Progressive Greetings May June 2024

ON THE CARDS

I did the London Marathon this year. By ‘did’ I mean that I made my way to Greenwich, stood on the pavement around the corner from the Cutty Sark with the throngs to lap up the atmosphere and cheer on the 50,000 runners who participated. I was there primarily to support some of our industry long distance athletes, namely James Taylor of Cardzone, Postmark’s Mark JansonSmith and Shannon Fisher and Rachel Ellen’s Rachel Church, plus my wonderful colleague, Samantha Loveday. The fact that they all completed this feat leaves me in awe, but it is not just for lasting the 26.2 mile course on the day that means they deserve due respect and recognition, but the tenacity and determination needed to adhere to the less glamorous training schedule that is inherent (as I understand it!) when embarking on a physical challenge of this magnitude.

@Prog_Greetings

ensuring that you anticipate what the buying public want (even when they don’t know themselves) by way of product selection, creating a retail environment that they feel comfortable with and inspired by, offering a service that intuitively treads the fine line between supportive but not pushy. Therefore, there is always such a wave of joy when we announce the finalists of The Retas greeting card retailing awards as we did a couple of weeks ago (see pages 18-19).

This year’s strong roster of Retas’ finalists are true industry athletes whose endurance, flair and commitment makes them all deserving medal winners.

Similarly being a greeting card retailer is a marathon challenge, you have to be there every day, come rain or shine, putting in your daily ‘training’ in

Staying with awards, I was chuffed to bits to see Hannah Dale’s Wrendale Designs be awarded a King’s Award for Enterprise and Sara Miller of Sara Miller London take home the Best Fashion or Talent Brand at the recent Brand and Lifestyle Licensing Awards (B&LLAs), both of whom started their own business careers at PG Live. As we approach this year’s show, which takes place place June 4-5 at London’s Business Design Centre, I have high hopes that the training for this year’s 200+ PG Live athletes brings them all the glory they deserve. Now, where are my trainers?!

Above: PG’s Jakki Brown and Ian Hyder (left) with the legendary fashion icon Jeff Banks who delivered an inspiring pre-awards speech at the B&LLAs last month.

Right: Tough job, but someone’s got to do it, the PG Live team doing the lunch tasting for next month’s show at the BDC.

Below: Celia Leeson-Cox of Yarnton Home & Garden, one of The Retas finalists with PG’s Jakki Brown (see pages 34-35)

CONTENTS

9-17 News

All the latest happenings and developments in the trade.

18-19 The Retas 2024 Finalists

Rollcall of the greeting card retailers who have made it into the finals of The Retas 2024 greeting card retail awards.

20-21 Over The Counter Back to School

Former school teacher David Robertson, co-owner of JP Pozzi, goes ‘back to school’ attending workshops and talks as part of his Chamber of Commerce’s Growth Week.

22-23 Cardsharp

The Future’s Bright…The Future’s Greeting Cards

Cardsharp suggests that Cardfactory’s positive final results bodes well for the greeting card sector as a whole.

25-27 Viewpoints

Everyone Has A Story…

PG shares chapter and verse about some PG Live newbies and their respective journeys into this wonderful industry.

28-29 Publisher Spotlight Crowning Glory

Having just been awarded the King’s Award For Enterprise, five years after clinching its forerunner, a Queen’s Award, Wrendale Designs is happy to share its sustainable story.

31-35 Focus on…Diversity & Inclusion Joining The Dots

PG delves into some of the progress and developments on diversity and inclusion cards.

36-37 Retailer Face to Face Spinning a Yarn(ton)

Yarnton Home & Garden in Oxfordshire has joined forces with greeting card publisher and stationery company, Ohh Deer to create a wonderful new greeting card, stationery and art materials department.

38-39 In Conversation with…Lifestyle Pay Your Cards Right

Lifestyle (part of Motivates) is a gift card company that is on a mission to forge stronger links with the greeting card community. PG finds out more.

41-45 Innovations

Publishers’ new ranges and designs.

47 Art Source Natural Ties

Zagreb-based artist Sanja Rescek has seen her designs feature in over 200 books and on many greeting cards. Here she shares her life and loves.

48-49 What’s Hot?

A quad of retailers reveal their best-selling ranges.

50-59 Sources of Supply

The 2024 Focus on

Cards publication also accompanies this edition of PG.

Humour

Emma Frances Grant is a British illustrator whose imaginative and decorative designs draw inspiration from her interests in antiques, nature and all things celestial.

With an unforgettable dream-like quality and stunning gold foil detailing, new Imaginarium Greetings Cards are now available to order. Please visit our website or contact your agent for more info.

TOP STORY

Scribbler Studio Lunch Launch

Retailer

to share its design capability with others

PG Live next month will mark the official launch of Scribbler Studio, a new division of the specialist retailer, which will see it extend its design capabilities and extensive consumer card buying knowledge to other retailers.

This new wholesale side is being headed up by Aisling Crosland, Scribbler’s head of creative and Tori Heath-Smith, buying manager.

“Under Scribbler Studio we will be able to bring together the best creatives from our own in-house team, as well as incredible freelancers and exclusive ranges from other hot partnerships and brands from which we will be able to curate a bespoke selection for other retailers,” Aisling told PG.

As Tori added: “We have thousands of designs in our archive and through our own shops and online we know and understand consumer purchasing patterns. We can also offer full-range category planning and trend forecasting.”

Wanting to make sure the launch of its new division was food for thought for everyone in the greeting card community, the Scribbler team spotted the ideal opportunity, to sponsor the lunchroom at next month’s Progressive Greetings Live show, which takes place June 4-5, at London’s Business Design Centre.

Scribbler has some experience of supplying other retailers, including previous projects with Sainsbury’s, M&S and FujiFilm, as well as its distribution agreement with Second Nature to supply indies, but this is a significant strategic commitment.

Marathon Efforts

Four greeting card industry runners raised more than £21,000 with their efforts in the recent London Marathon. James Taylor, director of Cardzone, Rachel Church, founder of Rachel Ellen Designs and Postmark md and Mark Janson-Smith and his buying colleague, Shannon Fisher, put their best feet forward for 26.2 miles, each completing in a collective 16 hrs 46 minutes.

First-time marathon man

James Taylor finished in an impressive 3:26:31 raising £10,000 for the Shooting Stars Children’s Hospice. James was helped along by a playlist made up of songs selected by his donators, which included Bruce Springsteen’s Born To Run, Pink Floyd’s Run Like Hell,

Enter The Henries Awards

All UK publishers are being encouraged to enter The Henries 2024 greeting card awards and get their new ranges under the eyes of esteemed buyers who will form the judging panel.

Publishers have until Friday 14 June to submit their products entries online via The Henries website (www.thehenriesawards.co.uk), while The Lynn Tait Best Young Designer Or Artist category is open for entries until Thursday 25 July.

For the third year running there will be a two-stage judging process for the main product categories.

The initial judging stage will take place entirely online through the www.thehenriesawards.co.uk website, thanks to an extensive panel of retail buyers who will be invited to judge at least six categories each.

As a result of the judges’ online votes, a shortlist of contenders will be drawn up and announced in mid-July to go forward to the live judging round, again judged entirely by retailers, where publishers will be asked to supply physical card samples to be put on display at a special session at the end of July for the panel to examine in person, their votes are counted to decide the finalists and winner in all product categories.

The winners will be announced at an evening event taking place at The Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Thursday, 3 October 2024, The Henries 2024 awards which this year will take on a vibrant ancient Rome theme!

Sara Miller’s win at B&LLAs

She started out as a greeting card designer many moons ago, but Sara Miller’s creative prowess has seen her build the profile of her brand, Sara Miller London across multifarious licensing collaborations, the success of which was reflected in clinching the Best Licensed Fashion or Talent Brand award in the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards 2024 (B&LLAs) for the fifth time.

Hosted by comedian Cally Beaton with a pre-dinner talk from fashion legend Jeff Banks, the B&LLAs event was attended by over 400 retailers, licensees and brand owners, which included those from the greeting card and stationery scene, such as Carousel Calendars, Tache Crafts, Portico Designs and Blueprint Collections who were all finalists. Caran d’Ache’s Keith Haring Collection, distributed by Jakar International in the UK, won Best Brand Licensed Gifting Product or Range.

the classic Keep On Running by the Spencer Davis Group and Soul II Soul’s Keep On Moving.

On his second marathon outing was Mark Janson-Smith, md of the Postmark retail group, who was also running for Shooting Stars, raising almost £7,000.

“The first half was amazing, the second half was tough” Mark said of the run, with his 3:56:41 time meaning he beat his 2022 time by eight minutes. “Meeting with the families the money helps after the race made me incredibly proud to run again for Shooting Stars.”

And his colleague and Postmark buyer Shannon Fisher turned in a very creditable 5:33:52 time for her first 26-miler, and she raised £3,000 for The Royal National Institute Of Blind People (RNIB).

Rachel Ellen’s co-founder Rachel Church was also on her second London Marathon, improving her time by almost 20 minutes to record 4:01:45, in what she classed as “an amazing day”. Rachel raised £2,000 for Save The Children.

Left: Rachel bolstered her Marathon fundraising by selling some of her artwork for Save The Children.

Far left: Shooting Stars will benefit from the marathon efforts of Mark (left) and James.

Above: Shannon with her Marathon number.

Left: When putting bespoke ranges together for other retailers, the Scribbler Studio team will be able to draw on experience and trend knowledge from its own stores.

Above: The branding for the new division harks back to the retailer’s roots, featuring the logo that appeared on the very first shop.

Right: Aisling Crosland (centre front) with some of the Scribbler in-house studio team.

Above: A delighted Sara Miller holds the trophy aloft.

The Retas Finalists Announced

Whoops of joy as retailers celebrate reaching the finals.

Whoops of joy have been sounding out across the country as greeting card retailers celebrate making it into the finals of The Retas Awards 2024. Across 22 categories, covering from the tiniest independent, through small chains and bookshops, garden centres, supermarkets, and up to the largest multiples, these annual awards celebrate the best of greeting card retailing.

“Goodness me what a fabulous community of greeting card retailers we have. The last year especially has seen them pull out the stops, with their product selections, engagement with customers, store environments and initiative galore,” commented Jakki Brown, managing director and co-owner of Max Publishing, which owns and organises The Retas. “Thanks to the input from the industry at large, the number of nominations for this year’s awards was off the scale, while more retailers than ever took the time and trouble to submit their store’s entry.”

There were happy tears for Andrea Pinder at Presentation of Barrowford who features in two Retas categories,

who told PG: “Wow! I’m sooooooo excited, I’m bursting with pride. I actually cried when I heard the news. It’s such a wonderful achievement to be nominated and recognised for everyone’s dedication and hard work within such a fantastic industry.

There’s a double nomination too for Sally Matson at Red Card in Petworth, in both the Best Retail Initiative and Home Counties & South East categories.

“We are absolutely stoked to be shortlisted for two categories in The Retas 2024,” Sally said. “We’re also very honoured to be on a shortlist among such great retailers – very proud! One of our very favourite days of the year is meeting all our industry buddies at the awards ceremony in the big city in summer, we can’t wait. Thank you to everyone who nominated us!”

The winners will be revealed at The Retas awards event on July 4, in the ballroom of London’s Grosvenor House Hotel which will take on a World Of Beatrix Potter theme.

(See pages 18-19 for the full list of finalists)

Cards help people eat

Efforts across IG Design Group have seen a £103,000 cheque presented to The Trussell Trust as the greeting card, stationery and wrap company helps battle hunger and poverty across the UK.

The monies came from donations from sales of the company’s Tom Smith Crackers and UK-made greeting cards, with trading division Polaris adding a chunk from the catering crackers sales.

And IG Design added a £3,000 donation from the Royal Warrant Holders’ Association where e-commerce and brand account manager Katie Brickle explained the recognition stems from the Royal Warrant Tom Smith, founded in 1847, has held since 1906.

“This warrant not only signifies the quality and trust in our products,” Katie said, “but also opened the door for us to apply for this charitable donation, further strengthening our community impact.”

This contribution reflects the ethos of Tom Smith, where every purchase of IG Design’s crackers and UK-made cards translates into meaningful

Moonpig investor sells shares

Significant stakes being sold by private equity backers recently at Moonpig saw its share price plummet, making it the worst day of trading in three years as a London Stock Exchange-listed company.

The Times newspaper reported that the trading on Thursday 25 April saw investors led by private equity firm Exponent sell 25million shares in the FTSE 250 business at 160p each – more than 10% below the previous day’s closing price of 178p.

And the move meant Simon Davidson, Exponent’s nominee director resigned from Moonpig because his company’s shareholding had fallen below 10% of the card giant’s issued share capital, now cut by around a third to 8.2%.

In December, Moonpig announced its half-year results to 31 October which showed an uplift in both sales and profits with revenue climbing 6.5% to £152.1million, and adjusted pre-tax profits rising to £20.8m.

(See Cardsharp pages 22-23)

Harry Styles’ greeting card stalker jailed

A woman has been jailed for stalking pop star and actor Harry Styles by sending him 8,000 greeting cards in less than a month

Brazilian citizen Myra Carvalho, who ordered the greeting cards online, pled guilty to the charge of stalking involving serious alarm or distress. She was sentenced to 14 weeks’ imprisonment as well as a restraining order lasting for 10, plus she has to pay a victim surcharge of £134.

support for those in need. To date, the group’s initiatives have raised over £306,000 for the Trussell Trust over the past five years, helping strengthen its crucial work.

