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VIEWPOINTS
A juicy
first quarter? On the back of what was a good Christmas period for many independent card retailers, there were high hopes for the first quarter of this year, but that was before the spiralling cost of living really started hitting people’s pockets. With three of the 2022 Spring Seasons events ticked off the calendar, PG checked in with some leading indies for their trading reports. Above: Some retailers are finding trade juicier than others.
Mark Janson-Smith
managing director of Postmark, six shops in south and west London “Our sales were 20% up on the first quarter of 2022 compared to 2020 and 16% up on 2019’s first three months. The working from home trend is still benefitting us though the retail price rises also account for some of this year’s increase. Not sure though how much further we can push these prices up without a backlash from the consumer. I think we are reaching a ceiling price point wise.” Below: Part of Postmark’s Easter marketing.
Mark Rees
owner of Penmark/Henry & Co “It is very tough at retail right now. We were trading circa 3.5% down for the first quarter of this year. Mother’s Day was disappointing for us overall with sales for the two weeks prior down 10%. With the cost of living crisis and the war in Ukraine I think people are battening down the hatches and non-essential spend will more than likely suffer as a result. I was feeling positive after our Christmas trade, but am feeling a little less confident as we go into the summer trading period. Having said that, the business has plenty to be excited about as we will be refitting two stores in April/May and another one in June. Our Henry & Co stores continue to outperform the existing estate, which I guess proves that if the model is right, shoppers will come and spend!” Above: The Henry & Co shop in Ormskirk. Right: Mark Rees holding Penmark’s winning Retas 2021 trophy.
Penny Bailey
co-owner of Bailey’s, Ainsdale, Crosby and Maghull “I am cautiously optimistic about this second quarter, based on our performance in the first quarter of this year, Strangely, it felt very quiet earlier in the year although the takings say otherwise and Above: Penny Bailey (left) with we have, mostly, met our targets. Paper Salad’s co-owner Karen I think it's because over the last couple of Wilson at PG Live 2021. years we had such hectic periods of being open, then closed, then open PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE
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