Progressive Greetings January 2020

January

2020

published by

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Leader

On The Cards Feeling the urge to kiss someone you don’t know is something we have all had to curb over our lifetime I am sure, but it happened to me one Sunday morning when I was least expecting it.

I was having a guilty flick through the Sunday Times magazine when I knew I should be reading the ‘proper bit’ of the newspaper and there it was - a phrase that went straight to my soul: ‘Christmas cards are a little piece of civility in an uncivil world’. And there was more, much more, which sent me all of a tingle, I have to confess. India Knight’s full-page column, anchored by a cartoon of the influential lady herself underway in Christmas card writing mode, was totally dedicated to the joy and benefits of writing cards. And what made it all the more powerful, though slightly surprising, was that it was the first time India had ever sent a single Christmas card in her life.

Our born-again Christmas card sender described how she found the whole experience ‘extremely pleasurable’, from the choosing of the card to writing something that is better formed than a scribbled shopping note.

Music to my ears was her observation that card sending is not just something confined to ‘PRs and old folk’ and how ‘this

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generation have also started sending Left: In Festive Friday mode! (LeftGCA’s Amanda Fergusson particularly lovely Christmas cards’. right) and Sharna Walters with PG’s Jakki Brown.

Her praise continued, citing Above: Elys of Wimbledon’s card buyer Kate Nelligan at a Christmas cards as ‘the perfect personalised card writing event in communication’ and, the opposite of store with PG’s Jakki Brown. left: The GCA Council at the email: ‘They’re all give and no take’. Below the last meeting of the year which was combined with the Past Big kisses to you India!

Presidents Annual Luncheon.

Whether it is because people have been looking for solace from the political furore or whether this is part of the appreciation of ‘real things’, be it books, vinyl records or dare I say it, actual magazines, I know not, but let it continue.

Apart from a few negative ripples when Clintons’ prepack deal happened, insinuating that ‘the greeting card industry is dead’, the media has been keen to embrace all of the positives of Christmas card sending. I can’t go round kissing them all or I will get a name for myself, maybe thank you cards would be more suitable.

As we look forward to not just a new year, but a new decade, here’s to lots more positivity, ‘Knights’ in shining armour, reasons to be cheerful and to keeping it real and tangible.

Happy 2020!

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Contents

What’s Inside?

45

41

50

11-26

45-47

59-67

News

Retailer Perspective

Innovations

Isle Of Man(tons)

29-31

PG caught up with Chris and Debbie Beards, owners of multiple awardwinning indie, Mantons, a card and gift retailer based on the Isle of Man.

A number of publishers’ new launches at Top Drawer January.

Over The Counter

A Positive Vision David Robertson, co-owner of JP Pozzi in Scotland, reflects on last year and ‘focuses’ on 2020.

Cardsharp

“Events Dear Boy” Cardsharp muses over topical events happening in the industry.

Jeremy Corner of publisher Blue Eyed Sun shares some useful tips on how to make 2020 your best year ever.

Retailer Opinion A trio of award-winning card retailers share their views on branding in the greetings sector.

51-53

The Pros And Cons, By Association GCA Council members share their views on the industry’s key challenges and opportunities.

Art Source What’s Hot?

Fuelling Aspirations

Viewpoints

73

75-77

Tha Ladder Club

35-37

Jeremy’s Journal

Your Best Year Ever 49-50

Brand And Deliver

33-34

69-71

PG reports back from the inspiring Ladder Club 2019 seminar.

78-90

Classified

55-57 Publisher Collaboration

91

A Plan Comes Together

Appointments

Heading up a new concept and solution in card planning, Chris Houfe explains the collaborative business, Tailored Planning Solutions.

39-43 Publishers’ Focus

Young Upstarts Rising up the greeting card ‘charts’, a band of young publishers share some of the card publishing lessons they've learnt.

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Jakki Brown

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Deputy Editor

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Copyright© 2020. While every effort has been made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of publication, the publishers cannot accept legal liability for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for the standing of advertisers nor any organisation mentioned in the text. Views of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.

PG is the official magazine for the Greeting Card Association GCA: Amanda Fergusson 020 7619 9266 Email: gca@max-publishing.co.uk www.greetingcardassociation.org.uk PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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NEWS Views on the news

TOP STORY

Clintons Continues Via Pre-Pack Card suppliers left in the dark over debts Everybody was braced and ready for something to happen at Clintons, but when the news broke on December 4 that the UK’s second largest retail specialist had effectively been sold back to its owners in a pre-pack administration deal, it was not the early Christmas present the trade had wanted.

While the deal meant that the chain’s 334 stores could continue to trade through the Christmas season, and safeguarded the jobs of Clintons’ 2,500 staff in the festive run-up, as PG went to press (in mid December) there was still a question mark over the outstanding monies owed to the greeting card publishers, giftwrap companies and calendar manufacturers that had supplied the chain prior to the administration, as well as the terms for future stock requirements. While greeting cards are supplied into Clintons via brokerage from UKG, other products are supplied direct. However, under the terms of the brokerage UKG is not liable for third parties’ debts if a retailer goes into receivership.

Clintons, having gone into administration (on December 4), was immediately sold to Esquire Retail, a new company owned by the Weiss family. The Weiss family acquired Clintons seven years ago when the retailer went into administration (at that time the Weiss family fully owned UKG and acquired Clintons to protect its debt and safeguard a supply chain for its card publishing interests).

This latest development came three months after it was announced that

Clintons was being put up for sale, with KPMG appointed to explore options.

“Like so many of our fellow high street retailers, we have worked tirelessly to contend with the maelstrom of issues impacting the sector, from business rates pressures to fragile consumer confidence and the lack of clarity around the taxation of online retail businesses,” said Eddie Shepherd, ceo of Clintons.

Despite bids being received to buy the Clintons business from those both within the trade and outside, these were not accepted. The next option taken was to negotiate with landlords about the launch of a company voluntary arrangement (CVA), which would have needed support from at least 75% of creditors to go through.

"Despite receiving support from a number of landlords, we were unfortunately unable to secure the requisite support needed to successfully launch our proposals,” said Eddie. He added that, "With no other investment options available, we therefore had to take the difficult step to place the company into administration."

(See Cardsharp pages 33-34) Top: The deal sees Clintons’ stores continue to trade.

Retailer reaction l The news of Clintons’ demise and immediate resurrection spread like wildfire within the card trade, the retailing arena and among the public at large.

Given the high brand awareness, heritage and size of Clintons (albeit less than half what it once was) the media in all its guises latched onto the story.

With no one from Clintons available for comment, the media - from Sky News to the BBC, national newspapers to online business sites - drew from an official press statement issued by KPMG’s PR team titled ‘Future of Clintons secured following sale out of administration’.

PG collected some early reactions from those in the trade: John Procter (above), co-founder of Scribbler: “I have rather mixed feelings. On the one hand Clintons needs to keep trading to preserve jobs and supply industries.

The high street absolutely does not need yet more empty shops but it does rankle somewhat when companies such as ours are still having to pay full rents in the same streets as our competitors who have negotiated cheaper deals through CVAs and pre-packs. We are all aware of how tough it is out there as a result of well-publicised issues such as over-inflated historical rents, rates, wages and the shift online. With regard to Clintons specifically, my personal (probably uneducated) opinion is that they have simply been caught in a perfect storm between the aforementioned issues and Card Factory.”

l Karen Hubbard, ceo of Card Factory: “I am delighted that Clintons will remain a part of the card industry and that it has come up with a solution that will retain jobs in this tough retail environment. It is good news for all of Clintons’ colleagues at Christmas. It will be interesting to see what it will do that is different.” l Paul Taylor, ceo of Cardzone: “It is good news that the jobs of Clintons’ staff have been saved.

Whatever the situation at Clintons, the card trade is most definitely not dead!” l Ged Mace, managing director of The Art File: “It’s always sad to see any retailer on the high street in difficulty, especially as it’s shop rents and business rates that are largely to blame.

Things like this are unsettling for the trade. I do hope that the suppliers are treated fairly, both on monies outstanding and on orders going forward." l Paul Woodmansterne, ceo of Woodmansterne Publications: “It is a shame that Clintons’ demise resulted in negative comments about the industry.

Evidence shows that people love to send and give cards more than ever.

Unfortunately it’s not just Clintons, shops of every kind face terminal decline because governments never worked out how to tax the multinational online operators like Amazon. Of course, any ambitious company allowed to trade tax-free for 20 years can wipe out all competition.” l Rachel Hare, managing director of Belly Button Designs: “I’m relieved and delighted that Clintons is rebounding from this. It’s a really positive sign that it is fighting back - it is a good customer and provides a familiar face on the high street, providing much needed feelgood in the form of the simple but effective greeting card!”

Above: (top-bottom) Card Factory’s Karen Hubbard, Cardzone’s Paul Taylor, Woodmansterne’s Paul Woodmansterne and Belly Buttons’ Rachel Hare are among those to have commented on the Clintons’ situation.

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NEWS TOP STORY

Lanther Black’s Indie Film Publisher gets poetic about saving the high street Jack Parker and Dominique Miranda, directors of Lanther Black card company have gone all out to support independent retailers. The talented couple turned their creative skills to make a short film, which makes a strong point about the importance of shopping in bricks and mortar shops with ‘the script’ being a poem written by them.

What’s more, eight of the publisher’s independent retailers from around the UK were invited to star in the film too, reading a verse of the well-crafted poem.

The retailers involved include Tony Dangerfield of The Waverley, West Kirby; Mark and Rose Thorley of The Eleventh Hour Gift Shop, Audlem; Georgina Collins of Bijouled, Harrogate; Catherine Lockerbie of The Gift Shop, Dumfries; Mary Singleton-Jones of Panda Cards, St. Albans; Barbara Scott of Hermitage

Rd & Co, Hitchin; Tim & Annie Gould of Objectables, Folkestone and Fiona Hannafin of Inspitalfields, London.

“We were inspired by the activity of the Just a Card campaign and felt compelled to put our filmmaking skills to good use to encourage people to support their local retailers,” said Jack Parker (son of Berni and John Parker of Berni Parker Designs), who has been making films since he was a child.

Stokey-ing Christmas trade

The film starts with a scene of Dominique looking through the window of an empty shop unit (above). “You may have noticed something strange each time you go to town. That one by one your high street shops are slowly closing down”, she said to camera before handing the mantle to the retailers to champion the advantages and importance of bricks and mortar shopping.

Fiona Hannafin of Inspitalfields makes the point: “Online shopping’s great and no one’s saying that should stop. But every now and then, why not pop into a shop?”

Jack then delivers the poignant closing lines: “If we don't support our high street it won’t be around for long and one thing’s for sure, we’ll miss it when it’s gone.”

The couple really hope that the film, hosted on the Lanther Black Facebook page (and was viewed 11,000 times on the first day alone!), will not only make consumers think about where they shop, but also encourage local councils to support retailers in their vicinity.

As Dominique explained: “We have also sent it to the councils in the areas where the retailers involved are based, as well as to other relevant organisations.”

Above left: Lanther Black’s Jack Parker and (right) Dominique Miranda with retailer Barbara Scott of Hermitage Road & Co, Hitchin, who appears in the film.

Above: Tim Gould of Objectables, Folkestone.

What the Dickens?

Up until April, The Charles Dickens Museum will be helping to tell the story of the heritage of Christmas cards. The Museum currently has one of the world’s first printed Christmas cards (produced by Sir Henry Cole back in 1843) on show as part of a new exhibition, together with an original proof of the card design.

The reason the Museum was keen to display the card was that Sir Henry Cole produced the card in the same year that Charles Dickens published A Christmas Carol.

The exhibition, Beautiful Books: Dickens and the Business of Christmas, runs at the novelist’s former London home, now the museum, until 19 April.

Right: The Henry Cole original card and the proof that is now on show at the Dickens Museum. It has been lent by a book dealer in San Francisco.

Independent card retailer and publisher, Earlybird Designs, and fellow card indie The Ark, joined forces with their fellow retailers in North London’s Stoke Newington area to create ‘A Very Stokey Christmas’ event.

Heidi Early, co-owner of Earlybird Designs, who helped organise the initiative, explained that this involved a whole day promoting Christmas shopping in the vicinity.

A whole host of activities took place in all of the shops and cafes, from a Christmas jumper competition, Santa’s grotto, choirs single, a huge charity raffle and a (fake) snowball fight.

Added to this, “Earlybird ran a children’s ‘design a Christmas card’ competition themed ‘A Very Stokey Christmas’,” confirmed Heidi. It asked customers to vote for their favourites, with the winning design to be printed as a card range to sell in the shop for Christmas 2020.

Fellow retailer Jo Georgiou, owner of The Ark, was full of praise for the event. “Anything that gets the community involved in supporting their local independents is fantastic, and this is a great initiative. There’s so much negativity around that something like this got people feeling optimistic and positive,” says Jo. Above: Local Stoke Newington independents really got behind A Stokey Christmas event which took place last Sunday. Heidi Early (5th left) of Earlybird Designs was one of the organisers.

Window shopping Sally Matson, owner of award-winning card shop Red Card in Petworth, West Sussex, spearheaded an innovative window display project in her neck of the woods that definitely put shoppers in the festive mood.

As deputy chair of the Petworth Business Association, Sally’s first project was the Christmas window displays. “I decided to get every shop to select a carol or song to theme their window on and then had them all printed with the same border and font to link all the shops. The town looked so beautiful!” said Sally, who selected White Christmas for her shop’s theme. With her November trade up 17% at the time of PG going to press, Sally had high hopes that this spending flurry would continue right through until Christmas.

Above: Red Cards’ White Christmas window.

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NEWS TOP STORY

Festive Frenzy Christmas card kick-start goes beyond industry As PG went to press there was still much to play for on the Christmas trade front, but early indications were looking good on the Christmas singles front especially.

Certainly the support for Festive Friday, the GCA initiative to kick-start Christmas card sending (which fell on November 29) was broader than ever, extending beyond the industry’s boundaries as schools, care homes, day centres, hospitals, businesses outside the trade, as well as the general public latched onto the event with thousands and thousands of Christmas cards making their way into the postal system, each one sending some early festive cheer.

“I have always supported Festive Friday. For me it is the best way of getting Christmas started,” commented Nigel Scott of the Shingles Support Society who participated in one of the GCA’s Festive Friday activities in

Community spirited

London. Nigel wrote and sent 70 of his Christmas cards at the event, staged at the brasserie adjacent to the GCA/PG offices.

Nigel’s colleague, Marian Nicholson, added: “Sending Christmas cards is an integral part of the Christmas tradition. It is a wonderful way of me sending people my love and for them to show that they love me too, which is rather special.”

Top: The Blue Eyed Sun team in their Festive Friday garb.

Above: A trio of the Danilo team writing Christmas cards as part of the company’s embrace of the event.

Above right: Member of the public Nigel Scott was well up for Festive Friday, arriving with his address book with a mission to write and send all his Christmas cards at the GCA event.

Above left: The GCA’s Sharna Walters at Drovers, an Age UK day centre, writing cards with some of the attendees.

Left: Teamsters from greeting card printers, Windles in Christmas card writing mode.

House of Cards’ big send Living up to the retail group’s name, House of Cards saw over 1,000 Christmas cards being sent (with postage covered by the retailer) on Festive Friday - written by the staff from its six shops, the warehouse team and co-owners Miles Robinson and Nigel Williamson.

However, Renz, the calendar binding company also embraced Festive Friday in 2019, thanks to Miles.

Having been told about the event by Miles at The Calies judging day, Renz’s md, Iain Bullock, was encouraged to get involved.

“Miles very kindly sent us the cards and the whole event went down very well!” admitted Iain.

Rachel Hare, president of the GCA and managing director of Belly Button Designs, has always been a big supporter of Festive Friday, but this year made a week of it! The publisher worked with a local primary school donating cards that the children then wrote to residents of a care home for the elderly.

In addition, the Belly Button team also took the initiative to Manchester Whittington Hospital where cards were written as well as sold for charity. The Manchester-based business also reached out to a local homeless centre (with cards handed out on Christmas Day).

Belly Button Designs’ own Festive Friday charity event saw locals and businesses invited to the studio where they could buy Belly Button products, homemade cakes and participate in a raffle, with all proceeds going to Christies Charity.

Above: Some of the children at Didsbury Road Primary School, Manchester, enjoying their Festive Friday with cards provided by Belly Button Designs.

Below: Belly Button raised £462 at its Festive Friday event at Whittington Hospital.

Keeping you posted The Isle of Man post office very generously posted all of the GCA’s 500 Christmas cards, complete with a specially created gold Festive Friday postmark.

The publishers, whose designs feature on the IoM festive stamps, also were invited to do the same, each having their own bespoke postmark!

Below: One of the GCA Christmas cards arriving at PG’s offices.

Above: Some of the House of Cards’ Festive Friday post along with hampers from Betty’s (Harrogate) which every part-time member of staff received. The managers received a hamper from the Wine Society!

Left: Some of the Christmas cards Renz sent at its first ever Festive Friday.

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NEWS TOP STORY

GCA’s exhibition on tour

The Best Medicine Comedian Adam Kay plugs cards on the Jonathan Ross Show Clintons’ coverage aside, greeting cards have come in for some high profile praise from the media in the last month, on top TV shows, national press, radio stations galore and online sites.

“I do think that the election overload has worked in the greeting card industry’s favour on the PR side, as journalists are keen to find a more positive fillip in these unsettling times,” commented Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA, who was involved in over 20 media appearances, radio broadcasts and press interviews during the Christmas runup. “Great that the importance of connecting with loved ones through cards are seen as ever more relevant.”

An unexpected stamp of approval came from former doctor turned comedian and writer Adam Kay, who appeared on a recent episode of the Jonathan Ross Show. In between his humorous anecdotes, which are echoed in his best selling book This Is

Going To Hurt and on his comedy tour, he urged viewers to spare a thought for the 400,000 NHS workers who will be working on Christmas Day this year. “Even better than that, let doctors and nurses know you are grateful. Send them a card, they will appreciate it more than you will ever know,” he said.

He revealed that he has “kept every single card given to me by a patient.”

Above: Comedian Adam Kay on the Jonathan Ross Show.

Left: The GCA’s ceo Amanda Fergusson doing one of many radio interviews.

Knight in shining ‘amour’ ‘Christmas cards are a little piece of civility in an uncivil world’ stated revered columnist India Knight in her article in Sunday Times magazine in the run up to Christmas.

The entire column was dedicated to the merit of sending Christmas cards, with India confessing that, prior to 2019, she had never sent a single Christmas card in her entire life. She then went on to share that she found ‘the whole process extremely pleasurable, from the choosing of the cards to the feeling of the holding a pen in my hand and writing something that isn’t a scribbled Post-it note or a reminder to buy rinse aid.’

To her mind, India says Christmas cards are ‘the perfect communication… They are the opposite of email. They ask nothing of you. They’re all give and no take.’

