Progressive Greetings November 2023

November

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2023

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From The Editor

ON THE CARDS I love it when something you take somewhat for granted is quite rightly put on a pedestal to be appreciated for its importance - in this case I am referring to handwriting. I felt very lucky indeed to have been in the audience for the 'Is there a place for handwriting in the digital age' discussion and networking event which took place at The Stationers' Hall, as a guest of Chris LeonardMorgan, a longstanding friend of mine who is a champion of all things stationery (see pages 79-81). It somehow seemed all the more poignant that the event was held in the beautiful historic building in the shadows of St Paul’s Cathedral, home of the Stationery Livery Company, whose origins can be traced back to 1403, when illuminators of manuscripts ruled the roost. Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA, as ever did the greeting card industry proud with a talk that highlighted and celebrated the inextricable link between cards and handwriting that has endured for several hundred years.

Shifting seamlessly from the past to the present, Amanda explained how during the Second World War, amidst a severe paper shortage, that a ban on greeting card production was rescinded, as the sending of cards was seen as crucial to the war effort and how Lord Beaverbrook, the Minister of Supply at the time engaged the Greeting Card Association in the management of paper usage.

While Amanda also swiftly fended off the suggestion that AI would replace handwritten messages in greeting cards, there is no point in ignoring how technology has enabled us to progress on so many fronts, yet I was fascinated by what Dr. Mellissa Prunty had to

@Prog_Greetings

Above: Stationery passionista Christopher Leonard-Morgan (left) with Frances Burkle, former Paperchase and Harrods buyer, and PG’s Jakki Brown and Warren Lomax at the recent event at Stationers’ Hall.

Below: Did you know that since its inception 30 years ago that Caroline Gardner Publishing has sold a whopping 70 million cards, which if stacked on top of each other would reach higher than 408 Buckingham Palaces? Caroline and Angus Gardner with PG’s Jakki Brown at a 30th anniversary party. (See pages 76-77)

say about the art of learning and how handwriting plays a part in this and how it is not until the age of 10 that are brains have developed enough to cope with a keyboard using both hands.

Ever one to munch up the juicy facts, Pentel's sales director Graham Craik was full of them. We all buy 20 pens a year apparently - I am guilty and freely admitted that even on that evening when prompted by Graham to come clean I was surprised to admit I was carrying around 10 of them, and was up to the full annual quota by the time I got home, thanks to the goody bag – I just need to work on my handwriting style now for my #Cardmitment to Christmas cards to do them justice!

PS…We still have some spaces left for The Ladder Club event on Friday Dec 1 at London’s Business Design Centre. If you are/or know a would-be greeting card publisher or someone who could do with a bit of steer on your greeting card business, you would get so much out of it. (www.pgbuzz.net/the-ladder-club)

IT’S BACK! FRIDAY 1ST DECEMBER @ Business Design Centre, Islington

■ Everything a new or would-be greeting card publisher needs to know – in one day.

■ The BEST £90(+ VAT) you will ever spend and lunch is included!

For more information contact Jim – jimb@max-publishing.co.uk or visit pgbuzz.net/the-ladder-club

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What’s Inside?

CONTENTS 18

20

76

73

26

22

79

9-17 News

70-71 Innovations

All the latest happenings and developments in the trade.

A host of new ranges and designs.

18-19 Talking Shop Taking Stock

73-75 Focus on…Pet & Animal Cards Practically Paw-fect

David Robertson, co-owner of JP Pozzi confronts the stockroom and reflects on teamwork.

How our much loved furred, feathered and finned friends has bolstered Brits’ greeting card buying habits.

20-21 Cardsharp Wake Up and Smell The Coffee

76-77 In Conversation with…Caroline Gardner Gardner’s World

Considering the cards v coffree economy, PG’s columnist urges for a price rise on greeting cards before it’s too ‘latte’.

In the last 30 years Caroline Gardner Publishing has sold a whopping 70 million cards, which if stacked on top of each other would reach higher than 408 Buckingham Palaces!

22-25 Viewpoints Christmas Tingles?

79-81 Industry Issue Pen Poised

Retailers reveal what their hunch is for festive trade, as well as the approach they are taking this year.

Is there a place for handwriting in a digital age?

26-28 Caught On Camera Carnival Time

82-83 What’s Hot?

PG relives the industry’s big night in pictures.

A trio of retailers lift the lid on their best-selling ranges.

84-95 Sources of Supply

29-69 The Henries The Winners 2023 See The Henries 2023 winners in all their glory.

29 Subscribe to Progressive Greetings from £60 (UK) to £90 (International).

You can organise this quickly and easily online at our secure site: www.max-subscriptions.net For assistance, please email subscriptions@max-publishing.co.uk

Jakki Brown

Warren Lomax

Tracey Arnaud

Tracey Bearton

Editor/Joint Owner

Joint Owner

Sales Manager

Features Editor

Joint Owner

jakkib@max-publishing.co.uk

warren@max-publishing.co.uk

traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

traceyb@max-publishing.co.uk

ianh@max-publishing.co.uk

Use your smartphone app to scan the QR code to visit our website.

Copyright© 2023. While every effort has been made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of publication, the publishers cannot accept legal liability for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for the standing of advertisers nor any organisation mentioned in the text. Views of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.

Ian Hyder

PG is the official magazine for the Greeting Card Association GCA: Amanda Fergusson 020 7619 9266 Email: hello@gca.cards www.greetingcardassociation.org.uk

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NEWS TOP STORY the fellow indies who were the Xmas Cardies WhatsApp Groupies quickAmong to pledge their allegiance to the

Indie retailers bang the drum for Christmas cards If you want something done, ask very busy people. This is most certainly the case with a group of leading independent greeting card retailers who are now full steam ahead with a plan that chimes with the GCA’s overarching #Cardmitment campaign to encourage the general public to send Christmas cards, and the door is open for more indies to get involved too.

Top left: Heidi Early in a little video Deeply concerned by a work to do, and the clock Earlybird posted on social media to customer’s admission that she promote supporting real shops. is ticking!” was not planning to send any Top right: Paper Tiger’s Michael Apter Only minutes after Heidi’s used the GCA’s #Cardmitment Christmas cards this year due to posters in one post. emails were received, a force the cost of stamps Heidi Early, of indies was galvanised, a co-owner of Earlybird Designs in Stoke Xmas Cardies WhatsApp group was formed Newington, sent an impassioned email to and some quickfire brainstorming got some likeminded independent greeting card underway with a cohesive plan now hatched. retailers asking them to join forces, “as a The activity launched on 27 October, to community”, to turn the tide of would-be tie in with Shop Indie Day (see below non-Christmas card senders as their input to right), on social media and will run through the GCA’s #Cardmitment rally call. until Christmas, with other indies “I had a customer say that the price of encouraged to join. stamps was stopping her sending cards “This is not just about promoting the joys this Christmas. I then had a whole of Christmas card sending, it is also about conversation with her about using Second reminding the public of the importance of Class stamps, and the importance of the supporting independent retailers and our connection of cards and she then agreed wonderful card publishers. Real people, real that actually she would send cards this retailers and real products!” stressed Heidi. year,” relayed Heidi in her missive. “But The activity includes using specific none of us have time to do that with all our hashtags as well as sharing window display customers, we've got to work together on ideas and initiatives with the common thread this and think of all the ways we can get of the #Cardmitment campaign as well as this message out and quickly. We have promoting the use of Second Class stamps.

