience CATHERINE Kleeli Cards might be new to the greetings world but come to the market place with decades of creative and business management experience behind the brand. Catherine’s family gave her a heritage of hard work and entrepreneurial spirit, one of their mottoes being “Enthusiasm on fire is better than knowledge on ice”, and she brings this enthusiasm to her business. She said: “Many parents steer their young into safe and sound occupations as a means of earning a living so, for decades, I duly climbed the business management ladder, limiting my creations to spare-time interest. “Fourteen years ago, with a change of direction to achieve a better work/life balance, came the realisation I should have been in a creative occupation all along, when I was able to pursue my lifelong ambition to study fine art.

NEW MEMBERS

THE latest publishers to join the Greeting Card Association include: RED PAGE LTD PO Box 346, Ware, SG12 4DX Michael Smith sales@redpagecards.co.uk www.redpagecards.co.uk 0845 386 4930 EMILY BURNINGHAM LONDON info@emilyburningham.com www.emilyburningham.com 020 7431 0361 MIKO-GREETINGS.COM Mik Brown info@miko-greetings.com www.miko-greetings.com www.miko-cartoon.com MIRJAMI DESIGN Studio 7, New Brewery Arts, Brewery Court, Cirencester, GL7 1JH, Laura Mirjami contact@mirjamidesign.com www.mirjamidesign.com 01285 652378 THE latest companies to join the GCA as associate members include: EASY LOGISTICS 61 Parsonage Barn Lane, Ringwood, BH24 1PT David Bowen david@easylogistics.com www.easylogistics.com 01425 463211

“Since graduating, I’ve been working as a practicing artist, exhibiting my prints and paintings, tutoring print processes and sending original hand-printed cards to family and friends. “What has always touched me is when one of my cards remains on display as a treasured memento long after the occasion has passed for which the card was sent, it’s a daily connection between sender and recipient, ‘a card worth keeping’. “My light bulb moment came at the end of 2013 when my daughter Naomi was preparing to embark on her big adventure to work as a fashion intern in New York city for 12 months. “Her parting gift to me was a ceramic butterfly emblazoned with the words ‘If you can dream it, you can do it’. This proved to be my inspiration and impetus to live my dream

while my daughter lived hers. “My range continues to grow and has so far focused on animals. Once I decide which I draw a rough animal outline trying to capture the character and qualities of the creature. “Being a lover of all things paper the search then begins, thumbing through, cutting, ripping and sticking until the essence of the animal emerges. I whizz the result through the sewing machine to add the final touches. “If only this was as easy as it sounds – it actually takes me about a week until I’m satisfied enough to take one collage into the card design process!” T: 07814 293155 www.catherinekleeli.co.uk

Smile at soft sculptures THE Gloucestershire countryside is the new base for Finnish designer-maker Laura Mirjam, and she’s now expanded her soft sculpture animal paperweights to feature on greetings cards. Laura has been designing and making animal gifts for a few years while also writing stories about the characters, but started with a BA in art restoration and her own antique re-upholstery and soft furnishings business, before setting up Mirjami Design in 2009. “After I started making my animal paperweights,” Laura said, “I quickly discovered their character really shone through and people found it easy to connect with them – they’ve been my most popular collection so I’m now featuring them on cards. “I’ve been making hundreds upon hundreds of these animals and selling them through a handful of shops including Liberty of London and, although I still enjoy making them, I also wanted to add the story-telling element, hence the idea

of greetings cards was born. “I draw a lot of inspiration from my childhood in Finland where inspiring landscapes and fairytale animals were the backdrop and my imagination ran free. “For me it’s important to create work that delights and nothing makes me happier than when I see my work making people to smile! “I visited PG Live last year with my partner, who’s an artist in his own right and responsible for all the photos and editing of the cards – we both got very inspired and this June we’ll be there with our own cards! “So far we have done some trial runs of the cards which have been received really well and some had already found their way as far as the Colette shop in Paris, but we’re properly launching them at the British Craft Trade Fair in Harrogate in April and PG Live.” T: 01285 652378 www.mirjamidesign.com

WHAT’S NEW AT WINDLES?

PROJECT EVOLUTION – badger and bat boost as new building project is officially underway. The initial stages of Windles’ Project Evolution building. A new badger home was also developed the world’s foremost environmental assessment started late last year where the development site with wonderfully-planned tunnels for them in a method and rating system for buildings. was prepared for our new purpose-built eco-friendly neighbouring field. With full planning permission granted for our factory. We were busy assisting the relocation of a A senior ecologist has spent months on site new purpose-built eco-friendly factory and all wildlife badgers’ sett as they lived close to the plot, and a monitoring the animals and we’re delighted to have happy in their new home, construction of the statesmall roost of bats lived in a nearby farm building. received confirmation that the re-housing of the of-the-art environmentally-sustainable building ws Under our new wildlife function we took action bats and badgers has been a total success – they are due to have commenced by the end of February. with the construction of a beautiful new bat hotel happy and settled. This is going to be an exciting ongoing made with carefully-selected materials to mimic their The new plant for Windles Group has been development which we look forward to sharing our previous habitat in the rafters of a derelict old farm awarded a Very Good certification from BREEAM, regular updates with everyone.

14 www.greetingstoday.co.uk

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meet the newbies COLOUR – WITH IMPACT! EVER since print was invented it’s been all about the colour, quality and impact as people want to make their product stand out. And it’s no different for the greetings industry, where colours and finishes are key to inspiring consumers to buy a particular card. People want to be different and trendy, so it’s extremely important that production and design work to develop new and exciting techniques to inspire customers. To help designers who want to get their next product range noticed, Windles Group have developed Colourise which is incredibly flexible in its application, with reprints no problem as it’s a single card process – and it’s unique in the marketplace. Delivering colour beyond expectations, from neons to any Pantone, the choice is down to the individual publisher who can make it their signature within a range or simply use it to enhance designs. Windles have invested to make two colours available upfront on the machine, which allows a pair of colours per design – you can also use a screen, incorporate flitter, and send a real sense of luminosity through the image. The Colourise process can be perceived as two finishes where flitter is incorporated but it’s achieved with only one actual print process so delivers you your added value at lower cost.

Colourise, as with all of the wonderful Windles’ finishes, can also be coupled with other processes. It’s like making a cake, you select the ingredients for the desired taste and effect so you can incorporate pretty, intricate and bold with mass, gloss and satin, plus raised surfaces along with clear thermos effects and high-level gloss spot UV. The line work can be very intricate to give great detail on trending patterns such as ferns and baroque designs, while the glow-in-the-dark effects work particularly well on age cards. If you’re using a design that’s allied to a particular era – 1920s art deco, 50s rock ’n’ roll, 60s psychedelia, 70s glam, or 80s neons – Colourise is the way to make the effect really fit the fashion. With the in-house MuchMore studio on hand for creative support and ideas generation through to artwork assistance and set-up, Windles offer the full-service package and we’re happy to print a trial run so you can see exactly what your design will look like. We also invite designers in to test and try on machine. Colourise is incredibly versatile, very tactile and touchy-feely with its raised profile as well as visually stimulating. Already the home of Creative Cold Foil, Holographic Spot Varnish, Deep Textured Varnish and helping customers push traditional finishing processes to the limit, Colourise is the latest hot new thing in the portfolio offering from the Windles Group.

New way to help people grieve

Creative snail mail PENNY Taggart moved to London as a newly-qualified graphic designer in 2005 where, with no experience other than three placements, her first roles were in corporate environments. “These were great for technical skills,” Penny said, “but very limited creatively. This resulted in a severe lack of motivation, interest and before long, frustration grew. “I created wedding stationery for two friends, which opened my eyes to the greetings industry, but low confidence and anxiety held me back. “In early 2010, just days after my 27th birthday, I was forced to deal with the devastating news that my mother had passed away. My perspectives and priorities instantly changed with the hard reality of just how fragile life is.” With support and encouragement from friends and family, Penny launched Bonnie Blackbird and what began as a distraction from bereavement soon became an enjoyable outlet for her creative skills then gradually gathered momentum. With more than 2,500 global customers to date, including JoJo Maman Bébé, Shloer and the Imperial War Museum, Bonnie Blackbird has become a respectable brand with eyecatching snail mail, and Penny is introducing her company to the retail world at PG Live in June. T: 07799 280584 www.bonnieblackbird.com

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INSPIRED Goodbyes are new publishers of greetings cards and gifts that are designed to help people going through bereavement. Friends Helen Lawson and Sophia Lucop-Leech founded the company after discovering their personal experiences of the loss of a loved one meant they shared the same views on how little things could make the grief and funerals easier to bear. Just a year old, Inspired Goodbyes already offer 24 bereavement cards, a memory book, remembrance jewellery and a My Personal Goodbye message tube, as well as advice on the website about planning a funeral. Helen explained: “We believe attitudes to bereavement are changing and the time is right for retailers to offer a wider range of sympathy cards and gifts. “This is why we’ve created our uniquely personal range of cards, gifts and jewellery so that you can give customers more choice – and there’s not a With Sympathy in sight. “At Spring Fair 2015 we launched two new charity ranges for the Child Funeral

Charity and for Dying Matters. We give a donation of 25p to these incredible charities for every one of the cards sold. “These cards have been very carefully crafted to help the sender reflect how they are feeling at a difficult time. “We’ve even created a range for men to give their mates when they have gone through bereavement, something that’s

never been done before. “We realise this can be an upsetting subject but we believe it’s no longer taboo. Our aim is to give a positive focus to families around the time of a funeral. “If our website or any of our products give someone even a moment of joy, relief or positivity, then we have succeeded.” T: 0161 667 5760 www.inspiredgoodbyes.co.uk

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JOHN RYAN RETAIL ENVIRONMENT

Take the bull by the horns A

T THE time of writing there’s sleet outside, the top of the Shard about a mile from where I’m sitting in London is shrouded in cloud and, glancing down at the street five floors below, people are wrapped up in heavy coats, scarves and suchlike.

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Spring is on the way then – or at least it’s when the weather is at its most February seasonal and miserable that retailers, and card shop proprietors among them, think of sunnier and maybe happier times. They do so because retail is posited on forward movement – not much use worrying about today, because your actions have already set what’s going to happen in the next few hours in stone and there’s not much that can be done about it. So, what exactly are greetings card retailers thinking about, other than the obvious Easter and Mother’s Day spikes that will mean a few more items can be shifted? In the short term, and this is an endemic way of operating in any retail organisation, it may well be spring clean time. For some this may mean fetching out the vacuum and Marigolds but, for most, it involves ridding themselves of stock that doesn’t appear to have been wanted by selling it off cheaply. For many independent retailers there’s a marked reluctance to do the latter so consider this – you paid good money to buy the stock and did so on the notion you’d turn a penny or two. Turns out this isn’t the case, it’s not sold, so it’s time to take the bull by the horns and get down to a little spring cleaning of your merchandise. Back in the day when I was a trainee buyer, my head buyer

● Image from www.bretcontreras.com

Get down to G a little spring cleaing of your e merchandise

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Nobody likes putting the red pen through a price ticket, but sometimes you have to be cruel to be kind to yourself, as John Ryan explains. informed me: “I can tell you exactly how much stock I’ll sell at the beginning of a season, I just struggle to tell you what price I’ll sell it all at.” Put another way, he was predicting a little markdown action and, being the smart man he was, he’d costed this into his calculated profit for the end of the year. In practice, this meant he was in a position to find the right price for goods that proved less than tempting for shoppers and clear the decks in preparation for the next wave of incoming stock. Hope springs eternal, however, for many indies with some quite happy to box up stock that hasn’t sold over the last couple of months then bring it back out once more when trade picks up.

John Ryan is Stores Editor at Retail Week where he’s worked for more than a decade covering store design, visual merchandising and what makes things sell in-store. In a previous life he was a retail buyer. T: 07710 429926 twitter: @newstores

16 www.greetingstoday.co.uk

Don’t – that way boredom and destitution lies! To give you a blinding glimpse of the obvious, unwanted cards are money tied up that should be more profitably used elsewhere. Bite the bullet, stick the knife in – whatever the platitude, do something about excess inventory, there will always be some as it’s part of the cut and thrust of any retail operation. To be fair, sometimes it’s hard to see the wood for the trees and when the annual gloom of mid-February and early March is in full swing, sometimes being able to think clearly may prove difficult. The other point worth noting is the equally obvious fact that the first cut is the deepest, or at least it should be! Tentative reductions rarely work and will cost more in the long run. Hit unwanted stock hard and it will move while shoppers may even feel excited about having got a bargain – it’s the modus operandi used by mid-market fashion retailer Next which seems to go from strength to strength while others falter. And when it’s gone, it’s gone. You’ll feel so much better. Still sleeting outside, by the way.

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COVERSTORY

Top T

OP titles, trend-spotting and being quick on the draw is the story behind Danilo Promotions as they’ve come to dominate the licensed calendar industry. From Disney’s new live-action Cinderella movie through to the Great British Bake Off and vintage images via top football, cricket and rugby teams and glamour girls Michelle Keegan and Kelly Brook, the Danilo range is huge, encompassing no less than 150 titles. And it’s always growing, as founder and chairman Laurence Prince explained: “The calendar industry is going well and we saw an increase in the last year which is mainly because we have all the top titles from classic brands to the hottest new releases. “We do things like Frozen, Minions, Mrs Brown’s Boys is a staple, Minecraft, new bands such as The

Men get the classics

CLASSIC brands are the key male licences for Danilo this year – Minions, Only Fools And Horses, Star Wars and Tommy Cooper. Licensing Director Trevor Jones said: “These classic brands allow us to add an element of humour that is so important for successful male relation and Father’s Day cards. “You can be the ‘best dad in the galaxy’ even if Del Boy thinks you’re a plonker! “The new addition this year are the Minions whose appeal continues to grow and the movie release this summer will be great to promote Father’s Day too.”

