PG Live

A Cardie Reunion

Below: It’s back! PG Live will be re-opening its doors on July 27 and 28 at the Business Design Centre in London’s Islington. Below middle: Cookery writer Prue Leith showcases her debut card range for Ling Design at PG Live in 2019. Bottom right: A warm welcome from the popular ‘cardies’ awaits.

Greeting cards were one of the top product sectors that really came into their own during the pandemic, with the sector hugely increasing in importance for many gift retailers.

With dedicated greeting card show PG Live all set to welcome visitors at London’s Business Design Centre later this month - on Tuesday 27 July and Wednesday 28 July - the show is an unmissable opportunity for gift retailers to physically see the latest ranges from countless leading names, as well as newbies and brand-new start-ups.

Known for its friendly vibe and extra treats, gift retailers will receive a warm greeting as well as the opportunity to see thousands of new greeting cards!

As the UK's only dedicated, specialist greeting card show, PG Live 2021 will be bringing the whole greeting card community together at the end of July - publishers, retailers and trade suppliers - to share in what makes the industry great - its products and its people. "We're so excited that PG Live is back this year,” state Rachel and Paul Roberts, co-owners of five MOOCH gift stores in Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire. “We constantly challenge ourselves to keep our range of greeting cards fresh and varied, and meeting the people behind the brands is really important to us. For us, the people we work with are as important as the product itself and that's something you can't establish by email. When we're looking at new ranges we think about our whole shop and how it all knits together, and seeing everyone in one place makes that so much easier.”

Continues Rachel: “Our main purpose for visiting PG Live is to find new and exciting ranges, and it's also a brilliant opportunity to see our key supplier partners to say ‘hello’ and look at all their glorious newness. It's such a lovely show and the focus on just one category makes it really easy to navigate."

Adam and Harriet de Wolff, co-owners of The Indigo Tree in Crystal Palace and Streatham add: “There’s always a buzz at PG Live and I’m sure this year will be more exciting than ever. The show is a fantastic opportunity to discover new talent and new designs as well as to meet agents and suppliers from across the country. PG Live is the one show on the calendar where you will be sure to refresh your card racks and spinners. For us, it is a must visit event,” Adam emphasises.

Lunch Is On Us!

There’s a saying that ‘there’s no such thing as a free lunch’, but PG Live is a show that turns that old adage on its head! A delicious, specially prepared hot - or cold - lunch is available for both visitors and exhibitors, with free teas and coffees available on both show days.

Left: Lunch is served!

“It’s my favourite show of the year,” states Georgina Black, owner of the Pretty Shiny Shop in Finsbury Park. “It’s got such a happy vibe and I don’t feel rushed. I love that it focuses on just greeting cards, offering a mix of large publishers, established independents and new starters.”

As Aga Gabyrsiak, co-owner of Highworth Emporium in Highworth, points out: “Greeting cards are a big chunk of our business - over 30% - so dedicating time for them is extremely important for us. PG Live is a perfect way to do it, as it focuses on cards. I like the size of the show, the surroundings, the ambience and the delicious lunch which is not to be missed! It usually takes me just over half a day to see all the stands and to make choices. It is not overwhelming, as other shows can be, and I’m very much looking forward to this year’s PG Live visit!”

Cathy Frost, owner of Loveone in Ipswich, points out: “While many of us have become more tech savvy in recent times, and have experienced more buying online and via Zoom, nothing quite beats the faceto-face contact, the thrill of discovering a new designer and the togetherness of a trade show. I have really missed the chance to meet up with regular suppliers, discover new ones and generally get the inside view of our industry that a show like PG Live can provide. I’m very much looking forward to a long overdue trip to London!”

The rollcall of exhibitors for PG Live 2021 continues to grow and includes popular names such as Wendy Jones-Blackett, Belly Button Designs, The Art File, Paper Salad, UK Greetings, Woodmansterne, Dean Morris Cards, Alex Clark Art, Danilo, Ohh Deer, Five Dollar Shake, Ling Design, Megan Claire, Deva Designs, Emotional Rescue, Redback, Hallmark, Cardology, Paperlink, Pigment, Unique and many more, with new launches and thousands of options on offer.

“Buyers will be hit from all angles with new designs from leading brands and sparkling new start-ups, but then there are all the other lovely bits too - the unrivalled feeling of friendship, the upbeat atmosphere and all of the perks - free coffees and teas, lunches and the opening night party - which all contribute to both days going with a swing,” says co-show director Jakki Brown, joint managing director of Max Publishing which organisers and owns the event.

“There’s definitely something for each and every genre - from cards that can’t help but make you laugh, to something cute to make you go ‘aahh’, or children’s cards that fill a gap in the market, as well as the latest take on popular culture, handmade creations and more. Plus, sustainable, eco-friendly cards that are kind to the planet will, of course, be a major focus.

But even that’s not all. Socially speaking, there’s every opportunity to network with like minded people in the industry. There are goodie bags on arrival, and a warm welcome from the ‘cardie’ greeters, so hope to see you there!”

Retailers registering ahead of the event will receive a fabulous show preview giving them a taster of some of the new ranges that will be on offer.

Register at www.progressivegreetings.com

Above: Visitors are shown browsing the aisles. Right: One of the designs in Wendy Jones-Blackett’s ART range. Below left: Two international visitors clearly having a great time

It’s Party Time!

Everyone is invited to let their hair down at an opening night party that will see the great and the good in the card industry - exhibitors, retailers and trade suppliers - clinking glasses and enjoying a fabulous evening networking opportunity at the end of the first day.

It’s free to attend and an event that’s not to be missed, with corks popping from 6pm. You have to be there!

Right: Exhibitors and visitors getting together at the opening night networking party.

Some Of The New Launches...

There will hundreds of exciting new greeting card ranges being unveiled at the show, with just a few spotlighted here...

l Belly Button Designs will be showing a wide range of humorous greeting cards that are just a tad cheeky, or ever so slightly offensive, guaranteed to make you laugh. l The Art File will be showcasing 14 brand new ranges launched this year, including six brand new everyday collections to celebrate the return of PG Live. The entire Christmas 2021 collection will also be showcased. l Wendy Jones-Blackett will be going back to its handmade roots with ART, a collection of digital paintings printed onto translucent vellum, sewn onto chalky textured board and finished with a splash of sparkly stars. l The Seed Card Company will be showing an inspirational collection of plantable and biodegradable eco-friendly greeting cards, notecards and thank you card sets.