Above: An excerpt of the India Knight column that appeared in the Sunday Times magazine on Sunday 8 December.

Woody’s Advent-agous coverage BBC 2’s Behind the Factory programme delivered some positive festive PR cheer on Election Day, including footage of Woodmansterne’s Advent calendar production as the episode’s historical angle.

“The programme makers were keen to delve into our archive as well as seeing modern day production methods and designs,” said Kate Leach, marketing manager of Woodmansterne. “They loved the fact we were a UK manufacturer, designing, printing and diecutting in-house at our Croxley site,” she added.

The presenters discussed the continued popularity of traditional paper Advent calendars to retain and rekindle the magic of Christmas (as a healthier alternative to chocolate ones!).

The GCA’s Centenary Exhibition of the last 100 years of cards is now available for members to borrow, to share with their staff and/or use for PR initiatives.

Launched at the GCA’s 100th Anniversary Conference and AGM in October, the display comprises two large fabric screens, with both sides featuring a rich history of greeting card designs from the last 100 years.

“When we decided to create the exhibition it was always the intention that it should have a life way beyond our centenary conference, hence the reason we elected for it to be so easily transportable and erected,” said Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA. The exhibition, curated by industry expert Geoff Sanderson with support from

Helen Snell of Orchard Design House, incorporates card designs collected from submissions from GCA members, as well as from museums and auctions.

The exhibition starts its ‘tour’ with UK Greetings using it at its sales conference.

Anyone wishing to borrow the exhibition (a small fee of £75 is charged) should contact the GCA’s Amanda Fergusson or Sharna Walters on gca@maxpublishing.co.uk.

Above: Geoff Sanderson, curator of the exhibition, in front of one of the panels.

Historic Lunch The heritage of the GCA was also celebrated in a different way recently, at the annual Past Presidents’ Annual Luncheon. Held at the Oriental Club, London (with Julian Royle, formerly of Royle Publications as its host member), the event brought together past presidents of the GCA and its forerunner, the GCCA, as well as current members of the Council.

Commenting, Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA said: We owe so much to the presidents and council members of the last ten decades for protecting and promoting our industry.”

Above: Round the table at the GCA Past Presidents’ Annual Luncheon.

Above: The BBC’s popular Inside the Factory series included coverage of the Caltime by Woodmansterne Advents.

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NEWS Pen poised at Elys

TOP STORY

Trends At Top Drawer Votes are cast for the PaperAwards As the first major UK show of the new decade, Top Drawer (taking place 1214 January at London’s Olympia) will set the scene for a clutch of new ranges and emerging trends.

Show director, Alejandra Campos explains: “Passion for design is at the very heart of our DNA and shared by everyone who is part of Top Drawer - from retailers, exhibitors and designers to our curators, speakers and organising team.”

The show has partnered with global cultural strategy agency, Flamingo, to share what they feel are five key trends for the coming year, which are: l Playful Chromatics - Fun filled rainbow palettes of block colours that bring modernity through mid-tone brights. Varied hues are achieved through mixed material densities. Key colour neo mint adds to a positive and fresh start for 2020. l Rare Bloom - Powerful pigmented florals are grounded with soft brown leathers. Florals add deep intensity of reds, oranges and purples, clashing with acid lime, tempered with soft peachy coral.

A fantasy garden that both soothes and excites the senses. l Refined Elementals - Minimalist luxe in a subtle palette of neutrals, greens and blush. Chic details and textures add sophistication to the everyday. Smooth, circular forms soften and create a tranquil environment. l Serene Warmth - A late afternoon, relaxing natural theme with touches of glamour.

Dappled sun warmth and cool shade colours are juxtaposed in the raw fabrics, rich prints PLAYFUL and smooth pale marbles CHROMATICS and concrete. l Unadorned Tactility New interpretations of traditional materials and techniques for a new decade. Aged and natural patterns are hyperreal in blues and bright greens.

Organic print and textures layered on to geo shapes give a bio-futurist look.

Another element of the show is the TREND

Fun filled rainbow palettes of block colours that bring modernity through mid-tone brights. Varied hues are achieved through mixed material densities. Key colour neo mint adds to a positive and fresh start for 2020.

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12—14 JANUARY 2020 | OLYMPIA LONDON

PaperAwards. Judged by buyers from Fortnum & Mason, Heal’s, Paperchase, Papersmiths, the V&A and the Design Museum, among others, to arrive at the shortlist for the S/S20 edition of the PaperAwards (sponsored by G.F Smith), the voting is still open to decide the PaperAwards’ winners.

The finalists are: Engaging Print Lagom Design, Meraki, Hotchpotch, Type and Story, 1 Tree Cards and Sadler Jones.

Emotive Design - ola, Sadler Jones, Wanderlust Paper Co, Raspberry Blossom, Dicky Bird and Kinshipped.

Exciting Use of Colour Lagom Design, Earlybird Designs, Raspberry Blossom, Crispin Finn, Elvira Van Vredenburgh Designs and Type and Story.

Best Stationery Design ola, The Completist, Crispin Finn, Sleepy Bee Studio, The ‘Room’ Alive and Block Design.

The winners and finalists will be displayed beside the RetailFest Stage at the show.

(See Innovations pages 59-65 for a selection of new launches at Top Drawer).

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Department store Elys of Wimbledon (part of the Morleys Group) went so far as to offer to write shoppers’ Christmas cards for them and in a beautiful calligraphic style no less!

As a preamble to its ‘personalised weekend’, the Wimbledon department store collaborated with Woodmansterne in early December to offer shoppers buying a Woodmansterne or Proper Mail Co card the opportunity to have their messages and envelopes written in beautiful calligraphy by Woodmansterne’s talented designer Beth Lewton.

As Kate Nelligan, card buyer for Elys (and the Morley group), told PG: “This all adds to the specialness of sending cards, be it at Christmas or throughout the year. It has been good to see shoppers coming with several cards they would like to receive the special treatment from Beth.”

Below: The calligraphy event in Elys of Wimbledon, which was adjacent to the card displays. Elys’ card buyer Kate Nelligan (centre) with designer Beth Lewton (right) and Woodmansterne’s marketing manager Kate Leach.

Incentive to undress Poet and Painter is offering a 10% discount to all shops ordering their cards cello free in the hope of creating an incentive for buyers who are understandably nervous about taking the plunge and trialling ‘naked’ cards.

“We want to work with our customers to operate as sustainably as possible as we face this climate crisis, which has far bigger implications than Brexit. All of our cards are FSC rated and we will continue to avoid using any non-recyclable embellishments,” said the company’s Bryn Dineen.

The publisher is offering a prize draw at Top Drawer (Stand Y61) to win a signed, framed art print. All that participants have to do is tell the publisher what is their favourite new design.

Below: Poet and Painter is offering an incentive to get undressed!

Top: This Portico Designs collection was selected to illustrate the Rare Bloom trend.

Above: Among the finalists in the PaperAwards is Lagom Design, which appears in two categories.

Its Tobias Saul range is up for Engaging Print.

Left: Playful Chromatics is just one of the trends highlighted by Top Drawer.

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1. JESSICA RUSSEL FLINT 2. IZIPIZI 3. DONNA WILSON 4. BLOCK DESIGN 5. MANFOOD 6. DISCO DUST 7. RICE

FOR THE LATEST NEWS VISIT PGBUZZ.net PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Rosie Made A Thing Papery lols

I like to be teased in bed

Introducing... our new card range

Your new glasses look stupid

BABBLE Top Drawer S/S, 12-14 January London Olympia

Stand Y45 www.rosiemadeathing.co.uk 0116 4062000 office@rosiemadeathing.co.uk

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NEWS TOP STORY

Creative Card Collective Launch Card creatives join Facebook group Experienced greeting card creative and marketing executive, Bev Cunningham has launched Creative Card Collective, a private Facebook Group for creatives in the greeting card industry.

Bev, who left Abacus Cards two years ago (where she had been creative and marketing director for over 20 years) to set up Ginger Bee Studios, specialising in photographic imagery and creative solutions, felt there was a gap in the market for a “community hub” for those involved in the creative aspects of the card trade.

“The card trade has always been a friendly industry to work in but unlike those in sales, who meet regularly at trade shows, us creatives don't often have the opportunity to get to know each other. My aim is that this group can be a

place to support one another, connect and to share industry news,” explained Bev. The group, which is free to join, is open to any creatives, be they designers, illustrators, art directors, art editors, artist agents, verse writers etc., and can be freelance, employed or business owners.

Commenting on the new initiative, Bev pointed out that “Having experienced life on both sides of the creative fence, as a buyer of imagery and now a seller of imagery, I am well placed to be an administrator for a group such as this but really need to get people onboard for it to become a thriving place where people want to hang out and not to miss out”.

To be part of the Creative Card Collective email Bev on bev@gingerbeestudios.com or call her on 01284 789 001 or 07710 385 531.

Above: Bev Cunningham with her dog Ralph.

Left: The Creative Card Collective is free to join, open to anyone involved in the creative side of the card trade.

John Lewis’ Lisa Rutherford leaves cards

Below: Lisa Rutherford judging The Calies 2019 recently.

After many years of buying greeting cards and seasonal products for John Lewis & Partners, Lisa Rutherford has changed tack to take up the position as nursery buyer for the department store group.

Hugely respected for her passion for product, fair-minded and level-headed approach, Lisa will be missed by many in the greeting card trade. Lisa took over as buyer of stationery (which includes single greeting cards) five years ago, but has been involved in buying seasonal products (which includes Spring Seasons merchandise) since 2004.

“I have had a very emotional couple of days!”

Lisa admitted just before she swopped cards for baby products in mid December. “I love this category with a passion but I am equally delighted to be going to a new and exciting product area.”

Although no direct replacement for Lisa has been appointed as yet, Sarah Moughtin, previously assistant buyer on core stationery, will step up as junior buyer in the short-term.

Lisa left the card department on a high with sales of the group’s Christmas singles soaring. “Our Christmas singles are performing brilliantly - the last month has seen double digit growth every week. This is really exciting given that 2018 was also a record season on this category,” says Lisa.

However, the department store group’s sales of packaged Christmas cards (the buying for which is overseen by a different team) are not quite as sparkling, but there are some areas of growth.

Experienced JL&P buyer Dan Cooper, whose wide remit includes Christmas Shop (which covers packaged Christmas cards) revealed in mid December that, as anticipated by the retailer, overall its sales are down, but not by as much as expected.

“We planned for packaged card sales to be down this year, and overall they are running 17% behind from last year, which is better than we anticipated,” said Dan. However, on a positive note, the sales of the retailer’s own brand charity boxed cards, which offer a 25% donation to charities, were up 3%. Dan confirmed that “the entire deficit” was coming from branded cello cards, sales of which are down 42%.

The Light Fund greenlights 32 charity projects Thanks to raffles at The Henries, The Retas, donations from those in the card trade, as well as from other fundraising events, The Light Fund industry charity raised over £160,000 in 2019, which is now to be put to very good use to fund 32 different charity projects in 2020.

Included in this amount is almost £4,000 that was donated by Belly Button Designs as a result of a sale of its Christmas cards.

The charities who are to see their projects funded are: The Lowde Music Trust, Maggie's West London, New Life,

Orchid Cancer Appeal, The Brain Tumour Charity, Motor Neurone Disease Association, MIND, The Children's Trust, Children with Cancer UK, Francis House Children's Hospice, Acorns Children's Hospice, Look Good Feel Better, Together for Short Lives, Dogs for Good, MS-UK, Amputation Foundation, Read for Good, World Child Cancer UK, Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children, Samaritans of Portsmouth and East Hampshire, London Wheelchair Rugby Club, Music for All, Berkshire MS Therapy Centre, Bowel Cancer UK, Happy Days Children's Charity, Breast Cancer Now, Douglas Bader Foundation, Samaritans Chelmsford & Mid Essex branch, Cherry Trees, Women and Children, First UK, Bliss and Action for M.E. Above: As a result of this year’s fundraising, New Life’s £5,000 donation will see a hot bed (incubator) arrive at Winchester hospital

Hail Marys at Spring Fair Much loved food writer and TV presenter Mary Berry (right), affectionately known as the ‘Queen of Cakes’, will be among the keynote speakers at Spring Fair 2020 (Feb 2-6, NEC).

Making a return to the NEC will be ‘Queen of Shops’ Mary Portas, who was among the keynote speakers at Autumn Fair.

The two Marys will be joined by a host of key retail speakers at February’s show, which includes talks from Oliver Bonas, John Lewis, Selfridges and Harrods.

FOR THE LATEST NEWS VISIT PGBUZZ.net PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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NEWS TOP STORY

NEWS IN BRIEF

Sustainability At Paperworld Frankfurt fair commits to environmental issues Sustainability, environmental protection and ecological conduct will feature strongly at Frankfurt’s Paperworld show, which takes place January 25-28 at Frankfurt Messe.

The international trade fair for paper, office supplies, writing instruments and greeting cards has been addressing the ‘green office’ theme for years, and is now focusing on it even more closely.

Tuesday 28 January 2020 is being hailed Sustainable Office Day at the fair, dedicated to sustainable products, and environmentally conscious purchasing.

"Environmental protection and sustainability are not short-lived hot topics.

On the contrary, an awareness of these issues has become established in the stationery sector, which manufacturers, buyers and consumers address in a variety of ways. No-one wishing to remain futureproof can turn a blind eye to this subject.

l In keeping with its evolving portfolio, Lavender Bear Art, the company founded by art Sarah-Jane Adams, has a new name - Art's In My Heart. The last year has seen Sarah-Jane extend her creative talents to new mediums and subject matter, which beckoned a more fitting company name.

Above: Sarah-Jane Adams with the company’s new branding.

Our 'Sustainable Office Day' aims to set an example for the entire industry," says Michael Reichhold, director of Paperworld.

The Paperworld team is being supported by BAUM (the German Environmental Management Association), and during the course of the day the environmental organisation will present a programme of lectures in the Foyer of Hall 4.0.

A Green Directory brochure is also being published by Chmielorz Verlag in cooperation with Messe Frankfurt covering current sustainability-related topics and features exhibitors who offer green products. Also in the Hall 4.1 foyer the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) will have an information stand to promote the environmentally-friendly, socially beneficial and economically viable management of forests worldwide. There is also a Green Pages information booklet published yearly, which lists all FSC-certified Paperworld exhibitors, including greeting card publishers.

Above: Michael Reichhold, director of Paperworld.

Left: Blazing Hotchpotch is one of the design trends that will be highlighted in the trend feature area at Paperworld.

Tesco’s naked ambition

FOR THE LATEST NEWS VISIT PGBUZZ.net PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Above: Cardies’ Jo Sorrell and her husband Andy with some of their rescued Labradors that are often seen in their shop.

l To mark its 10th anniversary, card company Fay’s Studio has launched a brand new website (www.faysstudio.com) and also made a switch to using Bio-Glitter which is derived from 100% sustainable plant cellulose. The publisher, owned

by Fay Miladowska, already uses FSC-certified board and papers, recycled envelopes and recyclable packaging.

Above: A screenshot of the new Fay’s Studio website.

Tesco has pledged to remove one billion pieces of plastic from products by the end of 2020 - and greeting cards form part of that tally.

As part of the grocer giant’s quest to reduce its environmental impact, the supermarket says it is to remove 200 million wrappers, including Above: Tesco has made 'Remove, Reduce, Reuse & Recycle' its mantra those used to pack greeting cards and across all manner of products, from greeting cards to bananas. clothing. Tesco is also to stop using small plastic bags, currently used to pack loose fruit, vegetables and bakery items. These will be replaced with paper ones. It is also going to remove plastic trays from ready meals, secondary lids on products such as cream and yoghurt, sporks and straws from snack pots and drinks cartons.

Sending out a message to its greeting card publishers, Tesco has informed all suppliers that it reserves the right to no longer stock items that use excessive or hard-to-recycle materials.

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l Cardies, the Stevenage-based specialist card shop owned by Jo Sorrell, has a new award to add to its Retas’ trophies – being deemed the Most Dog-friendly Shop in the UK in the recent DogFriendly awards.

Fellow card retailer, Austin & Co in Malvern, has won this award multiple times.

l Yoojoo is taking a new approach to offering its cards wrapped. The publisher, owned by Julie Ashworth, explains that while her cards need to be protected (due to their additions, such as plectrums and bookmarks) she is trialling supplying each batch of six cards ordered with one in cellowrap that should be used for display purposes and the other five cards in eco glassine bags (which are more translucent) which are easier to recycle. Julie has devised a 'Glassine Bear REDUCE' sticker (pictured above) which encourages shoppers to leave the cellowrapped card and take an eco glassine wrapped one.

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OVER THE COUNTER

A Positive

Vision Independent card and gift retailer, David Robertson, co-owner of JP Pozzi in Scotland, reflects on 2019 and focuses on the coming year.

‘20/20 - the clarity and sharpness of vision’ - this phrase literally means that you have what is described as normal eyesight. It means that you can assess things close and faraway and make proper decisions about your surrounding area.

January 2020 is literally beginning as you read this but I am in truth unsure if it is, or what is, in focus.

A new year and a new decade usually gives rise for hope and fresh aims and ambitions, but in some respects I almost feel that this has been beaten out of me… and many others.

BUT let's look at something more positive.

At the end of 2019 I was invited by PG to speak to The Ladder Club seminar. Simply put, The Ladder Club is a day of helpful talks from long-standing publishers, agents, retailers and suppliers in the industry to support new or rising card publishers who are looking to or have entered our world. I was there to deliver the classic ‘What Retailers Want’ part, where, in typical fashion, I went off topic and discussed dreams, the future and manifestations, among other things.

I felt in truth the topic I was given could not be answered. I couldn’t tell The Ladder Club attendees what all retailers want as my needs/desires are very different to many others. The simple answer is no one business has all the answers or can satisfy every customer’s needs.

I always feel alive in front of an audience and I love to see the reaction to my points and how people feed off them.

Most people hate public speaking but to me you are just telling a story, and the great thing is because it is true it is easy to tell.

Indeed, the whole day was packed with good industry speakers at the seminar, all bringing their respective stories and points to the discussion. It was a lot for anyone to take in, but, as with Wrendale, Megan Claire and other Ladder Club successes, the class of 2019 were a credit to themselves and to cofounder Lynn Tait and all the PG Team. I will look forward to seeing some of these new card publishers emerge in Springboard at PG Live this year.

Greeting card newbies are essential for our world of cards. I have always believed cards are fashion influenced and us indies need fresh styles and designs to keep us all happy and healthy. I still love seeing new product. Some of it I can sell and it excites me because commercially I know it will work, and other stuff, well I just like it because it is cool.

That said, I have to quantify the range being instore and I have to be honest with the

Above: What sights are in store for 2020?

Below left: Above: David Robertson (right) with Andy Paterson, sales director of Woodmansterne at The Ladder Club.