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● The boys are back in town – Trevor Jones, Laurence Prince and Daniel Prince at Spring Fair Vamps and 5 Seconds Of Summer, not forgetting established bands like One Direction, all the major football teams, and top models like Michelle Keegan and Kelly Brook. “This year we have the new live-action Cinderella and Star Wars, and for the first time this year we’ll be publishing official VW Camper van and Beetle calendars.” Some of this year’s event movies that Danilo are releasing calendars for include Marvel’s Age Of Ultron, Pixar’s Inside Out, Ted 2, The Minions, Jurassic World and Star Wars Episode 7. Gaming fans will also be pleased to see new titles this year from Skylanders, World Of Warriors, Angry Birds, Batman Arkham and Minecraft. Fans of TV shows such as ThunderbiFriends, The Simpsons, Doctor Who, Family Guy, Downton Abbey and Top Gear, to name just a few, will also have a calendar for their walls. Laurence, whose nickname is The Calendar King, set up Danilo more than 36 years ago when he was

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guns

COVERSTORY

If there’s a chance of a new licence for calendars, Danilo Promotions will be gunning for it as they lead the way in the industry thanks to the media-savvy Chairman Laurence Prince and Licensing Director Trevor Jones. looking for opportunities to generate business for his fledging print company, and the enterprise has now gone on to sell more than 120million licensed calendars and over 100m official greetings cards worldwide. He puts their success down to their amazing ability to spot trends and react quickly to the market. “We’re at the forefront of all the trends,” Laurence added, “we actually identify many of them before anyone else and we have the capability to turn around product very quickly, within two to three weeks from conversation and doing the deal to having the calendars ready. “We have the facility, which we used to great effect back when England won the Rugby World Cup with Jonny Wilkinson, that’s where we’re on our toes. “We have the ability to react quickly to market trends and release products when people want them, and we’re still keeping our prices the same, we haven’t raised them. “I see the market continuing to grow, even last year Cliff Richard was still one of the most popular calendars despite all the bad publicity – and we shall be bringing out his latest licensed one again for next year, as well as publishing

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titles for classic rock acts like Iron Maiden and Queen. “This year we have also added the National Gallery licence, we have the worldwide rights with them, and we’re possibly looking at one of the students’ calendars from the National Calendar Awards.” Talking of the awards, Danilo were again successful in the 2015 event, with their Beatles Record Sleeve calendar lifting the Retail Media/Glamour/Celebrities title, the People’s Choice – voted for at the ceremony – went to the Kelly Brook title, and the big one of the Elephant Award for the Best Retail Calendar was won by their Frozen Wall Calendar. And the breadth and diversity of product shown by those wins is a big part of Danilo’s business model. Laurence added: “We do many titles. A different one for us last year was the Great British Bake Off which proved to be a great success, and we do The Archers too – you can’t get more different than that, although another unusual one is Vintage Shell, which is quite an interesting one, all about the marvellous nostalgic motoring adverts from Shell’s extensive archive.” With another successful Spring Fair under their belts, Licensing Director Trevor Jones added: “We’ve got a range of really hot licences this year that are attracting new customers as well as existing ones, from Frozen to One Direction to Minions, and Great British Bake Off, Star Wars etc. “At the show, as well as independents, we also had online retailers and overseas distributors who we haven’t met before, which was a pleasant surprise.” Credited with having kick-started the licensing business as the world knows it today, Danilo are still leading the way so, if you want to keep up with the big trends, take a look at their catalogue. T: 01992 702900 www.danilo.com

We’re at the W forefront f of all the trends – we actually identify many before anyone else

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CALENDARSPOSTERS POSTERS&PRINTS PRINTS

Where’s mine? TV star Janet Street-Porter called for a Crumbly Calendar in her very amusing speech when she presented the National Calendar Awards – which saw a first in the shape of student Louise Taylor who took her design from last year into production and won an award!

AVING starred in her own Crumbly Calendar, Janet Street-Porter was a great guest presenter at the National Calendar Awards – but she admitted it probably wouldn’t be a great seller.

As the presenter of TV’s Loose Women, journalist and star of a number of reality shows, Janet did have a bone to pick with the publishers, pointing out: “Cliff Richard has got a f*****g calendar! Where’s my calendar?” She explained the nearest she’s come is appearing in a version she and her friends made last year using photos of themselves on holiday which they christened the Crumbly Calendar, then her partner made a desk version with only pictures of herself as a make-up present after a row – but she hated it and threw it in the bin! Janet was introduced by David Pike, of The Calendar Club, at the January 21 ceremony held at Stationers’ Hall in central London for the sixth

year running, and she explained she had to dash off afterwards to the National Television Awards at the O2 with her Loose Women colleagues. Following the retirement of Gary Beck last year when he received a Lifetime Achievement Award for services to the calendar industry, it was the first time a guest presenter had also run the ceremony. And in a very amusing build-up before presenting the awards, Janet made the audience laugh with her own take on some of the titles then declared the People’s Choice Award, voted for on the night, “a blokes’ choice – and a fix” when it went to Danilo’s Kelly Brook glamour calendar. That made Danilo the biggest winners on the night with four awards, while Antalis, Allan & Bartram, Rose Calendars and Carousel Calendars each picked up three. The awards were opened by David who said: “It’s great to see so many publishers here this evening and I’m pleased to say that we had over A1 Best Corporate Bespoke Calendars Did You Know? – Antalis UK A2 Corporate Stock Calendars – Animals & Natural World Call Of The Wild – Allan & Bertram Design A3 Corporate Stock Calendars – Contemporary/Innovative Ethos – Rose Calendars A4 Corporate Stock Calendars – Scenic/Landscape Countryside Walks – Rose Calendars A5 Corporate Stock Calendars – Special Interest/Humour/Transport Vintage – Allan & Bertram Design B1 Free-standing Format Calendars One + Eleven – Allan & Bertram Design B2 Slimline Format RSPB Wildlife Slim 2015 – Carousel Calendars D1 Retail Calendar – Animals

20 www.greetingstoday.co.uk www. .co.uk

● It’s a date – Danilo’s Laurence Prince, Janet Street Porter and Online Calendar Shop’s Dilu Mukadam

400 entries this year, close to a record number – it’s particularly pleasing to see the high number and high quality of entries for the student category. “It has been another busy year for calendars and, as far as I can see, the number of retail outlets selling calendars is as high as ever. “Representing Calendar Club I might wish it were otherwise, but a vibrant retail sector represents a fantastic opportunity for publishers and we can see here this evening how well

they have responded to the opportunity – so much for the doomsayers who claim the calendar’s days are numbered!” Tom Hempenstall, the immediate past Master of the Stationers’ Company, then told the audience: “It’s hard to believe that the humble calendar is still about in this digital world. There were 25million sold in the UK in the run-up to Christmas. “I used to be the publisher of the Investment Calendar and we sold around 40,000 units a year. It always amused me to see these paper products sitting on the top of the dealers’ screens in the city, and they’re still there today. “All tastes are catered for and, as you can see from the students’ entries, a calendar is not only about having a series of numbers in a row. I’m particularly impressed by the diversity of the students’ awards.”

T: 020 8390 3507 www.ncawards.co.uk

Lighting up design

THE most talked-about award of the night was the Cause-Related category which was won by self-publisher Louise Taylor with her Light Of Christ work that she’s updated for 2015 having been highly-commended in the student category last January. It’s the first time one of the student’s calendars has gone through to production and all the judges were extremely impressed by Louise’s approach and determination. Currently in her final year at Blackpool And The Fylde College, her graphic design lecturer Paul Sealey collected the award on her behalf and said: “I’m really proud of her. She put a lot of work into it, all the images were hand-drawn then we had to break them up into the fractalised style so it looks like stained glass. “It’s fantastic that she’s taken it into production and to win this award is brilliant.” Louise said: “It’s crazy, I was shocked when I found out. It didn’t even cross my mind that I’d be the first student to take my calendar into print because some of them have been really good. “I did the original in about eight weeks on from beginning to end, and was highly commended in the student awards. “I had a lot of positive feedback from friends and family and with my mum being a vicar, Rev Rachel Battershell, she was showing it to a lot of people and they all said they’d be interested, so we decided to see if there was a market out there. “I’ve sold about 300 this year and when I finish uni I want to give the calendar a bit of a chance, and really push it.”

National Calendar Awards 2015 winners Penguins – Avonside Publishing D2 Retail Calendar – Scenic/Landscape London 2015 – Pyramid International D3 Retail Calendar – Humour/Characters Kelloggs Planner – Grange Communications D4 Retail Calendar – Media/Glamour/Celebrities Beatles Record Sleeve Calendar – Danilo Promotions D5 Retail Calendar – Classical & Contemporary Art National Portrait Gallery – Flame Tree Publishing D6 Retail Calendar – Transport Global Mission – Eight Days A Week D7 Retail Calendar – Illustration Mum’s Fabric & Buttons Household Wall Planner 2015 – Carousel Calendars

E Cause-Related Light Of Christ Calendar 2015 – Louise Taylor C Wynkyn de Worde Student Awards Trophy: Alzheimer’s Research UK, Sharna GuestCrossle, Blackpool & The Fylde College Certificate of Merit Doodle Desk Calendar – Rachel Higgins, Blackpool Typical Life As A University Student – Kirsty Richmond, Blackpool Farmyard Friends – Carrie Stevens, Blackpool Highly Commended The Pet Collective – Jonathan Stannard, Blackpool Pantone 2015 A Year of Colour – Laura Leeder, York College F1 Excellence In Production Trophy: Ethos – Rose Calendars F2 Excellence In Photograpy

www.lightofchristcalendar.co.uk Pirelli 2015 – Living With Print F3 Excellence In Design Mum’s Fabric & Buttons Household Wall Planner 2015 – Carousel Calendars F4 Excellence In Digital Calendar FSG Agri Digital Calendar – Rose Calendars F5 Excellence in Illustration Did You Know? – Antalis UK F6 New Title Disney Frozen Wall Calendar – Danilo Promotions The Elephant Award (Best Retail Calendar) Disney Frozen Wall Calendar – Danilo Promotions The Fred Kendrick Award Did You Know? – Antalis UK The People’s Choice 2015 Kelly Brook, Danilo Promotions

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CALENDARSPOSTERS POSTERS&PRINTS PRINTS

Planning on nine designs LICENSED product is doing well for teNeues, with their new ranges featuring nine different artists and designers on calendars and planners. Carola Van Dyke – there’s a new 30x30 Grid Calendar based on this artist’s beautiful textile beasties including squirrel, deer, rabbit, fox and bull. Belle & Boo – new to teNeues are three beautiful products from this British lifestyle brand known for original, nostalgic storybook illustrations of children. Characters are drawn playing or simply pondering life, and are loved by grown-ups and children alike. The 17 month square wall Family Planner includes more than 150 activity and event stickers, and there are two Magneto Diaries at 16x22cm and 10x15cm. Nikki McWillams – the Scottish designer’s bright and playful biscuit images provide the perfect pick-me-up in their new square wall Time For Tea 12 Month Kitchen Planner, dedicated to everyone’s fascination with the ritual of the tea break. London, John Hind Archive – a square wall calendar with nostalgic images through the lens of this English photographer has retro colour pictures of Piccadilly Circus,

London buses and the British Bobby directing traffic among others. Happy Folk, Sean Sims – the Brighton-based illustrator’s collection of vibrant and fun designs features happy characters and nostalgia from the 1980s in a new 30x30 grid calendars. New Product Releases – joining teNeues’ bestselling GreenLine Range are four 23x48cm planners, with artwork by Lynne Marie Polito, Matt Dinnimann, Valentina and Cinnamon Aitch. Matt Dinnimann’s designs cover the Planner For Two, while the others come with five columns for friends and family members.

T: 020 3542 8997 www.teneues.com

Bonnie wee map THE first in a series of stylish prints from Bonnie Blackbird, this map of Scottish whiskies covers the six major single malt distillery regions across the most famous whisky-producing country in the world. Currently available as A3 unmounted prints and 12x16in mounted, with larger sizes possible on request. The maps are printed using 315gsm smooth cotton-based cardstock, and are securely wrapped in cello. Alternative map designs currently in production include other popular interests such as Great British Ales and UK Golf Clubs.

T: 07799 280584 www.bonnieblackbird.com

At the heart of their business

Modern matches DESIGNER Ese Akpojotor runs Sweet Design Studio and has just launched her new collection of prints which solely focus on modern couples with matching outfits. “My range shows diversity, contemporary fashion and introduces my greetings cards to a newer audience,” she said.

T: 07554 235 628 www.sweetdesignstudio.co.uk

22 www. www.greetingstoday.co.uk .co.uk

WITH more than 28 years’ experience, posters are at the heart of GB Eye’s business and they understand the fast-moving nature of the market so have developed a broad range of exciting products. Spurred on by the success of their awardwinning Foil Posters, the drive to innovate has led to the development of Micro Posters, Photo Packs, MirriBoard Posters and Blueprints which have been added to some of their leading poster ranges to delight customers and open new doors for GB Eye. Their determination to make sure their range appeals to all demographics is evident in the diverse and expansive range of licences they hold. From the very young through the very alternative to the mass market hits, they hold licences to suit all retailers. With strong gaming and football ranges, GB Eye’s open-minded approach to all new IP means they’re often ahead of the trend and ready to fulfil your needs. This year will see continued growth of their core poster range, with great new licences including Insurgent, Jurassic World, GAA, World Of Warriors, Teletubbies, Thunderbirds, Dreamworks Roster, Pokemon, Attack On Titan and a PlayStation Roster plus the

continuation of best sellers such as Warner Brothers, The Walking Dead, Monster High and Volkswagen. GB Eye’s wall art product range has seen an incredibly reaction from retailers and they have now launched their first standalone art catalogue. Featuring trend-driven images and more traditional subjects they work with new and established artists to bring a fresh feel to wall art. Printing product in house allows GB Eye to offer a wide variety of sizes and formats and their design team are always on hand to work with clients on bespoke projects. Their improved 30 x 40cm Collector Print range continues to take the market by storm with the stand-out 2014 successes being Doctor Who, DC Comics, Justice League, Batman, Sherlock and The Walking Dead, and many new images are to come in 2015. GB Eye’s products are all responsibly sourced with as much as possible being bought in from the local area and, where possible, manufactured in-house using their state-of-the-art facilities.