Papier moves into B2B London-based direct to consumer stationery and greeting card brand Papier has now entered the wholesale market through an exclusive partnership with Selfridges department store as well as into the independent retail sector via Faire.

“Our collaboration with Selfridges signifies a harmonious alignment of brand Above left: Selfridges is the first UK bricks-and-mortar store to stock values and aesthetics, marking a significant step forward in our Papier products. journey to redefine the stationery category for the modern Above: Papier’s Taymoor Atighetchi consumer,” said Papier founder Taymoor Atighetchi. says the brand “redefines the stationery category”.

Previously only available via its own website, this move signifies Papier's drive for global expansion and its wish to broaden its reach as an innovator in the stationery industry.

Through Faire, Papier’s greeting card and stationery ranges will be available in UK-based independent retailers following its growth to distribution at over 600 retail locations since launching at wholesale in the US 11 months ago.

According to a survey conducted by Papier, 65% of its customers like to buy their stationery in physical shops.

Xmas Cardies mission are Michael Apter of Paper Tiger in Edinburgh; Sean Austin of Austin & Co in Malvern; Jo Barber of No.14 in Ampthill; Charlotte Eccles of Raffia in Clitheroe; Sarah Holmes of Pencil Me In in Elgin; Sarah Laker of Stationery Supplies in Marple and Wilmslow; Sally Matson of Red Card in Petworth; Jo McBeath from Chirpy in Chapel Allerton; Julianne Moore of Mimi in Wintney Hartley and Wokingham; Caroline Ranwell of Hugs & Kisses in Tettenhall and Kaye Thurgood of Sincerely Yours in Hornchurch and Shenfield.

Any indie wanting to join the group should email Heidi on heidi@earlybirddesigns.co.uk Commenting on this collaborative activity, Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA could not be more pleased. “The whole idea of the #Cardmitment PR and marketing campaign was that it should be embraced by the entire industry. As a natural follow on from the PG/GCA Retailer Roundtable meeting in the summer, the Xmas Cardies WhatsApp group is a fabulous way for indies to pool ideas and to get the message out to their respective communities as to the importance and enjoyment of card sending and receiving.”

Making a noise Instagram was buzzing on October 27 with a flashmob of positive posts, reels, images and messages from independent greeting card retailers about the joys of shopping in independent shops, in support of the first Shop Indie Day, the brainwave of Therese Ortenblad of Small Business Collective and Beck Prior, owner of Bristol’s Prior Shop, who felt compelled to do something “to make some noise for our nation’s indies”.

Commenting on the widespread take up of Shop Indie Day, its co-founder Therese told PG that she was “overwhelmed by the support it has received,” and loves how it is part of the whole #Cardmitment campaign.

“Independent shops, villages, towns and cities make the places we live and spend time in more vibrant and more enjoyable,” said Therese.

Right: A post by Bristol indie Paper Plane.

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NEWS TOP STORY

Paperchase’s Brand Resurrection Inaugural Paperchase at Tesco card, stationery and gift collection debuts Nine months after acquiring the Right: A selection of products that form part of Paperchase brand from the the Paperchase Rainbow collection. administrative receivers, Tesco Below: The Paperchase display in Tesco’s flagship has launched its inaugural store in Cheshunt. collection of greeting cards, fixtures, with a swirling stripy floor stationery, celebrations and gifting graphics further heightening the impact. products featuring the brand, into 120 of This first Paperchase at Tesco its stores and online. product launch spans four core ranges: “Paperchase is a well-loved brand by Rainbow, Pastel Ombre, Artful Scribbles so many, and we're proud to bring it and Confetti. to selected Tesco stores across the UK,” To coincide with the launch Tesco exclaimed Sam Ody, Tesco’s lead buying commissioned research on what a manager of everyday cards. “We’ve really person’s stationery choice says about thought about the heritage of the brand them; from the notebook they choose, to and made sure we have thought about the pens they write with and even the colours and patterns they prefer.

This confirmed that the nation’s top three stationery staples include notebooks and writing pads (33%), ball point and soft touch pens (30%) and marker pens and sharpies (19%).

Meanwhile when it comes to choosing greeting cards, the UK is a nation of jokers, as the majority typically pick humorous cards for loved ones like children (24%), siblings (38%), partners (33%) and friends (33%). Some 30% how this translates through design to the say they buy humorous cards for way it looks on the fixture, creating a colleagues. The findings also claim destination for customers,” Sam added. there’s a north/south divide over The new collection made its striking sentimentality with Liverpudlians coming debut in Tesco’s flagship store, in out as the true softies with over a third Cheshunt on October 30, rolling out into (35%) saying they typically buy cards another 119 stores following a few with a meaningful message or poem days later. inside compared with 21% of Londoners.

Making its presence felt, a colourful The least soppy city in the UK is Bristol, illuminated Paperchase sign hangs aloft according to the Tesco research as only the product selection, which is displayed 11% there opt for a card with sentiment. on feature tables as well as existing

Brainbox Candy’s Ben at The Ladder Club Fairy godmother Ben Hickman is all set to fly in with the Brainbox Candy brand of glitter and magic to enlighten newbies as The Ladder Club returns.

While not certain he will be donning the sparkly wings he sported for this year’s Henries awards, Ben will be explaining how to fly high on the business side, drawing on the lessons he and fellow co-owner Mark Williams have learned over the years.

The subject was due to be covered by The Art File’s md Ged Mace but a clash of responsibilities has led to Brainbox Candy’s self-proclaimed head of buffoonery stepping in with full gusto for the one-day Ladder Club seminar on Friday 1 December, the first in four years, to nurture would-be and newbie publishers.

And independent London sales Jo Bannister, who runs JJ Agencies with her business partner Jo McFarlane, representing companies including The Art File, Brainbox Candy, Coco Pzazz, Glick, Louise Mulgrew, Meri Meri, Paper Salad, Sally Scaffardi, Say it with Songs and Think of Me, will be giving the lowdown on the industry from the agent’s viewpoint.

The packed agenda for the seminar at London’s Business Design Centre will cover the rudiments of greeting card publishing – avoiding the common pitfalls; how to price your cards to make sure you’re making money; production quandaries; how to get your cards to market, what retailers want; what makes shows work, plus where licensing, export and brokerage come in.

Among the trade suppliers who are full entrenched in their support for The Ladder Club are The Imaging Centre, Enveco, G.F Smith and Loxleys as well as the GCA. The cost of attending The Ladder Club seminar is £90 plus vat – the same price as it was in 2019.

To book your place, head to the dedicated secure site www.max-tickets.net or you can contact Max’s Jim Bullough, who is looking after the bookings, on jimb@max-publishing.co.uk or call him on 07734 111633.

G.F Smith joins B Corp movement Further underling its sustainability commitment, paper company G.F Smith has achieved B Corp certification. The announcement coincides with the Hull-based business, which supplies many greeting card companies, being granted global exclusivity for selling Notpla’s board made from seaweed.

Using 30% seaweed content that’s a bi-product of the manufacturing process for Notpla’s innovative bioplastic, plus 60% recycled post-consumer paper waste, the innovative paper is produced at a speciality paper mill in northern Europe.

Above: Sales talk will come from Jo Bannister.