Emily Thomas-Hey, IG Design Group UK md, added: “Our relationship with the Trussell Trust is a cornerstone of our commitment to community support. Each Tom Smith product sold not only represents the festive spirit of our brand but also embodies our pledge to make a positive impact.”

IG Design Group will be exhibiting at PG Live, which takes place June 4-5, at London’s BDC under its Eco Nature brand.

Left: The Utility team at the Liverpool One store were very happy with The Retas finalists news.

Below: Red Card’s Sally Matson is among the delighted Retas’ finalists.

Above: Moonpig’s shares have been falling steadily since 2021 and have been quite volatile over the past year.

Above: Harry Styles received 8,000 cards in less than a month.

Above: Some of the IG Design Group team with the cheque for The Trussell Trust, which fights hunger in the UK through a network of over 1,400 food banks centres across the UK.

PG Live Excitement Builds

Well over 200 exhibitors, 30% new to the show

Left: A copy of the PG Live Preview is being sent to all retailers who register.

Carousel Calendars has acquired Gladstone Media

Below: A group of leading indies enjoying The Retas and Greats champagne reception at last year’s show.

It is now only a few weeks to wait until time the doors will be opening on the annual card extravaganza that is Progressive Greetings Live – and the excitement is truly building for the 200+ exhibitors, 70 of whom are brand new to the two-day show, that takes place Tuesday 4 June and Wednesday 5 June at London’s Business Design Centre.

“PG Live 2024 looks set to be very special indeed. Not only do we have an astonishingly strong line-up of well over 200 exhibitors, but over 30% of these are brand new to the show, meaning that our wonderful visitors consisting of retail buyers and overseas distributors are in for a real feast for the eyes,” commented Warren Lomax, co-owner of Max Exhibitions, which organises and owns PG Live.

Cards, Longacres, National Trust, Cardfactory, RHS, Sainsbury’s, Elphicks, Scribbler, Temptation Gifts, Tesco, TK Maxx, Morrisons, Henry & Co and Utility already preparing to attend, alongside many other leading indies, small chains, garden centre groups, grocers and national stores.

Carousel Calendars will have even more calendar titles to share on its stand at next month’s PG Live as the Exeter-based business has taken another step towards its aim of becoming ‘the largest calendar publishing business in the world’ with the acquisition of US-based Gladstone Media

Gladstone has a range of over 40 titles which will be arriving in the UK for the first time from the business based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.

Among the latest to join the stellar cast of exhibitors that range from well loved brands to newbie start-ups are Talking Tables, Crumble & Core, Bubblegum Stuff, Jelly Armchair, Cotton & Grey, Sharon King-Chai, Eliot Siegel and Wild Lines. The retailer registrations for the show already reads like a ‘who’s who’ of greeting card stockists, with buyers from the likes of Cardzone, Tesco, Blue Diamond, Oliver Bonas, Fortnum & Mason, Hoopers Stores, House of

“PG Live is such a wonderful trade show. It is a great space to catch up with existing publishers and see all the amazing newness they have to offer, while also searching for the next new and exciting talent,” summed up Shar Grothier, Sainsbury’s greeting card buyer. “The show has a great energy about it and is easy to navigate. I’m so looking forward to attending PG Live 2024!” she added. International buyers and distributors from all over the world are also finessing their travel plans to be a part of it. It’s a no brainer for Anka Verlag owner Marius Szanto, who is a distributor across the German and Hungarian markets: “Of course I will be at PG Live, I would not miss it for anything in the world! It is the best trade show I know. It collects under one roof the crème de la crème of the greeting card industry, gives new talent a chance to shine and show what can be done, with will and determination.”

All retailers who register will receive a full colour PG Live Preview publication crammed with enticing images of products and ranges that give a taster of some of the delights and offers that will be launched at the show.

Postcards and free money galore

“This is an exciting and significant step in our international growth,” Carousel md Steve Plackett said. “Gladstone’s unique range of calendars is very complementary to our own range, and it’s been a pleasure to work with founder Leonard Phillips in order to make this happen.”

Carousel Calendars has been expanding its distribution worldwide, particularly in the US, and Steve said they welcomed this opportunity to acquire Gladstone Media as both companies share very similar values with design, imagery and photography, as well as having environmental and sustainability issues at the heart of all products.

Until now there had been no UK distribution of Gladstone’s titles, which include Deep Space, Haiku, Puppies & Friends, and Samurai Cats, and the whole 2026 dated product range will be available in Britain and worldwide.

The Exeter-based publisher is part-owned by Calendar Club USA which, with the Go! Retail and www.calendars.com brands, is the largest calendar retailer in the States, and Steve said their collective experience “will ensure Carousel Worldwide’s dominant position within the market”, as well continuing the presence of the Gladstone Media brand.

The Imaging Centre’s presses have been rolling, producing thousands of personalised postcards which the printer produces free of charge for PG Live exhibitors (on board donated by GF Smith) for them to send out to retail contacts sharing what delights they will see on their stands. Likewise, retailers who are feted in The Retas 2023 and 2024 retail awards are now receiving their special Gold, Silver and Sunshine Tickets offering them £150 or £75 off an order placed at the show,

again printed by The Imaging Centre on GF Smith board. Meanwhile, all Greats gift retailer finalists and winners from the 2023 and 2024 awards have also received a £50 voucher to spend and all Cardgains members have also received a £50 voucher in readiness for the big industry spending spree.

Above: Steve Plackett with a few of the Gladstone Media calendars that are now part of Carousel Worldwide.

Left: David Sampson and Gina Joy are part of The Imaging Centre’s team who prepared the personalised postcards for exhibitors.

Left: (left-right) Rosie Harrison (Rosie Made a Thing), Lizzie Perkins (Penguin Ink) and Jess Greaves (Dandelion Stationery) with their clutch of Gold, Silver and Sunshine Tickets at last year’s PG Live.

Cardfactory’s 25% profits surge

Pre-tax figures hit £65.5m for retail giant

Strong store performance has boosted Cardfactory to record a surge in both sales and profits with the pre-tax figures rocketing 25% to £65.6million as well as moving to become a “stronger business” both financially and operationally.

key focus for Cardfactory

Preliminary figures for the full year to 31 January 2024, show group revenue at the greeting card retail giant jumped 10.3% to £510.9m, with store sales growing 7.7% on a like-for-like basis, driven by a “strong store performance”, with growth in card, gifts and celebration essentials, combined with positive traction in online lfl sales edging up 0.4%.

Cardfactory’s ceo Darcy Willson-Rymer said the sales results reflected “continued positive momentum across the business and effective execution of our strategy”, and “development of our store layout, customer experience and ranges, as well as annualisation of targeted price increases”.

contributed to 4.8% lfl growth, while the retailer continues to tailor offering for different regions and demographics to further grow its “card market authority”.

As Darcy added:

“Successful implementation of card pricing architecture maintained our long-standing value-for-money credentials and low entry price points by ensuring the right balance of targeted price increases and rotating promotional offers.”

Cardfactory is continuing to focus on growing its share of the £12billion gifts and celebrations essentials market, having expanded ranges over the year including own-label ranges, a new stationery range and the introduction of key licensed ranges. There was particularly strong lfl growth in soft toys, up 42%, stationery increased by 63% and pocket money toys rose 44%.

The profit before tax is £65.6m compared to £52.4m in FY23, while earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (ebitda) were £122.6m, a £10.6m increase on the previous year, and net debt excluding leases is down to £34.4m from £57.2m. And good news for shareholders, it issued a dividend.

On the greeting card front, innovation and range development to broaden customer appeal and price points

Brainbox’s Ben is a real hair-o

Brainbox Candy co-founder Ben Hickman has proved he is a cut above the rest with his ‘shear’ genius fundraising idea.

After three years of growing his luscious blonde locks, he has gone for the chop so that his hair can go to the Little Princess Trust to be made into a wig for a youngster who’s lost their own through cancer treatment or conditions such as alopecia – and has raised £3,600 for the charity to boot.

“The charity supplies the finished wig free of charge to those who need

There were 26 new store openings in the period, while the partnership revenue totalled £17m, which includes the SA Greetings arm acquired in April 2023 which contributed £10.4m of that, in line with expectations. The business now has 1,046 stores in the UK.

A record trading day on the Saturday before Mother’s Day this year, has ensured trading since the start of the new financial year has been in line with the board’s expectations with plans to expand in baby gifting, pet gifting and stationery.

them, and fund kinder and more effective treatments for all childhood cancers,” explained Ben. “Even though I’m donating the hair, the wigs cost up to £700 to make and distribute – so I thought it would be lovely to raise some funds for such a worthwhile cause as the charity can only make as many wigs as they can

Czech out the post

A year after increasing his stake in Royal Mail’s parent company (IDS), Czech billionaire Daniel Křetínský recently made a £3.1billion takeover bid which was rejected – but as PG went to press he was looking to renegotiate.

Saying he is “prepared to support this iconic business as it transforms and rebuilds into a modern postal operator”, the former lawyer is already the biggest stakeholder in owner International Distributions Services (IDS) with 27.6% of shares through Vesa, a Luxembourgbased investment vehicle of the EP Group he controls.

Viewing the UK as “an attractive and dynamic market for investment”, the man nicknamed the Czech Sphinx due to his inscrutable demeanour, also owns a 27% stake in West Ham football club and 10% of Sainsbury’s EP Group has a deadline of 15 May to make another offer.

The GCA is continuing its campaign to safeguard a reliable and affordable postal service and is further strengthening links with MPs, government ministers and interested bodies, as part of this.

The trade association urges everybody in the greeting card industry to do their bit, by sending letters to their MPs, with a letter template on the GCA website as part of a comprehensive Royal Mail blog.

afford with the budget they have.”

Ben got the idea from one of the drivers at the van hire company Brainbox Candy uses, who grows his hair every couple of years, then donates it to the Trust when he finally has a haircut.

Above: CEO Darcy Willson-Rymer is delighted with the retail giant’s progress

Below: Expanding gifts and celebrations is a

Above and left: Long locks Ben and his new shorn self with his wife Emma.

Below left: In typical Brainbox style there was some bonkers marketing.

Above: Daniel Křetínský appears to have set his sights on Royal Mail.

TOP STORY

Magnificent Seven

British publishers feted in the US Louie awards

The Art File, Ohh Deer, Paper Salad, Pigeon Loft, Roger La Borde and Rosie Made a Thing all saw their designs beat their American counterparts in the recent Louie Awards, which took place in San Francisco during the Noted show, organised by the US Greeting Card Association

“I can’t quite believe it, but I won a Louie!” Pigeon Loft chief operating officer John Morse-Brown told PG. “I flew over for four days to be here and I’m so glad I did!”

Pigeon Loft won the Paper Engineering & Production category, while Roger La Borde picked up the Print & Production trophy, sponsored by The Imaging Centre, with the US GCA noting: “Roger La Borde was bestowed with the Card Of The Year Above $5.50 award for their outstanding Print & Production Excellence card entry.”

Paper Salad clinched a double triumph. “Wow!

We’ve just found out that we won two out of the three awards that our designs were shortlisted for a Louie award!” said a very chuffed Claire Williams, co-owner at Paper Salad. “A huge thank you to our fabulous distributor, Notes & Queries, for submitting the entries.”

It was the 35th annual Louie Awards, which had 87 publishers across the 57 categories. The US GCA has continued its partnership with Barnes & Noble for the third year with select Louie Award finalist cards available in over 700 Barnes & Noble and 120 Paper Source stores nationwide this summer.

Charity at The Art File’s heart

The Art File has recently made a massive £44,000 donation to four worthy causes from its 2023 Christmas card packs.

The Nottingham-based publisher supported the RSPCA, Dementia UK, MNDA and Young Lives Vs Cancer last year with 50p from every Christmas Charity Pack donated, taking its overall charitable total to £350,000 over the years.

“These organisations work hard to protect people and animals in need and we couldn't be prouder to help them with their mission,” said sales and marketing manager James Mace. “None of this would be possible without the amazing support from our lovely customers. If you bought a charity pack of cards from us to stock in your shop, or to give to someone you care about, thank you. Your support means everything to us and helps us to lift up these amazing organisations!”

Strong results for WHS

WHSmith ceo Carl Cowling says the retail group is in its “strongest ever position” following its latest half-year results, which showed group revenue has risen by 8% to £926million.

Soaring sales in the travel division, which includes stores in railway stations and airports across the UK, North America and the rest of the world, saw total revenue increase by 13% in the six months to 29 February.

And the report stated there was a “good performance” over the period in the High Street arm with store like-for-like revenue up 1% year-onyear during the important Christmas trading period, although the sector’s trading profit was down to £22m from £24m in the same period a year prior.

Meanwhile, its online greetings arm Funkypigeon.com delivered total revenue of £18m, up from £17m in 2023, and doubled headline earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (ebitda) to £2m – and the report said: “We continue to see opportunities to grow the platform further and grow revenue and profits over the medium-term.”

WHSmith now has a new store pipeline of over 80 sites for its travel division, 50 of which are in North America.

Although not highlighted in the update, part of the Travel expansion includes the group’s newish Curi.o.city retail brand, which sells design-led cards, stationery and gifts, now operating in 23 locations in the UK and internationally (with two standalone shops in the UAE and 15 concessions within Borders stores across the Middle East).

The statement admitted that, as the Travel division grows, High Street is becoming a smaller part of the group, now accounting for around 15% of full year overall profits but “is profitable and highly cash generative”, operating from 506 stores on 29 February, down from 514 in August 2023.

The division delivered a good performance in the half year, in line with expectations, and the report added: “Our strategy for our High Street business is clear and consistent – to manage our space to maximise returns and maintain a flexible cost structure.”