T: 0114 276 7454 www.gbeye.com

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CALENDARSPOSTERS POSTERS&PRINTS PRINTS

Off to market quickly

Huge selection of 1,000 titles IT’S been an excellent year for Exeter-based publisher and distributor Carousel Calendars, who distributed more than 5,800,000 calendars and diaries in 2014. Carousel are the UK’s largest distributor of calendars, offering a huge selection of over 1,000 titles to a range of clients, covering all categories, from entertainment and sport to humour, travel, animal and advent calendars, including popular licensed and charity titles. More than 50 titles have been added to their 2016 range including new licensed products with exciting brands such as WWF, National Trust, Matt Sewell and The Hairy Bikers. They’re introducing more formats for the over £10 price point with three formats, Deluxe Organisers, Week To View Wire-o-Wall and A3 Deluxe Organisers. Their Page-A-Day boxed desk calendars now feature a magnetic fold-up base with a wooden pencil attached. At Spring Fair they launched Young At Heart, a brand-new £5.99 RRP series of humour calendars with comical illustrations by Silvey Jex, while exciting new licences include their Off The Leash slim calendar, Sooty & Sweep and a range of Beryl Cook calendars for the first time. Also new for 2016 is the unique Your Family & Friends Pictures deluxe A4 planner.

PYRAMID International spent 2014 year strengthening existing partnerships with global brands at the same time as ensuring they’re always looking to identify the next big licence and bring it to market quickly to drive sales and offer customers genuinely exciting products. They have seen strong growth on posters and wall art, and delivered significantly enhanced ranges of merchandise to a worldwide customer base. Key licences for wall art include Marvel, Star Wars, Frozen, DC Comics, CocaCola and Despicable Me. Pyramid’s ranges of stationery, mugs and associated merchandise have been dramatically and successfully increased and they have further exciting new developments in the pipeline for 2015. Marvel Studios release two movies this year, Avengers Age Of Ultron and Ant Man, with new products to be added to the extensive Marvel collection through wall art, new colour change stationery, 3D lenticular notebooks and new accessories sets. And new for 2015 are Game Of Thrones products ahead of the new series five in April – with wall art, ceramic mugs, coasters, travel mugs, key chains and more coming soon.

T: 0116 284 3640 www.pyramidinternational.com

10 million and still going

T: 01392 826482 www.carouselcalendars.com

DURING 2014 Avonside Publishing had their 10 millionth calendar printed and they’re looking forward to printing the next 10 million. With this exciting prospect in mind they have introduced 12 new and interesting titles for 2016 covering a wide variety of subjects that will be added to the core range of more than 265 titles published. The new titles are 4x4 Off Roading, Fiat 500, Tanks, Australia, Landscapes, Lighting, Wales, Cockapoo, Funky Mutts, Sloths, Burlesque and Retro Pin Ups. Avonside are riding on their success from last year, having been presented with the supplier of the year award from Calendar Club, and are proud to announce that they won the Best Retail Animal Calendar 2015 title in the National Calendar Awards. They offer three main formats of calendars – square wall calendars, slim wall calendar and A3 organiser wall calendars.

T: 01225 704060 www.avonsidepublishing.co.uk

A date to celebrate

Cereal award winners

INNOVATIVE calendar and diary company Boxhouse Publishing are celebrating their 10th anniversary having grown from just two products to a full range and seven full-time staff. Started by Sarah Sadler on her kitchen table, the company specialises in creating innovative calendars, diaries and organisational stationery to help busy mothers manage their lives. “We’ve come a long way since I created my first calendar and diary after finding that none of the products on the market fulfilled my needs,” Sarah said, “I decided to create my own and the Organised Mum brand was born!” The company plan to celebrate their first decade in business with customer competitions and giveaways when the new 2016 range is available in June.

CALENDAR and annuals publishers Grange Communications have picked up another top accolade as their Kellogg’s Retro Family Organiser 2015 won the humour and characters category in The National Calendar Awards for the second time in three years. MD Lindsay Reid collected the trophy at the calendar industry’s annual bash in Stationers Hall, London. “We’re obviously destined to be cereal winners of this award,” he quipped after sharing the stage with TV and radio celebrity Janet Street Porter. Edinburgh-based Grange publishes and distributes a huge range of officially licensed calendars, annuals, diaries and greetings cards – covering everything from entertainment to sport.

T: 0845 644 7507 www.boxhousepublishing.com

24 www.greetingstoday.co.uk www. .co.uk

T: 0131 557 3017 www.grangecommunications.co.uk www.facebook.com/greetingstodaymag @greetingstoday

CALENDARSPOSTERS POSTERS&PRINTS PRINTS

Practical and decorative THE calendar is a unique printed product that serves both a practical and a decorative function and for this reason, it will never go out of style. But it changes and evolves, and at BrownTrout they want to lead this evolution through innovative designs and concepts. They continue to push the boundaries in terms of new titles and different product formats with more than 100 new titles for this year in their catalogue among a collection of 1,000 calendars, planners and diaries including many from their partnerships with some of the world’s best calendar publishers. BrownTrout are still seeing major growth in the family planner and the ever-popular animal humour category where Yoga Cats & Dogs wall and slim formats have proven to be a huge success over the years, so the welcome addition of Cow Yoga for 2016 will help grow this area even more.

T: 0117 317 1880 www.browntroutuk.com

Art sales on the up

Fresh perspectives

WITH art publishers reporting an upsurge in art sales last year, it's clear more consumers are considering art as a gift, in addition to the traditional impulse purchase. Star Editions were art publishers long before they entered the card and gift world and art sales are very much on the up. In their Children's Collection they produce art featuring Quentin Blake's unmistakable Roald Dahl characters, as well as Miffy, Moomin and, new for 2015, Shirley Hughes' Alfie. Their regional art prints have taken sales to a new level, both with the Vintage Travel Poster Collection from the National Railway Museum and also their latest contemporary take from Dave Thompson Illustration. At Spring Fair Star Editions showcased their first-ever collection of calendars, featuring Dave’s unmistakable work.

A FRESH perspective on retail calendars is Allan & Bartram’s slogan this year as they launched their new collection of wall and easel calendars officially at Spring Fair. Highlights include motoring classics such as Vantage, Octane and Evo licensed calendars, the ever-popular British Army official calendar and brand-new official licensed Cyclist title for guys who enjoy the big ride! Customers will also be drawn to their unique natural wildlife calendar range, while those who like to bake will be delighted with Lindy Smith’s latest sugarcraft.

T: 01449 721304. www.stareditions.com

T: 01509 509509 www.allanandbartram.com

The ethos is winning

Tell em about the bunny mummy

ROSE Calendars are one of the UK’s leading suppliers of promotional calendars and recently won two awards for a product at the prestigious National Calendar Awards in London. The judges awarded Rose’s 2015 Ethos Calendar trophies for best innovative business calendar and the overall winner and most impressive in high quality production. The inspirational words, quality of production, stunning imagery, specialist finishes employed on the cover, and use of specially-chosen heavyweight art paper combine to create lasting impressions. With blind embossing, matt lamination and selective UV gloss coating enhancements, this is one of many advertising calendars offered by Rose Calendars for B2B customers.

BISCUIT Bunny is the star of Love from Lemonade’s colourful new range that includes six gorgeous 210x210m prints. Printed on a quality 280gsm Old Mill Stucco FSC board, they come wrapped in a cello bag with a protective branded backing board which features a Biscuit Bunny design on the reverse, perfect for kids to colour in. The prints can be purchased individually or as a set, and the range includes cards, postcards, coasters and gift wrap.

T: 01206 844500 www.rosecalendars.co.uk www.facebook.com/greetingstodaymag @greetingstoday

T: 07833 089098 www.lovefromlemonade.co.uk

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IT’S ALL ABOUT SALES

URING an appointment with a potential retailer one of the sales features agents can offer is exclusivity.

What’s exclusivity?

“If you take the range I won’t offer it to anyone else in the town.” Customers’ eyes light up and “Great” they say, “I’ll order”! Of course, as a reputable sales agent I do my best to stick to this but the rules surrounding exclusivity aren’t always quite so black and white. What happens if, as an agent, we take on a new range and the company already supplies a shop in the town close by to our best-ever customer? I always tell customers my own rule of thumb What happens if two customers from the same – if the nearest shop isn’t within a reasonable town order at the same trade walking distance so you have fair hours apart? to drive to get there, then it’s And what do we do if a probably far enough away not new shop in a town wants to to be a direct competitor. put in a much larger order We also have to consider if over a store that only makes the customer base is different the one minimum order a between the two shops. year? For instance, is one a farm Those are some of the shop on the outskirts of town ● In a spin – Alina with dilemmas and decisions that where families and visitors Debbie Hatch at Paper an agent faces – so there head to at the weekend and Moon in Dore, Sheffield are no hard and fast rules the other in the town centre concerning exclusivity but a commercial and attracting students and office workers? experienced choice has to be made. It can sometimes be difficult to make an

informed decision on this if you don’t live in the area as it’s hard to know what the local people’s habits are. Order value has to be considered and who ordered first, along with who’ll order most frequently, then there’s which shop demonstrates a commitment to the brand or range and creates a stunning display to show the product off to its best so will hit maximum potential. As the sales agent managing the area, that’s what we have to do, manage it. There’s no right or wrong over who has what and where but a reasonable decision needs to be reached that keeps everyone happy. That’s what we hope for anyway, after it’s sent your head into a spin!

Gimme gimme gimme… a good men’s card range

INCE joining the greetings industry I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve heard customers ask “do you not have any good men’s cards?” or “it’s so hard to get a good men’s range”. If you’re looking for cards for women you can’t help but trip over a vast number featuring flowers, shoes, handbags and pastel colours etc. Yet when it comes to men’s cards there seems to be a lack of good designs that don’t fall into one of the cliché themes. I’m not sure if this is because women are easier to design for or because men don’t have much interest in cards so there isn’t as much demand for them. Bearing in mind though, that women are probably the ones buying the cards for men, maybe the products should be aimed more at what would appeal to a woman buying for a man rather than what men like? I did a poll of the types of cards available for men in a few of my key accounts and most ranges tend to fall into one of a few categories – sports/hobbies, booze, cheeky humour or garden sheds and slippers. There doesn’t seem to be many really strong

majority rather than the new wave of metrosexual ranges for men if you’re a teetotal, non-sport men who never forget a birthday and always send player with no sense of humour and not yet a card – I’ve heard tell a few of these seeminglyknocking on heaven’s door. mythical creatures really do exist! That wouldn’t make a good lonely hearts ad LOL So I guess from a publishers’ point of view – “40-something teetotal, non-sport player with no when the turnover of men’s cards is a lot slower sense of humour seeks similar for long walks and than women’s there isn’t as much gluten-free, vegan, lactose-intolerant incentive to focus on this area of romantic dinners for two!” :-) the market? This does then leave a People have also pointed out that rather large opening for someone to when publishers do bring out new come along and really nail it. men’s ranges the colour palette tends A few companies do seem to to be a lot duller and uninspiring. have got it spot on – I won’t name On the whole I’m sure most men them so not to offend or appear don’t take that much interest in the biased – but, the trouble is, there card they receive if they even bother ● No cliches – aren’t enough of them to go around. about receiving them at all. Neil at Raffia in Usually the strong men’s ranges If they’re anything like my dad Clitheroe, Lancs have already been snapped up by they’re more interested in checking the shop in each town that’s been there the longest, if it contains money than they are about how much leaving the rest of the stores no option but to stock time and effort someone has taken to choose a card football, pints and allotments. that suits their personality! So, in a market that has so much competition Women probably enjoy receiving a card more, maybe there’s a gap for a really strong men’s and like to take their time choosing the right card range that could really take off, rather than another to suit each recipient, whereas in the main men female range that would just be swallowed up in probably think them a waste of money. the sea of florals and pastels? I know I’m generalising, but I’m going with the

Neil Anthony (Reil (Reil Agencies, T: 07766 736254) and Alina Clark (T: 07906 792420) are experienced independent greetings industry sales agents in the North West and North East of England respectively. Each month they share their experiences of life on the road.