Right: Wing man Ben Hickman.

Below: The Brainbox Candy brand of advice.

Left: G.F Smith is now B Corp certified.

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NEWS TOP STORY

Graduating Onto Sainsbury’s Cards New Designers x Habitat/Sainsbury’s x UKG collab the award-winning new designers, who have created trend-led greeting cards that are housed within a Habitat x New Designers co-branded shipper,” explained Abi Wilson, Sainsbury’s head of buying for celebrations. “The prominent in-store location is a fantastic disruptor to the customer shopping mission, aimed to promote browsing, plus shopper loyalty as well as driving incremental, impulse purchases.”

Working with UK Greetings, the 100% sustainable and recyclable cards were produced at the publisher’s Dewsbury factory, with the rear of the cards featuring the co-branded logo and the artist’s story.

Each designer created a collection of four cards in their own unique styling, with inspiration drawn from numerous design practices and speciaities, aimed at connecting people together in thoughtful ways.

Harry Brian, of Harry Brian Studio, said he hopes his designs “aid in the conversation of men’s mental health, an

Young graduate artists are being launched onto the major greeting card stage thanks to a collaboration between Sainsbury’s, Habitat, New Designers and UK Greetings.

The partnership has led to a brand-new shipper of fresh card designs under the Hey There banner appearing in 200 Sainsbury’s stores up and down the country – all spawned from Habitat’s sponsorship at the New Designers event in the summer, which showcased up and coming creative talent.

“As Sainsbury’s continues to curate market leading greeting card displays, we have worked in partnership with eight of

Cardies’ concerns heard by MPs Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA made the most of an opportunity to push the greeting card industry’s concerns and needs at a recent high-level meeting at the House of Commons, receiving special recognition from Government Minister Kevin Hollinrake as she stressed the need to protect Royal Mail’s universal postal service obligation.

As an active member of the Senate of The Genesis Initiative, Amanda attends all three annual meetings, which take place during each Parliamentary session to discuss and debate issues concerning the UK’s SME community.

“With all party support across both the House of Commons and House of Lords, matters discussed have a bearing on informing government, not only about the importance of SMEs to the UK economy, but also to highlight issues that threaten their efficacy as well as initiatives to promote their growth,” Amanda told PG. “With almost our entire membership and the greeting card industry as a whole being made up of SMEs, having this direct route into government is invaluable and this recent meeting was especially relevant,” she added.

Having attracted the attention of Kevin Hollinrake, Minister responsible for Small Business, Enterprise and Markets, Amanda raised the vital importance of safeguarding an efficient, reliable and affordable postal service through Royal Mail.

“I was delighted that he not only recognised me from previous meetings, but also remembered all about the UK greeting card industry,” said Amanda. “He took on board the points I made about the concerns over the price rises of First Class and Second Class large letter stamps as well as how we so need to maintain a reliable postal service.”

Another highlight of the meeting was making contact with Mark Hart, deputy director of the ERC and Professor of Small Business and Entrepreneurship at Aston Business School, who feeds into government about the UK’s micro business community.

Right: GCA’s Amanda Fergusson with Minister and MP Kevin Hollinrake.

extension of my graduate collection. It’s so surreal to see the motives of gifting mental health greeting cards to your friends, family, colleagues, etc, come to life – check in on someone today and let them know you’re thinking about them and their mental well-being!”

Fellow graduate Beth Daborn, who runs Beth Daborn Designs, proudly posted on Instagram: ‘SO super excited that the cards I have worked on for a collaboration with Habitat and New Designers are in selected Sainsbury’s stores. It’s so surreal seeing my products in store. Thank you so much for the opportunity UK Greetings.’

Tree-mendous tie-up Rosanna Rossi’s co-owners Anna and Troy Nelson are having a tree-mendous time moving their greeting card business forward on the eco-friendly front.

They’ve signed an agreement with non-profit organisation 9Trees which plants trees within the UK to rebuild woodland habitats and improve biodiversity and mental health, through access to woodlands as well as balancing carbon footprints for businesses and individuals. The name comes from the fact that nine trees is the number needed to be planted each year to balance the average UK citizen’s annual carbon consumption.

“We’ve been wanting to partner with an organisation that we resonate with for quite some years,” Anna explained, “and, when they got in touch with us, we knew in an instant that it was a fantastic opportunity to get involved and give back in a way that really reflects us as a business and personally.”

From now on a percentage of annual profits from Rosanna Rossi will now go towards planting new native trees around the UK as 9Trees uses its specialist knowledge to carefully choose the species for the right habitat and, Anna added: “What's even more reassuring is that they will continuously look after the trees for years to come and keep us up to date with the progress.”

Far right: Anna and Troy have partnered with 9Trees.

Right: Trees and nature feature in many Rosanna Rossi designs.

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Below left: Harry Brian with his cards that promote men’s mental health in Sainsbury’s.

Below right: Graduate Beth Daborn is delighted to see her designs in Sainsbury’s.

Bottom left: Beth Daborn’s four card designs.

Bottom right: The rear of the cards fanfare the artist and the initiative.

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NEWS TOP STORY

Mardi Gras Magic Henries’ winners share their industry pride The shining stars of greeting card publishers pulled out all the sequinned stops at The Henries Awards recently, making it a night to remember.

The greeting card industry ‘Oscars’ were presented at an upbeat Mardi Gras-themed event at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London last month which saw publishers of all shapes and sizes being feted at a fabulous event attended by 500 members of the greeting card community, hosted by improv maestro, Pippa Evans.

Organised by Progressive Greetings, The Henries are the ultimate accolades in the greeting card industry. Opening the event, director of Max Publishing Warren Lomax said: “This year’s Mardi Gras carnival theme is perfect for The Henries with the UK greeting card industry bursting with colour, vibrancy and inspiration. You only need to glance at this year’s finalists to realise what a wondrous extravaganza of creativity UK greeting card publishers bring to the party.”

Mark Callaby, md of Ohh Deer which won the Best Art Range told PG: “I’m incredibly proud to work in such an amazing industry. It’s great and how we all have each other’s backs even though we’re ultimately all competing.”

There was double delight for Dan and Yvette Clarkson, whose Heyyy Cards business is only in its second year, as they earned a pair of Henries awards – Best Diversity & Inclusion Range and Best Male Range.

“Without a doubt it is one of the proudest moments we’ve ever experienced, particularly knowing the votes came from such an amazing group of retail judges. Just fantastic!” revealed Yvette Clarkson, co-

Majestic greeting cards Above: All The Henries winners on stage with host Pippa Evans and PG team at the front.

Left: It was a doubly triumphant night for Heyyy Cards’ Dan Clarkson.

Below: Emotional Rescue’s David Greaves making his impromptu acceptance speech having been presented with the Honorary Achievement award.

owner of Heyyy Cards. “Dan [Clarkson, Yvette’s husband] didn’t stop grinning from ear to ear all night and I had to prise the trophies out of his hands when he fell asleep next to them at the end of the night.”

After 40 years in greeting cards, Cath Tate who has been to many of the 28 Henries events was delighted that its Photocaptions range won The Henry Cole Classic award for ranges that have stood the test of time. “It’s a range that I’ve been working away on for some 25 years now – and it finally made it all worthwhile! I am a well chuffed cardie!” said Cath.