As part of the approach to space management, WHS is extending its partnership with ToysRUs to include a further 30 store-in-stores by the end of this financial year, boosting its toys and games offer.

Left: Pigeon Loft’s John Morse-Brown with US GCA president Andy Meehan at the Louie awards.

Below: Paper Salad had three cards in the finals and won two awards.

Above: The Art File’s charity packs have notched up £350,000 for worthy causes over the years.

Above: Funkypigeon.com doubled headline earnings.

New face at The Art File as the publisher has appointed its first national accounts manager, in the shape of Lara Johnson. Moving into greeting cards from the world of equestrian and countryside wear, Lara was a key account manager for the Ariat brand for several years.

Right: Lara Johnson has joined The Art File’s sales team.

Above: There are now 23 Curi.o.sity stores worldwide.

Hop To It!

After a rigorous canvassing of publishers, reps and agents for their retailer nominations and a thorough cajoling and encouraging greeting card retailers to enter The Retas, the finalists of this year’s 2024 greeting card retailers of the year can be revealed, the winners of which will be announced at a World of Beatrix Potter-themed afternoon extravaganza on Thursday 4 July at the Grosvenor House Hotel, that will be attended by over 400 members of the greeting card community.

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer – London (inside the M25)

l Earlybird Designs, Stoke Newington

l Flaxten Cards, Hornchurch and Upminster

l The Indigo Tree, Streatham and Crystal Palace

l The Loft, Teddington

l Medici Gallery, Kensington

l Nor, Beckenham Place Park and West Norwood

l Pretty Shiny Shop, Finsbury Park and Oval

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer –Home Counties and South East

l &Quirky, Berkhamsted

l Gemini Greetings & House of Cards, Heathfield & Battle

l Milford Cards and Gifts, Milford on Sea

l Objectables, Folkestone

l Paddock Wood Cards, Paddock Wood

l Red Card, Petworth

l Threads, Harpenden

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer – East Anglia

l TCards ‘n’ Things, Norwich

l Chapmans, Southwold

l Dzo Dzo, Woodbridge

l Pug & Pussycat, Aldeburgh, Southwold and Woodbridge

l Simply Cards, Beccles

l Sincerely Yours, Shenfield and Hornchurch

l Spirals Cards, Gifts and Stationery, Brightlingsea

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer – Wales

l Creative Cove, Lampeter

l Fancy That, Rhos-on-sea

l Occasions, Porth

l Paperweight, Cardiff

l Robyn’s Nest and Maple, Porthcawl

l Stwff Stuff, Lantwit Major

l The Village Gift Box, Cardiff

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer –The Midlands

l Atticusboo, Buxton

l Austin & Co, Malvern

l Blandfords, Broadway, Hereford and Ledbury

l Country Kate, Kinver

l Hugs & Kisses, Tettenhall

l Set Design, Leicester

l Token House, Nottingham

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer – North West England

l Bailey’s, Ainsdale, Crosby and Maghull

l Presentation, Barrowford

l Raffia, Clitheroe

l Reflections, Nantwich and Rugeley

l Wishes of Cockermouth, Cockermouth

l Zo & Co, Cheadle, Didsbury, Knutsford and Marple

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer – South West

The Card Collection, Bath and Salisbury

The Card Gallery, Wimbourne Cilla & Camilla, Beaminster, Bridport Expressions, Polkadot and Cat’s Whiskers, Swindon, Keynesham and Bishop’s Cleeve

l Highworth Emporium, Highworth

l PaperGangsta, Bristol

l Sky, Clifton

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer – North East England

l The Card Shop, Hexham

l Castle Cards, Barnard Castle

l Chirpy, Chapel Allerton

l Greetings of Haxby, Haxby

l Strictland & Holt, Yarm

l Who-Ray, Stockton-on-Tees

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer – Scotland

l The Bay Tree, two stores in Edinburgh

l Ivad Home & Gifts, Paisley

l JP Pozzi and Bijou, Buckie and Elgin

l Paper Tiger, Edinburgh

l Penny Black, Glasgow

l Polka Dot and Polka Dot Too, Castle Douglas

Best Greeting Card Retailer Newcomer (opened since Jan 2021)

l Cards & Moor, Yelverton

l Casa Green, Cardiff

l Doodles Cards, Gifts and Balloons, Crowthorne

l Fig and Fox, Romsey

l Helen’s Wishes, Dursley

l The Letter Arty, Manchester

l Serendipity, Hale

Best Independent Bookstore Retailer of Greeting Cards

l Aldeburgh Bookshop, Aldeburgh

l The Book House, Thame

l Bookends, Christchurch

l Chiltern Bookshops, Chorleywood and Gerrards Cross

l Guisborough Bookshop, Guisborough

l Kemps General Store and Bookshop, Malton

Best Non-Specialist Independent Retailer of Greeting Cards – North

l O’Brien’s Pharmacy and Newsagents, Magherfelt

l Curiouser and Curiouser, two shops in Edinburgh

l Denstone Hall Farm Shop & Café, Denstone

l Easton Walled Gardens, Grantham

l The Hollies, Little Budworth and Lower Stretton

l Proudfoots Group, Eastfield, Manham Hill, Newby, Seamer

l Utility, Liverpool and Manchester

Best Non-Specialist Independent Retailer of Greeting Cards – South

l Dart’s Farm, Topsham

l Dulwich Picture Gallery, Dulwich

l French Grey Interiors, Bath, Cirencester, Clifton Village, Malmsbury and Tetbury

l Little Boat Gifts, Brightlingsea

l Stationery House, Clevedon, Somerton and Wrington

l Trago Mills, Merthyr, Liskeard and Newton Abbot

Best Greeting Card Small Multiple (4-20 stores)

l Henry & Co, 9 stores in the Midlands

l House of Cards, 7 stores in the Home Counties

l Lark, 19 stores in London and the South East

l Mooch London, 4 stores in London

l Postmark, 14 stores in London, Birmingham and Glasgow

l Smart Ideas, 7 stores in the Midlands

l Temptation Gifts, 7 stores in the Home Counties

Best Department Store Retailer of Greeting Cards

l Barkers, Northallerton

l Fortnum & Mason

l Jarrolds, Norwich

l John Lewis & Partners

l Liberty

l Morleys Group

l Selfridges

Best Non-Specialist Multiple Retailer of Greeting Cards

l Marks & Spencer

l National Trust

l Oliver Bonas

l Ryman/Ryman Design

l TK Maxx

l Waterstones

l WHSmith/Curi.o.city

Best Specialist Multiple Retailer of Greeting Cards (20+ stores)

l Cardfactory, 1000+ stores

l Cards Direct, 60+ stores

l Cards Galore, 28 stores

l Cardzone, 340+ stores

l Scribbler, 33 stores

Best Garden Centre Retailer of Greeting Cards –Independent

l Bents, Warrington

l Burford Garden Centre, Burford

l Garsons, Esher and Titchfield

l Okells Garden Centre, Tarporley

l Webbs, Frilford, West Hagley and Wychbold, Yarnton Home & Garden, Yarnton

Best Garden Centre Retailer of Greeting Cards –Multiple or group (5 or more centres)

l Blue Diamond, 40+ centres nationwide

l British Garden Centres, 60+ centres nationwide

l Haskins, 5 centres in the south

l Longacres, 5 centres in the south

l Notcutts, 19 centres across the UK

l Otter Garden Centres, 7 garden centres in the South West

l RHS, 5 centres across the UK

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer Initiative (for a specific project or initiative undertaken by a retailer since 15 April 2023)

l Cardies, Stevenage for its community campaigns

l Celebrations, Carlisle for its Boofle 15th anniversary campaign

l Helen’s Wishes for its Thinking of You Week hidden cards

l House of Cards, Home Counties, for its Festive Friday Friends and Family Event

l Presentation, Barrowford for its Mother’s Day and Easter charity initiative with Open Door

l Red Card, Petworth for its Gifting Tree and Jingle

Bells charity initiatives with Petworth Cottage

Nursing Home and Petworth Foodbank

Best Supermarket Retailer of Greeting Cards

l Asda

l Booths

l Morrisons

l Sainsbury’s

l Tesco

l Waitrose & Partners

Stationery Supplies, Marple and Wilmslow for its Christmas Card Writing Event

Best Greeting Card Wholesaler

Archway Cards, Norwich 11 branches nationwide

Crosswear Trading, Enfield

Greetings House, Walsall

Jackson’s, Sheffield

The Jade Group, Lindford

Greeting Card Retailer of the Year

All winners of The Retas 2024 categories are contenders for this award, so, as such no finalists are revealed until the awards event on July 4.

DAVID ROBERTSON

back to

‘Every day is a school day’ or so the old quote goes and that has never been more true than in retail in 2024. I recently went ‘back to school’ for three days, attending several workshops to challenge myself and the way I run the business. As a former school teacher, I am a big believer in that we can continue learning whatever stage in life, we won’t get full marks every time, but that’s not the point.

Many of us will have been running our businesses for a number of years, whether in retail, publishing, as an agent, trade supplier or whatever. We will all have quirks and ways of doing things which may or may not be the best way of doing them.

Even after many years of experience I know there are many elements that I can sharpen up on. Life, social media and many other distractions can make me time poor, usually late for things and generally give me a feeling of not quite hitting the mark.

With this being the case I embraced Growth Week, an initiative instigated by our Chamber of Commerce, of which I am a director. It included three days of workshops and topics that were conceived to stimulate, challenge and ultimately engage the participants in learning.

business, prior to attending the workshops I wrote down a list of I wanted to achieve from them. These included…

1. To gain one specific bit of new knowledge from each workshop.

2. To have reassurance that I was working in the right way towards goals within that topic.

3. To have one follow up thing from each workshop to ensure that the learning was not simply a ‘write it down and forget about it’ type of experience.

Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.

The quality of speakers was first class and the ticket price was heavily subsidised as this was its first year.

– Henry Ford

Of the nine workshops on offer I decided to attend four and in addition I also signed up for a Masterclass with Davina McCall, which focused on her life and business.

As it represented a significant time commitment for me out of the

4. Finally, I wanted to speak to as many businesses across as many sectors to gauge how they were feeling about the key challenges that we are facing - footfall, rising costs, rates etc. One workshop was run by Ailsa Stinson whose business is B is for Brand. Branding can often be mistaken for simply being your logo and while that is

part of your overall brand, it is certainly not your brand.

The workshop was really excellent in that it prompted you to examine your own brand and what it says about your business. It also asked whether you think that members of the public

By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is the noblest. Second, by imitation, which is the easiest: and third by experience, which is the bitterest. – Confucius

would associate your beliefs with your brand?

One really interesting point for myself was a discussion around a branded house or a house of brands. I was aware of this with companies such as Unilever being home to many wellknown brands, but it got me thinking about our business. Without really realising it we have a branded house with Pozzi, Bijou, Bijou by the Sea and all the brand architecture challenges that this brings.

The session looked at market research on your brand and the net promoters score, which even small brands can do simply and cheaply to find out what their customers really think

Above: Hands up who wants to learn something! Below middle: This is the first year of Moray Chamber of Commerce’s Growth Week.

Below: A fuzzy recollection of David Robertson as a school teacher.

You don’t learn to walk by following rules. You learn by doing, and falling over.

– Richard Branson

about their business and if they are promoters or detractors.

Other interesting strategies focused on writing yourself a letter with six month goals up to five years ahead, which focuses your mind on the vision for your brand or company. Finally, we were urged to consider the 4Cs of Clarity, Consistency, Creativity and Control.

There was so much covered in the two hours. Knowing exactly what your business is, who it is appealing to and where you want it to go all has a huge amount to do with your brand and getting that right may be the difference between surviving or thriving.

Another ‘workshop’ was The Conversation. This was basically business speed-dating around a meal. Around 60 businesses were represented across all sectors with four moves, one after each course.

When people tell

me

they’ve learned from experience, I tell them the trick is to learn from other people’s experience.

–Warren Buffet

The Chamber provided loose topics, but the discussion was very much driven by who was around your table.

I sat next to the lady from SQA (the exam organisation for Scottish Schools), the boss of The Macallan Distillery, an insurance broker and a specialist ophthalmologist.

There was lots of chat around lots of topics and the learning was that basically every business has challenges, even worldwide brands such as Macallan.

To me it was all about the confidence in talking your business up and business in general. It was great to adapt your conversation depending on who was next to you and I found it a fun and productive use of time.

Another one was Productivity is not a Dirty Word run by Nadia Fyvie-Feldman, who is partly German, something she made jokes about throughout her presentation.

She started with the basic premise that you should strive for - MINIMUM EFFORT = MAXIMUM SATISFACTION

This seems obvious, but again it is not something we in the UK are great at. We tend

to like to take the long way round and put a great deal more in than ultimately we get out. We were asked to examine…

• This is what we do.

• This is what we do well.

• This is what we want to do in the future. It moved on to look at sustainable growth, growth from within and the need for this to be upheld over a long time, rather than a sprint or spurt of growth and then things stagnate.

Ideally grow, steadily and stably, while maintaining your values, and relationships with stakeholders, ie your staff, suppliers and customers. Indeed, a lot of this was linked to if your brand is right then how you manage and shape your business is easier.

A key word that kept coming up was ‘authenticity’ and the need for that to be clearly shown. I loved a couple of other key words that she used.

‘Reibungsverlust’ (German) was one which basically means friction loss. My interpretation of this is that better things are planned, organised and run the more productive you are and the less time and money is wasted.

people indeed anything that will have an impact on what you do day to day in your business.