Below: A Megan Claire design. Founder, Megan Purdie attended The Ladder Club when she first began her business. She recently shared her thoughts and story at the LC seminar.

publisher and sometimes say it may not actually sell or work for me.

This is the disappointing part, seeing a publisher’s faces drop, but it is just my opinion and it’s not the be all and end all.

The main points of my speech were simple for publishers: Be different Have unshakeable self-belief Deliver a good service Don’t try to undercut (online) the retailers who are showcasing your product Have more than one range and know where you are going Keep going even when it gets tough You forget that commercial terms such as pro-forma and carriage paid orders are words that many of these newbies have no real clue about, so you really have to go back to the beginning.

The feeling in the seminar room however, was one of excitement and hope. It was full of stories of people having had a good career and wanting to work for themselves despite having companies such as Red Bull or Disney on their CV. It was the story of hobbies becoming a source of income. It was friends asking for a card to be made because they loved what you do. It was the story of people chasing their dream.

As the great Bruce Springsteen says, don’t be waiting, reach for your dream: ‘Talk about a dream, Try to make it real You wake up in the night, With a fear so real Spend your life waiting, for a moment that just don't come Well, don't waste your time waiting’ PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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OVER THE COUNTER Tonight, as I write this column, I am streaming Spingsteen’s concert from Madison Square Garden in 2001. I had his music on the night I lost my dad. I listened to it the morning I got married. In fact, it is where I turn in the best of times and the worst of times, and it is usually the soundtrack to writing these columns.

Probably the one thing I can guarantee for the 2020’s is that his music will be a constant for me, as it always has been for the last 30 years.

Dedicated pure breed card shops were another talking point that came loud and clear at The Ladder Club, especially from one of the

Above: Oliver Bonas sees cards as a growth area for its stores.

Right: David curates his card ranges for each of his stores to make the most of their designs.

UK’s leading agents, Rose Trow. Rose felt that the pure card shop is almost a thing of the past, indeed she quantified it by saying she only had six or seven in her entire South-West territory.

When I look at my own stores, we now have cards, gifts, jewellery, fashion, a coffee shop and many other things in the quest to keep our stores relevant and vibrant.

Stocking only cards would be far better on the wallet but in reality it would be a struggle to survive.

As with everything, the best retailers will evolve, and cards too fit in and morph to the situation. Cards continue to pop up everywhere, in all kinds of shops, as they can freshen a store for little money, have good sell through and there is little waste as you can usually sell them off.

I don’t have a crystal ball, but if I did I would say that by January 2021 we will see a very different card landscape in the UK. Many of the larger retail players will be smaller in size but stronger after various deals to walk away from stores that aren’t working or will operate on a lower cost base - but is this right? Not in my eyes, but it does mean that jobs will be saved and that certain high street names will continue.

Other groups whose business model simply don’t work, as well as people’s lives

and shopping habits changing, may also trigger retailers to arrange deals or face being swallowed up by the ever growing Card Factory or similar.

The only thing that is sure is that I think we will see many changes this coming year.

There will of course always be other businesses who will see the gap and fill it, whether they are existing players in the card world or those such as Oliver Bonas who see the sector as a growth area.

These pre-pack/CVA deals however, do make a bit of a mockery of businesses that do things properly and just work and pay what is owed, but it is the law of the jungle I guess: The strong survive and the weak are eaten.

Speaking of jungles, the other main theme in 2020 and beyond will be the environmental impact of cards. At The Ladder Club we were treated to a great deal of discussion about the options for greeting card wrapping/unwrapping/compostable /forest certification board and many other topics. It would appear the industry is all over this and that publishers and suppliers to the trade are acutely aware that we need to lead the way, which is great!

It was fascinating hearing from Tony Lorriman, md of printers Loxleys, and Mark Jessett, greetings expert for board company GF Smith, as you realise it is these companies, along with the card designers, that make us the world leader in cards and what is delivered.

Loxleys for Life, for instance, introduced the following in 2019: l Biodegradable and recyclable flitter l Biodegradable and recyclable cello bags l A plastic-free alternative to traditional plastic gems l Mineral-based toner inks It also has solutions for plastic packaging and a really cool way of getting round euroslots with its cardboard options. It sees this as something it has to do, not only for the environment but to keep its business as the market leader.

The final part of my speech on this special day, which caught me by surprise, was the reaction to my using the word ‘curate’ for how I put my card ranges together for my stores. When I am buying more bespoke card product, depending on the office I am in, I have either a slat wall or a big table to allow me to lay out cards and see what the product

looks like next to each other. In this way I curate my card ranges! Does this sound a bit pretentious? Maybe, but it is not meant that way. For me it is just about me paying ultimate attention to a product that someone has lovingly worked, researched, designed and printed, and I want to give it the absolute best chance to be seen in my stores and be bought. I hate when I see multi-pocketing or just a tiny bit of the design showing as it negates all that has gone before.

I wanted to end on a positive. I wanted to end on the fact that there were 50 new publishers in that room at The Ladder Club and while maybe only one or two will go on to a long-term card publisher, there will be many stories to be written and told.

Business, and indeed cards, is not the be all and end all, and The Ladder Club restored my faith a little, as even in these difficult and uncertain times we are all willing to help one another on the steps to success. We are willing to put down the ladder and help others up. Our industry is unique in that we want others to do well. There is a sharing of knowledge and time spent that you don’t get between different industry sectors and I ended my summing up of the day by the following. I simply said: ‘A rising tide lifts all boats.’

The idea is simple, that a broad economic policy with equally invested participants will benefit all and see everyone prosper. How great would it be if this was the memory of 2020? If the politicians and others could see that this little card publishing magazine and industry all work together, and realise that if we all help one another we may just all survive and prosper.

Perhaps that is the vision that needs to be in pinpoint focus this coming year and beyond.

I wish all my readers a prosperous and happy 2020.

To contact David email: jppozzi@btconnect.com PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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CARDSHARP

“Events Dear Boy”

Below: Edward Macmillan, Conservative PM of the late 1950s-60s.

Below: Clintons has been bought by its own owners in a pre-pack deal.

By the time you read this Christmas will have come and gone and hopefully all of our retailers will have empty shelves, having had an amazing Christmas sell through!

Yet, because that even in this day and age printers still seem to have the longest Christmas break out of any industry, Cardsharp is having to write this on Friday December 13, which is a bit ominous in itself.

So Cardsharp asks you to bear in mind when you read this that more may have happened on the Clintons front, so advance apologies if this column is overtaken by events.

“Events Dear Boy!” this was the phrase uttered by the patrician-like Conservative Prime Minister, Edward Macmillan of the late 1950s and early 1960s, highlighting what he summed up as the most challenging obstacles a politician has had to deal with. And it must feel that way for many in the greeting card industry too, having navigated the tricky waters of the recent events in the sector.

The major ‘event’ everyone was talking about while the nation was gearing up for one of the most significant elections in our history was the business failure of the UK’s second largest specialist greeting card retailer. The news that Clintons (formerly Clinton Cards) had gone in and out of administration for the second time in less than a decade, and had effectively been sold back to its owners immediately, was not the good early Christmas present the greeting card trade needed.

June 2019 saw the collapse of Gemma and then GBCC’s administration came at the tail end of the summer, but the big one of the year is certainly this business failure of Clintons. True, some of the media may have lead with the headline, ‘2500 jobs saved at Clintons’, but that does not disguise the fact

that Clintons’ holding company, AG Retail, went into administration one day and then was bought back debt-free by a new company, Esquire Retail, with exactly the same owners: this all happened in one single day. It was to Cardsharp’s mind the classic ‘pre-pack’ deal.

Cardsharp hinted that he thought this was on the cards in his column two months ago, when he touched on Clintons’ prospective buyers after the decision was

taken to put the business up for sale. As he said at the time, given the huge losses Clintons had experienced in recent years and the state of bricks and mortar retailing, finding a potential buyer (who was willing to offer something that was tempting to the owners) was akin to whistling in the wind and so it has proved. So subsequently some

kind of financial reconstruction was inevitable.

Cardsharp’s hope was that a landlord-backed Creditors Voluntary Agreement (CVA) could have been negotiated, but although the option was explored this wasn’t to be.

If a CVA had been agreed it would have meant suppliers would have been spared a lot of the pain (and the landlords) had they agreed to Clintons’ demands to a rent reduction and the closure of 60 or so stores would have not have been left with a debt and would have continued to receive rent, although no doubt somewhat considerably reduced. But by Clintons going into administration, everything goes out the window. The ‘new’ company, Esquire, starts with a clean sheet, leaving a huge trail of debts from the now defunct AG Retail.

Why could the landlords and AG Retail not agree a CVA, when surely this would have been the least worse solution for all parties? Well Cardsharp has sensed that there has been a hardening of attitudes by landlords in the last few months to this type of agreement. Under the rules of a CVA, 75% of Clintons’ creditors would have to sign up for this to go through, meaning that the vast majority of the chain’s landlords needed to approve it and from what Cardsharp hears only about half did. This may have been influenced by the fact that 75% of retailers in the UK that have gone through a

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CARDSHARP CVA in the last three years have subsequently gone bust later, so perhaps they sensed they might as well force the issue now rather than wait a couple of years.

As Cardsharp penned this, publishers and suppliers who are owed money by the ‘old’ Clintons have been desperately trying to find out where they stand. And as far as greeting card and gift suppliers are concerned it is rather complicated to say the least. And although Clintons’ move to much more of an own brand model, aping to some extent Card Factory, has meant that it was not as important a customer to some suppliers as it used to be, it is still very significant to many.

In the last few years UKG has ‘brokered’ in third party publishers on behalf of Clintons, but that does not mean it is responsible for any outstanding invoices to other publishers supplying through the brokerage.

Cardsharp remembers back to Woolworths’ spectacular collapse some nine years ago (which also happened coincidently in early December) in which UKG copped it big time, both as a supplier and the broker. It was after this, not surprisingly, UKG amended its contract terms for brokered publishers, meaning that they as broker would not be responsible in the event of a retailer failure.

Cardsharp hopes that given Clintons’ payment terms, and that most of its Christmas stock would have been delivered to the broker months ago, there is a good chance that many publishers have been paid for the bulk of their stock already. He hopes so anyway!

But, notes Cardsharp, that is not all. To add to the confusion, although the old (AG Retail) and the new Clintons holding company (Esquire) are owned by the Weiss family, the Weiss’ also still hold an approximate 40% share in American Greetings, along with the majority shareholder private equity company Clayton, Dubilier & Rice.

And the Weiss family in turn own UKG, which Cardsharp suspects was the largest creditor when AG Retail went down. So who owes who, and who will get paid? Someone will be a loser somewhere along the line!

Confused? Well Cardsharp certainly is!

And it’s not helped by the fact that Clintons’ long-term chief executive, Eddie Shepherd, is

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Above: The media head-lined the Clintons’ story as saving jobs, however there will be casualties from the pre-pack deal.

Below: Star of the silent movies, Harpo Marx.

about as verbally communicative with the consumer press as Harpo Marx was on film.

No one from Clintons has been available to comment on any of the happenings in the media. All that went out was an official statement issued by KPMG (Clintons financial adviser) entitled ‘Future of Clintons secured following sale out of administration’.

The long and short of it, as Cardsharp understands, and he stands to be corrected, the ‘new’ company will be free to walk away from the leases the ‘old’ company had, and if it wishes can close 60 or so stores, and then try and negotiate new rental arrangements with landlords on the sites that it wants to keep. Which is great for Clintons but perhaps rather galling to competitors like Cardzone and Scribbler who find themselves suddenly trading at a competitive disadvantage.

The other big question for Cardsharp is whether Clintons, now financially restructured, can revive and prosper, or whether it will fall by the wayside like so many of the retailers that have undergone financial engineering in recent years. Certainly the latter is something Cardsharp hopes will not happen.

In so many ways the high street needs a solvent Clintons. The higher prices that Clintons charges for greeting cards provide a benchmark for other card retailers, both independent and multiples. Without it being there, there is a danger that Card Factory becomes the new benchmark. Not only could this cause problems for indies, but it would be compounded by the big grocers seeking to move to a more low price value offering, which is the last thing the trade needs.

And also, Cardsharp noted, there was the normal misinformed rubbish emanating from so many business media ‘experts’ coming out in the wake of Clintons’ collapse.

The usual drivel citing ‘electronic cards’ and online operators as well as the ‘Decline in greeting card sending’ as the contributory factors to Clintons’ demise.

It was the kind of negative pre-Christmas publicity our industry could have well done without, although admittedly with the general election, the Prince Andrew story, and the oversupply of these types of retail failure stories, it did not hang around for too long in the media. And in fact, for once the industry had more than its fair share of positive stories pre-Christmas thanks in small part to the sterling work of the Greeting Card Association’s Amanda Fergusson.

But on the whole Clintons affair, Cardsharp thinks it is very easy to be critical of this kind of cynical pre-pack administration where everyone except the owners take the pain, and Cardsharp thinks the bad smell is overpowering. But in all honesty, it is the law itself which is an ass in allowing this kind of manipulation and exploitation of trustworthy suppliers. The pre-pack option was put in place by government to protect jobs in struggling companies. Instead, it seems to have become an all too easy convenient ‘Get out Clause’ for any retail business in financial difficulties. And in effect it does untold damage to blameless companies down the supply line. The episode at Clintons was not the first, and will certainly not be the last of these kind of manoeuvres.

But Cardsharp concludes, until this legal loophole is closed once and for all businesses will continue to exploit it as a last resort. But no prospective political party even mentioned it in six weeks of campaigning prior to the general election. So Cardsharp hopes that by the time this is read no other unfortunate ‘Events’ will have taken place.

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VIEWPOINTS

The Pros And Cons,

By Association

Above: GCA president Rachel Hare (second front left) with members of the GCA Council and the Association’s management team.

In her recent presidential speech, Rachel Hare, md and founder of Belly Button Designs, highlighted the challenges and opportunities for the greeting card industry going into 2020 - including how crucial it is to safeguard creative individualism and drive forth on the environmental front.

Rachel’s fellow members of the GCA Council shares their views on the challenges and opportunities of the year ahead.

Daniel Prince managing director of Danilo Promotions: Key challenges: “The key challenges are the retail climate, the uncertainty around Brexit and the declining footfall on the high street. Added to this, having an election two weeks before Christmas could have had a detrimental effect on retail sales in this crucial trading period.”

Opportunity knocks: “I really believe there are still many opportunities out there for innovative designed cards and affiliated products.

We have seen an increasing focus on sustainability and environmental-friendly practices, encouraged by the popular BBC Earth TV Series, which will certainly continue to be an important focus and opportunity for the industry going forward.”

Notable happenings: “The demise of a number of previously successful publishers and retailers has impacted on the greeting card industry. Their respective exits from the market highlights the importance for suppliers and businesses strive to be more dynamic and agile to adapt to the ever changing retailer demands and consumer shopping habits.”

Above: Daniel Prince, md of Danilo Promotions.

Left: The BBC Earth programmes (of which Danilo is a licensee for the Blue Planet/Second Planets One World series for calendars and diaries) fuelled the consumer drive to improve our environmental footprint.

Paul Woodmansterne ceo of Woodmansterne Publications: Key challenges: “Retail, retail, retail - us wee publishers rely almost entirely on bricks and mortar retailing. Our cards are wanted more than ever it seems, but a ‘shop cannot live by cards alone’. Unless our retailing friends can find a way to compete with online shopping, our political masters find a way to tax Amazon et al, and our local councilors stop charging for parking and reduce high street rent and rates, we wee publishers will become ‘ex wee publishers’.

Floods, drought and waste disposal - it’s not going away. Publishers are going to have to stop kidding themselves (and their customers) that they can get away with bio-plastic films. Naked is minimum, front-sealed is best. Today’s youth have accepted (from social media and the cosmetics industry) that glitter is wrong. We cardies all must follow.

Manufacturing is coming home! Making locally, manufacturing in the UK, reducing our carbon footprint Above: Paul Woodmansterne, chief executive of Woodmansterne Publications.

Left: Woodmansterne has dug deep on the environmental count as the publisher had invested heavily in wrapping machinery before it developed the Smart Seal option.

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VIEWPOINTS - these are finally being recognised by the big retailers as mottos to live by, not just to give lip service to.”

Opportunity knocks: “Embrace a recession.

Traditionally we used to say that recessions are good for cards in that someone unable to afford a present will concentrate on giving a lovely card. The current impasse in government is sadly only going to continue after the election and the resulting delays and indecision will push the country into a deeper recession (sorry folks).”

Notable happenings: “April 2019 Sainsbury’s plastic packaging directive.”

Below: Sainsbury’s coming out against single-use plastics was pivotal, according to Paul Woodmansterne.

Mark Callaby managing director and co-owner of Ohh Deer: Key challenges: “The traditional brokerage system is one challenge that seems key at the moment.

Publishers have been dealing with rising costs and the brokers haven't been increasing the amount of money they can earn and their forecasting can often be out, therefore it's no surprise that people are discussing the future of brokers if they don't work in the publisher’s favour.”

Opportunity knocks: “I think that Amanda has been working hard to bring in more variety to the GCA. Over the last few years it's been really exciting to see different places selling greeting cards.”

Notable happenings: “The war on plastic is probably going to be what 2019 has been known for and I'm really pleased with the progress that the industry has been making - it's never going to be a quick fix but most publishers have been considering how they can be more environmentally friendly.”

Below: Mark Callaby (second right) with fellow newbie GCA Council members, notably Danilo’s Daniel Prince (right) and (leftright) Darren Cave (UKG) and Karen Wilson (Paper Salad).

Chris Bryan general manager of Second Nature: Key challenges: “Footfall - It’s not easy for us as publishers to have a direct impact on this, so all we can do is keep producing new and exciting product so that consumers appreciate that it’s worth their while to keep shopping on the high street. Unfortunately, the onus then falls on the retailer to make their store exciting and appealing to enter.

Business rates and rising minimum wage - these are forcing bricks and mortar retailers out of business. While we all understand the need for wages to increase, the double whammy over the last few years has been too much - business rates need to be urgently reviewed. Online retailers are the ones making the profit and so, somehow, the playing field needs to be leveled before the high streets become ghost towns.

Prices - with diminishing footfall and increasing costs, retailers are looking for bigger discounts/extra margin but that in turn puts the squeeze on the publishers who are also being hit with rising costs. If margins are cut with publishers, one of the first things to suffer is investment in new product which is the creative lifeblood of the whole industry. The best solution would be a price rise but there’s never a good time for this, and with all the uncertainty still surrounding Brexit this is possibly the worst time!

Consumer attitudes towards sustainability - I think the overriding issue is that there is no clear one solution that fits all product and publishers. So it’s a question of informing consumers as much as possible and doing whatever we can to reduce waste as much as possible, without causing further issues down the line.”

Opportunity knocks: “In regard to sustainability, I think the GCA can play a two-fold role, firstly to standardise the recycling logos that all the publishers use and secondly to lobby the government for proper infrastructure for recycling.”