26 www.greetingstoday.co.uk

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Fashion meets Function You always find something new at the London Stationery Show. See thousands of stationery and writing products from over two hundred different suppliers from around the world, all in one place. To find out whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s exhibiting and register for free entry, go to www.stationeryshow.co.uk For information about National Stationery Week and World Stationery Day, go to www.nationalstationeryweek.com Join the conversations

@StationeryBytes @NatStatWeek

StationeryShow NationalStationeryWeek

Stationery Event of the Year

WEDDING&ANNIVERSARYCARDS

Figuring it out W

WITH 42 per cent of weddings happening in July, August and September, it’s no wonder retailers are busy ensuring their shelves will be stocked with appropriate cards with more supplies waiting in the wings. And the very good thing about lots of weddings is they then lead to matching anniversaries – well, hopefully the happy couple make it through the first 12 months at least – so a plentiful supply of anniversary cards is also required over the summer months too. In the latest figures available from the Office Of National Statistics, General Register Office For Scotland and Northern Ireland Statistics & Research Agency, there were 262,240 marriages in England and Wales in 2012, which works out at one every two minutes, with 27,547 in Scotland and 8,480 in Northern Ireland. And weddings are on the up as that was a 5.3 per cent increase on 2011 in England and Wales, when there were 249,133, with a 6.6 per cent rise over the previous two years. ou might expect that because of the rise in the population but actually the numbers are significantly down from the high of 470,559 in 1940 given the modern day acceptance of couples living together. Tradition is still important with 78 per cent of brides determined to have something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue on their wedding day, according to www.hitched-wife.co.uk They also found that while in the States many couples choose to have the photographs of the bridal party taken before the ceremony, 84 per cent of British couples stick to tradition and don’t see each other at all on the day before the wedding. Unsurprisingly, Saturday is the most popular day to tie the knot, with 57 per cent of ceremonies taking place, Friday is next at 19 per cent, and Tuesday is the least popular day with just 3.5 per cent of couples choosing it. January is the least popular month with only two per cent of couples choosing to wed at the start of the year and, perhaps surprisingly given the presence of Valentine’s Day, February isn’t far ahead with just four per cent of ceremonies, the same as November. In England, Rutland card retailers should make sure they have plenty of designs in stock throughout the year as it’s the local authority

28 www.greetingstoday.co.uk

‘

The wedding T iindustry d is worth a whopping £10bn a yearr

’

where the most marriages take place per capita of population, while the most popular region is the south-west, while Sandwell in the West Midlands has only 25 per cent of the usual number of weddings compared to the average for the whole of England, with Walsall, Luton, Stoke-on-Trent and Sunderland the next least popular. Civil ceremonies accounted for 70 per cent of

all marriages in 2012 – which has gradually being increasing since 1976, the year the proportion of marriages that were civil ceremonies first exceeded religious ceremonies, while back in 1961 70 per cent of all marriages took place in religious premises. Anglican services accounted for 24 per cent of the religious ceremonies, with 3.6 per cent

being Catholic, four per cent other Christian, and 1.4 per cent other religions and 156,480, or 60 per cent, of weddings took place in approved premises such as hotels, stately homes and historic buildings.Just 15 per cent were remarriages for both parties, with 67 per cent first marriages for both partners. In a survey by www.hitched-wife.co.uk last year, the wedding industry is worth a whopping £10billion every year, with the whole shebang, from engagement through to the honeymoon, costing £36,127 on average, with £21,307 of that down to the guests with the cost of their clothes, accommodation, gifts, food and drink, travel and stag and hen events. The total spend on the actual wedding is £14,820 with 80 per cent going on the day and the rest on the honeymoon, and just eight per cent of the brides’ parents pick up the whole bill, 56 per cent of couples shared the cost with their families, and 31.5 per cent pay for it all themselves. On average couples spend 16 months planning their big day and 27 per cent of them have been together between three and five years, while 7.8 per cent have been dating for a year or less with the average age of the UK bride being 31 – the youngest bride www. hitched-wife.co.uk spoke to was 18 and the oldest was 68. The average couple had 79 guests at the ceremony with a further 40 coming to the evening reception – so that’s a good stack of congratulations cards required – and 68 per cent chose a traditional wedding cake, while 79 per cent of brides bought a new gown from a bridalwear shop, and just 12 per cent planned to sell their dress afterwards. White gold – an alloy of gold and other precious metals for strength and plated in rhodium – is the most popular metal for wedding rings, chosen by 47 per cent of brides and grooms, while 29 per cent go for the more expensive platinum and just 11 per cent for the traditional gold ring. Since same-sex marriages became legal on March 29 last year, the first three months saw 1,409 take place with 796 between female couples and 613 between males – and the three days of March 29, 30, and 31 saw 95 weddings compared with the 1,227 civil partnerships that took place in the first three days after those became legal on December 21, 2005. With the Marriages (Same Sex Couples) Act 2013 enabling civil partners to convert their partnership into a marriage maybe there’s a potential new card design in the offing!

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● Images from www.hitched-wife.co.uk

Figures can be fascinating and, with summer the busiest time for weddings as well as anniversaries retailers know they need to find just the right cards – here’s some interesting statistics about big days, brides, grooms and how much it all costs.

Anniversary Collection C

by Nigel Quiney Publications

elebrating our most treasured

nniversaries

A boutique of 14 highly finished Anniversary cards A themed range of contemporary images designed to create impact in store Fantastic finishes include die-cut corners, flute foil, pearling and silver and gold flitter Must-have titles such as Husband, Wife, Mum & Dad and milestone Anniversaries Price codes range from C40 through to C100, our most highly finished range ou tto date, offering great value!

. .

Cloudesley House Shire Hill Saffron Walden Essex CB11 3FB T: 01799 520200 F: 01799 520100 www.nigelquiney.com www.facebook.com/nigelquineypublicationslimited

WEDDING&ANNIVERSARYCARDS

Ant, do you take Dec….

There’s a lot of love going around

THE official union of Ant and Dec is Lesser Spotted Images’ idea of the wedding of the year! It's from the new range called Jim'll Paint It, as owner Dominic Greyer said: “I know it's contentious but the artist’s name's Jim and he paints whatever people ask him to paint!” The designs are 150x150mm and come wrapped in sixes at 95p.

A WHOLE new batch of Velvet anniversary cards have been brought out by Jonny Javelin, with 27 new titles of which 16 are to do with wedding, anniversary, fiancé/ fiancée, birthday and partner birthday. “There’s a lot of love around obviously,” said Jonny, “our anniversary cards are fantastic sellers year in, year out and these cards aren’t replacing any existing titles, they’re new additions to the range, produced following many customer requests. “We’ve pitched these latest ones in our code 75 bracket which retail at £1.99 but we think we may well need to increase the number of our larger ones too. These bigger versions sell at £3.49. “We have a great set of wedding cards already in the Velvet collection and these sell consistently well at the same rate over a longer period of time than other titles – by the nature of the occasion, customers seem to buy the same wedding card time after time. “However, to keep our retailers happy and to keep their racks refreshed, we’ll be adding to the wedding list in the spring.”

T: 07932 086581 www.lesserspotted.myshopify.com

Sitting on cloud nine SAFFRON Cards And Gifts have some gorgeous new wedding and anniversary cards to share with you. Their new luxury handmade ranges Adorn and Couture really have the wow factor and, for something stand-out and contemporary, you can see the new designs from their Bright White and Cloud Nine ranges.

T: 01932 888338 www.saffroncards.co.uk

T: 01423 563740 www.jonnyjavelin.co.uk

Adding new to Vintage BLUE Eyed Sun are adding six new wedding and two anniversary designs to their best-selling Vintage range of stitched cards. Based on original, free-hand, machinestitched embroideries by artist Jo Corner, this range continues to be a huge hit with retailers around the world. Printed in Blue Eyed Sun’s distinctive, bright and colourful style the cards are all hand finished with jewels and the new designs include weddings, anniversaries and other key occasions. Retailing at £2.99, trade £1.25 each, there are now 130 everyday designs in the 160x160mm range, with cards sold in sixes and cello-wrapped with a coloured envelope.

T: 01273 823003 www.blueeyedsun.co.uk

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WEDDING&ANNIVERSARYCARDS

The best of three AS BEFITS Britain’s biggest card publishers, UK Greetings have a number of wedding and anniversary cards to cover most occasions, and have recently brought out new designs in three ranges, Gatsby Inspired, Disney and Words. Gatsby inspired – UK Greetings have created a line of sophisticated, luxurious, Great Gatsby-themed designs which feature art deco patterns, laser die-cut effects and flitter finishes. These refined, classic sends are inspired by the glitz and glamour of the 1920s, with antique colour palettes and simple but heart-warming words. Disney – Say congratulations with everyone’s favourite couple…Mickey and Minnie Mouse. These loved-up sketches with fairy-tale sentiment celebrate saying ‘I do’ in classic Disney fashion. Disney Click features original Mickey and Minnie Mouse art and a trendy colour palette which will really stand out on the rack. Celebrate the happy couple’s perfect day with the enchanting Disney Pearls and Wisdom range. Featuring Cinderella and her prince this design delivers just the right amount of romance and magic, as well the most iconic words for a fairytale beginning. Words – To fill the gap in the market for Gen-Y occasion sends, UK Greetings have developed a collection of quirky

designs which offer a unique way of saying congratulations, or telling the one you love just how much they mean to you. The designs are fresh and trend lead – a must have for the younger consumer. The line from UK Greetings also caters for the more traditional consumer looking for heartfelt sentiment and conventional styling. Set on pretty, romantic backgrounds these classic designs put the feelings you long to express into words. As an alternative to heavy sentiment, the UKG line also includes simple send designs with short but sweet edit-packed full of love and well wishes.

T: 01924 465200 www.ukgreetings.co.uk

All the numbers LOOKING for a little romance? You’ll find wedding and anniversary cards galore at Holy Mackerel. Amanda Seymour’s CMaw At Holy Mackerel range has a host of contemporary designs, featuring her well-loved quirky birds. Bright and light-hearted they’re a great choice for something a little bit different. And if you’re after the full gamut of anniversary cards then Erica Sturla’s One Lump Or Two range has all of the numbered anniversaries from one to 15, and then every fifth anniversary from 20th to 70th – china and platinum in case you’re wondering! New for 2015 Erica has designed beautiful husband and wife anniversary cards, who could resist them?

T: 01297 33899 www.holy-mackerel.co.uk www.facebook.com/greetingstodaymag @greetingstoday

www.greetingstoday.co.uk 31

WEDDING&ANNIVERSARYCARDS

Celebrate happiness

Something for all tastes ABACUS offer a wide selection of wedding, anniversary and engagement cards as well as wedding accessories such as money wallets and invitation acceptance and regret cards. The publishers launch a new batch of designs every summer as well as a dedicated wedding package every February. The most recent releases included large 198x198mm cards with multiple finishing and paper inserts, as well as same-sex cards captioned Mr & Mr and Mrs & Mrs. This January also saw the introduction of a series of extralarge cards, suitable for multi-signature sending, among which is a wedding title. With such a variety of sizes, designs and price points on offer, Abacus have something to suit all tastes and pockets.

EACH passing year of happiness should always be celebrated and Nigel Quiney Publications have produced their most highly-finished anniversary range to date to mark the special occasion. There are 14 beautiful cards themed with contemporary images and finished with die cutting, flute foiling, pealing and gold and silver flitter. The must-have titles include Husband, Wife, Mum, day and milestone anniversaries with price codes ranging from C40 through to C100 to great value.

T: 01799 520200 www.nigelquiney.com

Wonderful Moonrise

T: 01638 569050 www.abacuscards.co.uk

Just your type DORSET-based The Typecast Gallery have a new collection called Just My Type with crafted typographic illustrations composed from witty words by designer Cheryl Matthes. The 122x167mm cards come in distinctive colourways and all 24 are printed on finetextured GF Smith Accent Antique Silk paper, and cello-wrapped with brown fleck envelopes.

T: 01202 849566 www.thetypecastgallery.co.uk

THE Grand Moonrise is the title of Velvet Oliveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new wedding collection, which includes eight titles relevant to the big day, from Engagement and Wedding Day, through Acceptance and With Regret to Anniversary. All the 120x170mm designs are printed on to FSC certified board made from 30 per cent post-consumer recycled waste and are produced with 100 per cent green energy, using by-products from citrus fruits, replacing up to 15 per cent of virgin tree pulp, giving a distinctive texture and appearance.

T: 01424 236222 www.velvetolive.co.uk

Brightly embellished

Cheeky or squishy

BRIGHT line-drawn illustrations from Laura Sherratt Designs include handmade wedding cards in her new ArtyKrafty range. Hand-embellished in the UK with a variety of items including their new wooden buttons in various shapes, the 30 designs also include 150x150mm occasions, birthdays and special relative cards printed on a brown kraft background, and a trade price of ÂŁ1.35 each.

COCKADOODLE Design have a variety of wedding and anniversary cards ranging from cheeky to just down right squishy so you'll have no problems finding an appropriate card for the happy couple! All cards are 3D and 100 per cent designed, printed and handmade by the designer and publisher Pauline Swindells.

T: 01538 384566 www.laurasherrattdesigns.co.uk

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Time to celebrate

ALWAYS Sparkle's Let's Celebrate card range is a luxurious hand-finished collection featuring 36 designs. These luxury cards are perfect for extra special occasions like weddings and anniversaries, printed on white pearlescent card and come individually wrapped in a cello bag with a white envelope.

T: 07940 726842 www.alwayssparkle.co.uk

T: 07792 862140 www.cockadoodle design.co.uk

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ON THE SHOP F RONT VIEWPOINT FROM AN INDEPENDENT

HILE I’ve only been trading in the greetings industry for four years, it’s amazing how quickly you can learn without any experience, just an utter determination to make a dream succeed.