As a rousing finale, the Honorary Achievement Award was presented to David Greaves, co-owner of Emotional Rescue. Honouring David, Jakki Brown, md and editorial director of Max Publishing told the audience that his is “a proper rags to riches story, but with a brain the size of a planet, an uncannily astute business nous, commercial integrity bar none, ambition with a conscience and an attention to detail in everything they do, they have helped change the shape of our industry.”

(See pages 26-69 for pics of The Henries and all the winners)

Her late Majesty Elizabeth II was known as the Queen of Cards in the greeting card industry – and a recent event, proved just how true that was with six of her own delightful childhood designs having just been sold at auction. The pair of hand-drawn Christmas cards and four printed ones her Majesty had coloured in were sent by the then Princess Elizabeth in the 1930s to her governess Marion Crawford, known as Crawfie.

The cards were among 22 lots which sold for a total of £17,510 – way above the £12,000 estimate for the recent sale at Spink & Son auctioneers in London’s Bloomsbury.

Having always refused to sell her mementoes, Crawfie, who died in 1988, left the contents of her detached house to the family of her lawyer George Smith. When they sorted through her items, the Smiths found a box containing the handmade cards and other printed designs, signed by the two princesses, from publishers including a Raphael Tuck and a Mabel Lucie Atwell card, as well as signed cards containing photos of the royals.

Top: The royal family in one of their festive card pictures and a hand-drawn card by the then Princess Elizabeth.

Above: A Raphael Tuck card that was signed by both princesses.

Service with a smile The gold, silver and bronze Best Service To The Independent Retailer awards are among the most coveted in The Henries as the Cardgains-sponsored category is voted for by 1,750 indie shops (Cardgains members and nonmembers). The Gold award went to IC&G, the silver Left: IC&G’s Allen Taylor (right) and Simon Harper were delighted to win the Gold Best Service trophy.

to Noel Tatt and the bronze to Dandelion Stationery.

“What a night!” Jo Wilson, md of Dandelion Stationery told PG. “Thank you so blooming much to our bloody fabulous customers who voted for us in the Best Service category.

Any Henries nomination or trophy is incredibly special, but to bag a trophy in the service category means the world to our little team. Being at this event always reminds me just how many amazing people there are in the industry!”

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NEWS TOP STORY

Brits’ big say in USA Ohh Deer’s Mark Callaby and PG’s Warren Lomax on stage health and trends of the UK market. Warren highlighted some of the differences and similarities between the two markets, while exploring ways American publishers could seek to enter the UK and other overseas territories.

And this topic was continued in Understanding and Expanding In The UK And Beyond, which involved Mark Callaby as well Above: PG’s Warren Lomax (right) with Andy as Up With Paper’s Monika Brandrup and Meehan, the US GCA president at the recent Workshop and Retreat.

Notes & Queries’ co-owner Vanessa Harnik.

Below: (left-right) Ohh Deer’s Mark Callaby with The Acknowledging the UK as “one of the most Imaging Centre’s Adam Short and Andy Meehan of Designer Greetings, in Kansas. important and active greeting card markets in Brits had a big say at the US GCA’s first the world”, the session was moderated by Vanessa, who works with her dad Alan in-person workshop and retreat event in distributing for a great many publishers, four years with three of the 15 sessions this week dedicated to a UK point of view. primarily from Britain.

Commenting, Brit-born Andy Meehan, PG’s very own Warren Lomax president of the US GCA and consultant to delivered his speech on Cards In The UK, while Ohh Deer co-owner and UK Designer Greetings, said: "Many attendees gleaned invaluable insights from Warren GCA council member Mark Callaby Lomax's deep dive into the UK card market, featured in two events. highlighting its distinctive nuances and As well as being part of a panel promising opportunities. Warren's expertise session, Mark delivered an engaging and palpable passion address entitled ‘The for greeting cards were Bootstrap Story of Ohh evident throughout his Deer: You Can Do Anything presentation. The next But Not Everything’ which day, Mark Callaby of shared the background to Ohh Deer delighted us the company he and with the enthralling tale business and life partner of the company’s Jamie Mitchell started in his inception, all seasoned grandma’s attic in 2011 after with his unmistakable meeting at Kingston self-deprecating University. humour. Mark and The three-day workshop Warren, along with took place last month at Adam Short from The Hallmark’s Kansas City HQ Imaging Centre, not only kindled inspiration in Missouri, with an opening keynote among numerous USA card makers, but also speech from the publisher’s trends imbibed insights from their interactions with the strategist Melissa Donoho talking on attendees. And while Oscar Wilde's quip about Societal Evolutions Through The Social the US and UK being 'two countries separated Expressions Lens. by a common language' remains apt, the GCA Warren’s billing gave him a 45-minute Workshop in Kansas City stood testament to a slot talking about the history of PG, PG genuine exchange of knowledge!"

Live, The Henries Awards as well as the

Richard Hall returns to Sherwood Group Richard Hall has returned to The Sherwood Group as its new sales and marketing director.

Richard was previously national account manager for three years to 2015, and said: “I’m delighted to be returning to The Sherwood Group. There are some opportunities that feel right, and you just don’t question your instinct. It doesn’t happen often, but after talking to Sherwood’s directors, it did.”

The past eight years Richard has held various roles within the packaging and printing industry.

Richard Bacon, md of The Sherwood Group, added: "I’m delighted Richard has rejoined the company. I vividly remember our first meeting back in 2013, and it was evident then that Richard possessed exceptional skills and a genuine passion for the industry.”

Above: Richard Hall (left) got straight back into the swing of the greetings industry at The Henries awards with Glick’s Becky Dobson and Nigel

Recognition for Meg Hawkins Artist and greeting card and gift company Meg Hawkins is having a busy time of it with an expanded dedicated retail space for her licensed and in-house wares – and being shortlisted for two prestigious awards.

The founder of her eponymous company Meg Hawkins is up for the title in the Maker category at in the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, as well as a Creative Businesswoman finalist in the Great British Businesswoman Awards.

Meg’s also been showing off her products at the Labels Shopping outlet mall in Ross-On-Wye. As well as Meg’s greeting cards, the product selection on display includes luxury chocolates produced in collaboration with Gwynedd Confectioners, giftware from Widdop and Co, Farrah’s biscuits, and fudge by Gardiners Of Scotland.

Left: Meg Hawkins (second right) with husband Ade (second left) and daughter Coral with Dylan Adams from Labels in the new enlarged retailing space.

Goodbye to Murray Sim The industry mourns the loss of Murray Sim, who spent the last 25 years as an account manager with IG Design Group.

Affectionately known as Muzza, Murray died aged 56 on 9 October after a long battle with cancer.

The tribute from Adrian Coates, DG’s commercial director nationals and export, and Ian Davies, commercial director trade and independents, added: “Throughout his illness Murray remained remarkably positive, always smiling, and using his cheeky sense of humour to make everyone else feel at ease. He was, and will remain, an inspiration of how to face up to the worst life can throw at you.”

Having entered the industry following his father Derek’s lead – who also spent many decades in greeting card publishing including being co-owner of Ling Design during that time – Murray started at Celebration Arts in 1987 before moving to Henry Ling for two years then subsequently joining Scandinavian Design in 1998, which was part of the International Greetings family that was rebranded IG Design Group in 2016.

Above: Greetings stalwart Murray Sim has died aged 56.