She also kept using the term of ‘accidental manager’. So many of us nodded when this was discussed. Basically, it is when you end up with team members moving upwards within your organisation due to length of service/loyalty as opposed to their desire to really improve.

It reinforced that at all times you need to have the right people in the right roles and not simply promote because it is the easy thing to do!

My final event was a Masterclass with Davina McCall, which follows two previous ones I attended to hear Steven Bartlett and Gary Neville both of whom were very interesting. Davina’s was different, covering how she keeps pushing herself forward, how she conquered her drug addiction and also her work on Menofog and the menopause in general. The audience was largely women and it was all very huggy and positive. There was also an excellent memory workshop and my overriding learning was that this is an area I need to be a lot more aware of working alongside so many women.

It was an action-packed three days of different venues, people and indeed topics. I learned a great deal at each and thought about it even more in the drive between events.

It was intense and challenging and in some ways overwhelming, but I came away thinking that I am getting more right than I am getting wrong, but with some clear things to follow up on.

A

Another was ‘Kaizen’. This is a Japanese word of continually wanting to change for the better. This can be processes, operations,

All business is challenging right now. Cards and gifts are still a luxury that people can cut back on. Only in these last few weeks we have noticed a drop in our best selling sympathy cards as a new funeral parlour has started doing elaborate Facebook posts which encourages people to send their condolences through social media rather than a card.

Every day we will be faced with a new challenge and every day we just have to keep trying to solve them as best, using our learnings.

We all still have so much to learn, so I challenge you to go along to a talk or meeting near you, and send me your school report!

l To contact David email: jppozzi@btconnect.com

Above: David and his wife Nicola (left) with Davina McCall after her masterclass.

Below: Modern Finance for Developing Businesses was another of the talks David attended.

wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer. – Bruce Lee

The future’s bright… the future’s greeting cards

Well how good was that? reflected Cardsharp, after absorbing our number one bricks and mortar retailer, Cardfactory’s, full year set of sparkling financials for the year ending January 31.

Cardsharp relished in the good news that bodes well for the greeting card sector as a whole.

Cardfactory’s results read like a dream. Group revenue rose by 10% to £510 million on the previous year. Store revenue on a likefor-like basis grew by 7.7%. Full year profit grew to £65 million, an increase of over £13 million over the previous year. The balance sheet has been strengthened, borrowing reduced and even the interest rate on its borrowing has been reduced. A rare occurrence in the current climate of high interest rates.

Even Cardfactory.com, its digital arm, which has traditionally under-performed, increased its sales, admittedly by a modest 0.4%, but as Cardsharp reflected, an increase is an increase.

And what was another surprise to many, Cardfactory was able to issue a dividend for the first time since pre-Covid. Many analysts had expected that one would not be paid until 2025. It will be interesting to see how the share price responds to the news. Up to now, whatever the good vibes emanating from the Plc, the share price has remained stubbornly

stuck around the 100pence mark.

Its ceo, Darcy Willson-Rymer, Cardsharp is sure would have been over the moon with the results. Having taken over the role during the pandemic, when there were doubts about Cardfactory’s future, he has seen the performance soar and the share price more than triple and yet it still looks ridiculously undervalued. It must be doubly satisfying to Darcy given the torrid time he had in his brief tenure at Clintons 15 years ago.

Cardsharp also finds it interesting that Cardfactory’s greeting card sales have increased in spite of more of its retailing space now being devoted to gifts at the expense of cards. There is no doubt much of this is as a result of sneaking in subtle price increases and selling more higher priced cards from third party publishers.

Independent greeting card retailers may be wondering how does Cardfactory’s good performance affects them. Surely Cardfactory is a direct competitor.

Cardsharp thinks however that having a healthy couple of multiple chains helps maintain the visibility of greeting cards in bricks and mortar, and the vast majority of Cardfactory’s stores are in central shopping centres locations, with their high rents and locations not that attractive to most indies.

Weirdly though, these great results garnered little coverage in the business pages of newspapers, and the share price rose by only 10pence to 110pence.

Cardsharp noticed that it sold 25 million shares at 160pence a share, cardsharp

Compare that with IG Design Group, our largest manufacturer of greeting cards, wrapping and gift bags, which also released some great figures (but not half as good as Cf’s) around the same time, saw its share price rise by nearly 30% and was secured some prime column inches in the media

By contrast, look at the fortunes of Moonpig. A couple of weeks ago, the online retailer endured its worst day of trading in three years, as its private equity part owners, Exponent sold a significant stake at a double-digit discount.

Above: The Times online was just one main media to cover IG Design Group’s financials.

Above right: Brits enduring love of greeting cards was reflected in Cardfactory’s recent results.

Below left: Sparkling results from Cardfactory casts some sunshine on the sector as a whole.

Inset: Cardsharp is feeling positive about the future of the greeting card industry.

more than 10% below the previous price of 178pence.

This led to a panic among investors resulting in a plummeting of the share price. And this follows a pattern of investors reducing their stakes. What a far cry from its £1.2 billion flotation price offering of 350pence a share, which later rose to over 480pence, mused Cardsharp.

Cardsharp has long thought that Moonpig was way over valued, and that the recent bullish financial statements contained a heavy dose of smoke and mirrors. It seemed to him that pro-tech analysts and City journalists always seem to give Moonpig the benefit of the doubt, while marking down Cardfactory’s post pandemic recovery, seemingly because of their aversion to bricks and mortar retailing. And to be brutally frank, a complete ignorance of the greeting card industry.

Ceo of Moonpig, Nickyl Raithata, is the former boss of the ecommerce division of Rocket internet, which is a venture capital firm, so always likely to get a sympathetic City hearing. In its last set of reported profits, Moonpig reported profits of £20 million in the six months to the end of October, a figure far lower than Cardfactory’s.

Cardsharp questions why Exponent is offloading its shares at a discount if the outlook for the full year’s figures is good? Private equity is notoriously ruthless. And with interest rates higher now and the free money having run out, private equity faces testing times. Can Exponent see less than a sparkling set of results in the offing and wants to cut its losses? Yet its share price still remains well above that of Cardfactory’s. Cardsharp concludes he will never understand how the City works! In the meantime, we should all be cheering the fact that a largely bricks and mortar greeting card retailer, Cardfactory, is not only performing well, but outperforming the whole high street. Now that is something to really celebrate. And now with Clintons under the very capable wings of James and Paul Taylor, there is plenty to be very positive about as we approach the second half of 2024.

‘Talking about my Generation!’

“Hope I die before I get old” sang The Who in 1964. Well for the singer and the writer of the song, Roger Daltrey and Pete Townsend, their wish has certainly not come true as they now both approach their 80th birthdays.

When The Who penned the now famous lyrics in their My Generation anthem all the members of the band were around 21 years old, and they were referring to anyone ‘old’ as being over 30. Hearing this early rock classic on the radio, set Cardsharp thinking. These days, many adults are refusing to grow up. In fact, we as a society that seems to worship youth are infantilising adulthood. And this trend will surely have an effect on the greeting cards we buy and send.

sometimes beyond) acting like children. These days, we don’t just have trigger warnings on classic novels and plays to protect the precious not-so-little ones, but 20 and 30 somethings watch Disney films with gusto and obsess over Harry Potter. Disneythemed weddings are hugely popular while the ‘adult only’ Harry Potter experience at the theme park is sold out months in advance.

When Pete Townsend wrote My Generation, the average man got married aged 22 and the average woman at 20. Back then 25 year olds were more often than not often parents and many would have been working for nearly a decade. How things have changed. The housing crisis, leading to so many 20 and 30-somethings living with their parents, competition for graduate jobs, helicopter parenting has led to a new piece of generational sub-division referred to as ‘Emerging Adulthood’.

This is demonstrated in various ways, typically adults up to the age of 40 (and

Some of this ‘Kid-ulting’ is a result of our ageing society. The median age of the UK population is now 40, so no wonder adolescence is being prolonged. Britain’s youngest Prime Minister was William Pitt at just 24, while if you think that is ancient history, Spielberg directed the movie Jaws when he was just 26 years old.

So, what effect will this be having on the greeting card industry? For a start perhaps we should rethink the way we view popular licensed character greeting cards. Apparently one in five of all cards sold today features a licensed character or property, and one in three when it comes to children’s cards.

Cardsharp has noted that this is already being recognised by the publishers with a prowess in licensed ranges, but perhaps we have not all cottoned on to this.

A Star Wars Stormtrooper card or an Emma Watson Harry Potter design could be just as appropriate to a 40 year old, as a wine bottle design, If not more so. Who would have thought that we’d be seeing so many Disney’s Frozen wedding cards, Spiderman Father’s Day cards as well as characterful higher age cards.

There is a popular meme on TikTok at present showing photos of adult single men in their twenties and thirties bedrooms in rented accommodation. Most of them are like the hitherto stereotypical teenage hovel with dirty clothes and mess everywhere, and nearly all are festooned with framed posters of licensed characters as are the duvets and pillowcases. May the force be with you for the (not so) youth of today eh?!

Above: Things have changed since The Who’s My Generation single and album of the same name was released in 1965.

Above: Kidulting is riding high.

Below: Publishers Danilo and Hallmark are two of the publishers to have recognised how licensed characters chime with all age groups.

VIEWPOINTS

Next month’s Progressive Greetings Live (June 4-5) at London’s Business Design Centre) will see a wonderful array of publishers making their debut at the exhibition, most notably in the Upper Village and Springboard areas.

PG shares the behind-the-scenes stories of some of these PG Live newbies and their respective ‘plotlines’ for the show.

Once upon a time: “I grew up in Sydney, Australia and arrived in London in 2003. I had the intention of working in a pub, traveling around Europe and returning home after a year. Instead, I magically fell into my dream jobs, and 20 years later - I’m still in London. I worked designing album covers for a diverse range of bands and artists, including Crowded House, The Subways, Skin, Sarah Brightman and Westlife.

I then moved to children’s publishing, working as an in-house designer at Macmillan Children’s Books. I ended up writing and illustrating my own books, and have also been lucky enough to illustrate books for the phenomenal Julia Donaldson.

When I had two children in two different schools in two different

boroughs I left my job at Macmillan, taking the decision to work for myself.

I’ve always loved greeting cards. I dabbled in them here and there doing illustrators fairs and selling to local shops, but it’s only since going freelance that I’ve found the space to really focus on them.”

PG Live main plot: “Having a table in the Springboard area at PG Live is hugely exciting as it’s my first taste of a trade show. I’m launching with various ranges of cards I’ve been working on over the past few years alongside my book projects. I am really obsessed with the feel of a product. I love deliberating over paper stocks and finishes, with foil and die cuts being my favourites.

One of the new ranges I’m launching with is Things the Kids Say. When my kids say something funny, I like to write it down. Recently my youngest was having an emotional outburst. When I went to wipe her face, she said to me “It’s my tears. I like to drink them.” I genuinely think you can find inspiration in anything – even a tantrum!”

Upper Village Springboard Stand 6

Sharon King-Chai, the eponymous

artist behind Sharon King-Chai

Above left: Sharon (right) signing with Julia Donaldson. “We were both amused our book is called 'Colours Colours Everywhere' and when we looked down at our arms we were covered in colours, colours everywhere!” says Sharon.

Above right: Sharon’s Snail Mail book launch with Marta Altes.

Inset: Open the ‘cover’ of any business and there’s always a story to tell.

Below: One of Sharon’s greeting card designs, based on words from her children.

VIEWPOINTS

Eliot Siegel, founder of Eliot Siegel and The British Art Gallery

Once upon a time: “I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art Photography, with a minor in Psychology before returning home to NYC and shooting towards a career in fashion editorial photography, which to me was simply an extension of my love of the fine arts. A brilliant fashion photograph is a fine art photograph with a beautiful piece of clothing in the frame, worn by a male or female creature that is a fantasy produced of the fashion world.

While slaving away as an assistant photographer in New York, my friends and colleagues were coming back from Paris and Milan, all chanting about the fine art-centric fashion editorial magazines that welcomed British and American photographers due to their keen work ethics and inspired vision. Initially, I saved enough travel money to try out my vision in Milan, allowing myself three months to get commissioned for my first fashion magazine editorial spread, but was turned away because the fashion editors all saw my work as having a predominate emphasis on fine art photography, not enough on the fashion. However, I quickly figured out how to balance the fashion with the photograph as a whole, and was soon commissioned to shoot for magazines like Harper’s Bazaar in Milan and L’Officiel in Paris, Men’s Vogue in Germany, then British Vogue, Esquire and Gentlemen’s Quarterly in London. The editorials led to commissions in the fashion and advertising industry, such as Marks & Spencer, Selfridges, Nokia, and after living between Paris and Milan for five years, I moved to London and have remained here, very happily for 30 years.”

PG Live main plot: “Always a passionate fine art photographer, I very recently took a hint from a colleague and grew increasingly interested in the possibilities of mass market exposure, and because of its openness and respect for the arts, greeting cards in particular. Over many years I have amassed a large collection of photographic images depicting not only my travels through France, Greece, Japan and Italy, but two projects that are especially close to my heart: London Landmarks and Urban Landscapes with a fashion twist.