Some people might see four years as an apprenticeship, but when you live and breathe the job, it’s amazing how much you can achieve in such a short space of time. I’m Jo and I opened the Stationery & Gift Boutique in Ampthill, in Bedfordshire in 2011. Having spent more than 20 years working my way up the corporate ladder in the motor industry and securing probably one of the best jobs I could have hoped for, I always hankered after my own shop, working for myself selling the things I loved. After meeting up with a good friend in early 2011 and being told she’d received a life-changing diagnosis, I knew it was time to make that leap, It meant leaving behind a good salary, company car, pension and healthcare but, sometimes these things aren’t enough, I suddenly realised life was too short and I didn’t want to always wonder “What if…” I had to open my shop! I made my decision to resign from my job just days before the start of Spring Fair, I had no premises and absolutely no idea where to go for suppliers, so I registered for a ticket and thought I’d get all my answers there. Walking into the foyer at the NEC for the first time, I was shaking with nerves in case the person printing my ticket saw through my plan and knew I wasn’t technically a trade visitor and would be asked to leave – thankfully they handed it to me without question and I was in. I remember walking around the halls in utter amazement, there was so much to take in and, while I think I have a pretty good head for business, it was a completely different world for me, I didn’t have a clue. When I saw a lady ordering some cards I loitered behind her so I could listen to her conversation and try to pick up some buzz words. I’d no idea what margins I should expect and all I was interested in was how much the minimum order value was. Everybody seemed to know each other and I felt that at any moment someone would ask me what I was doing there and order me to leave! I managed to gather as much info as I could, making excuses why I had no business cards or business email address and was back in my car a few hours later. What a waste of an opportunity that was, I now spend at least two full days at Spring Fair – I was learning!

Living the dream ‘

so managed to secure the perfect lease, strong enough to protect me but flexible enough should everything take off and I needed larger premises. Failure was never something I planned for, after all this was my dream. After working a lengthy notice period I collected the keys and began the transformation from a shop that sold wet fish, to a boutique selling luxury cards, stationery and wrap, and in s April 2011 we began trading. A I still remember the awful feeling in the pit of my stomach both the night before, and on the morning before the doors opened for the first time. It was a glorious sunny spring day but I was shivering with nerves. What if nobody came, what if nobody liked what I sold, what if the shop had burnt down overnight? Secretly I hoped it had burnt down overnight, so I could satisfy myself that I had at least tried and could go back to a proper job! Disappointingly, when I walked towards the shop there wasn’t a queue outside but during that first morning people did come in, and although there weren’t many customers to begin with, the ones we had seemed to like what I sold. When I shut up shop that evening, having taken a measly £55.20, I was the happiest I could have been. Over the coming months I’ll share with you how I got through the early days, and built up the business – the ups, the downs and even the occasional hand grenade that’s been thrown in my direction. I don’t suppose mine is the only business to have suffered at the hands of a competitor, what they don’t realise, though, is that it helps makes you stronger and more determined!

I loitered trying to pick up some buzz wordss

● New at this game – Jo at Spring Fair after the Power 30 awards, and her shop in Ampthill

Armed with my glossy brochures and with the help of Google, I researched everything I could about the industry, possible suppliers and competitors and just a few days later handed in my resignation and set off to make my dream a reality. We were in the depths of the recession back in 2011 so it wasn’t too tricky finding an empty shop and one thing I was good at was negotiating,

In four years Jo Barber has gone from having no greetings retail experience to being named in the top five of the Buyers Power List at Spring Fair 2015 as her shop, The Stationery & Gift Boutique in Ampthill, Beds, has gone from strength to strength. T: 01525 404742 info@stationery-boutique.co.uk www.facebook.com/greetingstodaymag @greetingstoday

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MALE&FATHER’SDAYCARDS

WHAT THE RETAILERS SAY Lata Patel

Jeenals Long Lane, Hillingdon, London “We do Father’s Day although it’s not as big as Mother’s Day, it tends to be traditional stuff because we have a Post Office as well so we get a lot of local people and that’s the sort of thing they like.”

Kaye Thurgood

Sincerely Yours Hutton Road, Shenfield, Essex “We do very well with Father’s Day cards but I’m finding it increasingly difficult to source good, innovative everyday product for men. Humour is very popular, as is simple, elegant hand-made. Pigment humour sells extremely well and the Five Dollar Shake male cards are well received by my customers.”

Paul Mordecai

Hallmark Gold Crown High Street, Leighton Buzzard, Beds, & Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Herts “Father’s Day is not as good as Mother’s Day, it’s a little uplift, a little increase in June which is nice but it’s not as good as our other seasons. Hallmark are my main suppliers but we do a lot of the smaller publishers too, Jonny Javelin, ICG, Paperlink, Paper Rose, and Second Nature – I don’t want to miss anyone out and they all sell well.”

Rak & Michelle Vasani Hallmark & Thorntons High Street, Hornchurch, Essex

“Father’s Day is not our busiest season but we could do with more male cards all the time. We need different ones, 85 per cent of all cards are aimed at women and we need more male designs that are different, we’re on the High Street so try to offer something different to people.”

Moaaz & Nafish Member Hoxton Hallmark, Hoxton Street, London

“We do Father’s Day cards which is one of our smaller occasions. We’re a Hallmark store so they’re our big sellers and we also do Special Occasions and Carte Blanche in Father’s Day.”

Veronica Bennett

Bennetts Wanstead High Street, East London “Male has always been quite difficult and you have keep looking at your suppliers to see if there is something different and just try it, that’s all you can do.”

Rakeh Patel

Ralson Finchley Road, Golders Green, London “Nigel Quiney is good, very good range for male, and Second Nature has a good range within the handmade. In the last few years I’ve started introducing other companies and seeing a growth in card sales to 25 per cent of my business.”

34 www.greetingstoday.co.uk

You’ve got male With most card purchases made by women there’s a lot of female input even when the recipient is a man and it can be interesting trying to find exactly the right design for Father’s Day or a male celebration.

OTHER’S Day has been around for centuries while Father’s Day only popped up in 1910 to widespread derision but these days the celebrations show we love dads just as much. Father’s Day was invented by American Sonora Smart Dodd whose own dad had raised his six children as a single parent, and was first celebrated on June 19, 1910. Hang on a second, that’s actually only two years after the first modern Mother’s Day took place in 1908 – what’s going on there then? Here in the UK It’s all down to the mixing up of ancient religious traditions with American sentimentality because Mothering Sunday was when people returned to their mother church, which then became the day domestic servants could go home to worship with their own mum and family. As these young people went home they would pick flowers to leave in church or give to their mothers, which evolved into the tradition of giving gifts to mums on Mothering Sunday, the fourth Sunday in Lent. On the other side of the Pond, Anna Jarvis began her campaign for a recognised holiday in the US in 1905 on the death of her mother, who was a peace activist and set up Mother’s Day Work Clubs to address public health issues. With her home state of West Virginia becoming the first to officially recognise Mother’s Day in 1910, by 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed the proclamation declaring the second Sunday in May as a national holiday to honour mums. But Anna wasn’t happy because, by the 1920s, Hallmark and other companies had begun selling Mother’s Day cards when she’d envisaged people sending handwritten letters expressing love and gratitude, not buying gifts and pre-made cards, and she spent the rest of her life protesting against the commercialisation of her idea. In Europe, the traditional religious celebration had begun to lapse so in 1914 vicar’s daughter Constance Johnson set up the Mothering Sunday Movement, inspired by Anna. Its widespread revival was down to the influence of American and Canadian soldiers

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serving over here during World War Two with their newly-imported ways becoming merged with the old traditions but we stuck with the old date of the fourth Sunday in Lent, which is usually in March. Time to get back to dads – after Sonora came up with Father’s Day in 1910, celebrated unofficially in Spokane, Washington, Calvin Coolidge was the first US President to support the concept in 1924, then President Lyndon Johnson signed the proclamation declaring the third Sunday in June the official celebration in 1966. Sonora’s idea was met with laughter at first, and became the target of satire, parody and derision with a local newspaper complaining it would lead to mindless promotions such as National Clean Your Desk Day. But how times change, according to Hallmark, Father’s Day is now the fifth-largest card-sending holiday with the tie the most popular gift ahead of slippers. Those are also pretty trusty gifts for men whatever the g occasion as Father’s Day isn’t o tthe only celebration on the male front. m There are plenty of cards around for males – dads, grandads, grandsons, sons, nephews, brothers – for their birthdays, Christmas. Valentine’s Day, Father’s Day and every other time a greeting is needed. The trick is for the sender to make sure the card matches the recipient and, sometimes, that can be difficult because the usual sports, beer, gardening and sofa surfer designs don’t fit everyone. The traditional cards do still sell, and sell very well, but there are a lot of publishers out there these days who are trying to do something different too – from the big names of UK Greetings and Hallmark through Abacus, Nigel Quiney, Words ’n’ Wishes, Riverside and Star Editions, to Brainbox Candy, Love From Lemonade, Mrs L Cards, Cockadoodle, Alexa Stretton, I Love Nice Cards, and The Typecast Gallery via Berni Parker, Bees Knees, Holy Mackerel, Sweet Design Studio, NWH Cards, Roisin Cafferty, Nyha, Bonnie Blackbird and Catherine Kleeli, there’s a good selection covered on the next couple of pages with more in the expanded feature online at www.greetingstoday.co.uk

Celebrations C show we love dads just as much h

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MALE&FATHER’SDAYCARDS

Something for every stage THERE’S a card for every life stage among the UK Greetings ranges, with plenty covering the male and Father’s Day genres. Early Years UKG have the perfect cards for those early years with Daddy featuring in amazing adventures, colour-me-in activities, and lots of love and hugs.They perfectly capture that giddy time in a father/child relationship, from enjoying all the exciting times together to reminding him how brilliant he is. The designs targeting this audience are fun, playful and adorable! Tweens & teens When you’re young, cool and savvy, you need an equally young, cool and savvy card

for Dad! Luckily, the trend lead sends from UK Greetings offer an amazing choice, with cards that let him know he’s still a hero, praise his ability to rock, and even designs offering a unique take on his sleeping habits – there’s definitely a card that’s just his style. 20s to 30s For the generation that demands individuality UK Greetings have developed cards which reflect a unique and meaningful relationship with Dad. Not a word or design is wasted – whether remembering childhood times, acknowledging him as a legend or thanking him for everything he’s done, UKG have a huge variety of looks and messages

Cranking up the machine BRAINBOX Candy have again cranked their card-making machine and, after a few whirrs, pops and booms, a fantabulous – real word, look it up – new Father's Day range has been born. Chalk Father's Day features 10 quirky and fun captions, as unique as the dad they’re designed for. In addition, Word Up Father's Day features bold, colourful slogans and has five new captions, the ever-popular Warning has three additions to this irreverent and bonkers selection and Well Cool Father's Day has been tweaked and tickled to produce five new captions – in total 44 designs of refreshingly different Father's Day cards – and don't forget their hilarious range of gifts.

T: 01702 716643 www.brainboxcandy.com

Broaden your range WORDS ’n’ Wishes have a broad range of male and Father’s Day cards with styles and designs to suit all male relations. This includes a varied mix of traditional, contemporary and humour designs coupled with various levels of finishes. Price codes range from code 45 (£1.49) to code 150 (£3.49).

T: 01942 233201 www.words-n-wishes.co.uk

for the dad who’s seen and put up with a lot. Later Years They say with age comes wisdom, and with wisdom comes a newfound appreciation for all that Dad has done. From stylish photography to heartfelt wording, these are the cards for the dad who’s seen it all, done it all and wouldn’t change one thing. Celebrating the special bond between a father and a child, they thank him for the lessons and the love, remind him of the special times you’ve shared and wish him the best day he deserves.

T: 01924 465200 www.ukgreetings.co.uk

Inspired by a house full of males BERNI Parker has an established male card range Men Who Love Life which complements her most successful Ladies Who Love Life designs. The designs depict classic everyday behaviour of the archetypal male in common situations, most showing an element of subtle humour to make people smile and relate to the scene. Berni's ideas are inspired from living in a predominantly-male environment with her husband and three grown-up sons – and it’s continuing in the next generation with her first grandson soon to be born. The Men Who Love Life range has continually best-sellers in everyday and milestone designs along with occasions, relations and a Mantastic birthday collection. Just released at Spring Fair were 12 new sporting designs featuring most of today's popular activities, and some of the range has been adapted for Father's Day so there’s something for everyone and most occasions in this range. Berni Parker Designs now have a brand new website were all their existing greetings cards, stationery, gifts and prints can be seen and ordered online.

T: 01299 406098 www.berniparkerdesigns.com www.facebook.com/greetingstodaymag @greetingstoday

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MALE&FATHER’SDAYCARDS

As sharp as ever ABACUS Cards Father’s Day collection for 2015 consists of 10 designs, all of which help Prostate Cancer UK with 10 per cent of the retail price going to this amazing charity, which fights to help more men survive the disease with a better quality of life. The range comprises of both photographic and illustrated 160x160mm designs and are simply greeted inside with front captioning and include two Daddy cards. All the cards are accompanied by white cartridge envelopes and come cello wrapped and clearly labelled to promote the charity donation. Abacus have also added 14 new 5x7in designs to their popular Graphite male photographic range which has superb images all based on popular pastimes and interests. The nine birthday and five blank designs include music, wine, boats, trains, gardening, motorbikes, beer, football, cycling and walking, and are printed on textured art board, with all images presented full-out with four featuring a silver foiled caption.

T: 01638 569050 www.abacuscards.co.uk

Enhanced with foil and emboss

On all the best mantelpieces

NIGEL Quiney Publications’ comprehensive offer for Father’s Day range has always been a blend of traditional and contemporary designs. The traditional element has beautifully-painted costal scenes and male pastimes, while the contemporary designs are a combination of text-inspired graphic images and fun photographs. All 26 designs have a strong male colour palette and are enhanced with flute foil and emboss. Prices range from C40 up to C90, and the titles include Daddy, Grandad, Husband and Like A Dad To Me.

FATHERS around the world, this is your time to be recognised! The Art File’s new Father’s Day 2015 collection is guaranteed to get that uplifting message across to dads – from Lords Of the Manor to Rad Dads – and there’s still time to order to get your stock ready for the big day on June 21. All Art File cards are FSC friendly and each Father’s Day card has a high standard of finishes and techniques used throughout.