FOR THE LATEST NEWS VISIT PGBUZZ.net PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 17

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OVER THE

COUNTER

BY DAVID ROBERTSON OF JP POZZI, ELGIN AND BUCKIE.

taking

stock Inset: Like retailers, boxers can punch above their weight due to the support from their extended team be that employees, family members or friends.

On Saturday morning I slipped on my headphones and pressed ‘Play’ on the Simon Jordan Interview series and embarked on tackling our stockroom.

My biggest weakness in business has always been the amount of stock we carry.

Every year I set this as a goal to myself. Buy less. Only buy what is really selling.

Don’t be tempted…but I find it hard to say “no” while sometimes move on too quickly without really getting rid of the old stock.

Anyway, having spent six hours in that stockroom made me ‘take stock’ on the values of team playing, especially in this frenetic golden quarter.

I really love the way our stores look right now.

They are literally bursting with colour, gifting, cards and all manner of other things.

We often hear, “oh I like your Elgin shop better” or “I like your Buckie shop better!” and this largely comes down to the individual team members and how they display products, reflecting their personality and tastes. This is something I feel should be encouraged as we don’t want rows of soldierlike product and the same boring displays in a cookie cutter style. Indie stores thrive on individuality and this is fostered right from the top as my mum really drives the direction of how the stores look.

We have a WhatsApp group which is called ‘shop displays’ that we use to share what our different stores are doing as well as any different ideas or examples of good practice from out and about.

I know lots of stores that constantly work with a ‘sale’ message, but I believe that standing firm with your pricing structure is key. I am always suspicious of stores that seem to be constantly on ‘Sale’, so we limit ourselves to two sales a year so that customers don’t wait to buy.

But that does of course mean we have a full stockroom! While in the process of tidying 18 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

up I felt myself start to get angry as I found vases on shelves not put back in their boxes, ranges that should have all been together spread across the stockroom and a sense of if I moved the wrong way or turned too quickly I was going to knock things down!

After six hours in there I didn’t feel that I had achieved much and was all geared up for having serious words with our team. I was tired, fed up and probably as annoyed with myself as anyone else. However, with a bit of reflection, I realised that we have been running tight, staff wise, so probably they simply haven’t had the time to put things away properly.

Our type of stockroom doesn’t make it easy either and of course the volume of stock, especially just now with Christmas upcoming, is challenging.

I know that I am not ruthless enough with stock and really need to move things through better. Ultimately, I haven’t been Right: The Europe team’s Ryder Cup victory was down to team work and preparation, just like good retailing.

looking/helping these challenges. Teamwork is crucial in every business and in every sport.

This weekend my plan was to relax a bit and watch the rugby World Cup quarter finals - truly a team sport. A few weeks ago, Europe smashed the Ryder Cup and the win was firmly put down to the way that the European team gelled.

In what is essentially an individual sport they did everything to support and work with each other. All the players spoke about the preparation. They spoke about the detail and the clear instructions. They spoke about getting to know each other, both in and out of a work environment.

This caused me to question whether I’ve been giving my team

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OVER THE COUNTER

clear instructions? Have I been checking to see that things are being carried out or am I simply saying things and moving on? Have I been creating the right environment for them to do their job properly or have I cut the hours too much?

The podcasts I listened during my six hour stockroom move-athon were all boxing based, not the cardboard variety, and again despite that being an individual effort all of the boxers spoke about their team, their trainers and their support. The same message came up time and time again… fail to prepare - prepare to fail.

This year we have tried to space orders, both from a volume point of view to cope with what is physically arriving as well as financially, paying the bills. This has improved, but we can do more. For example, a lot of the cards arrived at stores when key staff were on holiday. This put pressure on others so I need to organise the dates when stock is to be delivered.

You may be a single person in a small store, but even if this is the case you have agents, family members and others that support you. Nurturing this team is super important to the success of your business.

Building team spirit is always difficult. Big companies commit to all kinds of team building exercises, talks and support but what can we do as smaller retailers? For me these are my non-negotiable points to help to foster teamwork.

Be clear in your instructions to all staff.

Even if you feel that some can complete tasks better, everyone has to be given the same opportunity.

Communication must be both frequent and honest and we do this in a number of ways, including a monthly newsletter, individual discussions and department get togethers.

Clarifying ownership of who is doing what and why is key to success and again it is all down to how things are communicated.

I really am trying to involve more people in decision making. For example, we have had new coffee machines installed and as well as coffee shop managers making the decision on the machine we also involved a younger member of staff who had been trained by one of the large coffee chains. Her input shaped the decision making and also the equipment that was bought. Without her very practical advice I would have spent money on things that were not needed.

you don’t want to create any type of atmosphere, but again you have to make sure that anything that needs to be said is said directly.

It can be easy to avoid the confrontation, but still maybe show frustration to another member of the team and then that can cause many more problems.

Providing flexibility in employees’ working day can also be a huge bonus, but this is difficult in retail. We plan for early starts/finishes and try to plan alternate weekend shifts and ability to swap shifts, but this is now almost expected, especially since Covid.

The team that you work with are Above: Great succession planning by David with his son never more important than in these Hudson already reading PG! next few months.

Right: Always a fan of a prop, a large Jellycat Nessie in one November and December are of David’s shop’s window certainly attracted customer crucial for any greeting card retailer attention! as often this is where the profit for Rewarding good the year is really made. These months examples of teamwork is are also the ones that put the most also very important. If pressure on your team, with longer you see things in your hours, more pressure at home and business where staff naturally work together also the increased volume and expectations for the good of the business, do remember to of customers. acknowledge it. It may simply be thanks, but I was speaking with a pal who also has a it is a fact that good practice continues to large business with a lot of staff and he said grow when it is noticed. he had changed the way he thought. He now One area I am always trying to work on is wanted to ‘catch people in’ rather than ‘catch that I need to listen more and talk less. I am people out’. always trying to get so much in that He runs a lot of vans and workmen and sometimes I forget to see or hear the they were tracking mileage and reasons why things have not been done as position/checking in on work times. but all of I expected. a sudden this started causing issues as staff felt they were not trusted.

He identified this “The only thing worse quickly and this simple than training phrase sums up perfectly what you need to create your employees and and foster a good team having them leave is that will deliver.

He went back to not training them and trusting. He went back to having them stay.” being honest with the (Henry Ford) team and asked for the same and all of a sudden Above: Henry Ford kept the wheels turning at the Ford the work rate improved, retention improved Motor Company with good training. and ultimately the work was better.

Offer to train and give opportunities for Trust is often a word that can be self-improvement. From a first aid course, to misinterpreted as you being worried that the chance to learn some counselling to spot someone will take or do something wrong, things within the wider team/workforce. but simply showing you believe and value Letting staff do this encourages them to see those working alongside you will go a long that retail is not a dead end where it is the way to having a successful Christmas season same task each day. Retail like any job and a better managed stockroom! should be a place of lifelong learning.

To contact David email: Being honest with staff can be difficult as jppozzi@btconnect.com PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 19

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cardsharp “£4.60!!? You must be having a laugh!” muttered Cardsharp under his breath.

At least he hoped it was not audible, as actually the real expletive he uttered was a lot stronger than that. And a lot stronger than his coffee!

Cardsharp duly presented his debit card with a sigh of resignation, causing him to realise the disparity in the coffee v cards economy.