Above: Chris Bryan, general manager of Second Nature presenting a trophy at The Retas as a category sponsor.

Right: Second Nature’s Chris Bryan calls for greater clarity on recycling logos.

Rajeev Arora managing director of Davora: Key challenges: “A key challenge for us has been the move to ‘go naked’ and remove cello bags. The drive for this has come from the larger multiples, but there's a lack of consistency in the alternatives being asked for: no wrap, no wrap with clasp, and other variations. Going naked also raises practical issues for independents and wholesalers. It means we're now selling two, maybe three, variations of each SKU, and that's made our warehousing and production more complicated. I fully believe in putting the environment first, but the transition is a bumpy road. I'd like to see a cross-retailer agreement on what the new standard should be.”

Opportunity knocks: “For the GCA, there's a great opportunity to build on the work started in 2019 to bring the internal systems up to date. This will make it easier to recruit and retain new members, which gives the GCA a louder voice to the benefit of all.”

Notable happenings: “The 100th Anniversary of the GCA is a magnificent milestone. Having a dedicated and active body that represents the greeting card market, defending it from negative publicity and amplifying the positives should not be underestimated. The GCA has played a significant role in ensuring the industry remains buoyant and sustainable through good times and tough times alike. Amanda Fergusson has also just celebrated her first full year at the helm, and she's already bringing in progressive changes that I believe will set the GCA up for its second century.”

Above: Raj Arora (right) with Harry Birtley (formerly of Hallmark) at the recent 100th anniversary GCA Past Presidents’ Luncheon.

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VIEWPOINTS Left: 2020 sees the start of the GCA’s second century.

Meet the GCA Council Rajeev Arora, managing director of Davora - Secretary Chris Bryan, general manager of Second Nature Mark Callaby, managing director and co-founder of Ohh Deer Darren Cave, commercial director of UK Greetings Jeremy Corner, managing director of Blue Eyed Sun Amanda Del Prete, managing director of Hallmark UK Marion Hancock, managing director of Art Cards Ireland Rachel Hare, md of Belly Button Designs - President Ged Mace, managing director of The Art File Sarah-Jane Porter, head of licensing of Moonpig Daniel Prince, managing director of Danilo Promotions Lisa Shoesmith, general manager of Really Good and Soul - Treasurer Brett Smith, joint managing director of Emotional Rescue Jack Straw, managing director of BrownTrout UK Paul Woodmansterne, ceo of Woodmansterne Publications Karen Wilson, director and co-founder of Paper Salad

Brett Smith joint md of Emotional Rescue:

Jeremy Corner managing director of Blue Eyed Sun: Key challenges: “It’s been an interesting year for publishers and retailers. Brexit shifting around has created uncertainty, as has the election. So consumer spending has been erratic and subdued.

Competition among publishers has been extremely strong. Many independents have closed or moved to brokerage thereby reducing the market for new entrants.”

Opportunity knocks: “We have a fantastic opportunity to lead the way with our environmental credentials and activity.

As an industry we are making great strides forward towards reducing single-use plastics. The GCA continues to lead the way with resources, PR and support. There’s a real opportunity for us to shout about this in the press.”

Notable happenings: “Adjusting to the environmental concerns by consumers, with independents wanting compostable cellos to protect cards, some multiples wanting label seals and others wanting nested cards. This has been challenging for publishers to manage and has caused confusion in the marketplace about best options to go for. It should all settle in the next year or two.”

Key challenges: “For suppliers and retailers I would say the confusion and lack of a coordinated approach to Above: Jeremy has been sharing his environmental knowledge by speaking at trade shows for a while now. naked cards and the issue of the envelopes has been, and continues to be challenging. All I have seen so far is cost and time being driven into the supply chain with each director of Paper Salad: retailer on their own mission - and no Key challenges: “2019 was a year of many consideration to what’s happening en route - coupled with changes within our industry, the key one being confusion and misinformation. ‘going naked’. One of the main challenges has The industry needs a Clinton Cards and if the chain goes, or been doing half and half, as most independents is severely reduced, there will be a ripple effect. This would don’t feel ready for the change just yet. As we do our own warehousing we include publishers’ model lines, particularly on seasons. Along have had to quickly adapt to responding to customer requirements on how with the loss of a higher retail priced retailer so many retailers are they want the cards packing, some want the Kard Klasp others don’t, so trying to drive volume by lowering prices - this will not work to the we now have three methods of packing whereas before we just had the degree it needs to and in real terms will move sales backwards. one. This has pushed lead times to breaking point. However we’ve been Another challenge remains, I’m sorry to say, is the grip the pleasantly surprised by how good the cards look without cello.” brokers have over distribution for soooo many reasons I Another big challenge has been the demise of footfall on the high wouldn’t like to be quoted on - viva la revolution!” street, with two of the biggest multiples struggling and going down the Opportunity knocks: “I think opportunities always exist CVA route, and more and more long-established independents closing their for good, solid retailing. Keeping good sellers in stock and doors forever, it has been a worrying time for many publishers and we feel providing prompt and polite service that goes above and beyond it will get worse in 2020, with people ‘on edge’ about Brexit and the new will give customers a reason to shop there. government, with nobody really knowing what both these things will mean I think an opportunity lies in non-conflicting publishers to the pennies in our pocket.” working together to have more clout and more influence with Opportunity knocks: “Publishers that supply supermarkets have seen brokers and the supply chain - however this one is way easier to displays in stores looking better than they have ever done, with buyers say than do!” looking at refreshing their greeting card plans with contemporary designs, so Notable happenings: “Predictable I’m afraid, but ‘going much so that they are becoming a real destination for greeting card buyers.” naked’. I think so many hares were set running in the early part Notable happenings: “The GCA’s of last year rather than discussion around a coordinated programme of centenary activities. With approach - easier said than done I know.

Amanda [Fergusson] at the helm doing a Gemma’s demise has had big repercussions within the fantastic job, it is great that we have had a licensed sector. I really don’t believe it’s all good news for those voice to shout out to everyone what a remaining suppliers of licensed cards and, coupled with fantastic and vibrant industry we have.” brokerage, will lead to a reduction in customer choice and quality.”

Above: Paperchase’s successful CVA has been a

Karen Wilson

Above: Brett Smith, joint md of Emotional Rescue.

notable happening in the trade this year.

Left: GCA ceo Amanda Fergusson on BBC Breakfast.

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Left: Well-known for trashing hotel rooms, Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin on the balcony of the “Riot Hyatt,” now Andaz West Hollywood, by Peter Simon.

Publishers’ Focus

Young Upstarts There are a number of greeting card upstarts tearing up the proverbial hotel room and smashing the TV. Pretty new to market, they’re hot on the high street and at online ‘gigs’, but they’re cool, collected and unruffled enough to reveal the path they've trodden and share some of the card publishing lessons they've learnt along the way. And with 20/20 vision, discuss their business aims for the coming year.

Mike Davis, founder of Some Ink Nice: Card up-start: “I've always drawn and painted in my spare time. A couple of years ago I was looking for a side project. I started selling direct online, then a friend through work is a mate of Toasted Crumpet’s Jo Clarke. I had a little chat with her in her studio, which changed literally everything. I pivoted to a wholesale business a year ago.

The appeal is it’s a way to use artwork to create a recognisable product whose sole purpose is to bring a bit of sunshine into peoples’ day - to help friends and family show they care.”

Advice line: “I've picked ten things: 1. Many people in the industry are very happy to offer advice. It's a real bonus of card publishing. Just remember though that many people present their advice as fact. A lot of it can seem contradictory, because it's their interpretation of their own experiences.

I find mentally adding ‘in your opinion’ when someone gives you advice helps keep some perspective.

2. We all have different ideas about how we approach things. You need to take on board the advice that's in line with your goals and suss out which advice will lead you astray. Easier said than done.

Right: Mike Davis was a finalist in The Henries’ Most Promising Young Artist or Designer 2019.

Below: Bringing a bit of sunshine (and humour),

3. Having said that, don't just listen to the bits of feedback that you want to hear (known as confirmation bias). Remember that your friends and family will almost always say 'That's brilliant, I'd buy it. You're really talented.' Nice as that is, it's not an objective opinion and can lead to serious disappointment when trying to sell. Find someone (ideally a shop owner in your target 'style') who will give you an honest

answer. Then find a couple more people to corroborate it.

4. There’s a world of difference between resilience and stubbornness. Make something, test it, (be willing to) tweak it. Be persistent in terms of where you want to end up, but adaptable in terms of how you get there. 'I will make a fortune by ONLY selling cards with pigeons on, because I have ‘CREATIVE INTEGRITY' is unlikely to be a winner.

5. If you’re doing funny cards, like me (matter of opinion there), get all the occasions covered first, and then you can do extra ‘just because it’s funny’ cards that are a bonus for people who have the shelf space. People primarily go looking for cards when there's a reason.

6. You’ll get a lot of people saying ‘you want to produce something different’. In reality, different scares people because it’s a risk. What they actually mean is ‘we want something familiar enough to not seem like a risk, but different enough to seem new and interesting.’ There's the challenge.

7. Any decent product will not appeal to everyone. Having some people willing to spend money on your work is better than everyone liking it but not enough to pick it up and take it to the till (again, in my opinion).

8. Make all of your costs sustainable and commercially viable. It’s no good producing something with a mega expensive card stock, and this extra print finish, and this hand-embellished detail, and then complaining that people don’t appreciate all the work that’s gone into your £6.25 card. You have to balance what you want to make with what people will actually pay for (and how much).

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Publishers’ Focus

9. What people say they would buy, and what they actually do buy, are often two very different things. Be wary of falling down the rabbit hole of changing little things trying to please people who are too polite or diplomatic to simply say ‘I don’t like it, sorry’.

10. The actual design bit of publishing is key, yes, but it’s a tiny fraction of ‘the job’. You have to do, or at least have an idea of, about ten different roles to make it

a business. Personally, that variety, that using every bit of your brain, is what I love about it. That, and working alongside some of the nicest people ever.”

20/20 vision: “Well, we’re due to be having our first baby in January, so other than sleeping, simply finding time to sit and draw and keep producing designs is the goal; I keep plugging away. Slow and steady wins the race.”

Laura Harvey and Jack Thorpe, directors of Paper Plane: Card up-start: “We were both working at a magazine company with a side hustle selling vintage homewares and upcycled furniture.

It was fun, but not a career. We decided to combine our skills to produce a few Christmas cards to sell in our notonthehighstreet store. They sold well and it grew from there. One of our Valentine’s cards was featured on the notonthehighstreet Facebook page and it went a bit nuts. That's when we realised there might be something in it. It's great to know that something you thought of, designed and packed is making someone happy on a special occasion.”

Advice line: “When you're selling cards on online marketplaces, having ranges to make it easy for buyers is not even a consideration. You just need to create standalone cards that appeal to an individual customer. We're very much a retail business with a growing wholesale side - and that's been a whole bunch of new stuff to learn.

We've found the card community, through things like thecardboard.co.uk, The Ladder Club and trade shows, to be so friendly and massively helpful. Don't be afraid to ask questions because everyone's been down the same path. The majority of printers and suppliers are also really happy to go out of their way to help. People like Mark Jessett at GF Smith, Lucy Glover at Enveco and Elaine Crees at Gemini, to name just three, are really helpful and knowledgeable.”

20/20 vision: “2019 was a big year for us in terms of stockists as we had orders from Oliver Bonas, Urban Outfitters, Joy and Papersmiths, as well as dozens of independent gift shops. In 2020, we'd like to grow our stockists via trade shows and Instagram and continue to develop our gift range - our natural vegan soaps proved really popular at the shows we did in 2019.”

Top Drawer Stand Y39 Spring Fair Hall 2 Stand C15

Lucy Nicholson, illustrator of Lucy Maggie Designs: Card up-start: “I began in the industry about five years ago; I’d gone travelling and (out of a job at the time) I decided to get back into illustration, which I had always been passionate about and had studied at university.

I sold my cards through Etsy to start, but things took off after I attended the GCA Speed-dating with Dragons event in 2018 and following that, PG Live, my first trade show. Since then, things have really snowballed, and the business has grown from a B2C to B2B company and I now sell to retailers I have admired for years - it’s so rewarding and I still can’t believe I am where I am today!”

Advice line: “Be yourself. Don’t try to impress others or compare yourself to others on social media, you’ll just get depressed (but do make use of it for Above and below: Lucy Maggie Designs has grown from an online store to bricks and mortar retailers.

Continued on page 43

Top: Paper Plane’s Laura Harvey and Jack Thorpe.

Above: Paper Plane’s first card from Christmas 2014.

Left: A design from Paper Plane’s collections.

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Publishers’ Focus

marketing, Instagram in particular is a great tool)! Focus on what you love to do and keep trying. Investigate all options to sell your designs - just get your name out there.

Be brave and proactive, things won’t just happen, you have to make them happen, but it’s completely achievable if you set your mind to it. And take good product shots don’t sell yourself short in this department.”

20/20 vision: “To continue to grow the business, take a step back from my day job in marketing… and exhibit at more trade shows, of course!”

Top Drawer Stand ZA39 Below: Olly Tress, founder of Oliver Bonas highlighting the Lucy Maggie Design card that has been the retailer’s best seller for the past 18 months.

Lucy Creed, founder of Poet and Painter: Card up-start: “I started Poet and Painter in 2015 with contributing poetry from Trevor Parsons, having come from a fine arts background, with a life-time love of painting. My friend, artist Bryn Dineen, joined me in 2017.

Making cards is a brilliant way to have your ideas seen and get conversations started everyday, for everybody. The handwritten word is the last bastion of communication and we absolutely love the democracy of a greeting card - it’s art, and love and comfort in the post!”

Advice line: “The greeting card industry is a really supportive place to be creating work and growing a business; people are very friendly and happy to share information and advice. We have made some great friendships and will keep paying forward the kindness to up-and-coming publishers.

Our advice would be keep yourself inspired, try to create something really fresh, original and with environmental integrity. Business-wise think big and reach high! Talk to as many people as you can about what you are doing - trade shows are a brilliant opportunity to catch up with your greeting card family.”

20/20 vision: “For the next year we will continue to press on with our eco-friendly agenda, encouraging more sustainability and responsibility for the things we make. We also want to push our design boundaries further, making the funny, friendly, original work that is our touchstone.”

Top Drawer Stand Y61 Top: Poet & Painter’s Lucy Creed (left) and Bryn Dineen (right) with retailer Serge Sumerling of Nor at PG Live.

Right: Friendly, funny designs from Poet and Painter.

Rebecca Wright, founder of Middle Mouse: Card up-start: “I started my journey in 2018 with my dad, writer Paul Peacock. We developed the idea of the Cardlet together, and as there was nothing like it on the market it seemed like an obvious thing for us to pursue. Unfortunately, Dad passed away just a few days before our business loan came through, but I decided to forge ahead on my own and use it as an opportunity to celebrate his legacy. The support I received from the greeting card industry (especially from PG Live’s lovely Tracey Arnaud!) was overwhelming, and the people I’ve met along the way have made the most difficult year of my life more than bearable.

The response to my work has been fantastic and, though it’s a slow trudge and a steep learning curve, it’s been highly rewarding. I’m so grateful to everyone I’ve met in this lovely industry.”

Advice line: “I have learned to take risks and Above: Send a very bon voyage with this 12 page greetings believe in my products. I had never exhibited at any Cardlet™ from Middle Mouse.

Left: Middle Mouse’s Einstein trade show before, with PG Live 2019 my first. I met Quote Card is one of its many some truly incredible artists and publishers, and gained famous people quote designs. not only business contacts and orders but also personal development and belief.

I would advise new publishers to invest in very comfortable shoes, to ensure they have a cupboard or container to hide Double Deckers in, and to not be too downcast if you don’t get any orders on the day. It can be a bit of a slow burn!”

20/20 vision: “I am hoping to increase my product offering and explore giftwrap and notebooks. I’m exhibiting at Spring Fair, so will need two pairs of comfy shoes!”

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Retailer Perspective

When you own a specialist retail business on an island that has only a total population of 80,000 you just have to make the most of the opportunities - something which Chris Beards and his wife Debbie have been doing with Mantons, a card and gift retailer based in Port Erin on the Isle of Man, with great aplomb for years.

With a new Responsible Business Award joining Mantons’ already full trophy cabinet and Chris’ radio interview having sparked the Christmas card-centric stamp collection on the island, PG went to find out more about this savvy card retailer.

Isle Of Man(tons) Right: Chris Beards, co-owner of Mantons, Port Erin.

Below: Chris and his wife Debbie (second left) with Mantons’ team mates Wendy Corkish, and Gemma Corkish with two of the retailer’s awards.

The triskelion, the Manx three-legged symbol, is everywhere you go on the Isle of Man, not far behind though on the omnipresent front is Mantons’ co-owner Chris Beards. As well as running the island’s leading independent card and gift shop, which he co-owns with his wife Debbie, Chris is a frequent voice on the island’s radio stations, the business appears regularly in newspapers in recognition of its far reaching community activities, not to mention causing a stir or two with its active social media postings on points of principle and human rights.

In fact, it was the latter which contributed to Mantons clinching its recent Responsible Business Award, which has now joined the collection of 17 other business trophies (from British Independent Retailer awards to being feted in the Small Business Saturday Top 100 league table).

“We were delighted to receive the Responsible Business Award, not just in recognition for our fundraising and community work, but for speaking out about the importance of equality, not something I would have thought I would have had cause to do as an independent card and gift shop, but sometimes you just can’t let things pass if you know they are wrong,” said Chris.

The incident involved someone complaining about

Below left: Chris and team mates Sinead Venus (left) and Lisa Walster outside the shop with enlarged Isle of Man stamps that are based on Christmas card designs.

Bottom: One of Mantons’ many loyal customers who arrived with her list of cards to buy.

the “disgusting cards” that Mantons offered for sale. “I initially thought that it was someone taking exception to the Dean Morris designs we stock, displayed high on the racks, covered with warning signs so as not to offend. However it was not these at all, but the fact that we were selling same sex marriage cards!” explains Chris. “I was so appalled by their reaction that I posted it on our Facebook page and it snowballed from there. The positive response we then received was overwhelming. Sometimes you just have to follow your heart.”

It was ‘following his heart’ that resulted in the Beards’ acquiring Mantons in the first place.

Having both come to live on the island from Birmingham with their then young daughter in the mid 1990s, Chris build up a successful mail order T shirt company which he then sold in 2008.

“I promised Debbie I would have a year off, but three months later Mantons, which PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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was then a toy and card shop in Port Erin, the island’s third largest town, came up for sale. I could not resist it, but I did have a good excuse, as it was all because of a strong memory as a child, which had ignited my love of cards,” reveals Chris. Ever the entrepreneur, six year old Chris had earned himself a few pennies trading football cards in the playground. With the coins jangling in his pockets, walking with his mum on the way to visit his gran, on passing a card shop Chris felt the compunction to buy his grandmother a card, more than happy to spend his own pocket money on one.