My photographs of London are created using a rare technique called the Polaroid Transfer, now even more rare due to Polaroid Corporation putting a stop to its production of professional Polaroid Films, thanks to the digital era. In this technique, the image is exposed to a professional quality Polaroid, then the negative is immediately separated from the positive and diligently rubbed into a new surface/substrate, and the final image reflects the amount of pressure used in the transfer, and the one of a kind border around the image that is particular to Polaroid transfer; a random yet calculated splodging of photographic inks and the added texture of the new substrate. These images and techniques work together to contribute a visual character that has not been seen in the greeting card industry.” Upper Village Stand 718

Katherine Smith, who together with her husband Skip own Libra Fine Arts…

Once upon a time:

“Before 2020, my husband Skip and I enjoyed a fulfilling life with minimal stress, typically revolving around the excitement of planning our next holiday destination. Both of us had dedicated our careers to working as aircraft dispatchers for a major airline, based at London’s Heathrow airport. Skip had been with the airline for 30 years, I had contributed 15 years of service. Our roles were not just jobs; they were our identities, and neither of us had ever envisioned a life beyond aviation. However, everything changed in March 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic struck. The aviation industry ground to a halt and with it, our jobs were suddenly suspended as we were furloughed overnight. The situation became increasingly uncertain as colleagues were being laid off in rapid succession, and communication from the airline was scarce, adding a layer of anxiety to an already stressful time.

The feeling of sudden disconnection from our jobs and the stark realisation of our dependence on someone else to pay our mortgage was overwhelming. Skip and I had dedicated our entire careers to the airline, leaving us with a sense of vulnerability and a lack of contingency plans. As the weight of uncertainty bore down on us, Skip's anxiety soared, paralysing him with worry. Seeking solace, he found refuge in sketching. Lost in the intricate details of his artwork, hours passed unnoticed as his mind quietened. In that moment, the worries about bills and job security faded into the background, replaced by the peaceful absorption in the simple strokes of a bunny rabbit's fur. It was a profound realisation that amid the chaos, creativity had the power to provide a sanctuary for the soul.”

PG Live main plot: “We are launching our new birthday collection of frameable art cards. Our designs have been maliciously hand-drawn in charcoal and graphite by Skip. We love that the card can also become a gift to be kept for a lifetime.

We also love the overwhelming supportiveness of the greeting card community.” Upper Village Stand 701

Left: A London scene with Eliot Siegel’s touch.

Top: Katherine and Skip Smith, cofounders of Libra Fine Arts.

Above: Skip at work.

Top: Eliot Siegel in front of one of his fashion photographs, 20 years ago.

Above: Eliot at a recent exhibition of his work at the Theatre Royal Gallery.

Above: A design from Libra Fine Arts.

VIEWPOINTS

Kirsty Todd, founder of Kirsty Todd Illustrations

Once upon a time: “I wasn’t a pretty baby. I was as round as I was tall, with a snub nose and had to be watched carefully so I didn’t roll away! I grew up on a farm in Fife surrounded by nature and animals. A bicycle and the great outdoors entertained me most of the time. On rainy days it was back to my favourite book ‘100 things to build in cardboard’, my drawing pad and an endless supply of books from Dunfermline library.

School holidays were spent on the Isle of Skye in the village where my grandfather was born. On the first day of the holidays my mother cut off the ends of our school shoes, leaving our toes free to have adventures on land and sea for the rest of the summer.

I studied Landscape Architecture at Cheltenham College where I was taught how to draw professionally in pencil, pen and watercolour and my newfound drawing skills got me a job with a retail design consultancy in London. The highlights included working in Norway for a year and designing a shop in San Francisco for a men’s fashion designer.

I married and moved to East Sussex. I drew when I had time or when I needed dental treatment!

In early 2000s I trained as a yoga teacher and have taught yoga for over 20 years to children, teenagers and adults. I was at my most creative when I specialised and worked in the world of stroke rehabilitation.

In 2007 I returned to drawing and joined a friend to design a range of zero air miles bone china candles entirely designed and manufactured in Britain.

Lex Rogly, founder of Little Roglets

Once upon a time: “My life before cards was, interesting! I spent many days in office jobs which did not use my creativity nearly as much as I would have liked, or otherwise living in Italy, spending my time going up scaffolding in shipyards when I used to do interior styling for superyachts. This meant sourcing all the most weird and wonderful things for their interiors, from beautiful tableware to headboards made from ray skin (I know, it upset me too) and branded sugar cubes. But the most random yet, my last job before Little Roglets was managing a team of people who built 6ft LEGO sculptures. Don’t get me wrong they were incredible, but it was so not my scene and knew I desperately needed a change.

Reconnected with my pencil I then ventured into the world of Ipads and Ipencils, and my world expanded. I dusted off my old skills and adapted them to the world of WeTransfer, TIFFs and not so Insta posts.

While illustrating a book, I encountered Ocean Sole, who create stunning sculptures, both large and small, from recycled flip-flops cleared from beaches and landfill in Kenya. This not-for-profit organisation is a force for good and in 2023 I visited them in Nairobi, and we collaborated on project to bring their sculptures to life through a series of illustrations.

My illustrations became cards which resulted in me catching the card bug making me keen to find out how I could fit into this exciting, fast-moving world.

A friend recommended attending an InPress seminar at The Imaging Centre where I met PG’s Warren Lomax, meaning that I am now looking forward to being a PG Live first timer in June.”

PG Live main plot: “I will be coming to the show with two ranges, Ocean Soles, which features colourful characters and a range of bright and breezy flowers. I am also bringing a box of different styles that I am playing with for feedback. I have a series of humorous cards in development drawing from my years of teaching and observing people.”

Upper Village Springboard Stand 8

At this point I had also reignited my love of painting during any free time. I was drawing people’s pets as a side hustle which resulted in people commissioning me to do one off cards where I charged my first one at £5 (my loved ones never let me forget about that one). And that’s where my journey started really. I had no idea how, but knew I needed to be creating things as a career, not just as a hobby. So, I plucked up the courage to ask my boss at the time if I could go part time and to my excitement he agreed, and eventually a few short months later, I took the leap of faith once and for all.”

PG Live main plot: “Thanks to the great British weather, time indoors has been plenty so I have been a busy bee planning and painting so far this year. I will be showcasing four brand new collections and bringing my gift wrap into the world for the first time too. And not to forget all the existing ranges which will be there too!”

Above right: One of Kirsty’s floral designs.

Right: The upcycled sculptures made from flip flops which was the source of some of Kirsty’s designs. She will doing a prize draw to win an Ocean Sole rhino at PG Live.

Above: Lex’s past includes styling the interiors of superyachts.

Above right: Among the building bricks in Lex Rogly’s journey has been overseeing the creation of giant LEGO sculptures.; Right: Lex’s delicate touch with her Little Roglets greeting card designs.

Above: Kirsty then and now.

Crowning glory

2012, a brand new card publishing business by the name of Wrendale Designs made its debut, with artist and company founder Hannah Dale hoping that her watercolour depictions of animals would strike a chord with the retail buyers.

Strike a chord? It was the talk of the show, igniting a meteoric rise for the brand, which now features on all manner of products, sold all over the world.

With the recent news that Wrendale Designs’ continuing global success has earned the company a King’s Award For Enterprise to add to the Queen’s Award it received in 2019, PG shares some of the crowning glory.

“We’re all over the moon to have won this award for the second time,” said Hannah. “I think that one of the toughest challenges for a brand like ours is to show you have staying power after an initial success.”

The King’s Award recognises exceptional growth in international markets over the past five years so for Hannah personally “it’s a reflection of how hard we have worked to keep innovating and improving, not just in the artwork and our products, but in the service we’re delivering.”

While the artwork is still very much Hannah’s domain, she is keen to stress that Wrendale Designs would have not reached the heights it has without the

support from the team and of course its retail stockists.

“Jack [Hannah’s husband and business partner] and I are so lucky to have an incredible team across the world that work hard to bring our vision to life, as well as fabulous and loyal stockists.

I’m so proud of the team we have and for the loyal stockists that have supported us over the years, many of them stocking our products since I first launched Wrendale with a handful of greeting cards, back in 2012.”

Wrendale Designs is one of 252 businesses recognised in these recent awards, with five receiving two apiece, in the second King’s Awards, which were renamed last year as His Majesty wanted to continue the legacy of his late mother Queen Elizabeth II who established the awards in 1965. This year’s clutch included 59 given for innovation, 161 for

Left: Hannah and Jack Dale, the co-owners of Wrendale Designs.

Above: Wrendale ‘socks’ it on its international success.

Below: Wrendale Designs’ entry in the PG Live 2012 catalogue.

Bottom: Hannah and Jack have built the business for their three children and the family of employees who help run Wrendale Designs.

international trade, 29 for sustainable development and eight for promoting opportunity through social mobility.

The official description for the Lincolnshire-based greeting card, gift and homewares company in the London Gazette announcement called it: “Leading supplier of beautiful quality design-led giftware

featuring characterful illustrations inspired by the natural world.”

Minister for Enterprise Kevin Hollinrake commented: “I congratulate the recipients of this year’s King’s Awards For Enterprise, who exemplify the talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of British business.

“I wish them every success and commend the invaluable contributions they make to communities both at home and overseas, helping to grow the UK economy.”

Wrendale products can now be bought in 47 different countries which Hannah said she “still can’t quite believe” and includes one of her “proudest export achievements”, that the business now supplies shops in every US state, including Alaska and Hawaii!

Beavering away

It is not just their beavering away on Wrendale Designs’ international growth front that has earned Hannah and Jack Dale some recent fame and recognition, as their notable conservation work on their land secured an eight-minute slot on ITV news recently.

The TV film footage saw Hannah showing reporter Lisa Adlam around the family farm in north Lincolnshire where they’ve reintroduced beavers into the area for the very first time in 400 years.

Thanks to the success of Wrendale’s greeting cards, gifts and home accessories, the couple have been able to rewild the 340 acres of Jack’s family farm, planting thousands of trees, allowing native seeds to regenerate which helps the bird population regroup and diversify, turning 70 acres into an enclosure for the beavers, and giving over another five acres into a series of ponds to create a haven for amphibians and insects.

“We felt that it could offer more value to nature and to improving the biodiversity of the area than it can to farming in a traditional way,” Hannah explained on the news programme, as the heavy clay soil of the low-lying land stands wet for much of the year before baking hard in the summer, making it difficult to farm profitably.

Hannah went on to give a detailed explanation of the measures they’ve taken to ensure the nocturnal mammals stay within the area where they’ve were licensed for release in December 2023 by Natural England – and are beginning to shape their environment in a way that will benefit many other species and the natural landscape.

As Hannah explained “You can't wild release beavers into the landscape, they do come into conflict with humans because there are activities of damming causing localised flooding so, at the moment, they're released into enclosures like this.”

“I’d never have guessed where Wrendale would take us when I first started to design that handful of greeting cards 12 years ago,” Hannah added.

“I was recently asked when I got my big break by someone who’s just getting started in the industry. When I thought about it, I realised there never really was a big break, more like a game of snakes and ladders – a series of many small steps, a few lucky boosters and a few slides backwards in a long journey. The most important thing is just to get the dice rolled, get on the board and take the first step.”

Explaining how the beavers coppice trees such as willows, which forces the plants to send out lots of vigorous growth, while also building dams which hold the water level and create vital habitats for many other creatures.

She added: “In a way they’re farming and producing more food for themselves - we call them ecosystem engineers. They also provide ecosystem services by slowing the flow of the water. When there's a storm, you end up with localised flooding but, because the water has slowed down, it means that it's protecting the habitats and the communities that live downstream.

“By preventing that catastrophic flooding, I think they could potentially be a really important tool in terms of making us more resilient to climate change.”

As spring breathes new life into the former farmland, the exciting and ever-changing outlook inspires Hannah in her wildlife illustrations for Wrendale Designs.

“It’s impossible not to be inspired when surrounded by nature and wildlife,” Hannah said, “just being outside and being immersed in it is an endless source of inspiration.

“Our vision for our farm is to maximise the benefits of nature as much as we possibly can do on the space that we've got. And I really would hope to inspire other people in the local area and to try to create a connected habitat system for nature.

“Nature needs scale to recover, and it would be amazing to think that what we're doing here could inspire others to do something similar.”

Above: Hannah Dale showed ITV’s Lisa Adlam around the rewilded family farm, including footage of the beavers busy creating dams and helping the ecosystem.

Below: Wildlife inspires Hannah’s art, and Wrendale’s success allows the conservation work to continue.

Above: While the Wrendale product portfolio is now vast, it was greeting cards that kicked it all off.

∙ hand-completed printing and packing

∙ offset printing using the latest technologies

∙ processing in our own graphic studio

∙ superior embossing using classic techniques of hand engraving

∙ relief printing, hot printing, microrelief printing, thermography, die-cutting

∙ craftsmanship with many years of experience

WORLDSTAR WINNER 2023 FOR PACKAGING EXCELLENCE CATEGORY GIFT PACKAGING

Focus on…Diversity & Inclusion

JOINING THE DOTS

The greeting card industry might not be right at the top of the game where diversity and inclusion is concerned, but ground has been gained over the last few years with publishers and retailers keen to see that there are designs for everyone.

PG touches on this important area and shares some of the developments.

Black, brown, gay, lesbian, differently-abled, ginger – there are so many elements that publishers are trying to cover, it’s a good job there are also plenty of designers who have their own take on the subject of diversity and inclusion where greeting cards are concerned.

One of the newest is Hayley Kellard, who has turned her own visual impairment challenge into thriving publisher Dotty About Braille and, just six months after setting up, her tactile greeting card range featuring the language of raised dots is one of the finalists in the Health, Wellbeing & Accessible Gifts category of the Gift Of The Year 2024 Awards.

“My range was designed with blind people at the forefront of my mind, so all aspects of

the card are fully accessible,” Hayley explained, “braille greeting cards help to normalise visual impairment, which is especially important for visually impaired children and young adults, who may be struggling with being different to their friends. Seeing braille greeting cards in shops, alongside printed cards, can help make them feel included and valued.