GREAT male cards have the reputation of being hard to find, but Holy Mackerel have a huge and varied range, from humour to photographic, occasions, age birthdays and, of course, some brilliant Father’s Day cards too. You’ll find a wealth of occasions in their One Lump Or Two range by Erica Sturla, featuring her funky polymer clay characters. There’s something for all of those special events, with male (and female) ages from 18 to 100, relations including dads, grandads, sons, brothers, boyfriends, nephews, uncles, and step-dads, plus retirement and new job cards, and a host of general birthdays for every taste and anyone who’s just getting a bit older and wider. You’ll also find Erica’s warmly humorous Father’s Day cards in this range – including her fab new 1st Father’s Day design. New for 2015 is 1 In A Million!, 18 foiled and die-cut trophy cards which include King Of The Dance Floor, World’s Best Dad and the Birthday Boy – all the best mantelpieces will be wearing them this season! Funny Olde Worlde is Erica Sturla’s hysterically-historical range full of national treasures for that quintessentially British male card from Wellington to King John of Magna Carta fame and Henry VIII to Oscar Wilde. For the male music lover Holy Mackerel’s Remember When cards hit the mark and there’s great humour with Wry Smile featuring David Fawcett’s best-selling mix of fine art and perceptive wit – golfers, middle-aged footballers and exasperated dads are particularly well catered for. For 2015 Holy Mackerel have also launched a brilliant new True Love With Fred range, featuring Rupert Fawcett’s well-loved characters, and there are some great designs here featuring those awkward moments men have to face, like Letting Her Use Your Tools and Taking The Tap End.

T: 0115 850 7490 www.theartfile.com

T: 01297 33899 www.holy-mackerel.co.uk

T: 01799 520200 www.nigelquiney.com

Get the message across

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SEE MORE ONLINE AT www.greetingstoday.co.uk

Alexa Stretton, Bees Knees, Bexy Boo, Bonnie Blackbird,www.facebook.com/greetingstodaymag Catherine Keeli, Cockadoodle Design, Hallmark,@greetingstoday I Love Nice Cards, Love From Lemonade, Mrs L Cards, NWH Cards, Nyha Cards, Riverside Plus, Roisin Cafferty, Sweet Design Studio,Star Editions, Typecast Gallery

RETAIL ADVICE WITH HENRI DAVIS

OR ALL those at Top Drawer in January I’m sure you will agree it was a great start to the year.

I wasn’t sure what it would be like having moved to Olympia this year which, as a visitor, it’s not my favourite venue because I always think the back area is dark and feels a bit claustrophobic and it’s just so awkward to get to. How wrong could I be! It was fantastic – light, airy, spacious, well-curated and a great venue in which to see cards and stationery. I was pleasantly surprised and needed more than the day I’d planned. I felt the card and stationery area worked particularly well for those with smaller stands as they were not overwhelmed by larger exhibitors. If prizes are being handed out for innovative stands then Eloise Hall’s really stood out for me, her use of a tree to display her bird cards was delicate, beautiful, and reflected her imagery in a really well thoughtthrough idea. One thing that struck me was how many card publishers now have additional products to supplement their offer, be it other paper-based items like stationery or gifts like tea towels, mugs and gift bags. The Art File have been offering stationery as part of their range for a number of years but their new ranges are a real move on with fantastic use of contrasting details on notebooks and some great pens. I noticed Ohh Deer’s note books last year but they’ve really increased their stationery range for spring 2015 with some fantastic new formats like Post-it notes and pencil cases with some great humour. The gift wrap that stood out for me was Lagom’s new range of foiled gift wraps with a variety of eye-catching design and colours which are just stunning particularly the copper colourways – I hope I find someone selling it soon as I’d really like to use it. Then it was off to Paperworld in Frankfurt for two days

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All the fun of the fairs The start of the year is busy with trade shows behaving like buses, haven’t had any for a while then they all come at once. Henri Davis casts her expert eye over the goods on offer. sandwiched in between my days at Spring Fair as the shows coincided this year. Cards aren’t my main reason for visiting the German fair but it’s always interesting to see if there are any trends emerging in Europe that would work in the UK. While most card suppliers are in Hall 5 they tend to be the ordinary designs full of words and typical of the product you find here h in the UK at the very v traditional end of the t market. They tend to contain verse or captions which means they couldn’t work here because of the language barrier. The innovative ranges are in Hall 6 which is the fantastic design led hall and there were some stunning cards, with a range from American Paula Skene being the stand-out one for me. A letterpress range, it offered embossed foiled images in up to four colours, the strength of which and the wonderfully fine detail was exquisite. And then it was back to Spring Fair and Hall 4 where the bulk of cards are on show but by no means all. There are plenty in the gifting halls too if the exhibitor’s main line is gifts rather than cards but whether you find them will depend on the focus of your visit to the NEC. I found a really interesting cross-section of cards this year, not surprisingly most exhibitors

I found a really interesting cross section

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Henri Davis is an independent retail advisor to businesses in the cards, gifts, stationery and heritage industries, combining 30 years of retail experience with her knowledge of trends and consumer motivation to analyse markets and identify new opportunities. Having worked at Habitat, Next, WH Smith and the National Trust, she now works with many small and medium-sized businesses, including multi-site retailers, national and international manufacturers and suppliers and is currently vice-chairman of the Giftware Association, the first woman to hold the post. www.henridavis.co.uk www.facebook.com/greetingstodaymag @greetingstoday

were launching new ranges for 2015 to excite retailers and encourage them to place their first orders of the year. Not only were there seasonal cards for Easter, Father’s Day and Christmas but also exciting new everyday ranges too and here are a few that stood out for me. I spotted Jessica Hogarth 18 months ago when I was on holiday in Norfolk and watch her ranges with interest as I love her style. She had some lovely new ranges at Spring Fair including this new birthday card. It was interesting to talk to Ged Mace from The Art File and learn that they found the designer of Mik’s Letterpress, one of their eye-catching new ranges, at last year’s National Stationery Show in New York. Licensing is still very important for card publishers, be it images they want to access for their cards or, indeed, their images being licensed for other markets. Soula Zavacopolous from The London Studio has licensed Wisdom Of Kids on to stationery with Blueprint, while Museums & Galleries are having great success with images from illustrator Jane Robbins. For me, however, M&G’s new range using images from Walker Books is very strong and my favourite is this lovely card which I hope will be very successful for them as the sentiment is lovely especially as there are very few grandfather cards in the market. And then there’s Christmas. Frighteningly the deadline being mooted by larger publishers for placing orders for festive packs is the end of March, so by Easter larger retailers will already have a significant percentage of their Christmas card orders placed – here we go again!

www.greetingstoday.co.uk 37

SPRINGFAIR SPRING FAIRREVIEW REVIEW

On reflection Senior buyers from big name stores, 3,000 exhibitors, Gift Of The Year winners, the first Buyers Power List awards and seminars including Blue Eyed Sun’s Jeremy Corner on digital marketing – there was plenty going on at Spring Fair 2015. Here we reflect on the happenings around the greetings hall and there are more photographs on our Facebook page and details on our website.

Laura Jablonski, Carly Ilett & Sian Ellis-Thomas, RetroCo “We’ve had a pretty good time so far. You don’t get nationals in on the Sunday so they will come today. The adverts we took out and the editorial features worked because we’ve had people coming on and saying ‘where are these Birthday Boxes then’, so they’ve obviously read about them. We were pleasantly surprised and hope for more of the same when the nationals come on – and we’ve had a really good reaction to the stand itself and the rebranding from being the CD Card Company.”

Ian Bant, Ling Design & Talking Pictures, with Miles Robinson, House Of Cards “The show has been good. We’ll be back next year without a doubt. We think we’re one of the longest and most loyal attendees as we’ve been here for at least 25 years. We’ve been fairly busy but it comes in waves. I would say that people are positive, definitely more positive than 24 months ago and after a decent Christmas.”

Catherine Hutchinson, The Card House & Balloon Room, Ashton-In-Makerfield, Wigan “I’ve been here for two days and I’ve seen Inspired Goodbyes which I think are unusual. We’re in a big Catholic area so this is something different to give people. We sell lots of condolence books and they can be difficult to get hold of. We stock Jonny Javelin, IC&G, Pigment, Carte Blanche, Grass Roots, quite a lot of big companies and I’m here to look for some smaller ones – I do like 1973’s new Mabel Lucy Atwell designs.”

Sophia Lucop-Leech & Helen Lawson Inspired Goodbyes “This is our first-ever show and we took part in the New Product Pitch held on Sunday and Tuesday. There was a clock over my head and I had 60 seconds to tell people why they should stock our bereavement cards and products – and I won! I’ve only just got back to the stand but we’ve already had people coming up because they saw me pitch. I got a bottle of Champagne. I came down off the stage to a round of applause and people were coming up asking for brochures.”

38 www.greetingstoday.co.uk

Caroline Langford & Raie Craft Gallery Stores, Sark, Channel Islands “I come over every year and love coming as it’s an exciting place to be. We have an old-fashioned general store so we sell almost everything the NEC is selling here. I’m here for four days and do all my buying for the shop, it’s a hard slog but I do enjoy it. I have a number of suppliers, Ling, Holy Mackerel, Leonard Smith, Wendy Jones Blackett – quite a big range of cards and they’re a big seller and we’re getting new ones in this year. I’ve been dealing with Emma Ball for many years, they sell well because we’re a seaside place. It would be very nice if I could find one or two individual designers I could stock.”

David Worthington, Avanti Press, with Coventry Transport Museum’s Coriena Brierley “Sunday was great, a really good day, we had a lot of new interest in what we’re doing both from existing customers, existing licensees and potential new customers. Quite a lot of interest in the new big die-cut Big Funny cards which have been very well received. One of our international customers said it was the most fun and distinctive new product that he’s seen at the show.”

Sarah McGunn Decorum Interiors, Hailsworth, Suffolk “I don’t do many greetings cards at the moment so I’m looking for those special cards that will make me stock them. I’ve seen quite a few that I’m interested in and do like My World’s Oh My Word cards – they made me laugh.”

Alison Lock Earsham Hall, Bungay, Suffolk “We don’t do many cards but we do a nice selection. We’re more gifts but we probably do three or four different publishers. I’m looking to broaden our range of cards as they’re definitely a pick-up item as people go to the till.”

Rod Brown, Alison Traynor & Chris Saint Words ’n’ Wishes “The first two days were very good, better than the last two years that we’ve been here, and the traffic flow through here was very good. I’m pleased with the show generally because it’s another year under our belts and we’re another year older. We’ve developed more so it’s good – we’ve had to expand the offices into the upper floor and take on more staff.”

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SPRINGFAIR SPRING FAIRREVIEW REVIEW

Jo Barber, The Stationery & Gift Boutique, Ampthill “I was so pleased to even be named in the Buyers Power List Power 30, that was really good. Bearing in mind that I only have one shop and a small clutch of suppliers I didn’t expect to get in the top 30 let alone the top five. The show has been fab, I’ve found some amazing new people. The bereavement cards from Inspired Goodbyes are one, I was on the New Product Pitch judging panel and her pitch was just perfect, I went straight over to her stand afterwards to have a better look.”

Boxing clever as Cardgains anniversary celebrations draw to a close TEN identical boxes caused much excitement on the Cardgains Village at Spring Fair as the buying group’s year-long 25th anniversary celebrations were driven to a close with the giveaway of the prize silver Nissan Juke car. The 10 finalists made their choice and it was Debs and Carl Smith who boxed clever as she opened theirs to find the keyring that meant the car was delivered to their shop, All Wrapped Up in Southbourne, Bournemouth, a few days later. The show also saw the handover of the £25,000 cheque raised by the 2014 Cardgains Challenge for Peach, the charity for children with autism, and the 2015 Withering Thighs event announced, a 25-mile walk around Haworth, Yorkshire.

Simon Elvin, Simon Elvin Ltd “I’ve been coming to Spring Fair forever! The business is 38 years old so I’ve been coming for all that time. It used to be in Blackpool donkey’s years ago and then moved to Birmingham. In terms of meeting potential new customers and them seeing our products it’s brilliant. You get a lot of customers coming around and it lets them see the product displayed nicely.”

Paul Woodmansterne, with My World’s Sarah Porter “The first few hours have been phenomenal, not just independents. This has become an important show for us which is surprising as we were about to give up doing it about three years ago, but we’re happy with it again.”

James Kyte, Pyramid International “This is the same size space we usually have but we’ve opened it up to make it more accessible and zoned it by product to make it easier for customers to find things. It seems to be working as we’re really busy. We’re expecting a strong showing this year in terms of licences, it’s going to be huge we have Marvel, Disney, Minions, James Bond and the Rugby World Cup.”

Keith Gillespie, Card Mix “We have a new stand and lots of new ranges that we’re launching, There’s a new traditional based range and a new humour range from Tom Ayliffe.”

Ladder Club cards and Jeremy bring in £18,000 charity boost LITTLE fighters are getting a boost thanks to Lynn Tait and the Ladder Club charity Christmas card initiative which raised £18,148 for Action Medical Research. The total was revealed at Spring Fair by Lynn, who runs the not-for-profit Ladder Club seminars for new greetings card publishers, after she persuaded her family to let her attend the show for the opening day. The owner of The Lynn Tait Gallery in Leigh On Sea was hospitalised for further cancer treatment the week before the show, but was determined to attend to make sure everyone knew how much had been raised for the charity. Ladder Club graduates Aianna, The Bees Knees, Dry Red Press, I Drew This, Lorraine Stylianou, Molly Mae, Olivia Goddard Designs, Perkins & Morley, Pink Pig Art, Red Berry Hill, Rose Hill Designs, and Trumpers World gave their designs to be sold as cards which raised £13,457, while Sherwood Press Group Chief Executive Jeremy Bacon, whose firm printed all the packs, added a further £4,691 by completing London to Paris sponsored bike ride.