“It wasn’t my gran’s birthday, but I just wanted to buy a card and write a message in it for her. Seeing her lovely reaction when I gave it to her and when she opened it is something that has always stayed with me, reinforcing the power of giving and receiving cards.”

Fast-forward a few decades, and thankfully Debbie backed her husband’s boyhood memory and so began the transformation of Mantons into the award winning card and gift shop it is today. While the cards are most definitely Chris’ baby (accounting for 45% of sales), Debbie looks after the gift buying (which accounts for another 45% of turnover) with toys, wrap and other products making up the remainder.

Funnily enough, it was Chris telling the story about that first memorable card buying experience on the radio that lead to the Isle of Man Post’s decision to

base its recent Christmas stamp release entirely around designs of Christmas cards, with Chris very much involved in the marketing of the launch.

“Yes that one card has proved more important than I would ever have thought, in more ways than one!” admits Chris.

From one card bought with Chris’ pocket money all those years ago, Mantons now stocks an incredible selection - some 8,000 different designs sourced from around 80 different publishers. Its publisher portfolio spans everything from the very traditional through to edgy humour and everything in between.

“Very few companies actually visit us, but we have built up strong relationships with some that we have come to rely on, such as Wendy JonesBlackett, IC&G, Words ‘n’ Wishes, Noel Tatt, Blue Eyed Sun, Jonny Javelin, Cherry Orchard, Nigel Quiney and Sabivo,” says Chris.

However, it is not just the vast array of cards that is impressive, but how they are retailed, with no opportunity missed to link a card with a potential gift purchase.

While the front of the store is the main card display area, using floorstanding fixtures as Top: Mantons’ Sinead Venus tidying the main display.

Above right: Chris with some young customers who were delighted to meet Tatty Teddy who visited the shop as part of the Isle of Man Christmas stamps launch.

Above left: Cards to and from pets is a growing area for Mantons of which this Words ‘n’ Wishes design is a fine example.

Left: One of the two children’s card displays in the Little Mantons area of the shop.

well as wall displays, in the middle of shop, surrounded by complementary gifts, there is also a 24’ display of female captioned cards.

Then, nuzzled in the baby section are the baby cards while there are 14’ of children’s cards in Little Mantons, the toy and children’s gift area towards the rear of the shop. And pets are not forgotten either with every conceivable caption ‘from the dog’, ‘to the cat’ also offered in depth.

“With such a small population, you have to make sure that you offer unparalleled choice - and also why we insist on exclusivity from card publishers,” explains Chris. “We are something of a big fish in a small pond,” recognises Chris. “Over the years we have built up a strong reputation for our selection which means that we have regular customers who come to us from all over the island sometimes driving an hour, often arriving with

a long list of card needs. We also have some people who come here regularly on holiday and always pop in to stock up,” adds Chris.

Catering for the holidaymakers as well as the proud Manx customers, Mantons also develops its own products, including cards and calendars featuring photographs taken

by Debbie’s dad of the island, some of which feature the Manx language.

While Chris is naturally optimistic about the Mantons business as well as the industry in general, he is mindful of some ongoing threats that he is keen to counter.

“I am really disappointed when I hear people saying that they are not sending Christmas cards and will instead make a donation to charity - that is not investing in relationships. We all have to do everything we can to ensure the public of all ages continue to appreciate the true value of buying and sending cards,” says a grown-up boy whose vision as a little six year old has stood him in very good stead.

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Retailer Opinion

With greeting cards sold in one in six shops, they must rank as one of the most visible and sizeable consumer products, yet the importance of consumer branding does not equate as in other sectors.

With much discussion about the move to naked cards, thereby reducing the options for front of card branding, a trio of awardwinning independent greeting card retailers share their view of what role brands play within the greeting card sector, both at consumer and trade levels.

Mark Janson-Smith, managing director of Postmark, four shops in London:

The role of brands in the greeting card sector: “Branding is of course important as it gives the customer the knowledge that they are buying something they know and trust. Personally, I feel that in the card sector the brand is far more important on a buyer level than a consumer one.

At Postmark, we are definitely affected by brand when ordering our cards.

We have our ‘go to’ suppliers that we know produce ranges of high quality that sell well, and companies that work with us, offering high levels of support at a service level as well as at product level. We will always look to these guys first but of course are also always looking for new suppliers too. There are certain brands that

would have to produce something pretty spectacular for us to consider them due to my perceptions of these brands and where I picture them in the market.”

Is there consumer awareness of card brands?: “Customers rarely ask for a card by a specific brand, but I do think the public is aware of certain brands. A card is such a personal purchase that the design will be the biggest factor when being chosen. You may well love, say, Caroline Gardner, but if you are after a humour card then you will not be looking to Caroline Gardner for a card for this. Once the card has been picked, the brand will give the customer reassurance that they are getting a quality product if they are aware of it.”

Importance of ‘front of card’ branding: “I, of course, understand a publisher’s desire to promote their brand via their packaging but this needs to be subtle.

The biggest selling point is the design itself

Above: ‘Stand and Deliver’ was a mega hit for Adam and the Ants, with the lead singer’s look being part of the band’s brand statement.

Left: Mark Janson-Smith in Postmark’s Balham store with longtime customer Anthony Brooks recently celebrating the retailer’s 15th anniversary.

Bottom: Postmark is no stranger to the importance of a brand giving customer reassurance, as its own 15th anniversary scratchcard activity shows.

Below: LEGO is a brand that Mark Janson-Smith rates.

and you should not be detracting from this by shouting too loudly about your brand. If the consumer likes the design the chances are they will turn it over and see the brand on the back of the card. It was the same with cellobags, I was never a fan of big branding on the front for the same reason.

I'm also worried that if everyone starts trying to make their card clasps stand out the most, we will end up with shelves that look messy and uncoordinated.”

What non-card brands do you admire?: “The brands I admire the most are the ones that have built a level of trust with me as a consumer. They are brands associated with a quality product and will give me excellent support. John Lewis has done this brilliantly at a retail level. Other brands I have huge respect for are Apple, Audi and Lego.”

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Retailer Opinion

Sally Matson, owner of Red Card, Petworth: The role of brands in the greeting card sector: “Branding is an interesting topic. It’s challenging trying to identify my feelings on this and work out whether they are based on being a retailer or being a consumer!

As a buyer, brands for me are an indication of quality. I have an expectation that certain brands are pitched at a certain price and will be of a certain quality. On this basis, I am affected by brand when ordering, because I have these expectations. The service from the brand also affects me when ordering - if I need a certain style of card in the shop in a hurry, then there are certain companies that will turn things around quickly - but that’s part of developing a brand too.”

Is there consumer awareness of card brands?: “Consumers are not very aware of brands but are very much aware of artists/cartoonists/styles. As an example, I often have people asking for Quentin Blake cards, and Matt cards, but customers would not know that these cards are published by Woodmansterne. The only two exceptions to the rule I can think of are Five Dollar Shake

- where people come in ask for them specifically, and that is because the brand has built a certain style of card and not deviated from that, whereas a larger company like Woodmansterne covers so many different styles.

The other example is Rosie Made A Thing, where in the same way, Rosie has built a specific brand that doesn’t deviate in style. I suppose this is a Catch 22 in a way, because it makes it harder for these companies to develop and change their ranges in a way that will be recognised.”

Importance of ‘front of card’ branding: “I think the change from cellos to clasps offers a huge opportunity for brand recognition and development in the greeting card industry. Normally brands are on the reverse of cards, but with the introduction of the clasps a company’s name is right there in front of you and

you have to actually engage with it when you remove the clasp. I am sure this will mean that brand recognition by customers will increase.”

What non-card brands do you admire?: “Outside of cards, the brand I currently admire most is a fashion brand called Lucy & Yak - they are developing a wonderful ethical clothing brand and I’m sure they’re going to be huge. I have always admired John Lewis and Waitrose because they have committed themselves to developing a brand that delivers the high expectations their customers have. I am also a fan of Lush another ethically conscious brand, with great staff.

The interesting thing that links all these brands is fantastic customer service. The staff have brought into the brand and represent it at its best. This is the way to do it.”

Above left: Red Card’s Sally Matson with her Retas trophy.

Above right: Despite its ‘naked’ approach, Woodmansterne includes the Quentin Blake branding on its Smart Seal label.

Left: Lucy & Yak is a brand which Sally Matson admires.

Miles Robinson, co-owner of House of Cards, a group of six shops in the Home Counties:

The role of brands in the greeting card sector: “I see branding in the industry as predominantly a B2B tool. This is still very important and I think the companies that pay attention to this do stand out with buyers.

The exception being if you are also selling direct to the consumer or are trying to build a national/global brand (eg Wrendale) then branding becomes far more important.

I do not think I am really affected by brand when ordering cards as the design/quality/finished product is still the 50

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

main focus. Of course, a publisher who has a strong brand presence will stand out, but ultimately it is the sales that will drive future ordering.”

Is there consumer awareness of card brands?: “Generally speaking I don’t think the consumer is that aware of greeting card brands. Certainly there is brand awareness of concepts such as Forever Friends, Me to You and Wrendale Designs, but while these all started out as card brands their consumer awareness grew through their move into non-card brands.”

The importance of ‘front of card’ branding: “I personally don’t think it’s very

Above: House of Cards’ Miles Robinson is all revved up about the brand values of Ferrari.

Left: House of Cards’ Miles Robinson (left) and his business partner Nigel Williamson in House of Cards’ flagship store in Wallingford, Oxon.

Below middle: House of Cards has invested in its own brand prominence, including on its own paper bags.

important to have ‘front of card’ branding’ from a retailer or consumer aspect, but I completely understand why publishers would want to do this in the same way retailers, including us, put their shop’s branding on their consumer packaging.

Front of card branding can look very smart but we are championing the ‘nested’ card as the new industry standard so we do not see this as crucial.”

What non-card brands do you admire?: “Certainly from a retail perspective then John Lewis always stands out. I also rate Ferrari as a car brand, while costing loads of cash it is desirable, sexy, sporty, beautiful and generally improves with age!”

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The Ladder Club

Fuelling Aspirations “It feels like my dream to become a card publisher really could become a reality - I feel so inspired and have a brain that’s fit to bursting with information and ideas,” was how Margaret Harvey, one of the attendees of the recent Ladder Club seminar summed up the event.

Held for the first time in London (at the Business Design Centre), the 2019 Ladder Club ‘graduates’ were treated to a jam-packed agenda into the ‘ins and outs’ of greeting card publishing. PG joined this seat of learning.

The Ladder Clubbies 2019 attendees ‘graduated’ with flying colours from the annual seminar for newbie and emerging publishers, who gorged on a smorgasbord of ‘nuts and bolts’ advice, powerful inspiration and ideas galore from suppliers, publishers, a top retailer, a well-loved agent and exhibition expert. They discovered what sizes to make their cards and how to cost out their products, through to how to recruit agents and to measure from the top of your trade stand to ensure that your displays are level.

“We are a vibrant industry, holding its own in challenging times,” said Amanda

Fergusson, ceo of the GCA, who was the first speaker of the day, setting the scene by sharing the size and shape of the industry. “It is a competitive business in which the UK leads the world. This means you do have to be good, but not only does the UK public send more cards than any other nation, but encouragingly, 18-34 year olds are sending more cards than they were a generation ago.”

Bob Short, md of The Imaging Centre then delivered a superb top to toe whistlestop speech about the steps in a card’s production, from a design idea into an actual packed card, covering standard sizes, board

Above: (right-left) The Art File’s Ged Mace, GF Smith’s Mark Jessett and GCA’s Amanda Fergusson.

Above right: (left-right) Ladder Clubbies Kathryn JonesRomain and Danielle Rogers (of Popsy and Plum) discuss envelopes with Enveco’s Lucy Glover.

Inset: The attendees, speakers and sponsors of The Ladder Club 2019.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Environmental considerations 2020 ranges

55%

of this year’s range can be recycled*

*subject to local recycling restrictions

CHRISTMAS COLLECTION

2020

We are delighted to be able to present the very latest Christmas collection from Special Editions. This is a magical collection of Christmas designs. Each design has been carefully selected for you.

We’re proud to be able to offer this range in conjunction with some of the leading charities in the UK, supporting good causes both at Christmas and all year round. Every product donates 10% of the RRP directly to our charity partners, meaning with your help we are able to make a real difference to the lives of people and animals in the UK. We’d love to meet you in person so please give us a call on 01924 436361 or 01924 436337.

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The Ladder Club

thickness, printing, finishes through to storage.

Keeping up the pace Tony Lorriman, md of Loxleys, then BLANK INSIDE MESSAGE spent time on the “hot industry topic”, that of the environment, LOGO debunking some myths as well as sharing some of the latest ecosolutions. “There has been a RANGE NAME massive shift change. By 2020 64% of all single cards will be unwrapped in the UK, but we are all on a journey. There is no one BARCODE (EAN-13) solution that fits all,” he said.

Ending the supply aspect of the seminar on a high, delivered in his own inimitable style, Mark Jessett, greetings expert for paper company GF Smith, highlighted how the move to naked cards means the tactile nature of the board being used is now more easily appreciated by

the buyer. Sharing his love of the substrate, Mark left the audience with a great analogy: “If you are a chef and have gathered together some exquisite ingredients, delicately seasoned them, that you are planning to arrange beautifully, you wouldn’t serve it on a polystyrene plate, would you?”

With the supplier ‘food for thought’ session completed, attendees were then treated to a masterclass from Ged Mace, md of The Art File, entitled Scalable Growth, drawing on his many years in the trade since co-founding The Art File some 21 years ago.

Ged, quite rightly, stated that the industry is going through “seismic change’ at publisher and retailer levels, as well as the industry issues being faced, but reinforced “where there is change, there is opportunity.” He hit a high note when recounting that Coldplay’s Chris Martin recently praised Ed Sheeran, acknowledging how there are always newbies coming on the scene to challenge the established players. “You are the new Eds!” said Ged before sharing some of key

She shared salient lessons learned, such as if you are to supply multiples double check OTHER OPTIONAL EXTRAS MAY INCLUDE PAPER, PRINTING & COMPANY INFO: how each one likes their cards to - RECYCLING LOGO be packed, as well as practical - MIX OF PAPER - USE OF VEGETABLE INKS - SPECIFIC PROVIDENCE pointers, such as what to include E.G. LAKE DISTRICT - PERSONAL DITTY ABOUT THE COMPANY/DESIGNERS on the backs of your greeting cards and how to make the most PINK BE AWARE OF ARTWORK BLEED OVER TO FRONT of trade shows. champagne The afternoon session was PROOF OF ORIGIN (EXPORT) made all the memorable by an WEBSITE/CONTACT SOCIAL MEDIA incredibly inspirational talk from award-winning retailer (and PG COPYRIGHT columnist) David Robertson, md SKU ‘LETTER’ FSC CERTIFIED LOGO (INDIVIDUAL CARD CODE) of JP Pozzi, which was a heady POSTING SIZE FOR UK (PAPER & PRINTER) mix of insights about retailer’s Above: The useful slide Megan Purdie showed to highlight requirements as well as the importance of what to include on the backs of cards.

Left: Agent Rose Trow (right) with Christine Gardner. self-belief and remaining “laser-focused” on Below right: The Imaging Centre printed a special booklet which covered the entire production cycle of a greeting your business. “There is no set path. Your card with input from GF Smith, Loxleys and Enveco. stories will all be different, but do what you Below: Ladder Club attendees Sarah Bell (left) and Margaret Harvey. love and believe in yourself,” he implored. pointers publishers should consider when Providing insights into the life and loves looking to grow their businesses, as well as of being an independent sales agent, Rose sharing an invaluable costing formula that Trow then shared her ‘cake recipe’, publishers should adhere to if they want to highlighting how when looking for an agent a have a chance of making any money from publisher should check that they do not have their business. too much of one ‘ingredient’ - “not too many “Profit is not a dirty word. Always handmade card companies, or too many protect your margin,” he implored before humour ones - you need a good mixture.” handing over to a real walking talking Explaining the rudiments of brokerage Ladder Club success story - Megan Purdie, and sharing a map of who brokers to which founder of Megan Claire. retailers, Andy Paterson, sales director of “Eight years ago I was sitting Woodmansterne, summed FROM FRO where you are now, then in 2011 FR M IMA M GINAT INATION INA TION N up the key to this mode TO IM MA AGES GES my whole world opened up,” TO of supply. began Megan, going on to tell her “Like so many aspects story of how she went from of life it relies on good dipping her toe into the greeting relationships - in this case card water by selling personalised with the retailer and the cards on Not on the High Street brokered publishers,” he before ‘jumping in’ good and said sagely. proper, with her creative approach Certainly after spending underpinned by her driving the day together, the tenacity, seeing her design-led relationships between business grow in size and stature. attendees and speakers had got off to an incredibly strong start.

As Sarah Bell of Chapel Street Gallery said as she left The Ladder Club that afternoon: “It was not just the mass of practical advice we received, as well as making us aware of things I had not even thought of, but the overwhelming friendliness from everyone involved. What a great day.” l The Ladder Club annual seminar is organised and owned by Max Publishing (publisher of Progressive Greetings) supported by loyal sponsors who include The Imaging Centre, Loxleys/Sherwood, Enveco, GF Smith, GCA and PG Live.

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Publisher Collaboration

It is often said that this is a very friendly industry, but it is a very competitive one to boot. So when rumours rumbled that six significant card publishers were to join forces and form Tailored Planning Solutions, offering an alternative greeting card planning and supply option for retailers, not surprisingly there were a few ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’ as to how it will work.

With one retailer already on board and others in the pipeline, PG caught up with Chris Houfe, who’s heading up the new collaborative TPS business.

When the family-owned Newbank Garden Centre group acquired the Trebaron garden centre in the affluent North-West market town of Newton-le-Willows in September, the management knew that they wanted to transform it to the group’s high standards in time to make the most of the Christmas trade. And that transformation was to include a fresh approach to its greeting card department – and mark the first ever Tailored Planning Solutions (TPS) installation.

“We hadn’t envisaged retailers coming on board with us until 2020, but we were delighted to have the opportunity with Newbarn

and put into action what we all felt was a great solution for the retailer,” said Chris Houfe, who is at the centre of the TPS business.

The ‘us’ and ‘we’ is Abacus, IC&G, Paperlink, Pigment, MGML/Mint Publishing/Real & Exciting Designs and Second Nature, with the six card publishers all equally invested in the innovative collaborative new TPS business.

Chris is keen to reinforce that TPS is not a brokerage, but Top: The new collaboration brings together six well-respected publishers.

Above: Newbank’s Newton-le-Willows garden centre branch has given TPS its first chance to shine.

Above right: TPS provided the planning and PoS in the Newbank Newton-le-Willows new card department.