“It can be very empowering for a blind or visually impaired person to receive a braille card and be able to read it by themselves, rather than having to rely on somebody else. This is especially important for those who are somewhat isolated and don't have regular visitors.”

The simple design has cards in different shades – blind people have favourite colours too – with no images, patterns or printed text, just the wording in the raised dots on the front, and the colour choice noted on the back to ensure full accessibility, and Hayley can also produce cards in any language that has a braille code, so far that includes English, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, German, French and Polish options.

Hayley’s ambition that all major greeting cards retailers will stock a braille range in their stores and online, is echoed by Matt Nguyen, founder and illustrator at Jolly Awesome , who’d like all designers to

Below: Hayley Kellard types her braille captions on a Perkins machine.

Above: Nyha’s Naomi with her designs in Morleys Brixton. Left: BSL works for Kitsch Noir.

include people from different backgrounds within their general ranges.

“I think creating specific inclusive ranges can be counter-productive and veer towards ticking boxes,” Matt said. “If your cards feature people on them, reflect our modern society in all your work as a rule, not a one-off – it's really quite simple.”

And he practices what he preaches with various everyday cards that feature people of all backgrounds, and the new Places collection of contemporary souvenir cards reflects the wide mix of city folk.

Matt added: “Representation on cards is great, but spreading equity is also important. License or commission artists from a variety of backgrounds, especially if you’re creating designs about different religions, sexualities or ethnic minorities.”

Holy Mackerel also veers away from specific D&I ranges, as the publisher tries to build diversity into existing collections, like

Doubling up on Pride

The greeting card industry is getting loud and proud for the second year running as the official launch of the GCA’s involvement in not one but two Pride events this year has been announced.

Anyone who wants to march in either Pride In London or Manchester Pride can now sign up via the association’s website with 75 places for the capital’s parade, on Saturday, 29 June, and 50 in the north two months later on Saturday 24 August

After the fabulous success of the 2023 event in London where 10,000 cards generously donated by the industry were handed out before the GCA’s 50 marchers had even covered a quarter of the mile-long route, there’s a different approach for the two 2024 events.

Mark Callaby, Ohh Deer co-founder and the GCA council lead on diversity and inclusion, explained: “We’ll be printing our own cards this year which means we can massively increase the number we can hand out along the route.”

And The Imaging Centre has already generously offered to take on the card printing, with sponsors being sought for the board and envelopes, while there are five other levels, ranging from a £20 donation to the £500 and £1,000 headline sponsors, as the GCA looks to cover the costs of organising and taking part, while accommodation and travel costs will be individual marchers’ responsibility.

Ricicle Cards’ owner David Rice-Nicholls is stepping up again to help with the organisation and commented: “Being able to combine the two things I love the most – my queer identity and greeting cards – was an absolute dream. Celebrating all types of love and inclusivity, at the same time representing the GCA and our fellow publishers by handing out cards to beaming smiles in the crowds was incredible! I can’t wait to do it all again this summer!”

Mark added: “Pride In London last year was one of the best days of my life. The streets in London were filled with so much love and support and our GCA walking group were full of energy and excitement. I can’t wait to do it all again this year in both London and Manchester.”

To sign up to take part in the parades or be a sponsor go to www.gca.cards/london-pride/.

expanding its Erica Sturla Father’s Day offer from the six or so designs of a few years ago to the “cards for dads and grandads of colour, cards for dads in same-sex couples, cards for first-time dads, and cards for someone who’s

like a dad to you, and Welsh dads of course, as we’re based in sunny Pembrokeshire!” as co-owner Katie Meeke explained.

Erica’s One Lump Or Two range also celebrates older birthdays with vibrant elderly characters, and her sports-themed cards have both male and female versions, plus some same-sex wedding, Christmas and anniversary, and the Rosie Brooks’ Whole Lotta Rosie range includes birthdays being celebrated in wheelchairs, Mr & Mr and Mrs & Mrs wedding cards, and new for 2024, gay and lesbian numbered wedding anniversary cards.

Holy Mackerel has also worked with the Science Museum to expand its humorous Funny Olde Worlde designs to be more diverse and celebrate women with characters such as Mary Seacole, George Washington Carver, Ada Lovelace, Amy Johnson and Marie Curie.

Hallmark’s research findings show that 50% of the people asked do want cards made specifically for diverse audiences, and head of

Above: The greeting card industry out in force at Pride 2023.

Above: At Jolly Awesome, Matt and Katie incorporate D&I into its everyday offer.

Above: Girl power from Laura Niles.

writing Ruth Turner-Blood said: “I can’t envision a time when we wouldn’t want to reflect that rich diversity through ranges that are representative of that fact.”

The publishing giant has collaborations with charities, communities and individuals to include a “more diverse set of creators and experts to bring lived experience and insight to the product”, such as partnering with men’s mental health charity Andy’s Man Club and Barnado’s, which supports children and their families, to raise awareness of the causes and create inclusive, insight-led products.

Hallmark’s robust data, insight and research suite enables constant dialogue with consumers which recently highlighted a lack of nongendered close family captions for those identifying as non-binary.

Ruth added: “Because most available options were gendered, using phrases like daughter or son, we launched non-juvenile child and grandchild captioned cards, and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.”

Pins are the thing for Hotchpotch, which has a new enamel pin badge collection called Palm Springs, set to launch at PG Live, and aimed at covering niche interests with its retro 80s and vintage Americana vibe.

And head of design Anna Price added: “We’re also introducing Enchanted, our most inclusive Valentine’s range yet, featuring dashing knights in shining armour, a fab-u-lous dragon and two queens on the throne – this range rewrites those traditional fairytales and makes them for everyone!

“The great thing is that the supermarket buyers are now asking for more and more designs for under-represented groups and celebrations. We also have created designs specifically for Pride month and have plans for other celebrations over the coming months.”

Laura Niles has built her company, Laura

Niles Design on D&I as she’s determined to lift people’s spirits, encourage the world to be more diverse and optimistic with positive vibes and adds “a huge sprinkle of girl power hopefully

making it inspiring to send little surprises and encouragement in the post”!

She added: “I’ve had beautiful emails from customers saying how thrilled they were to come across my designs as they finally felt they had a card that not only was attractive and fun but they felt represented them too, they related to it and there are choices within my collection to pick from – it isn’t just a token design to tick a box.”

Creating a diverse and inclusive product offering is a key part of UK Greetings’ product strategy, and the publisher is continually looking to introduce new designs which support D&I, and work with lots of very talented artists across all ethnicities.

“We’re especially proud of our beautiful collaborations with both AfroTouch Design and Eastern Print Studio,” communications manager Gabriella Peace said. “These ethnicinspired ranges have proven to be very popular, and their success is testament to the diverse audience to which they appeal.

“Working closely with our retailers we are encouraged by their continued enthusiasm towards having an offering that covers all consumer needs.

“Our fantastic range of braille cards is an excellent example of how we use standard techniques such as embossing innovatively to ensure our cards are accessible to all.”

Creating products for under-represented recipients is Naomi C Robinson’s aim at Nyha Cards, embracing different cultures and

Above: Holy Mackerel’s gentle humour is inclusive.

Left: Hotchpotch rewrites fairytales. Below: Research counts for Hallmark.

“PG Live was SO very good and we came away completely inspired. Everyone we saw brought their A game to the show. There was lots of inspiration, newness and clear points of difference between the stands. We came en masse as it’s such a great show and we see it as important for everyone to come along to see the publishers and all the new product they have been developing and are on working on.”

Sam

Ody, lead buying manager of everyday cards  for Tesco

absolutely the heart of our industry. It’s our absolute favourite show from both a publisher and retailer perspective. There’s everyone there who I love and want to talk to. We really feel looked after - the free tea and coffee, the free lunch, the drinks in the evening - all of these really make it stand out as a show. This kind of connection and community is absolutely priceless.”

Heidi Early, co-owner of Earlybird Designs in Stoke Newington

Tuesday 4 June – Wednesday 5 June Business Design Centre, London +44 (0) 7734 111633 www.progressivegreetingslive.com @PGLiveLondon #pglive2024

PG Live, as it always has such a great atmosphere – and this year’s event felt particularly inspiring and there really seemed to be excitement in the air! It was lovely to see so many card publishers under one roof, existing suppliers, as well as discovering some new ones. We came away excited and inspired, with a very long list of highlights – the product standard was so high!”

Hazel

Walker, senior buyer of Waterstones

What does D&I mean?

Katie Meeke, co-owner, Holy Mackerel

“I think D&I comes back to that great feeling you get when you spot the perfect card for someone, whether the hook is a hobby, a lifestyle, a shared memory, an in-joke, etc. And by publishers making cards more diverse and inclusive you make it so much easier for people to find a card that links you to whoever you’re buying for and says something special about your relationship.”

Ruth Turner-Blood, head of writing, Hallmark

“To me, D&I means fairness, representation and respect. It means embracing the fact that, as humans, we’re all different due to our individual life experiences, identities, preferences and beliefs. This uniqueness is what makes each of us amazing and it should be celebrated! D&I also paves the way for a truly equitable future and a more harmonious world.”

Fatima Bonnah, owner, Natiscreations

“Respecting and appreciating people and what makes them different, in terms of age, gender, religion, disability is what D&I is about. And, as a society including the card industry, we have an opportunity to empower people by representing them.”

Georgina Fihosy, founder, AfroTouch Design

“To me, D&I is about seeing and valuing the differences in people, including their backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, and proactively making sure these differences are represented and respected. It’s about making sure that everyone has equitable access to opportunities and feels both valued and welcomed.”

Cherelle Brown, founder, Kitsch Noir

“For me, diversity reflects the truth and a genuine representation of the current society we live in. It means being included and represented.”

ethnicities, and featuring characters and subject matters that are under represented.

“I began with the aim to rebalance the lack of diversity with multicultural artwork,” Naomi said, “now my range is known for its diversity, inclusion, and images of unity, and I’m thrilled the industry's buyers have finally started to see the potential and benefit of diversity in greeting cards – I’m extremely proud to see Nyha

babies, more cards for teenagers and Christian designs too.

Cards in High Street stores such as Morley's department stores, Waterstones, Foyles and Funky Pigeon.”

The ranges at Kitsch Noir are constantly expanding as creative Cherelle Brown tries to keep up with the various characters customers ask for: “There is so much diversity even within black culture, this mission is never ending! We were even asked to create a collection for hijab-wearing ladies, this went down really well. We’ve not yet explored braille, however we did create a collection including the BSL hand gesture for ‘I love you’.” BSL is also on the cards for Natiscreations where founder Fatima Bonnah has been expanding with Black

“I’m really proud of the way other publishers are working hard to ensure they’re also covering and providing a good range of collection to meet D&I,” Fatima said. “I’m constantly looking at ideas and input on how I can be more inclusive and ensure customers have a sense of belonging and know they are being celebrated and represented.”

Customer requests are behind the whole AfroTouch Design range as founder Georgina Fihosy reacts to feedback to expand her ranges, and she’s looking to cater more to males as well as different body types, and cards for the older population.

Georgina commented: “Sometimes it does feel like two steps forward 10 steps back. Yes, we have made strides forward in some areas of diversity but inclusion is still the challenging topic. It’s great to see many of the grocers taking on my ranges, I’d like to see more of the smaller multiples and independents embracing cards that reflect the population we live in.”

With publishers determinedly forging ahead on the D&I path, the last word goes to Hallmark, renowned for having a card for almost every occasion, as Ruth Turner-Blood said: “Everyone should have the joy of sending or receiving the perfect card, so it’s our job to make sure the right cards are there.”

Above: Cute babies from Natiscreations. Below: AfroTouch is now stocked in grocers.

Left: UKG covers diversity and braille.

SPINNING A YARN(TON)

breathe new life. This is certainly what has happened where Yarnton Home & Garden and greeting card publisher and stationery company, Ohh Deer are concerned. The culmination being there for all to see in a stunning brand new 800sqft design-led greeting card and stationery department which forms part of the impressive revitalisation of the Oxfordshire garden centre emporium.

PG alighted at ‘Yarnton Parkway’, the railway station adorned by blooming treats from the centre, for the grand tour with Celia Leeson-Cox, its head of creative and visual merchandising.

Greeting cards have long been a part of Yarnton Home & Garden’s offer, in fact it previously had a more traditional greeting selection in the plants section as well as a bijou design-led area elsewhere - but as part of the centre’s strategy to really champion the product area, a new department, which is four times larger than its previous greeting card footprint, came to life last month.

“I have always loved Ohh Deer’s products as well as how it goes about things, and felt that the vibe of its trade show stands would work well at Yarnton,” explained Celia Leeson-Cox, its head of creative and visual merchandising. Celia has a deep passion for greeting cards, and a wealth of experience not least amassed from owning her own greeting card shops for 15 years before bringing her buying and merchandising skills into the garden centre arena.

Like many other garden centres, until relatively recently Yarnton’s non-horticultural

retailing offer was anchored by third party branded concessions.

“When I joined Yarnton five and half years ago, we had several concession departments from Peacocks, Woollen Mill and The Works, among others. However, at that time we were also building what was to become our multi-award-winning playbarn, The Magic Garden, which we knew would bring in a brand new young community that would join our loyal gardening community of shoppers, so we could sense we needed to court and accommodate a changing customer base, while improving the service and selection for our traditional customer base,” explains Celia.