Cardsharp is gobsmacked at the current cost for his morning caffeine fix. A large skinny latte with an extra shot, from a well-known high street retail coffee brand was almost a fiver. Price inflation has this insidious way of creeping up on you. You don’t notice it until suddenly bang, a cost seems sky high and like a flash of lightening, you wonder what is going on.

This unease was further deepened on a recent business trip to the US. Like any true cardie, Cardsharp’s first mission was to investigate the local greeting card shop offering and make comparisons with our Blighty offerings.

Not much change from his last visit in 2019 he thought. In fact, most of the designs seemed pretty similar. Product development does seem to be rather slower on the other side of the pond, he mused.

Admittedly, card displays over there are not helped by two factors. The sheer vastness of the displays as the stores are so massive and the rents so low. And of course, the fact that the postal system in the US puts a premium on square cards and odd shapes.

The quirkiness of a good UK card display, even in in a UK supermarket, is totally absent in most mass market US stores that sell greeting cards.

Cardsharp also noted a near total absence of foiling, embossing, flittering or embellishments on the cards on display. Again, nothing new there.

But what really surprised Cardsharp was the prices. A bogstandard printed card

20 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Above: Where have you ‘bean’, the cost of a cup of coffee has soared.

Right: US store chains, such as Target, are selling cards at much higher prices than their UK equavalents.

Below: Cardsharp feels it is time for a push up on card prices in the UK.

with no finishes costs over $5 including sales tax, the US equivalent of our VAT. Given the current rate of exchange that makes it around £4.80 for a greeting card, the equivalent of which would sell for around £2.75 over here.

You don’t have to be a mathematician to work out that the margins in the States for both publishers and retailers are much higher than in the UK. That said, the pocket turn is much slower, hence most major US publishers can manufacture in the Far East and the notion of ‘just in time’ is less crucial. And it also means that the whole concept of digital printing of greeting cards has not taken off, so far!

But it is not just mainstream publishers whose cards are selling at a mouth-watering price (to us anyway!). In the US, letterpress cards and stationery are so popular that they are virtually a religion among wellheeled consumers.

Strangely, despite some

great passionate suppliers like Archivist and Penguin Ink, letterpress has never taken off to the same extent over here.

Most of the US letterpress cards are pretty simple in design although lovingly produced, but in US gift or book shops, you are talking $6-$7 as the average retail price for a small card. That’s more than for a lovingly embellished handmade card from Five Dollar Shake, or one of Alljoy’s amazing threedimensional pop-up creations in the UK. This all leads back to Cardsharp’s feeling, that we in the UK card industry are selling ourselves short. Unlike the US where card

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Left: Kantar shared this slide at the recent GCA Conference to show what unbelievable value a greeting card is.

Right: McDonald’s offers cheap cups of coffee, but this has not stopped the growth of more expensive coffee chains.

Below: In the Summer, Card Factory did a promotion of 10 cards for £1.

sales are declining, the UK Greeting Card Association’s latest research shows that sales in the last year were pretty steady at £1.5 billion and they have hovered around that figure for many years.

Yet reflected Cardsharp, look what we have had to experience as an industry in the last 20 years?

We have had the challenge of text messages, e-cards (whatever happened to them?!), a myriad of social media platforms, a vicious recession in 2009-20011, a Covid pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. And then in the last year, a postal strike, the costof-living and energy crisis, and most recently an uncertain global political situation.

This would be enough to kill off most industries, but we have battled through all of these challenges. We have even pushed them into retreat, despite the hype, the challenge of online print-on-demand sales from the likes of Moonpig, which peaked during the pandemic, and has now declined.

Which brings Cardsharp back to his main point. We all desperately need a price increase. We should all have more confidence in what we deliver. A product that spreads love, smiles, positive emotions, friendship and consolation. We should have more confidence in what we do. Globally, in terms of design and per capita purchases, we lead the world, so why do we pitch ourselves so much lower than the invariably inferior cards produced by our transatlantic friends?

When it comes to coffee or hospitality, there has been a surge of price increases in the last two years - 10% or more, year on year. And the British public have swallowed them, quite literally in the case of cappuccinos! The time when the cost of a standard greeting card was comparable to a takeaway cup of coffee are long gone.

A cup of coffee pushed past the £3 mark a couple of years ago and has gradually gone up since then. Breaking that major price point did not lead to the end of the world. Quite the opposite. It gave coffee retailers the

confidence to keep on pushing up the price incrementally to £3.30, then £3.50 - although Cardsharp feels the latest £4.60 brew is pushing it to extremes.

Yes, Cardsharp recognises that some publishers have managed to implement some small increases, but generally speaking the huge price increases that publishers have experienced in paper, transportation, energy and wages have not been passed on in the trade cost of the product.

And neither have the increased energy and labour costs that bricks and mortar retailers have experienced in the last two years been passed on to the end consumer.

Let’s face it reflects Cardsharp, a 10% increase in price across the board would be welcome for everyone – trade suppliers, publishers and retailers alike. And does anyone really believe that sales would be badly affected?

Yes, but what about the elephant in the room you ask Cardsharp? Of course, we are talking about the 1,000+ strong chain, Card Factory, which through its highly successful integrated vertical supply model can retail quality cards at 99p.

Well, Cardsharp’s view is that Card Factory would welcome a price increase across the board, so it too could push prices up and make a better margin, which would help City investors realise how ridiculously under-valued Card Factory’s share price is at present.

And Cardsharp goes back to an argument that he aired six months ago, with the comparison with McDonald’s and our greeting card market. They sell a cup of coffee for £1.50 but that does not stop Costa or Starbucks selling a similar product for £3.40. Ditto, our supermarkets and good independent retailers with greeting cards.

The major barrier to what Cardsharp thinks would be a great move forward for the whole industry, are the large retailers. In most sectors, buyers have reluctantly accepted price increases. For some reason, we in the greeting card industry have Left: Letterpress has long been revered in the backed down too easily to US market. Colorbox Letterpress was the buyers saying no, no and thrice winner of the Congratulations/Special no to price increases. In most Occasions - Above $5.50 other sectors, the buyers have category in the Louie Awards, the US reluctantly accepted the realities equivalent of The Henries. of the last few years. Perhaps Below: The price of a concluded Cardsharp for the cup of coffee really is taking the biscuit! long-term profitability of the industry we need to dig our heels in.

Everyone, retailers and publishers need to wake up and smell the coffee! But at £4.60 a latte, concluded Cardsharp is really taking the biscuit – then realises that it is another £2.60 for a small cookie to go with his morning cuppa!

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 21

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VIEWPOINTS

CHRISTMAS With no likelihood of postal strikes to contend with and indications that Christmas shopping has started earlier than usual, PG tempts fate by asking retailers what their hunch is for festive trade, as well as the approach they are taking this year.

Hazel Walker, senior buyer of Waterstones, Foyles and Blackwells Your hunch: “Our Christmas trade has started well. We put our Christmas selection out on display slightly earlier than usual, right across our store estate to give it a stronger presence on the high street and if the first few weeks are anything to go by it bodes well.

I am hopeful that with no re-run of postal strikes and continued great work that the GCA is doing to promote the early sending of Christmas cards with the general public in the media that we are on for an upturn in Christmas card sending.”

Your approach: “We feel we have a strong selection this year and having made our own brand roll wrap plastic-free, we feel that will go down well with our customers too.”