MORE SPRING FAIR IMAGES ON www.facebook.com/greetingstodaymag

Jackie Collins, Cherry Orchard “It’s been an OK show, it’s been quality over quantity but it’s always a pleasure to be here. Mikiko is lovely and we launched it in December. And we’ve launched Tired Ted too, we’ve just taken the licence, and he’s going very well.”

Berni Parker Berni Parker Designs “It’s been really good. We’ve got new Sporting cards and new baby because we’re going to be grandparents in April so that was the inspiration. Plus there’s loads of new gifting product too, which we’re moving into more.”

Han Van Reem, Thorntons “It was at the last minute that I decided to do the competition of guess the number of sweets in the cube – because it gives me a lot of contacts and it’s a bit of fun. I’ve been coming for the last 10 years. This is a good spot right by the door, we see a lot of people. We’re getting new Easter products all the time and they’re based on what’s most popular in cooking – they’re eggs-cellent!”

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SPRINGFAIR SPRING FAIRREVIEW REVIEW

Peter Reichwald Great British Card Company “It’s been a good show, a very good show – better than last year. Footfall is down but orders are up. We’re getting new people as well as existing, though exports have been down today, not so many. We’re bringing out over 500 new images for this show. That’s normal, they don’t all sell but we do try them.”

Caroline Davies, Licorice “This is my first time at Spring Fair. I went to Giving & Living to exhibit and really enjoyed it and a few people said try Spring Fair so we thought ‘why not’. I’m really impressed by the organisers and the cleaners and everyone. They’re so nice it was a real pleasure to come here.”

Katie Meeke, Helmut, Wyn & Sarah Hopkins Holy Mackerel “We had a bit of a moment when we got back on the opening morning as half the cards were on the floor as the Velcro had come away! But we’re really pleased because this is the first outing of the Trophy cards, and they’ve gone down well, which is a relief.”

Stuart Buckle & Michelle Neale Lux-Wrap “They don’t remember the last time a wrap got to be highly commended in the Gift Of The Year which is a great PR angle for us. It’s been amazing since, we’ve had an order from Portugal and enquiries from Finland, Malta and the US. Lots of orders from independent stores, customers are loving the concept. It’s been a good show.”

40 www.greetingstoday.co.uk

Rob Brown, Grass Roots “We had a fabulous day yesterday – the best first day for many years. There seems less footfall but we’re taking more orders. We’re not getting people on just looking. We have a fair amount of new product out so we’re very happy with the response. It was like sardines on here yesterday,”

Slyder, Sue Smith & Olivia Pangraz Paprika, Wellington, Somerset “We’re not exhibiting with our card company this year, Cards For Art’s Sake, so we’ve come up buying for the shop. We’re looking for gift wrap, general gifts and home accessories, mirrors and wrought iron work. We’ve found Jonathan Glick and Jodds for the wrap already, it generally takes us a couple of days to look around.”

Jonny Spears, Jonny Javelin “It’s been good. It’s probably half and half, new customers and regulars, you see the regular show attendees and they always come to say hello, and then you get the batch of customers that come every three years or so, and then there are new enquiries. We go away from here with 20 potential leads, which is good.”

Fay Martin, Fay’s Studio “Having a fantastic show, plenty of people are telling us we have really good quality lines this year. I think that’s due to the fact that I’m more focused. In The Wild is selling like hot cakes and I’m hoping I can keep up!. And we’re working again with Highgrove so that’s great.”

Keir, Cara, Sarah Hartley & Julie Budget Greeting Cards “The show has been very good, Sunday was steady and yesterday was a bit slow in the morning but we really picked up in the afternoon. It’s a mixture of new and existing customers, we always promote here because most of what we do is new product.”

Jeremy Corner, Blue Eyed Sun “I had a lot of fun with my talk on digital marketing – the slides are on my blog if anyone missed it. We’ve had lots of countries on the stand, Norway for one, and have seen lots of established distributors and our UK customers. There’s been a good response to the new Enchantment range and also our Christmas one.”

Rose Hill, Rose Hill Designs “Sunday was brilliant – I’m going to be in Japan now as someone with 20 stores over there made an order so that’s very exciting. And our stand is in a much better position than last year. I’m also launching my Make Your Pet Famous personalised portraits too which Harrods have taken!”

MORE SPRING FAIR IMAGES ON www.facebook.com/greetingstodaymag

SPRINGFAIR SPRING FAIRREVIEW REVIEW

Karen & James Mace, The Art File “It’s the first time we’ve entered the Gift Of The Year awards, we thought we had a reasonable chance simply by the nature of the Form range, as it’s unique and more than a card, it’s more of a gift too. We’re very happy that we’ve won the card and wrap category, we’ve already had some people coming to the stand to look at the product just because we won, and it’s great publicity.”

Nigel Quiney MD Alison Butterworth at their 50th anniversary party with Cardzone’s Paul Taylor & Jo Hancock (above), her sister Jenny Weare and staff member Fiona Doublass (top right), and company owner Simon Elvin (right) “We’re looking forward to the next 50 years. There’s a lot of new product and new gifts this year. Pizazz gifts have their 10th anniversary and it’s great because sales have never dropped off. We’re looking at what gifts to do now, and we’re also planning stock control for the first time in 2015, making it available for independents as one of their options, and we’ve had quite a lot of interest in this.”

Debbie Williams, Mint, Museums & Galleries and Real & Exciting Designs “It’s a good show, we have the new range Bijou for Real & Exciting, we want to kick start the brand again with really good quality and reasonably-priced product. We have new gift wrap that’s going down really well for M&G, particularly good is the new tissue paper which is themed with our V&A wrap. Mint has lots of new products, my favourite is Bunni bunny, which is a good overall range.”

Bex Hassett Bexy Boo Designs “It’s my first Spring Fair, we had a really good day yesterday and a decent day on Sunday. We’ve got some really good orders – Fenwicks have ordered with us so I think we’re actually doing really well. And we’ve had a couple of agents on too, because we’re looking for agents. I did just tweet to Spring Fair that we can do this standing on our heads – so I did a handstand to prove it!”

Christine, from Great Milton Post Office, Oxon, with Abacus sales supervisor Nicola

Bev Cunningham, Abacus Cards, with Chelsea Pensioners Harry & Yorkie, & customers collecting their Kindle Fire show special offer “Our range raising money for the Royal Hospital Chelsea has sold very well. It’s been a good show, very enjoyable and people are really liking the new stuff like the Selina Lake collection – and Harry and Yorkie have been very popular with everyone who’s met them. They’re absolutely lovely, and quite naughty! We haven’t done this show since 2009 and I think each day has got better. We’ve been giving away plenty of Kindle Fires in our show special with sister company Clare Maddicott – in total it was 26!” Cathy from Bishops Waltham Post Office

Victoria & Fiona from Wishes, Cockermouth

@greetingstoday

Len Smith, Leonard Smith “It’s our 30th anniversary and this is our 28th Spring Fair on the trot, It’s a lovely business to be in and thankfully quite a lot of the independent retailers are still around. It’s been a pretty good show, there are plenty of people looking around. We have some good leads and there will be lots of following up work afterwards.”

Sarah from Hand Picked by Henrietta in Derbyshire

Melanie, of Five Little Ducks, Baslow, Derbyshire, with Abacus Commercial Director Nick Carey

Occasions Cards & Gifts of Kingsbridge, Devon, with Abacus Territory Sales Manager Danny

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TALKOFTHETOWN

Talk of Veronica Bennett Bennetts, Wanstead High Street, London

● Shop images from www.localdatacompany.com & www.google.co.uk/maps

‘

IT’S nice, I do like coming to the UKG Christmas Roadshow because you see the whole collection rather than looking at it on an iPad, you can see all the embossing and glitter so that’s much better. On the Christmas design side they’ve been very busy, it’s very good, and very good value for money. I also like the wrap. I’ve placed some orders, up on last year – I increased it by £500. We’ve also taken the Frozen and Del Boy ranges with Xpressions 4 U, and Minions I’ll be doing a bit later in the year when I have the space. I would say probably 40 per cent of the store space is cards and it’s probably 70 per cent of my sales. It’s a very traditional area but over the last few years has been changing. We’ve got a lot of younger

families moving in because there’s a very good church school that’s one of the top schools in the Redbridge area so people want to come here. A lot of my customers don’t live in Wanstead, they travel in just to get the cards I stock because it’s a village feel and community so people still like that. I go to PG Live, and the NEC for Spring Fair and, for the first time, I went to Autumn Fair last year. They are all on a massive scale but it’s really important to go because you do see new things, but it’s also very tiring and you need to go with an agenda and don’t get waylaid, then it’s worth doing. I think trade shows are still important because people still need to see the products properly.

S Siv, Cuffley Post Office Station Road, Cuffley, Herts

‘

IT’S been very helpful here at the Roadshow, last year I came along and when I saw all the cards I changed from normally having only Hallmark cards to a mix. Seeing the product this year, I’m going more to UKG – and I’m selling more cards. My shop is almost 100 per cent cards and stationery. My sales rep Katie has been very helpful. It’s a very nice collection and I’ve done a big order. I’ve taken the boxed cards as they’re nice and I’m also interested in the everyday wrap, which I’m going away to think about. I’ve also seen the Xpressions 4 U stand as well and may go further with that too. I went to Harrogate Home & Gift one year but I find the bigger shows are always so far away though I may go to Spring Fair.

42 www.greetingstoday.co.uk

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Philip & Urmila Khatri, Just Write, Wood Green Shopping City & High Road, Finchley, London

‘

NOT only have we done last year’s order, but we’ve increased it. It’s good here and we’ve placed our order for Christmas. They have some very nice collections, it’s good to have something fresh, along with something nice and traditional. We do a lot as traditional sells well for us in Wood Green, In Finchley we do both traditional and contemporary. It’s a matter of seeing the trends at the shows, we’re looking at stock anyway and we tweak it with the rep when they come in. We always go to Spring Fair, PG Live and Autumn Fair. When we go to a trade show we don’t always do cards because our suppliers will come round and we have events like this showroom. So when we go to the big trade shows we’re always looking at the new gift lines – I go to say hello and to be polite to our card suppliers but I’m concentrating on my gifting lines. There’s no point them showing me the new Frozen range, for instance, because Ray, my rep, has shown it to me already – if I have to see it at a trade show, he’s not doing his job! The UKG showroom is very important, we’re able to interact and see the actual product, and it’s a more relaxed environment than in the shop and it’s always a pleasure to meet everyone here. The bigger shows are also very important to attend because if you’re in business you need to go otherwise you’re going to miss out on something. We do a lot of plush toys and we need to see the actual product. ● Philip & Urmila are pictured with UKG’s Tony www.facebook.com/greetingstodaymag @greetingstoday

’

TALKOFTHETOWN

the town

The T he voice e of f t the he e p people eople w who matter, greetings retailers tell it like it is.

CHRISTMAS comes but once a year – actually it’s at least twice if you’re in the card game, so UK Greetings’ annual festive roadshows are a boon for retailers. The show give the chance for a more leisurely look at what’s available as well as allowing UKG staff time for a good chat with their retail customers. As this year’s round of 23 shows at 17 different venues across the UK came to an end at Elstree, Tony Roberts, Director Of Independent Sales, was well prepared with his hard hat for fending off any brickbats while Phil Moggeridge, Regional Sales Manager for the South East happily accepted the bouquets. Tony said: “We probably take between 40 and 50 per cent of our customers’ sales in the month of January at these shows. It’s a massive kick-start to the year for us. “We take the opportunity to present any new ranges in everyday, we have the big refresh of the Collage giftwrap this year. “We’ve been doing this for years, I joined the industry 30 years ago with Celebration Arts and we were doing them back then. It gets the retailers away from their own environment so there are no interruptions, and it’s close

enough to Christmas for them to remember how well things went. The beauty of the showroom is that they can go through each card and hand pick them.” Phil added: “We’ve had one roadshow a week in this area through January and they’ve been really good, attendances have been up which means orders have been up too and they’re all pretty positive on sell through. “Obviously it’s pretty tough at the moment for independents but they seem to be keeping their heads above water. “The majority of our customers that come to these shows like to choose their designs rather than have packages which is a lot easier to do in an environment like this rather than in their shop where there are constant distractions. “This year we invited Xpressions 4 U along as they have the licence for Boofle and Frozen products outside of cards, all the gifting items, so they’re here as an added service to retailers. “It makes sense because we’re going to organise Boofle Days over the next few months for independent retailers to promote the product in cards and other gifts that we’re running jointly with Xpressions 4 U.”

’

Manesh Topiwala, Giftland, Fore Street, Edmonton, London

‘

I COME to see everything that’s here, I’ve been coming since about 1996-97 to the UKG Roadshows at different venues. I ordered my Christmas stock this time, which I normally get from the rep. Everything here is quite good, it’s nice as they put a little bit of the everyday out as well. I like the new wrap, it’s good. And it’s great to get away from the shop floor. We’re going through the Christmas orders and I’ll make some everyday orders too. My shop is very traditional so I’m looking at the Helen Stonor Rice designs, that sort of thing. I do both the NEC shows but I’ve only been to PG Live once because I’m not really looking for new core card suppliers as I’ve got three or four major ones so I’m doing more gifts there. I’ve been running the shop since 1987 and it’s now a third cards and two thirds gifts, before it was threequarters cards when I started but that still means I’ve got 18 racks of cards.

’

Priti & Ajay Patel, Prime Time News, Replingham Road, Southfields, London

‘

WE CAME to the UKG Roadshow last year, and this year we’ve looked around then done some orders – my favourites are Camden Graphics and I love the New Yorker designs too, that’s my personal favourite. Spring Fair is further away for us so we prefer this one because it’s very intimate, although I do go along to PG Live.