Left: TPS’ Chris Houfe (bottom right) with (right-left) Simon Wagstaff (IC&G), Andrea Caspar (Pigment), Bill Greeno (Paperlink) Sandy Rae (Pigment) and Nick Carey (Abacus Cards) at the first TPS installation.

Chris Bryan, general manager of Second Nature: “This is a fantastic opportunity to really give retailers ‘Six of The Best’. We all have different strengths and different looks and the blend of publishers really gives the variety of product to drive sales forward.

We’re so lucky to have Chris Houfe heading up the operation as he’s one of the most experienced people in the industry, and also Simon [Wagstaff] from IC&G, who had the drive and determination to make this happen in an unbelievably short space of time. The results so far are very encouraging, with double-digit sales growth in a challenging retail environment.”

Above: One of the designs from Second Nature’s new Sublime range.

“a new alternative” conceived to provide retailers with “an easy solution of a well planned collection of great selling greeting cards, into which they have total input, with the simplicity of being paid by a single invoice if they so wish.”

The opportunity with the rebranded Newbank Newton-le-Willows centre has seen TPS get off to a great start, with a revamped card selection installed into the garden centre in November, with the ensuing sales - double digit increases - being tasty proof of the pudding for all parties.

Chris describes the Newton-le-Willows installation as “a pretty special day” as many of the TPS ‘expectant parents’, namely representatives from the participating publishers, were there to witness and be involved in ‘the birth’ of their ‘first child’! “It was lovely to see what we knew was a good PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Publisher Collaboration

idea become a reality so soon after we had set the business up,” said Chris.

Chris reveals that the initial idea for TPS came out of a conversation he had with Simon Wagstaff, md of IC&G, when they both agreed there was merit in a group of like-minded publishers with complementary product portfolios working together to “provide retailers with a topnotch greeting card display that would be planned to totally focus on their customers’ requirements, but without any one publisher having a dominating interest,” said Chris. Now, talking through good ideas with peers is fairly common in the card industry, but seeing them become a reality, especially when you are breaking new ground, is more of a rarity.

With Chris’ own industry expertise already spanning over 20 years, with a career that has involved him working for Emotional Rescue, GBCC and CCA, among others, he admits he is relishing this new challenge, especially as it confronts industry practice.

Under the TPS set-up, while Chris effectively works for all of the six publisher partners, he is keen to dispel any preconceived ideas that a TPS installation has to be equally split between the six parties’ products.

However, there is no denying the broad reach the publishing partners offer amounting to over 10,000 different designs.

Highlighting the respective card publishing attributes of each of the six parties, Chris sums up how Pigment and Paperlink are incredibly strong in humour and contemporary design; Abacus and MGML/Mint/Real & Exciting offer great Bill Greeno, sales and marketing director of Paperlink: “The retail landscape is going through many changes at the moment and many retailers are looking for help to them steer through these changes.

The beauty of the TPS solution is that it is very fluid and with six equal partners offering product there is no one dominant product, thus ensuring a fantastic selection of product. Also, it is a very fluid collaboration in that it can be adapted to suit whatever the customer prefers, whether that be one invoice, one visit, multiple visits anything that suits the individual customer the best.”

Riou Baxter, director of Why? Management, who is leading the TPS collab on behalf of the Mint Group of companies: “We are delighted and excited to be part of the brilliant TPS. Its strength is the balanced displays to meet retailer’s needs, involving six top publishers. Great product, great service and great customer profits. Couldn’t be better!”

Above: The fixtures were specific to Newbank to tie-in with its newly designed gift department at the garden centre.

Left: The IC&G team is undertaking the planning aspect for TPS. The publisher is also well placed to participate due to its expertise in niche captions and great service.

Below and right: There are over 10,000 designs available just from the six participating publishers, including from Abacus’ Countryfile range (below) and Pigment’s Happy Jackson collection (right).

art, photographic and licensed ranges; Second Nature is an expert in handfinished and 3D lines, while IC&G’s core is in traditional and goes deep on the caption front, including niche ones.

While Chris acknowledges that what TPS is offering is unlikely to appeal to an independent specialist whose main focus is their card business, for other retailers for whom cards is not their core, notably garden centres, this can help them to elevate their selection and reputation on the card front.

“The onus has to be completely on the retailer, providing them with what they want for their customers. A retailer may choose to include designs from all six publishers or may not, and there is no prescription percentage

that they have to take; we are a collective. Likewise they may wish to include other different publishers’ designs into the plan, which we are more than happy to accommodate of course,” stresses Chris.

“It is all about being flexible.

We can work with retailers to come up with the plan, take on the fixturing and Point of Sale, manage the merchandising, the deliveries and the invoicing according to their wishes.”

Using the Newbank Newton-le-Willows installation as a case in point, Chris says that with input from the retailer a planned display was created in 3-4 weeks and installed shortly after that.

“In this case the Newbank team wanted the fixtures to match its newly revamped gift department, but we provided the caption locators. They were also keen to involve other publishers, including Caroline Gardner, Belly

Button, Five Dollar Shake and others, some of which are supplied direct,” said Chris. “We all need to respond to a changing landscape, be open to opportunities and new ways of doing things, not dictating what, how and how much,” believes Chris. “We all want the same thing great card displays that chime with customers and generates strong sales,” he adds.

In addition to the installation doing well in the Newton-le-Willow centre, Chris confirms there are discussions underway for other sites too. And with a stand secured at Spring Fair “to demonstrate what we are capable of and what we are about” Chris feels hopeful that TPS is on for a busy year.

So the plan for a planning business is clearly coming together!

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The brand new futuristic Everyday Greeting card collection from The Art File.

See it first at Top Drawer London, Stand W41, 12th - 14th January 2020, along with over 300 brand new everyday Greeting Card and Gift Packaging designs.

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A selection of inspiring ranges that will be on show at Top Drawer (January 12-14, London’s Olympia).

Barking Glad I Ended Up Here has added more new designs to its very popular Dog Show range. Already featuring 10 favourite breeds, the publisher has added some more breed winners in the form of a Labrador, Dachshund, Beagle and Old English Sheepdog, with more to come early in the New Year. All the cards are A6 in size, are printed on FSC approved board and come cellowrapped with a Callisto Pearl envelope.

I Ended Up Here 07831537889 www.iendeduphere.co.uk Top Drawer Stand ZB44

Making You Blush A Riotous Menagerie There are rabbits, giraffes, dogs and some irresistible frisky felines in party hats in Earlybird's new range AMY, created in collaboration with Amy Hodkin. The 14 fun and humorous cards come with a recycled envelope and compostable sleeve, but can be supplied naked on request. Earlybird is also extending its collection of giftwrap by artists Elena Essex and Bex Parkin.

Earlybird Designs 01227765372 www.earlybirddesigns.co.uk Top Drawer Stand Y44

Fresh from those Five Dollar Shake maestros is Diamond Blush. This card collection comprises 66 charming and elegant illustrations on an exclusive pink blush board with flecks of shimmering gold, all delicately and loving hand embellished with an array of stunning flower sequins and genuine Swarovski crystals.

Five Dollar Shake 01424 434062 www.fivedollarshake.com Top Drawer Stand X41

Praise The Lords Kazan is the brand new religious occasions collection from Dandelion Stationery featuring intricate patterns, foiling, chic typeface and glowing tones. The cards are printed on luxury FSC board and supplied with rustic brown kraft envelopes which are made in the UK from recycled paper. All the designs are available to order in multiples of three.

Dandelion Stationery 01332 695359 www.dandelionstationery.co.uk Top Drawer Stand Y49

Coming Into The Fold Roger la Borde’s Quintet Concertina Cards collection really do stand out. Each of the 11 designs comprise five laser-cut panels which fold out into a gold foil-blocked freestanding scene, with colour illustrations on the reverse and space for a message. The designs, featuring illustrations by Kate Pugsley, Katherine Quinn, Anne Bentley, Rosie Harbottle, Elise Hurst and Antoana Oreski, cover various occasions.

Roger la Borde +44 (0)207 328 0491 www.rogerlaborde.com Top Drawer Stand U44

On The Radar Lagom Design’s new collection of greeting cards by Canadian illustrator Meghann Radar spans 14 occasions cards featuring gentle, feminine, whimsical and beautiful drawings. Using a subtle colour palette, Meghann gives these cards a romantic charm that is enhanced by gold foiled lettering and blind embossed background detail.

Cellowrapped at the retailer’s discretion.

Lagom Design +44(0)333 123 0101 www.lagomdesign.co.uk Top Drawer Stand U41 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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A selection of inspiring ranges that will be on show at Top Drawer (January 12-14, London’s Olympia).

During labour, that a the pain is so great erstand woman can almosts und n he whe feel man how a has a cold

A Touch Of Vibrancy Exactly as the name suggests, the Vibrant Notes collection from Wendy Bell Designs pop with colour, with the 21 designs covering a variety of sends including Christmas, birthdays, love and other modern sentiments. Printed onto a heavyweight card, available either naked or wrapped, the 125mm square cards come with a colour coordinated envelope.

Wendy Bell Designs +44 (0)7803 609 902 www.wendybelldesigns.com Top Drawer Stand Y60

Full Of Voice

Waste Not Want Not Stormy Knight’s new Rubbish collection features humorous designs that are all printed onto 100% recycled board made from post-consumer waste (and come with 100% recycled envelopes too!). All designs are C6 and come packaged plastic-free (unless otherwise requested).

Stormy Knight 0117 9098684 www.stormyknight.co.uk Top Drawer Stand ZB52

Babble is the brand new range of funnies from Rosie Made A Thing. The collection of 12 everyday designs features some familiar characters but now they can chat!

The cards are printed in the UK on FSC uncoated board. The publisher has also added 24 new designs to the awardwinning Gin & Frolics range and is launching an updated Ages range for 2020.

Rosie Made A Thing 0116 4062000 www.rosiemadeathing.co.uk Top Drawer Stand Y45

Seeing Is Believing Hotchpotch’s focus for its 2020 designs is on sustainability, recyclability and eco-friendly collections. The publisher’s innovations have been driven through paper engineering, paper attachments, pop-ups and to-die-for die cuts! Among the most fun is Spec-tacular, wearable greeting cards that will ensure selfies a-plenty!

Hotchpotch 01243 792600 www.hotchpotchlondon.com Top Drawer Stand X54

Off The Wall Building on the strong following for its Shakies cards, James Ellis has developed a new look range of age cards, covering years from 7-18 and 21. Artist Nicola Watson has taken inspiration from graffiti wall art to create these bold Paper Shakies cards that are perfect for teens and tweens. As with the publisher’s Paper Shakies they're plastic free and 100% recyclable with coloured paper confetti and a translucent paper window.

James Ellis Stevens 0117 927 7667 www.jamesellis.com Top Drawer Stand T20

Animal Instincts Citrus Bunn has been busy developing a new range of extra fluffy (but sophisticated) cards for all occasions featuring watercolour depictions of animals. Among the 20 new designs are wedding cards (for all types of couples), Spring Seasons and birthday cards. The 150mm square cards are printed on textured board cards and come with a recycled kraft envelope, available naked or cello-ed.

Citrus Bunn 07746324124 www.citrusbunn.com Top Drawer Stand ZA59 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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A selection of inspiring ranges that will be on show at Top Drawer (January 12-14, London’s Olympia).

Bright As A Button Forever Funny’s new range Bright Moments comprises 20 designs, featuring illustrations of dinosaurs, cosmos, nature, animals, floral elements etc. The range is printed on GF Smith paper and finished with gold foil. The cards are accompanied by colourful envelopes and wrapped in biodegradable cello or can go naked.

Forever Funny 07512 304391 www.forever-funny.com Top Drawer Stand ZA46a

Top Cats Taking A Bow Orla is a new contemporary collection from Noel Tatt. Produced and handmade in the UK, the 16 7” x 5” designs encompass open birthday, occasions and female relations designs. Each card is enhanced with emboss, gold foil and hand-finished with a metallic gold bow and flyleaf, and comes accompanied with a patterned envelope.

Noel Tatt 01227 811600 www.noeltatt.co.uk Top Drawer Stand V35

Background Story Peartree Heybridge and Sarah Boddy have continued their successful collaboration with the launch of a brand new Field and Forest collection.

The release, which comprises six cards, features Sarah’s distinctive watercolour artwork and includes the first-ever horse illustration released by her. The range includes a cow, horse, goat, sheep, alpaca and pig, with further animals planned for the range in the future. In a departure from Sarah’s signature animal artwork, which normally places animals against a white backdrop, each is featured against a watercolour backdrop.

Sarah Boddy www.sarahboddy.com Top Drawer Stand ZB54

Heartfelt Trio Blue Eyed Sun has three new Valentine’s collections: Poet’s Corner, Doodle Girl and Jade Mosinski. The latter has created a stunning new design-led collection of 12 Valentine’s Day designs, each of which is embossed and hot foiled. Measuring 170mm x 148mm, they are printed on FSC-certified board and come with a red envelope.

Blue Eyed Sun 01273 823003 www.blueeyedsun.co.uk Top Drawer Stand P49

There are a pride of new cats in town!

Launching at Top Drawer, Purpose & Worth’s Kitty-Corner collection of cards and wrap has been expanded to include a range of London-themed ‘Cats about town’. The new designs feature felines in a variety of quirky guises and situations, from driving a Routemaster bus, appearing on a First Class stamp and even dressed as a Beefeater. The cards are A6 in size and packed with 100% recycled envelopes. Matching wrapping papers are also available.

Purpose & Worth 07779 657 477 www.purposeandworthetc.com Top Drawer Stand ZB47

Blooming Lovely Simply Flowers is just one of the five new ranges Amberlyn Co. is launching at Top Drawer. Filled with various beautiful floral designs, premium rhinestones and fabric flower embellishments, this appealing range is suitable for all birthday sends. The greeting cards, which measure 150mm x 150mm, are printed on FSC board and supplied with white envelopes and individually cellowrapped.

Amberlyn Co 01242 224475 www.amberlynco.com Top Drawer Stand V55 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Get in touch now to be part of the 2020 show An inspiring celebration of the international greeting card community, PG Live will bring your passion for cards to life.

THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD “PG Live is by far our favourite trade event. Its size, dedication to the industry and the fact that it has literally every good quality supplier under one roof trumps all other shows.”

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Tuesday 2 - Wednesday 3 June Business Design Centre. London. +44 (0) 1635 297070 www.progressivegreetingslive.com @PGLiveLondon

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A selection of inspiring ranges that will be on show at Top Drawer (January 12-14, London’s Olympia).

In The Pink Featuring Jo Hawkins’ depictions of charming foxes, elegant penguins and cute puppies, the Pretty in Pink range from Apple & Clover is hand-finished with a spotted or pink bow. The collection of 155mm x 155mm square cards comprises everyday, Mother’s Day and relations designs. In keeping with the range name, each card comes with a pretty, pink envelope.

Apple & Clover 07790 900976 www.appleandclover.com Top Drawer Stand X40

A Hobby Horse

Shiny And Bright

Birthdays are made for relaxing and enjoying. So, what better way to spend them than pursuing your favourite hobby?

Hence the reason Ohh Deer decided to launch The Hobbyist, a range dedicated to featuring popular pastimes and sports, from fishing to football, car racing to cricket. The cards are printed on FSC board and come Kard Klasped with a recycled envelope.

Ohh Deer 01549649279 www.ohhdeer.com Top Drawer Stand V63

Ricicle Cards will debut at Top Drawer with four ranges, all boasting a bright colour palette and plenty of decadent hot foils. Among the brand new portfolio is its Iconic range, which features patterned graphic illustrations coupled with fresh captions, such as the We Belong Together design (pictured) wonderfully illustrated with foiled burgers and fries!

Ricicle Cards 07850 757676 www.riciclecards.com Top Drawer Stand ZA56

A Basic Approach Objectables does it like no other! When summing up its new Basics range, the publisher’s responses go something like this… ’Extra finishes and nice bits like that – NO. Is there anything special about this range? - ABSOLUTELY NOT.’ There are 15 new designs joining the Basics range and, intriguingly, a very childish insult range is also to debut at the show!

Objectables 01303 255287 www.objectables.co.uk Top Drawer Stand ZA48

Old Meets New Among the many new ranges to be launched by ArtPress at Top Drawer is Vivid Vintage. The designs by Julia Trigg are a wonderful juxtaposition of old and new with original Edwardian etchings brought into the 21st Century with the introduction of close crops and a vibrant clashing colour palette. The cards are 170mm x 120mm in size and come individually wrapped with an accompanying china white envelope.

ArtPress Publishing 020 7231 2923 www.art-press.co.uk Top Drawer Stand V45

Powell To The People Now for something completely different from Redback! The publisher has working with the talented young artist Emily Powell to create a wildly coloured contemporary art collection of 16 designs featuring abstract florals, vibrant landscapes and even the odd furry friend! The 150mm square cards come paired with a warbler green envelope.

Redback Cards 01752 830482 www.redbackcards.com Top Drawer Stand Y42 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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PG showcases a selection of new product launches

Illustrating A Point I Drew This’ new Valentina general birthday range comprises 10 colourful designs. In keeping with the I Drew This’ trademark style the range is all about the illustrations, in this case playful depictions of dogs, cats, piglets and lots more!

The cards measure 130mm x 178mm and will be sold naked with I Drew This card clasps and recycled kraft envelope.

I Drew This 07813 005707 www.idrewthis.co.uk

In Sharp Focus Abacus Cards’ new Mix It Up range is an amusing light-hearted selection of fun, photographic birthday designs relevant to everyone, from teens to 30-somethings, of both sexes. The bright and bold designs feature popular subjects for both sexes, including music, gaming, flamingos as well as birthday balloons. Printed on smooth board, with a simple birthday message inside, the images are complemented by clean white borders and finished with gold hot foil captions.

Abacus Cards 01638 569050 www.abacuscards.co.uk

A Gem Of An Idea New for 2020, Bug Art has extended its best-selling Jewels range. The 14 new cards feature elegant designs set against a black background, a style that has kept this popular range flourishing for over 20 years. Each of the cards is embossed with two different foils and is blank inside. The cards measure 118mm x 167mm and are wrapped in a biodegradable bag with a gold envelope.

Bug Art 0115 929 4779 www.bugart.co.uk

Love It! Avec Amour is a brand new collection of 15 elegant, traditional captioned designs from IC&G. Each design encompasses an eight page booklet insert of heartfelt verse, making these beautiful cards into extra special keepsakes. The cards are finished with elegant foiling, delicate glitters and embossed details.

International Cards & Gifts 01202 897494 www.icgcards.com

Cosmic Relations Starry is a brand new design-led range from Always Sparkle. This collection of occasions and relations cards features fresh pastel colours that make for eyecatching designs to suit all ages. The cards, which measure 105mm x 150mm, come with a pale grey envelope and are printed on lightly textured FSC-certified white board.