Michael Apter, managing director of Paper Tiger, three shops in Edinburgh Your hunch: "We're planning for success.

We have a new shop and new customers in Morningside, and Edinburgh seems to be busy generally.

We might see some additional trade due to the absence of Paperchase in the city centre. Sales of single cards have been growing over recent years. The blurred definitions,

22 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Above left: Hazel Walker feels there will be an upturn in Christmas card sending.

Left: Waterstones’ plastic-free roll wrap is being promoted on its website as well as instore.

Above: Christmas stock went out earlier than previously in Waterstones, Foyles and Blackwells stores.

descriptions and packaging of packs/boxes/wallets makes like-for-like comparisons difficult. When is a box not a box, and so on? We're expecting like-forlike sales to grow back a bit from last year, and our range reflects a wide cross section of styles".

Your approach: “We are supporting the GCA #Cardmitment campaign this season. I love the messaging and the graphics that Sarah Knight of Stormy Knight has produced for this."

Wish for Father Christmas?

"Shopping weather".

Top: Paper Tiger’s Michael Apter holding two of the GCA’s #Cardmitment posters which promote Christmas card sending.

Far left: Noi Publishing’s white ferret design features among Paper Tiger’s Christmas card selection.

Left: Paper Tiger was in full Christmas mode by the end of October.

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VIEWPOINTS Mark Janson-Smith, managing director of Postmark, 15 stores in London, Birmingham and Glasgow Your hunch: “I have all my fingers and toes crossed for a good Christmas – it should be a better one than last year for the trade as a whole.

Having tripled the number of our stores since last Christmas, this year we are in for a busy ride, but I will try my best to remain confident, amid the logistical

challenges of stock replenishment.”

Your approach: “We decided to put everything out on display by the end of October and from then can only hope that sales will fly.

Anyone predicting how high they will fly is a wiser person than I will ever be!”

Left: Mark Janson-Smith with his wife and business partner Leona (right) and colleague Emma Cole.

Right: It will be the Postmark store in Birmingham New Street Station’s first Christmas.

Tiffa EasmonGeorge, owner of Gift, Crouch End, London Your hunch: “I actually think Christmas card trade will be good this year despite the fact that people will be more careful about their spending overall.”

Your approach: “I have stocked up early on our Left: Tiffa Easmon-George is feeling optimistic about Christmas trade. essential Christmas card selection and will be putting it out Above: Gift will be going for it on the Christmas front. on display slightly earlier than usual to encourage early buying, but will be at the ready to order more as and when it is needed.”

Lucy Cornwall, greeting card buyer for Oliver Bonas Your hunch: “There is so much doom and gloom about that we believe people will really enjoy looking forward to making Christmas special and a great way of connecting with others is of course by sending Christmas cards.”

Julianne Moore, owner of MiMI, Hartley Wintney and Wokingham Your hunch: “We are optimistic that Christmas 2023 is going to be epic. Early indications are proving us right with 95% sell through of Halloween (thanks to Heaven Sends’ velvet pumpkins) and already some Christmas card lines are sold out – notably from Cinnamon Aitch and Roger la Borde. This is fabulous as it is not even November yet!

Our relations Christmas cards are selling well, but we’re sure that sales of charity boxes will take over in the next week or two.”

Your approach: “I took away from The Henries’ judging day meeting to put certain Christmas cards (Advent cards/relations captions) on the shopfloor earlier than previous years and this has definitely benefited our sales.

Our Christmas departments are now full with products from pick-up decorations, cards, gifts and homeware.

We source from 15+ card publishers for Christmas cards and support many charities. We find the sparklier the better, so companies like Five Dollar Shake benefit from this.

We have spread our Christmas selection onto each floor which has worked well for us in previous years. We colour coordinate which helps our customers too!

We are fully committed to boosting Christmas card sending and will begin our promotion on this in November after Bonfire Night. We are asking customers to purchase a Christmas card from us, write it and we will provide the stamp and they can post it into our post box.

Our local post office has been really helpful with this by Above: Mimi’s Julianne Moore is getting into the Christmas spirit. making Far left: A heart of the forest Advent collections card from Roger la Borde.

Left: It is gonk city in Mimi. instore.”

Above: Oliver Bonas is keen to build on the nation’s Christmassy feeling through its decorations and Christmas card selection.

Your approach: “We launched our Christmas cards in stores earlier than usual as there does seem to be a hunger for them. We’re delighted that Oliver Bonas is now being seen as a destination for greeting cards which is something upon which we are hoping to build in this Christmas run up. We have included more contemporary and humour designs this year to create a really joycentric display, which chimes with our whole ethos.”

Below: Oliver Bonas’ Lucy Cornwall (right) with Nicola Connolly, greeting card merchandiser having just collected their Retas 2023 award in July.

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VIEWPOINTS

Sally Matson, owner of Red Card, Petworth Your hunch: “I think that single cards will continue to be popular for us. We always have a beautiful general selection of the best I can find, and people come to us specifically for our relations offering, so they should work well.

I am expecting sales of packs to dip again so I have bought accordingly. I think because of the demographic in Petworth, my sales of charity/non-charity cards are split 2:1. My customers like beautiful cards and some are not so worried about whether they are charity or not.

I always need a good selection of religious cards as Petworth has three churches all with strong congregations. I am really hoping that with strong upselling from my staff and a great window that we will be able to encourage more people to send Christmas cards and increase our pack sales.”

Your approach: “We normally put our Christmas stock out in one hit but have decided to take a more staggered approach.

We always start with Advents, putting them out on 1 October and we offer a 10% discount to customers on these during October. This really kickstarts our sales and also means that when we give them less display space from November that we have room for other Christmas products.

We put our single card selection, including relations, out on Tuesday 17 October this year and that worked well – we sold 40 the next day so the timing seems to have been right. We will put out decorations and our main table display out on Sunday 29 October.

We will then put our wrap offering and boxed cards on Tuesday

Left: Sally Matson at Petworth’s Christmas Cracker event last year with the ‘main man’.

Below: A Red Card Christmas initiative centres around Petworth Cottage Nursing Home which will see customers buying something for a specific resident.

31 October which is late for boxed cards, but it is tricky with space and timing.

We have two windows. The large one will change from Halloween to a dark Autumn theme and then in the third week in November it will change to a Second Class stamp/Cardmitment window. Our smaller window will have Advents on display until the third week of November when it will change to a special charity window.

This is something I have been planning for a long time. In conjunction with our local 32 resident Petworth Cottage Nursing Home, we are going to do a Tree of Joy. This is an idea I have borrowed from where my sister lives in Oz. I will have a Christmas tree in the window with 32 brightly coloured envelopes on it. Each envelope will include a piece of information about one of the care home residents - Eg ‘Joan loves anything to do with nails and manicures’, ‘Ted is fascinated by trains and is an Arsenal supporter’. My customers will then be encouraged (by the window signage) to take an envelope (or two!) off the tree. We will give them wrapping paper (so that when they return it the display in the window all matches!) and they will then buy an appropriate gift, attach the label to it and return it to the window. We will then deliver the gifts to PCNH prior to Christmas. The activities’ manager at PCNH knows her residents inside out so has given us the perfect gift prompts for each of them.”

Wish for Father Christmas? “In all honesty, it has to be to sort out this dreadful situation in Israel and Palestine and bring peace.