With the pandemic accelerating matters, seeing the demise of some concessions and a change of direction of others, Yarnton found itself back in full charge of curating

a sizeable retailing space for its centre, an opportunity which Celia and her colleague home, gift and fashion buyer, Bryony TaylorEdwards, grasped with great gusto.

Above: (right-left) Ohh Deer’s Mark Callaby, Jamie Mitchell, Harry Ferrin and agent Reg Shaw, who was the first port of call when Yarnton’s Celia had the idea for the new department.

Below: (left-right) Yarnton’s head of creative Celia Leeson-Cox, md Glen Sheldrake and Jennifer Brampton, who has joined the team recently as card buyer.

Bottom: Just part of the new greeting card, stationery and arts & crafts area.

This all coincided with revered garden centre stalwart Glen Sheldrake joining as managing director, with a vision to champion the brand, from its horticultural roots through to its general retail and hospitality model. Added to this was the news that 4,000+ new homes would be built in the vicinity in the near future, presenting an incredible boost to potential customer footfall.

“Over new year, I was bed-ridden with Covid, and had an epiphany as to what the new dedicated greeting card, stationery and craft department would look like, and it was inspired by Ohh Deer’s recent trade show stands and vibe,” revealed Celia.

“My first instinct was to get in touch with Ohh Deer’s agent cum musician Reg Shaw, so I emailed Judge Singh of Dance Guru, a Bhangra music band Reg is involved with to get in touch!” recalled Celia.

As bizarre as the sourcing route sounds, it was timely synchronicity, as Ohh Deer had quietly been expanding the number of retailers it supplies with variations of its trade show stands, created by display maestros Mayhees Ways, and had a taste of more, but Reg was fully in tune to facilitate progress with Celia’s dream becoming a reality last month.

While Ohh Deer branding features on the blonde wooden fixtures in Yarnton’s new department, the product selection spans a variety of greeting card publishers, stationery companies and giftwrap brands.

The spacious, contemporary department is made all the more alluring for the customer with colourful table displays, and a trendy library feel to the art and books area.

With her indie greeting card roots, Celia is fully aware of how greeting cards can drive footfall and clinch sales for Yarnton, hence the reason why her role has been bolstered by the addition of Jennifer Brampton joining the buying team.

“Greeting cards are a major footfall driver for

Retailer Face to Face

any retailer, Yarnton included. In order to clinch this, you need to make sure you have an alluring mix of greeting cards that straddles both necessity and impulse purchases,” explains Celia. “I believe that the greeting card selection you put together tells your customer everything they need to know of your brand and that you are in tune with their card buying needs,” adds Celia. Celia is achieving this through her greeting card and stationery selection which, anchored by Ohh Deer, also spans publishers, such as The Art File, Caroline Gardner, Lagom Design, Museums

& Galleries, Noi Publishing, Petra Boase, Rifle Paper Company and Roger la Borde, among others.

Paying tribute to her suppliers on the specific design front, Celia elucidates: “We rely hugely on our publisher suppliers as they are the ones with the wide industry knowledge.”

PG was lucky to be there when the Ohh Deer team, and fixtures maestro Piyush Prince, founder of Mayhees Ways, saw the department for the first time a few weeks ago.

Jamie Mitchell, who co-owns the business with his partner Mark Callaby: “I absolutely love it. It exudes the whole spirit of Ohh Deer.”

Adding his thoughts, “It looks amazing,” exclaimed Mark. “We have supplied several retailers with our wooden fixtures, but having the opportunity to create a whole department, this could be a taste of things to come for Ohh Deer!”

The Yarnton retailing menu

The addition of the new greeting card, stationery and crafting department joins Yarnton’s current retailing offer across its 11 acre site which includes departments for gift food, a fashion boutique, spa and wellbeing, toy shop, home & home furnishing, seasonal, indoor & outdoor plants, outdoor living, a thriving café and a cookshop, as well as The Village Refill (a separate business offering organic refills), Pavers (a footwear concession), a fishmonger, electric bike company, stone carving company, Pets at Home, Greenhouse People and Yarnton Antiques.

Above: The fixturing, created by Piyush Prince, founder of Mayhees Ways features Ohh Deer’s branding.

Above right: Table displays, green shelving and wooden panels creates a ‘library feel’ to the books and giftwrappings area.

Left: Although it has put a lot of effort into its retailing and café space, Yarnton is still very serious about its horticultural roots.

Below: A high five from agent Reg to Celia.

PAY YOUR CARDS RIGHT

There is a company in the UK that sold tens of £millions worth of cards in the last year that very few in the greeting card community would be unlikely to name in a quiz. Puzzled? It’s a bit of a trick question as Lifestyle (part of Motivates) is a gift card company, but one that is not missing a trick in wanting to forge stronger links with the greeting card community.

PG caught up with Trina Scott-Priestley, the company’s, head of retail partnerships to find out more about this fast growing sector.

“I don’t need to tell anyone involved in the greeting card industry, either publishers or retailers, that consumer buying habits are changing, as they are masters of relationships, ensuring that they have the right designs and the right captions at the right prices to match their customers’ expectations,” said Trina Scott-Priestley, head of retail partnerships at Lifestyle. “I however feel that there are more

Trina’s remit is to build more bridges with retailers, from multiples right through to independents about the opportunities a gift card presents.

discussions to be had to bring the benefits of gift cards into the greeting card realm as it really is a win, win.”

The gift card market is not only huge, valued at £7bn (source: KPMG), but it is growing twice as fast as retail.

As well as covering consumer purchases through the cards, now a staple in grocers many high street multiples, it also includes businesses that use the cards as a ‘reward and recognition’ tool for employees, a market that’s grown significantly since the pandemic.

Trina, a former accountant and software consultant joined Lifestyle just over a year ago and is loving it.

“I really want to bridge the gap and educate those that may have felt gift cards are not for them that they are a perfect add on to their offer,” says Trina. “A gift card does not take away from a traditional greeting card or gift purchase, it is invariably an additional purchase, bringing something different to a retailer’s product mix,” she adds.

Lifestyle became a standalone company six years ago, originally part of the B2B rewards offering at Red Letter Days. “Red Letter Days was a company acquired in 2015 by ‘Dragons’ Peter Jones and Theo Paphitis,” explains Three years later, following a management buyout, (MBO), Motivates was born, with Lifestyle splitting from Red Letter Days to focus on providing customers with expert advice on how to make rewarding easy.

In 2020, the company partnered with InComm to go into the gift card mall space too, starting out in Sainsbury’s, Asda and WHSmith. “That decision transformed the business,” states Trina. “We were the first two step multi-choice gift card company in the sector, which has helped the company to grow significantly, making Lifestyle one of the market leaders in the multi-choice space, where a card can be swapped for a large variety of partners across all categories. With over 250 partners, a customer can swap their Lifestyle gift card for John Lewis, Primark, Boots, cottages.com and so many more,” she explains.

Among the most recent developments,

Above: The UK gift card market is now worth £7billion.

Left: Two of the For You designs, which offers a combined greeting card and gift card in one. Below: Trina Scott-Priestley.

which brings Lifestyle closer to the greeting card sector was the launch last September of its For You selection, a combined packaged greeting card and gift card – becoming the first company, in the UK, to do this.

The ‘For You’ greeting and gift card in one has been an instant success with consumers and is already taking a good market share of the product range. Following this success,

A Force For Good

Lifestyle’s values include being a force for good, giving back to people and the community.

In 2022 the company became a B Corp certified business, focusing on their three key pillars - people, planet and profit. “We’re proud to be the only certified company in the gift card space that currently holds the accreditation,” states Trina.

Lifestyle are creating new designs to cover more gifting occasions. As a multi-choice gift card Lifestyle gives consumers greater choice and flexibility, making it perfect for as many different occasions as recipients. With a wide choice of partners, the card enables recipients to swap the card to redeem everything from a vase for their new home to a holiday.

“Our For You cards are proving very popular, from a standing start in September 2023 they now account for over 10% of our mall sales,” reveals Trina.

Also helping to differentiate Lifestyle in a crowded marketplace are several other USPs. They include the number of brand partners that the company works with; the ability to partner with retailers who are unfamiliar with the gift card space, and a 100% incremental sales channel featuring a controlled ‘closed loop’ card. The company also provides an additional, and relatively cheap form of marketing support, where a brand can be seen by millions of redeemers, boosting brand awareness. Plus, there is a no risk entry to market, with a discount-only model available. “If we don’t sell a company’s gift cards then there is no cost,” explains Trina.

“It is the one product that you can create digitally at no cost – making it ideal for SMEs –

offering another product, payment method and access to new markets and new customers,” she continues. “We have created a business model that enables small companies to become our partner, while helping them to sell their own gift card. This enables us to build our portfolio of new brands that meet consumer demand, be it on the sustainability front or shopping with independent retailers.”

Trina is clearly excited to be part of encouraging smaller retail groups and indies to “get involved with the multi-choice gift card market as it continues to grow, putting them ahead of the curve. And we can be up and running in days.”

Below: Gift cards are being widely embraced by millions of consumers for all sorts of reasons, something Lifestyle is encouraging.

Below midddle: Asda is trialling having some Lifestyle For You gift cards near its floristry area.

street retailers. And, on the back of the popularity of our For You range, of course we are working on more innovation in the greetings and gift space.”

Trina accepts that there are challenges –“inherent when you push boundaries, and are the first to market, but from the conversations we have had in the greetings field, it really looks like there is an appetite to innovate and join with us in driving change in this market.”

Of her own ambitions, Trina would love “to open up the gift card market - that has traditionally been dominated by the retail giants - to smaller boutique and niche brands. We are excited to be doing things differently, working with companies of all sizes to bring them together to give consumers what they wantchoice and flexibility.”

So what else will be driving Lifestyle forward this year? “As well as expanding into new retailers we will also be unlocking new market areas, bringing our cards to a wider and more unique audience,” confirms Trina. “Meanwhile, we are currently developing a gift card that’s focused on parent and baby brands to continue to support our growing gift card mall space across high

Gift Of The Year Gift Card

Working alongside The Giftware Association, Lifestyle, (which this year sponsored the Gift of the Year’s Best Children’s, Educational and Pre-School Product or Range category), has been working on a Gift of the Year gift card, bringing together all the shortlisted companies, past and present. “This is a unique initiative and it’s very exciting to see it come to life,” enthuses Trina. “It’s a gift card that can be purchased and redeemed at any of these fantastic brands, spreading good greetings all round!”

Right: The Gift of the Year is among the new multi-choice gift cards.

Extra dimensions

It has been around for over 10 years, yet Lowlands Studios’ handmade 3D Paperwork collection has continued to evolve by constant design refreshments. Gearing up to be shown in its full glory at next month’s PG Live (June 4-5), this innovative range of 5”x7” cards exudes paper artistry, combining refined illustrations with subtle embellishments such as threads, ribbons, strings, wool, decorative stones, pearls, lace and buttons, to create what is now a 125-design strong collection.  Lowlands Studios + 31 (0)6 15389928 www.greetingcardsfromlowlandsstudios.com

Crystal clear

Pin you down

It’s been seven years since Hotchpotch launched Flair, its original pin badge card collection, so the publisher thought it was about time for a comeback range. Palm Springs is inspired by retro 80s posters and vintage Americana. Each card features a cute enamel pin to adorn a jacket, tote or pencil case. All printed with neon pink ink, each card is paired with a luxury white envelope.  Hotchpotch London 01243 792600 www.hotchpotchlondon.com

Love Country’s new Crystal collection has been created to promote self-love, meditation, mindful living, and all-round good vibes! The collection encompasses six Crystal Cards, each with real crystals attached (and glorious illustrations inside), 18 Wishing Stone Cards with crystals, and 10 Wishing Candle Cards with different coloured candles attached. A display stand is available with a complete introductory set of each card. Love Country  01502 507352    www.lovecountryuk.co.uk

Floral tributes

Hues of humour

In advance of next month’s PG Live, The Comedy Card Company has been busy creating its Colours range which features bold, silly and well colourful! cards. According to publisher Alan Auld: “They were meant to be serious statements about life, but they somehow turned out funny”. Each comes with a recycled kraft envelope.

The Comedy Card Company 07885 027381 www.comedycardtrade.co.uk

Clare as day

To be seen in all its glory at PG Live next month, Stormy Knight's popular Clare Owen collection has been expanded with new birthday designs joining the party. The range now boasts 16 designs across birthdays and occasions, featuring Clare's gorgeous Scandi-inspired contemporary illustrations. Each card is finished with gold foil highlights and comes paired with a GF Smith Callisto pearl envelope. Stormy Knight  +44 (0)117 9098684  www.stormyknight.co.uk

Two For Joy Illustration’s best selling Everbloom collection is inspired by dried florals and features creator Louise Richardson’s signature moody muted tones all printed on lavish GF Smith board. In advance of next month’s PG Live, the publisher’s first ever trade show, Louise has redesigned the entire collection, which now spans over 30 designs. Two For Joy Illustration 07710707592 www.instagram.com/twoforjoyillustration

The feeling’s nuptial

Ionna Marie Designs has just launched Connubial Bliss, a heart-warming collection of greeting cards celebrating the beauty of love and partnership. With inclusivity and diversity at the forefront of the publisher’s ethos, the latest designs proudly showcase inter-racial partnerships, reflecting the rich tapestry of love in today's world. Each card is a testament to the universal language of love, transcending boundaries and celebrating the unique bond shared between two individuals.