Rakeh Patel Ralson, Finchley Road, Golders Green, London

‘

A SHOW like this UKG one gives me the opportunity to pick out what we need. Right now we’re installing an EPOS system so we can analyse what will make it. We’re hoping to break it down in to categories and will do design picking rather than buying a plan. For seeing the trends, it’s better line-buying rather than being told what’s good by the office and it’s increasing sales now. You have to be a lot more pro-active in this industry, I’ve been in the shop 10 years myself but we’ve been in business for 40 years. Originally we used to just do the plans but this way sales are a lot better for me now.

www.facebook.com/greetingstodaymag @greetingstoday

’

We have refreshed the look with the new and contemporary designs. Contemporary is a lot bigger for us rather than the traditional mix as people are looking for the more up-to-date designs. I do go to Spring Fair but here is more relaxed than the NEC. We have developed a very good relationship with UK Greetings, as one of my major suppliers to see their product like this is very useful. We then use the trade shows to look at what complements our core companies. ● Rakeh is pictured with UKG rep Vimal Dewji, right

’

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SHOWSROUND-UP The beginning of each year is the busiest time on the trade fair front, with retailers and suppliers making sure they’re all set up for the spring and summer. Here Greetings Today gives you a round-up of some of the shows – Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring, Paperworld and Giving & Living.

Almost perfect plaza LOTS OF orders ensured a positive mood at the triple trade fair in Frankfurt with the 2,855 exhibitors across Paperworld, Christmasworld and Creativeworld pleased with the increase in visitors. Altogether, 85,000 people from 156 countries made their way to the Messe Frankfurt showgrounds, up two per cent on last year’s 83,174, with a significant increase in the numbers from outside Germany who made up 61 per cent of the total. Detlef Braun, member of the executive board for organisers Messe Frankfurt, said they were also very pleased with the role played by the German trade: “There were not only more German buyers in Frankfurt, they were also much bolder when it came to placing orders.” The Association of Brand Name Paper, Office Supplies and Stationery Manufacturers (Verband der PBSMarkenindustrie) said they are satisfied with Paperworld 2015, with many important manufacturers having returned to the fair as exhibitors. “The new concept is excellent,” said chairman Rolf Schifferens, who is also CEO of Faber-Castell, “The new hall layout with the Paperworld Plaza is virtually perfect for us and our members. “We are very pleased with the course of business at the fair. We spoke with more international visitors than expected. As well, the standard and number of German trade visitors is good.” Events at the shows, which ran from Saturday to Wednesday, January 31 to February 3, included the Go For It! greetings card design competition where the 10 finalists were displayed in the Card Café so visitors could vote for their favourites. Jacqueline Gipp’s design (pictured) came out top, closely followed by Verena Stumm and Sarah Uessem, with Verena picking up the most likes via Facebook. Another highlight was the Future Shopping show which featured a speciallybuilt 400 sq m shopping arcade where visitors could see how new digital technologies can promote and invigorate traditional business life with real products being given an additional dimension through the integration of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets.

www.paperworld.messefrankfurt.com

Optimism abounds THREE days of favourable business ensued at Scotland’s Trade Fair Spring as the country’s independent shops have been buoyed by strong tourist figures from 2014. More than 4,000 buyers and visitors made for an optimistic mood at Glasgow’s SECC over January 18-20 and most exhibitors reported good quality leads and orders. Mabel Forsyth, of Pink Pig Cards, said: “It was a really busy first two days – I barely had a minute to myself! It was a really well-organised fair and very successful for Pink Pig.” She’s pictured with Janet Gray from Orsay, Oban, and Carolyn and Louise from Pentland Plants in the images on the Greetings Today Facebook page. Exhibitor Lisa Donati added: “I had a fab start to the show – the poor weather didn’t stop visitors coming at all. I personally had a wonderful day and the general mood was buoyant with peers reporting a successful day too.” The Best Product Awards were judged and presented on the opening day of the show by Glasgow Museum’s buyer Annette Potts, Captain’s Cabin owner Katrina Thomson and lifestyle

● In the pink – Mabel Forsyth with Jenny (above left) from Top Drawer, St Andrews; Janet (above) from Orsay, Oban, and Carolyn and Louise from Pentland Plants (below) guru Gabriella Bennett – the list of winners is on the website. Annette said: “The standard of the entries was very high and showed a nice mixture of contemporary and traditional which was reflected generally throughout the show. “There’s no doubt that the presentation, packaging and marketing of products has improved. We also managed to buy for all our core ranges which is excellent.” Buyer Brenda Duncan, from Camera Obscura And The World of Illusions in Edinburgh, added: “This year’s show had a noticeable increase in design-led products and quirky items which is good for retailers. It’s great to see classy, affordable Scottish products.” Show director Mark Saunders said: “With a similar footfall to the show as previous years the difference has been the quality of the buyers as it seems evident that good shops in great locations are ordering strongly.”

www.scotlandstradefairs.co.uk

Here’s to the next 50 years WITH 50 years already under its belt, Giving & Living 2015 got the next 50 years off to a great start as the Exeter show generated valuable business for exhibitors throughout the four days. This was reflected in high re-booking levels, with many of the largest stands already confirmed for 2016 – and John Sherriff, of Sherriff Designs, received a £250 John Lewis voucher from Paul Thomas, of show organisers Hale Events, after his company name was picked in the draw of those who’d signed up again. The many visitors to the show enjoyed the warm and friendly atmosphere and the new Enhance area proved very popular, so will be back next January. The buyer from Card Sharp in Helston, Cornwall, said: “It’s great to see exhibitors with established brand identity at a location in the south west. The location is easy to reach and the halls are ideal.” Of their first G&L show for some years Holy Mackerel’s Katie Meeke said: “Bespoke designs were our thing here, we sold phenomenal amounts of them. There were customers that were new to us from the furthest parts of Devon and Cornwall who didn’t know our cards and they don’t go to Spring Fair because it’s too far, so that was good. They do have the best trade ● John & Berni Parker with show cakes – the flapjacks are to die for!” agent Chris Bedser

● Holy Mackerel’s Katie Meeke with Heather Middleton & Amber from Bazaar, Barnstaple

www.givingliving.co.uk

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Artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; directory If you are an artist/cartoonist/illustrator/verse writer or image library and would like to be part of this feature contact the advertsing department on 01442 289930 for more details.

www.facebook.com/greetingstodaymag @greetingstoday

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PRODUCT & SERVICES DIRECTORY GREETINGS CARD PUBLISHERS & PARTY PRODUCT SUPPLIERS To advertise To call advertise Ian MacFarlaine call 01442 on 289930 01442 289940

spotlight

A selection of this month’s latest releases

● THE latest design by wildlife art publisher The Robert Fuller Gallery features a local wildlife celebrity – a peregrine falcon that lives on York Minster. Artist Robert E Fuller discovered the bird of prey on the turrets of the medieval cathedral after being challenged by Radio York to see what wildlife existed in the city centre. Within moments of the start of his challenge the artist spotted the peregrine and his mate hunting off a gargoyle. The peregrine pair went on to become local celebrities after BBC Look North also then featured them on TV. The 150x100mm cards are taken from an original acrylic painting and come individually wrapped at 69p +VAT each trade.

T: 01759368355 www.robertefuller.com ● MOTHER’S Day is one of the most celebrated occasions all over the world, spoiling her rotten, waiting on her hand and foot and doing whatever makes this day that little more special. Because this occasion is so popular I Love Nice Cards have some charming new designs for such a special day in their Family Affair collection

T: 07775 441785 www.ilovenicecards.com

T: 0844 357 6091

● A UNIQUE new collection of hand-painted greetings cards is on offer from Charlee, featuring cats and dogs, for all occasions including Valentine’s, Mother’s Day. get well soon and weddings. Each card has been originally designed and painted by Lin Watson, whose love affair with animals and their differing personalities began while working as housekeeper for Sir Elton John in London where he gave her a Jack Russell puppy he named Charlee. Lin has since built her own successful pet minding and pet psychology business. The large range of different dogs and cats breeds that she works with on a daily basis are the source of inspiration for her beautiful paintings.

T: 01277 212332 www.charleegreetingcards.co.uk

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A selection of this month’s latest releases

spotlight ● TWO new 18-card ranges have been added to the Peartree Heybridge humour portfolio. The gardening humour of Hugh Silvey and Wally Jex, creators of highly successful animated TV ads and children’s series, is featured in Gardener’s Weakly, and cuddly and not-so-cuddly animals behaving like humans are the subjects of their photographic collection When Animals Turn Bad.

PRODUCT & SERVICES DIRECTORY GREETINGS CARD PUBLISHERS & PARTY PRODUCT SUPPLIERS To advertise call Ian MacFarlaine on 01442 289940

T: 01423 876311 www.peartreeheybridge.co.uk

● A MADE Hand’s new range is very emotive, inspired and positive. Offering much more than cards, they are friendship, comfort, reassurance, confidence and encouragement all in one thought. Send to anyone who needs a boost or a little help, just to let that someone know that you understand. These are more than cards, these are More Than Words. Positivity is important for your wellbeing and nothing makes someone feel considered more than a card like this.

T: 01200 420880 www.amadehand.co.uk www.facebook.com/greetingstodaymag @greetingstoday

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PRODUCT & SERVICES DIRECTORY GREETINGS CARD PUBLISHERS & PARTY PRODUCT SUPPLIERS To advertise call 01442 289930

spotlight

A selection of this month’s latest releases

● EARLYBIRD’S new Say It Like It Is range features 12 cheeky birthday and five occasions cards with humorous sayings using a calligraphy style of handwriting. "Traditional typography is a growing trend. Combine this with funny sentiments and we think this makes for an appealing range." said designer Dominic Early. "I've been playing around with some of these sayings in my sketchbook for a while so it's great to see them in print. Plus, it's good to add a new dimension to our ranges."

T: 020 7923 3504 www.earlybirddesigns.co.uk

gifts spotlight A selection of the latest gift releases and deals

● CLUCK Cluck! have extended the popular Owl & Rocky penguins range to include fridge notepads, tea-towels and coffee mugs with new chicken designs are now available. After the success of the pheasants mats and coasters they now have a set of six colourful chicken table mats and coasters. All products are made in England and designed by artist Victoria Hall.

www.cluckcluck.biz

● BRAW Scotland’s designs celebrate Scotland’s scenery and heritage through hand-drawn and printed gifts and home wares, including aprons, cushion covers, tea towels, book bags and beach bags. Designer Gabrielle Schoenenberger has just launched two new whimsical and colourful prints, The Shore and Puffins, inspired by Scotland’s seafaring history and its rare birdlife. The prints are featured on tea towels and beach bags with The Shore also available on aprons. Braw’s best-selling Christmas Westie print is also being extended from tea towels and napkin sets on to aprons.

T: 07792 179956 www.brawscotland.com Designs that will get your customers coming back for more!

Life quotes to make them laugh out loud

All our designs are tried and tested in an award winning store Ramblingmansion.co.uk contact@ramblingmansion.co.uk

48 www.greetingstoday.co.uk

● THAMES & Hudson are launching a stationery gift line with 20 Notecards To Annoy Your Friends (Or Make Them Smile) and 30 Ways to Annoy Your Friends By Mail. These two unique and vibrantlycoloured sets, in which every card is different, follow the success of 120 Ways To Annoy Your Mother by Ana Benaroya.

T: 020 7845 5022 www.thamesand hudson.com www.facebook.com/greetingstodaymag @greetingstoday

A selection of this month’s latest releases

spotlight

● ALL you need is love, and Hallmark’s The Story Of Two range of gifts and gift wrap is new for 2015, and designed to help people share their love all year round. Combining captivating editorial, love heart illustrations and silver foil detailing, The Story of Two is perfect for Valentine’s Day, weddings and anniversaries or to bring a touch of romance to any special occasion. Matching cards, wrap and social stationery make The Story Of Two a one-stop solution as the collection boasts keepsakes including a ceramic heart ornament which is the perfect finishing touch for any gift, coasters and mugs, plus photo frames and albums as part of the The Me & You Love Timeline allowing lovers to record their memories from their first date to their wedding day. Using the phrase “me and you” The Story Of Two is suitable for all loved ones, including same-sex couples.

PRODUCT & SERVICES DIRECTORY GREETINGS CARD PUBLISHERS & PARTY PRODUCT SUPPLIERS To advertise call 01442 289930

INDEPENDENTLY AUDITED

CIRCULATION 6,089 July 1, 2013June 20, 2014

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T: 0800 902 0900 www.hallmark.co.uk

● MEL Smith has a new Travel Bug collection which incorporates various cities and countries from his trips around the globe, with eight cards inspired from his weekend in Amsterdam. “There’s not a huge amount of tulips from Keukenhof,” Mel said, “mainly because when we did go the weather had been awful and so none had grown! Very disappointing at the time, but you have to laugh now, I guess.” In the 120x170mm card range Mel also has a London design which he’s taken on to matching tea towels, mugs, and a coaster set.

T: 07951 265582 www.melsmithdesigns.com www.facebook.com/greetingstodaymag @greetingstoday

Saunders Displays Point of sales display stands for every retail environment. Tel: 0208 594 7221 www.saundersdisplays.co.uk

www.greetingstoday.co.uk 49

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2016 Calendar Selection Lifestyle

Art

Carola van Dyke 2016

Photography

Family Planners

GreenLine Mini Grid Calendars

To order a 2016 catalogue please contact

Calendars l Calendriers 2016

Claire Trigger Sales Manager UK teNeues Calendars & Staionery GmbH + Co. KG Mobile: +44 (0)771 520 8507 Tel: +44 (0)203 542 8997 E-Mail: ctrigger@teneues.co.uk www.teneues-calendars.com

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