Always Sparkle 07940726842 www.alwayssparkle.co.uk

Making Small Talk Combine contrasting bright colours, a hashtag symbol and a few choice ‘whoops!’ and ‘love ya’ words and you have Kali Stileman’s new Hashtag Tiddly Widdlies range. Also new is the Wordy Tiddly Widdlies collection which showcases talented Kate Brockie’s fab calligraphy with phrases such as ‘yippee!’, ‘bonjour’ and ‘hip hip hurrah’.

Kali Stileman 01305 848899 www.kalistileman.co.uk PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Year of the rat!

e s e n i Cwh Year 2020 Ne

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JEREMY’S JOURNAL Business blogging by publisher Jeremy Corner of Blue Eyed Sun.

Your Best Year Ever Jeremy Corner, owner of greeting card publisher Blue Eyed Sun, and distributor of BambooCup and Bioloco, looks forward to making this his best year ever.

I recently read ‘Your Best Year Ever’ by Michael Hyatt. If you’d like to have an awesome year ahead and aren’t sure how you can do this, here are some useful tips from his book…

Upgrade limiting beliefs Do you ever have beliefs that hold you back? ‘I don’t deserve this’ or ‘I can’t sell’ are examples of messages we might give ourselves that have an effect on how we see our future. They are like wearing red sunglasses that colour our vision and distort what’s possible for us. We do it to ourselves, the world around us and others. It keeps us living in a restricted space of fear and scarcity instead of thriving abundance.

The good news is that upgrading your limiting beliefs is like choosing a different colour of sunglasses. ‘I don’t deserve this’ can become ‘I’ve worked hard for this’ and ‘I can’t sell’ can become ‘I love to share my products with the world.’

I used to have a limiting belief that key account buyers wouldn’t talk to me because they

have steered off course. They can also create opportunities. Think of them like a road sign, rather than a road block. Pointing you in the right direction, rather than getting in your way.

Instead of wallowing in regret, anxiety or suffering, as my grandma used to say, ‘count your blessings’. Indian yogi, Sadhguru, reminds us that “over a million people don’t wake up each morning. So, if you wake up, is it not a great thing? If those dear to you also wake up, it’s a fantastic day.” I like this, because you don’t have to accomplish or do anything to feel grateful. It is a blessing to simply be alive.

are too busy. My focus now is on how our products can help them grow their sales and make the world a better place.

It’s important to recognise the power limiting beliefs have over us, to face them head on and to create more powerful and inspiring possibilities for ourselves going forward.

Completing the past There are things we may have wanted to happen in our lives and they didn’t. For example, you may have wanted a long and happy marriage and it didn’t work out that way. We carry the story of our failures, rather than acknowledging what happened, learning from the experience, adjusting our behaviour and moving on. Such stories can hold us back from living our lives fully and they fuel our limiting beliefs.

Regrets can be a feedback loop for when we Top: Be SMART-er in 2020 with strategic goals.

Above right: Waking up each morning can be a blessing in itself.

Left: Your Best Year Ever by Micheal Hyatt shares some helpful tips on how to have a more positive year ahead.

Be smarter Hyatt has adapted the popular SMART goals strategy to make them even more achievable by being: Specific Measurable Actionable Risky Time-keyed Exciting Relevant I found this useful when creating the Rising Retail event for retailers. Being specific about the date (1st June 2020), location (The Shard), number of speakers (14), delegates (30) and subjects (10) made organising the whole event easier PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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JEREMY’S JOURNAL than if we’d just said let’s produce an event to support British High Street Retailers.

Choosing to be healthier, fitter, richer, better, doing less, doing more etc, are all too vague and don’t tick the SMART boxes.

So don’t set goals like these for yourself.

You’ll only be disappointed. Set SMART-er goals, take the first step towards their attainment immediately after setting them and then make further steps habitual.

Don’t rely on your willpower in the moment. Set triggers for yourself. Want to improve sleep?

Leave your electronic devices in another room before going to bed. Set your gym clothes out the night before. Book gym appointments with friends or a trainer. Then take action according to your plan.

Life goals

Do, or Do Not

It’s important that your goals aren’t all work related. They should ideally cover a range of areas that make up your life in addition to the usual physical, financial and vocational goals we often set ourselves. Design goals and habits for your spiritual, intellectual and emotional life, as well as those that nurture your relationships and hobbies.

You also need to make sure your achievement goals are supported by habits that are installed through winning streaks.

Let me give you an example: Last year my son, Sam, set me a challenge of watching 104 great movies on a Gift Republic poster that he gave me as a gift. It was a fun goal.

I worked out that I needed to watch two movies a week for the entire year.

Achievable, right?

It’s important that goals have some discomfort in them, but aren’t delusional. It was a big ask of my time (100 hours+). It was also something I could share with my son to enhance our relationship and it was doing something I love: I am a cinephile with two Humanities degrees in film.

As with most of my goals I set off at a good pace and was on track at five months in. Then the summer arrived and I fell off the wagon. I got to October and had 60 films still to watch. I spoke with my son about not making it and he said that I’d have to agree not to eat chocolate for six months if I failed. A fate worse than death for me! It helped me to knuckle down and

Above: Jeremy and some of the Blue Eyed Sun team penning their Christmas cards for Festive Friday at the end of last November.

Below right: Life goals shouldn’t be all work related.

Bottom: Jeremy’s son challenged him to watch 104 great movies in a year.

nail a winning streak in ten days that made completing the list habitual. In fact, I got ahead and even had time to spare.

Your Why That messy part in the middle is where we so often fall down with our goals isn’t it? Although I had good motivations for doing the challenge, I lost my way. We lose our way, when we lose our why.

Sam gave me a new ‘why’ in October, which helped massively. It was deeper than just chocolate for me. It included being true to my word, both to myself and to others. Being an example of this (and of determination) to my son is important to me too.

Getting back on track with my movie challenge also helped me become more organised and focused in other areas of my life. I could see the benefits of being smarter about my goal setting and habit creation.

Having someone who cares for and supports me also made a big difference. It’s something I think I’ll need more of in certain areas with this year’s goals to help me grow, encourage me and hold me accountable for reaching them.

Plan your work and work your plan Make first actions easy to gain momentum.

You don’t have to do the hardest job first.

Do something easier to get going and then work on the more difficult stuff.

Remember to chunk down seemingly daunting tasks into smaller more manageable actions. It’s much easier to break the mountain climb down into smaller sections. You can then celebrate achieving them as you head towards completing the whole.

In Star Wars, Yoda reprimands Luke Skywalker for saying he’ll give a task another try. “No! Try not. Do, or do not.

There is no try,” he says. Ditching the word ‘try’ from your vocabulary reinforces your commitment to action and from there to achieving your goals. The difference between saying ‘you’ll try’ and ‘do’ something and saying you’ll do it is huge. Commit to steps that you can do, not try to do.

Review Review your goals and motivations daily, weekly and quarterly. If they are written down, they are easier to track, adjust and maintain. Keeping these lists manageable is really helpful. For example, choose three key goal focused tasks per day, 3 per week and 3 per quarter. Make sure they all help you move towards your overall goals. Review how it’s going and what needs doing next and remember why you are doing it.

Making dreams come true I wish you all a very successful year ahead with making your dreams come true.

Remember to write down where you want to go, make sure it’s ‘smarter’ and track your progress to adjust as you go. I hope that it’s your best year ever!

Jeremy is speaking on the Inspiring Retail stage at Spring Fair on Sunday February 2 at 13:30 at Spring Fair on “How can you become a sustainable retailer?”

Read more on Jeremy’s blog at www.blueeyedsun.co.uk/blog PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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ART SOURCE AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT...

Our innovative greetings card finishes include: Thermography Foil Intense Glitter Snowraise Liquid Metal Blended Glitter Embossing Textured Foil Laser Cutting

ask about our ‘Mr Abbot’ sample pack

To discuss your next greetings card range call us on 01797 223355 www.abbotprint.co.uk sales@abbotprint.co.uk

TO APPEAR REGULARLY IN THE

ARTSOURCE SECTION OF PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS CONTACT TRACEY ARNAUD ON 01234 740 051

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Art Source PG helps to paint a pretty picture of freelance artists, designers, verse writers and photographers’ worlds in order to promote their talents to publishers and, conversely, make it easier for publishers seeking artists.

ARTIST IN FOCUS

Daisy May Taylor I first started drawing when I was very young, I was always a nervous child and drawing helped me calm down and relax. I was greatly influenced by animated films such as Lilo and Stitch, Spirited Away and Mulan, which shaped my drawing style.

Today my work is mainly based around character design and surreal illustration with influences from alternative fashion and comic books. I love to create bold illustrations that use flat sections of colour and prominent line art to create striking images with a lot of personality and attitude, But I can also adapt my work to a softer more traditional style to fit a brief.

I also have a love for drawing animals as I love how expressive they are and I enjoy the challenge of drawing new types of animals; I try to exaggerate

WANT TO BE FEATURED?

the shapes in my drawings to give them a more angular interesting silhouette.

Themes of body positivity and representation of marginalised groups run through my work, which aims to promote and celebrate different types of beauty and the acceptance of different social groups. Using bold shape and colour allows me to create images that are eye-catching and defiant in their celebration of difference and challenge of convention. When people view my work, I want them to recognise what makes them different from everyone else and embrace that uniqueness. l Email: may.maytylor@gmail.com

If you are an artist, photographer or verse writer and would like to be considered to appear in Art Source, please contact PG’s Emma Cain on emmac@max-publishing.co.uk. This is an editorial feature and as such is free of charge.

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PG asked a selection of card retailers for their ‘hot’ card sellers.

Janet Stow, partner of Love Letters, Anlaby Common, Hull A small shop in a village with a loyal locals customer base.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

Words ‘n’ Wishes

Treasured Moments

Cherry Orchard

Across The Board

Cute Traditional

IC&G Jonny Javelin

Humour

Danilo

Great open ranges, for both male and female sends, with short sentiments.

A mixture of traditional and abstract images - both are very popular.

A great seller across the board.

Beautiful cards with broad appeal; our bestseller on all titles.

Two great humour range for all, especially for those of a certain age.

Contemporary

Janie Wilson

Barley Bear Velvet/Velvet Moments Enid Blyton Famous Five Cards and Ladybird Books For Grown-Ups Macaroon

Children’s Ancillary

Jonny Javelin Gaeltag Keltika

Twingles Angel Figurines

Boxer Gifts

LED Light Up Bottles

Right: A Danilo Ladybird Books For Grown-Ups design.

A bright, vibrant, beautifully handmade range with topical and up to date designs and images.

A fun bright range for all young ages as well as relation ages.

The small angels have lovely friendship sentiments and are always a best seller.

These bottles with fairy lights inside are still a very big seller across the range.

Serge Sumerling, owner of Nor, West Norwood, London A medium shop in a city suburb with a loyal locals customer base.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

Redback Cards

Across The Board

Humour

Pigment

Fleet Street Alice Scott

Photographic

U Studio

1000 Words

Art

Museums & Galleries

Mathew Williamson

Contemporary

Lagom Design

Postco

Traditional

Pigment

General

Handmade/ Hand-Finished

Meri Meri

General

Giftwrap

Giftwrap UK

General

Ancillary

Talking Tables

Napkins, paper plates, photobooth props etc

Most of its everyday ranges always sell well for us.

From the vintage photo look of Fleet Street to the contemporary style of Alice Scott, the jokes are gentle with a bit of ribbing.

The designs hit the mark being humorous as well as being well produced photographic images.

This range has sold well for a while now with its playful and colourful use of tropical fauna and animals.

Geometric illustrated cards that are simple yet eye-catching.

The publisher’s relations card designs are pretty without being staid.

Meri Meri does some lovely concertina cards, for instance the ballerinas card!

The non-foiled ranges have been selling really well, which is a trend set to continue in future years.

The Christmas party ranges sold well Top: Lagom Design’s Postco over the festive period, particularly the range is fresh, simple and geometric. light up bauble necklace.

Above: Meri Meri’s beautiful concertinaed ballerinas design.

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THE 2020 COLLECTION

Our new 2020 catalogue is available now.

Please contact your local agent, register online or call our sales team for more information.

E: sales@mgml.co.uk

museumsgalleries.co.uk

Tel: 01373 462165

Home of the finest arts brands Progressive_Greetings_FULLPage_Ad_AW_Jan20.indd 1 000_PG_January 2020.indd 1

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Tina Botterill, owner of Cool! Cards and Gifts, Skipton, Yorkshire A small shop in a market town with a loyal locals and tourists customer base.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

Cherry Orchard

Memory Lane

Cute

Ginger Betty

General

Humour

Rosie Made A Thing

Gin & Frolics

Photographic

General

Art

Landscape and Light Photography Emma Ball

Traditional

Jonny Javelin

Across The Board

Handmade/ Hand-Finished Children’s

Second Nature

Pop-Ups

Really Good

General

This is a card range that we sell every day. The designs depict the year you were born and contain interesting events and information relating to it.

A lovely new range of cute animals, especially the hedgehogs.

For humour, definitely Rosie Made A Thing. I first saw these cards at PG Live in the newcomers Springboard section.

A great range of Yorkshire scenic cards loved by all our tourist and local customers.

Shelley Perkins’ nature and wildlife cards are our Above: A gorgeous hedgehog design best selling art range. from Ginger Betty.

Jonny Javelin’s designs are consistently good where words are required.

This collection of pop-up 3D cards lead the field. They’re so good we are having a full spinner delivered for 2020.

This publisher has some really strong children's card designs.

Shelly Perkins

Julia Keeling, owner of Wishes, Cudworth, South Yorkshire A medium card and gift shop in a village with a loyal locals and destination shoppers customer base.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

Cherry Orchard

Everyday Range

Kingfisher Cards

Sealed with a Loving Kiss

Carte Blanche

Violent Veg

Brainbox Candy

Warning and Board Silly

Contemporary

Nigel Quiney

Pizazz

Handmade/ Hand-Finished

Second Nature

Champagne

Children’s

Hallmark

Disney, DC and Marvel

Giftwrap

Danilo (Words ‘n’ Wishes) BGC Studios

Peppa Pig, Thomas & Friends and PJ Masks Own Brand

Partisan

Own Brand

Modern verse on the front with contemporary themed pictures, a combination that makes these lovely cards very popular with my customers.

The new Cherished range is starting to sell well and people like the large size and are impressed by the booklet style insert.

Lengthy verse both on the front and interior, with modern photographic images, makes this card appeal across the age ranges.

Funny but in charming way that’s not offensive. Slightly surreal too and my customers really respond to the wacky vegetable characters.

Clever word-based designs that crack my customers up, and while they are a little rude, cheeky and sometimes close to the knuckle, some people like to have a bit of a banter with their card choices.

Glamorous artwork, glittery and sparkly.

The stunning gold and silver flitter finish against the bright colours really work well. They sell in multiples, with my customers buying three or four cards at the same time.

Elegant but trendy. Embellished with gemstones and glitter they have mass appeal across all age groups for customers looking for a more luxurious card.

Great for older kids. Disney is bigger than ever as these characters on cards are still movie box office draws.

Perfect for little ones with a mixture of enduring characters and new kids’ favourites. Bang on trend too with modern characters like Baby Shark.

On point with contemporary styles and lots of sizes and choices to suit different tastes and different gifts.

Really good thick quality wrap and bags with matching gift dressings at a fab price point.

Right: A lovely Sealed with a Loving Kiss design from Kingfisher Cards.

Below: Carte Blanche’s Violent Veg is pea-leasing customers at Wishes.

Humour

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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020 7700 6740 Abacus Cards Limited t: 01638 569050 e: info@abacuscards.co.uk w: www.abacuscards.co.uk

or email warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud

07957 212 062

or email traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

01565 830 546 | bexyboo.co.uk @BexyBooLtd

BexyBooLtd

@BexyBooLtd

78

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www.cathtatecards.com

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

To appear in the Product Directories email

LOTTIE COLE

Warren Lomax

warren@max-publishing.co.uk or

Tracey Arnaud

Witty, gritty, switched on humour.

Cards and gifts with a real difference.

tarnaud@btinternet.com

Beautiful, Soulful Cards

Unit 1, 45 Morrish Road London SW2 4EE Tel: 0208 671 2166 Fax: 0208 678 1119

www.lottiecole.com info@lottiecole.com

info@cathtatecards.com

lottiecoledesigns

AGENTS WANTED Caspari Ltd Linden House, John Dane Player Court

East Street, Safffrron W Waalden Essex, CB10 1LR Teel: 01799 513010 T Faax: 01799 513101 F Email: inffoo@caspari.co.uk ww ww w.CaspariOnline.com

Products: Everyday cards - birthday, blank & occasions, charity Christmas cards, gifftt wrap, bags, tissue, ribbon, hankies, napkins, paper plate, candles, placemats, crackers,invitations, placecards, notecards,diaries, address books, journals, advent calendars and bridge gifftts.

Method of Sale: Direct to Retail

Publishers of quality blank greeting cards

made with great imagination

Tel: 0115 929 4776 enquiries@bugart.co.uk

@thecuriousinksmith

01892 838 574

sales@thecuriousinksmith.co.uk

Order Online

www.bugart.co.uk One of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading suppliers of Greeting Cards since 19995 Products: High quality greetin ng cards with superb finishes. All maajjor and minor titles, covering traditio onaall to the latest in innovative design, n both Everydaayy and Seasonal. Providing an all NEW selection of Muggs and Notebooks. k

THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD

Brands Include: Down Memory Lane, W Wo ot A Mug and T Tw wist & Shout Methods of Sale: Direct to retail Desiggners welcome contact beverley@cherryorchardpublishing.co.uk

Unit 10 Duddage Business Park Brockeridge Rd Twyning Tewkesbury GL20 6BY 01684 295500 info@cherryorchardpublishing.co.uk www.cherryorchardpublishing.co.uk

www.progressivegreetingslive.com

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Warren Lomax Welsh and English cards

on:

020 7700 6740

or email on warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud on:

07957 212 062

or email on tarnaud@btinternet.com frrom the

Innovative high quality gift wrap, gift bags, tissue paper and accesssories galore for all seasons and occasions.

0127 74 4 655980 sales@glick.co.uk www.glick.co.uk

www.draenog.com

07815 153 582

Glick, Unit 1 Allenby House, European Ind. Park, Knowles Lane, Bradford BD4 9AB

agents wanted Including firm favourites and brand new designs THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD

Brands include: Keepsakes, Words of Love, Jelly Beans, Bella Rose, Champagne and many more

@glickgiftwrap

NEW CHRISTMAS AND SPRING DESIGNS

www.emmabryan.co.uk

â&#x20AC;˘ UK Market leaders with humour, art, photographic, contemporary and traditional occasions & relations cards, plus seasonal. â&#x20AC;˘ 2Î?HULQJ D IXOO SODQQLQJ VHUYLFH with merchandising and retail development opportunities.

www.progressivegreetingslive.com

Teel:: +44 (0)115 986 0115 T customer t ser vices@paper i @ rose.co.ukk www.writefromthehear t.co.uk

â&#x20AC;˘ Specialists in garden centres and the independent trade.