Ionna Marie Designs info@ionnamariedesigns.com www.ionnamariedesigns.com

Television specials

Party on

It’s Time to Party is a new kids’ age card range from Paper Shed Design. The collection, which covers years 1-12, features some of the publisher’s most popular illustrations with a fun new colour palette of bold pastels. Available to see at PG Live, designs for adult ages 18–60 are promised soon!  Paper Shed Design 01189 744283  www.papersheddesign.com

Abacus is continuing to invest in its licensing agreements with the BBC for its Countryfile, Gardeners’ World and Springwatch programmes with a raft of new designs joining the portfolio. Among the latest is The Great Outdoors, a range of photographic designs based on BBC Countryfile. The natural beauty of the great outdoors is captured in spectacular shots of the Northern Lights, countrywide beauty spots as well as delightful aspects of rural life. Each of the 160mm square cards includes interesting facts on the reverse, written by the Countryfile team. Abacus is exhibiting at PG Live (June 4-5).

Abacus Cards 01638 569050 www.abacuscards.co.uk

Two’s company

We Two is a beautiful new range from Holy Mackerel, designed by Scotlandbased artist Ailsa Black. This gorgeous collection of 12 birthday and occasions cards is inspired by the wildlife Ailsa sees on her walks every day. UK made and blank inside, the cards are 15cm square and they come wrapped in corn starch bags. The range will be on Holy Mackerel’s stand at PG Live. Holy Mackerel 01395 578571 www.holy-mackerel.co.uk

Pretty nifty

You can dive right into the charmingly illustrated world of Klara Hawkins with her new Allegro range which is launching officially at PG Live next month. Depicting Klara’s distinctive style, the range of 18 cards features lively, fun and pretty designs covering birthdays and occasions. Orders over £150 placed at PG Live will receive a 15% discount.

Klara Hawkins 0208 2243340 www.klarahawkins.com

A cut above

Inspired by the beauty of nature, 20 new cards have joined All Joy Design’s Blossom Paper collection, which now spans over 100 designs. Each card captures the essence of floral wonder in exquisite detail enhanced by delicate paper cutting. Printed on luxury textured 350g board with gold foil details, the 125mmx175mm cards come with a brown kraft envelope. All will be on show at next month’s PG Live.

Alljoy Design +353 (0)1 630 1213 www.alljoydesign.com

Brave start

Making its trade show debut at PG Live next month, Brilliantly Brave, will be launching a total of 104 cards, across nine ranges. Among these is Beastie Besties, a range of light-hearted yet insightful designs that address how men often struggle to express issues around mental wellbeing or accept support. The 150mm square cards come naked with colourful recycled envelopes. Brilliantly Brave info@brilliantlybrave.co.uk www.brilliantlybrave.co.uk

It’s a wrap

Festive feelings

The Doodle Darlings is Bexy Boo’s new range that personifies everything cute and Christmassy, from mistletoe to a champagne flute and a holly berry to a mince pie.

The 28 designs that will be showcased at PG Live next month cover open and relations. All are handfinished with a vintage wooden letter tile, a polka dot red bow and either a white or red pom pom. Printed on 350gsm board, they come with a poppy red envelope, wrapped in bio cello as standard.

Bexy Boo 01565 830 546 www.bexyboo.co.uk

The Art File will be launching over 100 new designs at PG Live next month across cards, gift wrap and stationery items. As part of this the company has extended its licensing agreement with English Heritage to include giftwrappings to co-ordinate with its greeting cards. Every product in the English Heritage collection is inspired by the historic monuments, buildings and places in English Heritage's care.

The Art File 01158507490 www.theartfile.com

Keep it zipped

Worldy wise

Big World Little Things is a beautiful new modern birthday collection from International Cards & Gifts. This latest range comprises 13 designs which each captures lots of birthday fun along with some little quirky amusing extra details. IC&G 01202 897494 www.icgcards.com

Click and collect

The word 'Menagerie', which means ‘a strange or diverse collection of people or things’ was the starting point for Louise Mulgrew’s new range, which will be on show at next month’s PG Live. It sparked in her head beautiful images of collections of exotic bugs in a museum and handfuls of unique shells she used to gather when rock-pooling in Cornwall as a child, now all brought to life in the 14 designs in the Menagerie range, which cover birthdays, blanks, thank you, congratulations and new home. They are all gold foiled and come with a kraft envelope.

Louise Mulgrew 01273 783833 www.trade.louisemulgrew.com

Well known for its striking cards, giftwrappings and stationery, Storigraphic has further expanded into accessories with a new range of cotton zipped pouches that are handmade in Scotland. The company is debuting with two designs from its popular Seventies and Sessions Series that will be available in three sizes, making them ideal for pens and pencils, cosmetics or travel bits.  Storigraphic hello@storigraphic.com www.storigraphic.com

Art Source

Natural Ties

Sanja Rescek is an artist based in Zagreb, Croatia. Her artwork is a beautiful fusion of love for nature and family. With her art featuring in more than 120 published books and card collections Sanja is an exciting voice in the greeting card and publishing worlds. Here she shares her story.

“I was born here in Zagreb, Croatia and this is where I discovered my passion for art.

As long as I can remember, I always loved to draw. It was just a natural progression from a child who was simply fascinated with the art world to continue with my passion. I attended the School of Applied Arts and Design and after that Academy of Fine Arts here in Zagreb where I studied graphic design and painting.

My illustrations are often described as a blend of depth and intricacy. I see nature as an endless source of creative inspiration and the time I spend outdoors, with my family, has been fundamental to my artwork. My love for animals and flowers is evident in my illustrations, and they frequently take centre stage in my creations.

WANT TO BE FEATURED?

The beauty of nature and the close bond I share with my family are what resonate with me the most. As an artist, I strive to create pieces that reflect my feelings and experiences. I want those who receive my designs, perhaps on their birthday or their anniversary to feel a connection both with their loved ones and my art.

Recently, I've been fascinated by old herbariums, butterfly collections and cyanotype art. I find something captivating about these mediums, and I'm exploring ways to incorporate them into my cards and textile patterns.

I'm excited by the potential of combining these sources to create new, experimental and stunning textures, overlappings and colours. I believe this could lead to something truly special. Throughout my career, I've been fortunate enough to work with many greeting card publishers and my work has been featured on designs for American Greetings, Papyrus, UNICEF, Noel Tatt, Paper Rose and many more. I have had many highlights in my career but creating the Kaleidoscope range for Paper Rose and a floral range for Noel Tatt, which they affectionately named Sanja, are certainly among them - along with a fabric collection with Robert Kaufmann fabrics. These achievements have inspired me to keep pushing the boundaries of my creative expression.

To me, my work is more than just illustrations, it's a celebration of the natural world and the ties that bind us to our loved ones. My art is a reminder of the simple joys of life - the beauty of a flower, the flutter of a butterfly and the warmth of family love.

My advice to any up-and-coming artist, would be to get a good education. Master the technical area of your work and simultaneously develop your own creative and artistic niche. Try to be yourself, a little bit different and always try to be as objective as possible. Walk away and give yourself some distance from the things you made, then come back and see if you would do anything differently. Don’t be afraid to experiment and be inspired by things around you. Even the smallest things, particularly in nature and everyday life, can be a fantastic source of inspiration.

l Sanja Rescek is represented by the Bright Agency for licensing.

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

Far left: Sanja Rescek is inspired by nature and family love.

Above: A playful jewel coloured palette works well with this design.

Left: Contemporary Summer cheer Sanja style.

Below left: An intimate cute design by Sanja.

Above left: Sanja is equally at home using a pretty pastel palette as she is with bolder colours.

Left: A love of nature makes its appearance throughout Sanja’s work, be it through a fern pattern or subtle petal depictions.

PG ASKED A SELECTION OF RETAILERS FOR THEIR BEST SELLERS

Jo Marwaha, director of Penny Black, Glasgow. Two card, gift and stationery stores, both incorporating a Post Office, in the Scottish city.

Category Name of Publisher

Rumble Cards

Meraki

Eat the Moon

& Occasions

Woodmansterne

Pigment

Lola Design

Redback Cards

Woodmansterne

Productions Cath Tate Cards

Paperlink

Joy Nevada

Woodmansterne

Publications

Jane Buurman

Brainbox Candy

East End Press

Ohh Deer

Ohh Deer

Product/Name Range Comments

Happy Paper Products

Matilda; Neptune; Amalfi

Generally

O&R Range

O&R Range

O&R Range

Cloud Nine; Holy Flaps; Good Things World of Moose

Betiobca

Ages

Generally

Mambo; Tipple

Hey Ewe

Fuzzballs

Generally

Miles Tewson

Say Cheese

“Our customers love the vibe.”

“The stunning gold pressed flower designs also sell well.”

“Delightfully surreal.”

“Ranges that give a modern and quality option to suit most of our customers.”

“Consistently popular across its funny and modern designs.”

“Excellent, colourful designs.”

“So many cause uproar instore.”

“Just so funny.”

“Clever and hilarious designs generally, including the new Betiobca range.”

“Strong designs to suit different age groups, from kids to adults.”

“Delightfully illustrated outdoor pursuit cards.”

“These ranges have rejuvenated an often repetitive category.”

“Based on freestyle embroidery, sweet and fun designs.”

“Kawaii cats, what’s not to love?”

“Vibrant hand-screen-printed designs by artisans in India, printed in Glasgow.”

“Glorious on the eyeballs.”

“A bit hit – fresh and silly animal photographic designs.”

Right: 3D insect wonder from East End Prints.

Far right: Jane Buurman’s talent as a freestyle embroidery artist exudes on her card designs.

Top: Pressed flowers and gold foil combine on this Meraki design.

Above middle: Surreal wonder from an Eat the Moon design.

Above: A joyful design from Rumble Cards.

Helen Williams, owner of Helen’s Wishes, Dursley. A card and gift shop in a Gloucestershire market town, which opened its doors under Helen’s ownership last April.

Category Name of Publisher

Everyday Relations & Occasions Humour Children’s Adult

Art & Photographic

3D/Pop-ups

Gifts

Nigel Quiney

Noel Tatt

IC&G

Emotional Rescue

UK Greetings

IC&G

Jonny Javelin

UK Greetings

Cherry Orchard Publishing

IC&G

Nigel Quiney Publications

Noel Tatt

Country Cards

Noel Tatt

Joe Davies

Cute

Wendy Jones-Blackett Toasted Crumpet

Janie Wilson

Molly Mae Redback Cards

Belly Button Designs

Wendy Jones-Blackett

Crumble & Core

Meg Hawkins

Best Kept Secrets

Aurora

Product/Name Range

Chelsea Darling

Dug’s Diary; Man-oChrome

Generally

Norbert & Val; Virtual Safari; Model Family Traces of Nuts

Barley Bear

Football Velvet

Generally

Down Memory Lane

Generally

Woodland RSPCA; Bree Merryn

Generally

Zigzag; Decoupage; Rosalie

Generally

Quicksilver Mini Cards

Ooh La La Carried on the Breeze

Zeppelinmoon; Holy Flaps

Meadow

Quicksilver Generally Generally

Candles

Palm Pals

Comments

“Absolutely beautiful with a QR code so you can watch the artist painting.”

“Among our most popular for everyday male sends.”

“Our absolute ‘go to’ for anything on the R&O front.”

“Always a great selection. The new Model Family range is fantastic, so different.”

“Very popular, covering most people’s sense of humour and their hobbies.”

“We are also trialling the plush bears.”

“New in but we see them as being a success with footie fans.”

“Great range, including some strong licences, such as Disney.”

“A really popular, lovely range.”

“A very comprehensive selection.”

“We have re-ordered several times.”

“Simply the best, with images of farming scenes, animals and vehicles.”

“Zigzag is a personal favourite at the moment.”

“Very popular as we are a town of animal lovers.”

“Deserve a big shout out. Great products at a great price with a fantastic service and after-service.”

“Lovely, bright designs.”

“Really pretty and good value.”

“Very stylish hand-finished designs.”

“The sympathy cards are so beautiful.”

“They are selling like hot cakes.”

“Really pretty cards.”

“Bright, bold designs for all.”

“Customers can’t stop launching at these.”

“Beautiful cards…the guinea pig design is the best seller.”

“Lovely cards from a local artist.”

“All British made. The age ones are the most popular.”

“A perfect pocket money purchase.”

Katie Wilkinson, owner of Country Kate, Kinver. A popular medium sized card and gift shop in a large village in south Staffordshire.

Above: Molly Mae is revered for its sympathy cards.

Middle: A Crumble & Core card with a ceramic keepsake.

Right: A trio of Palm Pals from Aurora.

Right: One of the 3D Zigzag designs from Noel Tatt.

Right: A design from Nigel Quiney’s Chelsea Darling range.

Middle right: Country Cards is a ‘go to’ for art and photographic for Helen’s Wishes.

PRODUCT DIRECTORY l PRODUCT DIRECTORY l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

GREETING CARDS

One of the UK’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.

Fax: 01227 811 618 email: info@impresspublishing.co.uk

PRODUCT DIRECTORY l PRODUCT DIRECTORY l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

PRODUCT DIRECTORY l PRODUCT DIRECTORY l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

i ww info w. o@ pas @pas ell sel pu lpu blis ublis hin shin g. ng com com m info@passel ublisshinng..com

THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD

To appear in the Product Directories contact Warren Lomax T: 020 7700 6740 email: warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact Tracey Arnaud T: 07957 212 062 email: traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

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

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.

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.

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

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

Brands: 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

& an extensive range of superior quality, design-led Greeting Cards for all occasions, Spring Seasons & Christmas.

To appear in the Product Directories contact Warren Lomax T: 020 7700 6740 email: warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud T: 07957 212 062 email: traceya@max-publishing.co.uk