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hello@emmabryan.co.uk 07889 598606

High Quality Greeting Cards, Gift Bags, Gift Wrap & Ta Tags for every occasion.

THE AND TRUTH

LIFE

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*GCF 1HĆ&#x201A;EG +353 (0)404 20528 Email info@garlanna.com www.garlanna.com

Find The Great British Card Company on:

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www.greatbritishcards.co.uk Waterwells Drive, Gloucester GL2 2PH Tel: 01452 888970

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60 years

CHARITY GREETING CARDS

Your Number One Supplier of Numerals, Name, Relation & Age Labels for Greetings Cards.

One of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading publishers of Charity Greeting Cards.

Impress offers a wide collection of images, including fine art, graphic, photographic and cute.

We also offer a bespoke design service for bulk orders and/or mail order fulfilment.

Huge selection with immediate deliveryy.. Buy direct or from your wholesalerr..

Listan Labels 3 Isis Court, Wyndyke Furlong, Abingdon Business Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX1 5JN

Impress Publishing Appledown House Barton Business Park New Dover Road Canterbury, Kent CT1 3TE Tel: 01227 811 611 Fax: 01227 811 618 email: info@impresspublishing.co.uk

Te T el 01235 465489 Fax 01235 532118 www.listanpublications.co.uk sales@listanpublications.co.uk

New Cardiff designs at

www.idrewthis.co.uk Hallmark Cards PLC Dawson Lane, Bradford, BD4 6HN UK&NI: 0800 90 20 900 ROI: 012 480 104 customerqueriesUK@hallmark.com

.6-5*3"$*"- and -(#5 (3&&5*/( $"3%4

Hue tribe

www.huetribe.com t: +44(0) 7943416562 e: info@huetribe.com facebook: www.facebook.com/huetribedesign

CPNF TFF PVS OFX JMMVTUSBUJPOT PO 45"/% 41 BU 1( -*7& % OFF ALL SHOW ORDERS

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WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS

An exciting and innovative range of quality Birthday, Relations, Special Occasions, Handmade, Art and Humorous greeting cards. Full range of Christmas and Spring Seasons merchandise.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Art that tells a storyâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;?

B rand N ames a Pizazz, Pizazz Gallery, G Pizazz Limited Edition, E Pizazz for Men, Doodle, D A of Nature, Whatt a Picture, Art Designers Corner

LING DESIGN

Cloudesley House, Shire Hill, Saffron Walden,, CB11 3FB

T: 01799 520200 F: F: 01799 520100 www.nigelquiney.c w ww ww.nigelquiney.com om

Love Country

by Sarah Reilly

Tel: 07735 918118

www.lingdesign.co.uk

01892 838 574 information@lingdesign.co.uk AG E N T S WA N T E D :

sarah@lovecountryuk.co.uk www.lovecountryuk.co.uk

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Great brands, Great service Bespoke planning

Marina B Designs from me to you with love

UK

The UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading privately owned publisher of Greetings Cards and Stationery. ...The home for and

We can help with all your bespoke planning requirements.

From smaller displays to redeveloping complete card departments

y Valentin e Bee M

originalposter.com

Products: Greetings cards for all occasions, Christmas and Spring Seasons cards, gift wrap and bags, charity cards, social stationery.

Bespoke service for charities and other fundraisers.

All our cards are supplied on consignment, so you only pay for what you sell.

Ling Design Ltd 14-20 Eldon Way, Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6BE Tel: 01892 838574 enquiries@lingdesign.co.uk www.lingdesign.co.uk

We also supply card fixtures and spinners free-on-loan.

www.marinab.co.uk marina@marinab.co.uk Agents wanted

We replace slow sellers and damaged stock free of charge. @NoelTattGroup 01227 811 600 sales@noeltatt.co.uk

M

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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www.noeltatt.co.uk e in the U

We merchandise regularly, so you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to.

THATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WHY WEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE ORIGINAL!

01932 267 300

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Greeting cards & gifts designed with awesomeness in mind

Exquisite Designs Beautiful Cards Key br ands include: Wr ite from the Hear t Ar tisan, Marzipan, Capisco Designer s Guild, Clare Tupperr Lucy Ledger plus man y more

p p paperlink...

Tel:: +44 (0)115 986 0115 Te customer ser vices@paperrose .co.uk www.paperrose .co.uk www.ar tgroupcards.co.uk

purpletreedesigns.co.uk info@purpletreedesigns.co.uk

the home of fabulous cards!

Uk publisher of Greetings Cards with an extensive range of quality Birthday, Relations, Occasions and Seasonal product... available from

LUXURY GIFT PACKAGING

356 Kennington Rd London SE11 4LD T 020 7582 8244 info@paperlink.co.uk k www.paperlink.co.uk Paperlinkcards

THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD

www.progressivegreetingslive.com

@ @paperlinkcards

LING DESIGN

Our Brands: Laughter with Animals, Sporting Fun The Funny Side of Life.

ICONIC LICENCED BRANDS

R

son s easo e

01892 838 574 www.pennykennedy.co.uk

to be

Method of sale: Direct to Retail 14-20 Eldon Way, Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6BE Tel: 01892 838574 enquiries@lingdesign.co.uk www.lingdesign.co.uk

cheerful ...

Design-led Stationery, Gifts, Calendars, Diaries and Cards

happy cards f rom

0208 613 8085 paperbirdpublishing co uk paperbirdpublishing.co.uk

Brands Laura Ashley, Roald Dahl, Lily & Val, Vintage Ladybird, Caroline Gardner, Monsoon, Born to Shop, Flash Gordon, Boofle and many more.

Our In-house design studio and established supply chain enables us to offer bespoke services. tel: +44 (0) 1225 329494 email: sales@porticodesigns.com website: www.porticodesigns.com

raspber r yblossom.com hello@raspberryblossom.com 020 3723 5405 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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t. 07779 654 694 e. info@ruby-tuesday.co.uk www.ruby-tuesday.co.uk

greeting cards & contempoRary gifts www.redbackcards.com e: info@redbackcards.com t: 01752 830482

AGENTS WANTED

To appear in the Product Directories contact

Warren Lomax

020 7700 6740 or email warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud

07957 212 062

or email traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

Products: Greetings Cards, Gift Wrap, Gift Bags, Social Stationery, Partyware

Brands: 6 Heron Trading Estate Alliance Road, Park Royal, London W3 0RA T: 0208 385 4474 F: 0208 385 4471 E: info@Xpressyourselfcards.co.uk WWW.XXPRESSYOURSELFCARDS.CO.UK

To appear in the Product Directories Warren Lomax

BRANDS: Cherished Thoughts, Sweet Sentiments, Buddies Always, Symphony, Thinking of You, Style, Special Wishes, Special Times, Young Editions, Groove Sensations, Forever Blessed, Grey Skies, Classics.

Tracey Arnaud

METHOD OF SALE: SENSATIONS – Direct to retail XPRESS YOURSELF – Now one of the leading wholesale publisher suppliers in the UK

email warren@max-publishing.co.uk or tarnaud@btinternet.com

84

PRODUCTS: World’s leading publisher of high quality plastic greeting cards. Also an extensive range of quality greeting cards covering Everyday, Occasions, Christmas and Spring seasons.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

To appear in the Product Directories contact

Warren Lomax

020 7700 6740 or email warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud

07957 212 062

or email traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

Blossom & Bows Card Essentials Greetings Impressions In Touch Isabel·s Garden Planet Happy Sentiments With You In Mind Word Play

Method of sale: Wholesale Distributors

Simon Elvin Limited Wooburn Industrial Park, Wooburn Green, Bucks HP10 0PE Tel: 01628 526711 Fax: 01628 531483 www.simonelvin.com mail@simonelvin.com

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The UK’s leading publisher of highest quality handmade Greetings Cards.

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DIRECT TO RETAIL & EXPORT

Products: Greetings cards for all occasions, Christmas and Spring Seasons. Spinners and other retail displays available.

Talking Pictures Cards Ltd 14-20 Eldon Way, Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6BE

Tel: 01892 838574 enquiries@talkingpics.co.uk www.talking-pictures.co.uk

To appear in the Product Directories contact

Warren Lomax

TEL: 01480 435562 FAX: 01480 450599

020 7700 6740

www.tracksltd.com

or email warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

STUKELEY MEADOWS IND EST,

UNIT 2, 12 BLACKSTONE RD, HUNTINGDON, CAMBS, PE29 6EF

Tracey Arnaud

2@= 29KL= M<K

07957 212 062

or email traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

Just food and their friends....

7RPFDW &DUGV

view by rufus designed in thames ditton

which one’s the treat under?

5= N= ?GF= ?J==F

topdog@view by rufus.com 020 8972 9706

All greeting cards printed with vegetable inks on recycled boards/envelopes, including biodegradable packaging...

www.the-taste-buds.co.uk info@the-taste-buds.co.uk 07906 367 663

do I look like I give a damn?

viewbyrufus.com register fo for a trade account: www w..viewbyrufus i b f .com/b2b /b2b

www.tomcat.cards info@tomcat.cards

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DIRECTORY OF WHOLESALE

We offffer a We COMPREHEN

range of high Greeting Cards f ALL Occasions,

CHRISTMAS an Season f Sale:

mail: inffo o@words-nWeb: www We w..words-n-wishes.co.uk

Tel: 01942 233201

EUROPEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LEADING GREETINGS CARDS, PARTY PRODUCTS, GIFTS, CANDLES, TOYS, STATIONERY AND FLORIST SUNDRIES DISTRIBUTION CENTRE 75000 SQ FT

Verse

& entimen

an extensive range of superior quality,

design-led Greeting Cards for all occasions, Spring Seasons & Christmas.

Method of Sale: Direct to Retail

Orders can be placed on our trader site

www.cbgtrader.co.uk

or call our customer services team on

+44(0)1243 792600

Art Cards eA Botanical Fine

Market Leaders in

Vibrant and nd elegant gree greeting cards A freshly fr modern perspective on nature

Call Now 075 7700 1145 www.zaquarella.co.uk info@ zaquarella.com

To appear in the Product Directories simply contact

Warren Lomax: 020 7700 6740 warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud: 07957 212 062 tarnaud@btinternet.com 86

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

BESCOT CRESCENT, WALSALL, WEST MIDLANDS. WS1 4NG 01922-646666 www.greetingshouse.co.uk info@greetingshouse.co.uk MON,WED,FRI 8.00am-4.45pm TUES,THURS 8.00am-7.45pm SAT,SUN 8.00am-1.45pm

87-91_Classified 2019_v2016.qxp_Layout 1 12/12/2019 15:18 Page 87

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Polypropylene & biodegradable bag specialists

GREETING CARD

Over 40 years quality service to the trade Hotfoiling also available

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

GIVE E YOUR

BAGS

Manuffacturers of high quality fllexible packaging 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE - QUA UALITTY Y SERVICE EXTENSIVE STOCK RANGE - QUICK DE ELIVERY ASSURED

- HEADER BAGS - WA WALLET BAGS - ZIPPER BAGS - FLEXOGRAPHIC, HOTFOIL & THEERMAL PRINTING www.transrappackagin ng.co.uk sales@transrap.co o.uk

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0122 1228 228 2 28 8 56 5605 60 052 26 6 www.fful ulcrumfilms. ulcrrum mfillm ms s co.uk uk

Over 400 Bespoke Envelope Sizes 8 Sizes Permanently in Stock RECYCLED

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100% Recycled Paper Av Available Stock & Bespoke Cello Bags Peel & Stick Envelopes p Bespoke Service on Request

ORDER ON LINE AT:

W W W. EN VE CO .CO .U K

01 90 83 78 86 6

www.regentenvelopes.com 01274 583000 sales@regentenvelopes.com

We’ve been producing p bags of high clarity and high quality q for over 30 years.

01274 220 220 www w.wrapid.co.uk sales@wrapid.co.uk

IN FO @E NV EC O. CO .U K

‘we we make Envelopes and Stationery’

MOREE THAN 50 COLOURS 6 POPULAR GREEETINGS CARD SIZES 50+ WH HITE SIZES IN STOCK BESPOKE ENV VELOPES AV AVAILABLE PEEL A AND SEAL CLOSURE RECYCLED / KRAFTT / 140GSM / 120GSM 11 SUPER BRIG GHT NEON COLOURS BESPOKE NOTEBO OOKS & STATIONERY

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SPECIALISTS IN SHORT RUN MULTI IMAGE PRINT s Foiling Services without the need for dies s Wiro bound notebooks, no minimum quantity s In House Fulfilmment Services

T 01274 305832 E info@hellocards.co.uk www.hellocards.co.uk

The simplest way to order your greetings cards

FLITTERING FOR ALL YOUR FLITTER REQUIREMENTS

ABL Foil Ltd Unit 1, Industrial Estate East Hanningfield Chelmsford Essex, CM3 8AB 88

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Contact DAVID JIGGINS Tel: 01245 400104 Email: david@abl-ltd.co.uk

Powered by

Unit 8, Archers Park, Branbridges Road, East Peckham, Kent TN12 5HP www.theimagingcentre.co.uk Email: info@theimagingcentre.co.uk Tel: 01622 871449

we print

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Outstanding, cost effective and efficient production of Greeting cards, Packaging and Social stationery, ideal for intricate and hand finished products.

• Over 15 years experience providing high-quality printed products direct from the Far East • Trusted and financially stable, UK owned by The Sherwood Group • Socially responsible manufacturing: SMETA, ISO9001, ISO14001, FSC certification • Full product prototyping in the UK for competitive speed to market requirements

To find out how we can benefit your business, contact Derek Lam +00 (852) 3527 3471 / derek@sherwood-press.com or The Sherwood Group Head Office Hong Kong Office: 13/F, Kam Chung Commercial Building, 19-21 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong

www w..sherwoodgroupuk.com

000510

PJ PRINT LONDON The Capitals Only Specialist Greeting Card Printer All Industry Finishes Available In-House Including Laser Cutting

Social Sta tationerry Printer of the Year

Award winning U UK & Global specialist manufacturer ffor the greeting card industry fo or over 40 years The Print Works Colville Road, Acton, London, W3 8BL E-mail: sales@pj-print.co.uk Tel: 020 8993 5160 www.pj-print.co.uk

To discuss how we can worrk together, contact Richard Bacon: Tel 0115 928 7766 Email ric chard.bacon@sherwoodgroupuk.com

www.sherwoodgroupuk.com Hadden Court, Glaisdale e Parkway, Glaisdale Drive West, Nottin ngham NG8 4GP

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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PRINTERS

THE SPECIALIST GREE ETINGS CARD PRINTE ER Litho Print

Die-cutting

Digital Print

Flittering

Foiling

Packing

Embossing

Distribution

Tel:0127 e 4 4531828 Email: info@herbertw o alkers.co.uk

www.herbertwalkers.co.u uk

WAREHOUSING & DISTRIBUTION

WAREHOUSING & DISTRIBUTION

Same day order turna around Accurate fulfilment Value added only as you sell the product Exclusively Greeting Cards Dedicated Account Managers With an excellent reputation we work as an integral part of yourr team bringing QYGL QSVI XLER JYPǻPQIRX 4YV GSWXMRK WXVYGXYVI MW WMQTPI ERH XVERWTEVIRX ;I ; I GEVV] SYX EPP EWTIGXW SJ LERH ǻRMWLMRK ERH EWWIQFP] ERH TVSZMHI [LEXIZIV EHHMXMSREP WIVZMGIW ]SY RIIH 4YV WIPIGX XIEQ SJ SYX[SVOIVW GEVIJYPP] LERH [VET ER] WM^I SV JSVQEX SJ GEVHW YVKIRXP] 4ZIVRMKLX ;I GEVI EFSYX ]SYV TVSHYGX EW QYGL EW ]SY HS &XXIRXMSR XS HIXEMP 6( .WWYIW ;I ERH .8 WYTTSVXIH F] E GSQTVILIRWMZI TETIV XVEMP JS T JSV EPP WXSGO QSZIQIRXW EVI SYV LEPPQEVOW 4YV GER HS ETTVSEGL QIERWW [I EVI LETT] XS WSPZI ]SYV TVSFPIQW 4YXWSYVGMRK ]SYV [EVILSYWMRK STIVEXMSR VIPIEWIW ]SYV XMQI XS CREA AT TE/MARKET/SELL/ MANAGE/ /GROW THE BUSINESS =SYV FYWMRIWW MW SYV FYWMRIWW T =S TPIEWI ZMWMX Z SYV [IF WMXI ERH WII [LEX SYV GYWXSQIVW WE] XLIR XS ǻRH SYX S QSVI GEPP Ly Lynda Raymond ERH TIVLETW [I GER EVVERKI XS QIIX ERH HMWGYWW ]SYV RIIHW . EQ WYVI XLEX [I GER G LIPT

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APPOINTMENTS

T e r r i t o r y Sa l e s M a n ag e r Vacanc n ies Nationwide

Greeting Cards Displa ay y Solutions

à ® FSDU U à ® CDU à ® POS We also d do: à ® Cartons s à ® Boxes à ® Diecuts s

a e available to join our national Exciting opportunities ar independent retail sales team t in a number of U.K. locatio ons.

The Job is a full area manag ger role where you will be respon nsible for managing a large and diverse d retail customer account base.

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be responsible for th he development of our card brands, seasonal sales and d everyday greetings cards ds.

The successful candidate e will be used to a fast paced sa ales HQYLURQPHQW JUHHWLQJ FDUG H[SHULHQFH ZRXOG EH EHQHÃ&#x20AC;FLDO EXW is not essential. Y Yo our skills will enable you to build upon our exxisting customer relationships and bring on-board new business. You must have the following sk kills; a great attitude, ability to qu uickly gain customer trust and rap pport, excellent journey planning g and the ability to o achieve sales targets.

W at we offer Wh We offer extremely competiitive salaries, fully expensed com mpany cars, attractive per forma ance related pay, training, suppo ort, company pension n and company healthcare.

Compl ete job detai l s on our websit e

www.ab acu sc a rds.co .uk Pl e a se a pply to N a th a n.hi tchco ck@ab acu sc a rds.co. uk N o agencies p lease.

A ba c u s Ca r d s Lt d , Th e S t u d i o , Oa k s Dr i v e, N ew ma r k et , S u f folk. CB8 7SX

Call: 0121 557 7 1891

w w w . a ba c u s c a r d s . c o . u k

email: sales@nsmithb box.co.uk

web. www.nsmithbo ox.co.uk n.smith, Haing ge Road, Tividale, Oldbury, West Midlands s B69 2NZ OVER 115 YEARS OF MANUF FA ACT TURING IN THE UK

DISPLAY AND SPINNERS

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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