From a retail point of view - help Royal Mail get its act together so we can guarantee a 75p stamp will deliver the goods in a timely manner!”

Left: Between the Lines has an extra branch this Christmas, with Lymington joining the estate.

Right: Between The Lines’ Ellie Kleinlercher (left) with colleague Ellie Evans-Cook.

Ellie Kleinlercher, buyer of Between the Lines, 17 stores in the South of England Your hunch: “I am hoping that Christmas will be better than ever this year for us, especially as we now have more stores, with our new Lymington branch.”

24 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Your approach: “Last year we saw a massive increase in the number of singles and relations cards being bought and I suspect this pattern will follow again this year so we have cut back a bit on our packaged cards’ selection.

We put all of our Christmas selection out in September and it looks amazing. While we feel that the cost of First Class stamps going up will put some people off, the fact that the cost of Second Class has remained the same is a plus, and of course people still hand deliver a lot of the special cards at Christmas.”

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VIEWPOINTS Jo McBeath, owner of Chirpy, Chapel Allerton

Above: Heidi Early outside Earlybird’s shop in Stoke Newington.

Right: Some of the Christmas cards on offer in Earlybird.

Heidi Early, co-owner of Earlybird Designs, Stoke Newington Your hunch: “I expect our Christmas trade to be on a par with last year. We’re definitely not expecting fireworks as overall, customers have been spending less per head all year so we expect that trend to continue.

However, we’re hoping that if the industry #Cardmitment push and the extra promotion from our WhatsApp Xmas Cardies group works, our Christmas card sales may be up. If people are going to spend less, then we need spending to be spread out over a longer period to combat that and that’s hopefully what we’ll achieve.

With specific reference to Christmas cards we expect to continue to see a growth in single card sales, but do expect our box card sales to match last year. Around 90% of our box cards are charity-related, the art-based ones are the most popular, in particular the London scenes. For single cards, the funny ones are top sellers but we’re also seeing a growth in more expensive cards that have a special finish - letterpress and laser cut in particular fly off the shelves.”

Your approach: “Christmas packs and a few select single Christmas cards were put out in the second week of October and the sales are trickling in. We have quite a lot of customers who send abroad so they like to buy early. We already had one customer spend over £100 on cards and 2nd Class stamps! We’ll go full Christmas after Halloween.

This year we’ve teamed up with other indies - a Xmas Cardies WhatsApp group - to share ideas to get our customers sending cards early and really reinforce card sending in general. We’re starting social media at the end of October and will work together to share as much as possible.

A running theme throughout will be to encourage sending cards

by Second Class post, so we’re all going to reflect this in our window displays.

For our window display we’re creating a fire and mantlepiece scene with Christmas cards displayed - and using the GCA tagline ‘send a Christmas card, deliver a smile’. I think a few of us are going to replicate the scene - it’ll be amazing if lots of shops did it across the country (everyone with their own take) to really drive the message home. It’s the emotional connection with cards that is so important there’s nothing that replaces that and it’s our responsibility as an industry to really remind customers of that this Christmas.”

Wish for Father Christmas? “For Christmas card sending to smash all records this year!”

Your hunch: “We seem to be on a par with last year with the lead up to Christmas - a few people are saying they are starting their Christmas shopping, but lots of people still getting ideas. This is usual for October, so we have to ensure we’ve got lots of lovely new stock coming to inspire them!

My main concern this year however is that the schools break up very late which could mean that the usual week prior to Christmas, which is traditionally very busy, could be less so as people will still be occupied with end of term activities. However, this could mean people start to shop earlier or the weekend before Christmas could be even crazier! I think Christmas for a small independent is about holding your nerve and knowing that people will come to you for all those last minute presents, Secret Santas, stocking fillers and you have to be ready with lots of ideas for them!

I haven't really got a feel for the split in card sales, we’ve got about the same mix as we had last year so fingers crossed.”

Your approach: “It’s my anniversary in Chirpy the first weekend in November so I always use that as the time to kick off Christmas with our more Christmas-related stock going out, ie baubles, wrapping paper, Christmas cards. This year I’ve put things like diaries out in the store earlier rather than having them in the stockroom. Christmas comes a little bit earlier online with a Christmas section already launched and pre-orders being taken for new stock which is starting to arrive. This has helped with product selection and cashflow. The first weekend in December we’ll also have a double loyalty points event to drive sales.

We don’t tend to stock very Christmassy-themed gifts, we tend to stick to our usual design-led gifts that can then be gift wrapped for Christmas. We do have some bespoke Chapel Allerton Christmas baubles made as these are always a best seller. We have also launched several Christmasthemed workshops, such as fabric wreaths and felted baubles, which are getting booked up.

Boxes of cards did really well last year so have hopefully got plenty of them. I tend to keep them quite modern in keeping with the rest of the cards we sell. We offer a discounted card bundle of any five cards and I find that people will include single Christmas cards in their bundles.”

Wish for Father Christmas? “A holiday! And a very busy festive period to pay for it!”

Above: A special Chapel Allerton Christmas bauble that is on sale at Chirpy.

Left: Jo McBeath raising a toast to Christmas while at PG Live!

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The Henries 2023 In Pictures

Carnival Calling

Inset: All the winners on stage with their trophies joined at front by host Pippa Evans (second left) with PG teamsters (right-left) Jim Bullough, Tracey Arnaud, Warren Lomax, Jakki Brown and Tracey Bearton.

Below left Members of the Sainsbury’s and UKG teams were happy to strike a pose at the House of Cards selfie wall, produced by N Smith.

Sequins, feathers, best bib and tucker…the Mardi Gras-themed Henries awards event, which took place recently, was a full-on night of celebration and camaraderie.

PG shares a few snapshots of the joyful event, which took place at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, and saw 500 members of the greeting card community making the most of a wonderful opportunity to applaud product excellence and embrace the conviviality of it all.

Below Five Dollar Shake’s Matt and Beth Genower, who had it in the bag with her sequinned carrier.

Inset: Pippa Evans in full flow with a specially written song about greeting cards.

Left: Redback Cards added extra Shine to the tables with the menu cards.

Right: The Steel Panthers added their upbeat drumming vibes to the reception as well as during dinner.

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The Henries 2023 In Pictures Left: The glitterati at the Windles’ pre-reception party. (Left-right) Wendy and Steve Jones-Blackett (WJB); Mark Callaby (Ohh Deer); Mark Green (Raspberry Blossom), David Nichols-Rice (Ricicle Cards); Rebecca Green (Raspberry Blossom); Danielle McCarthy (Stripey Cats); Jemima Stileman (Kali Stileman) and Bev Cunningham (Ginger Bee Studios).

Right: (left-right) N Smith’s Nigel Reynolds, Kerry Tyler and Steve Wilkinson with Brainbox Candy’s ‘wing man’ Ben Hickman.

Left: Mike Gray (right), md of M.E.G in Northern Ireland, and Furio Ceciliato (centre), md of Origamo in Turin, Italy, drew the charity raffle, which raised over £5,000 for The Light Fund.

Right: (left-right) Windles’ Bruce Podmore and EmmaLouise East with Woodmansterne’s Adam Osborne, Seth and Cassie Woodmansterne.

Below: Even

Right: A fun Higher or Lower quiz got the event off to a great start.

Abacus’ Nick Carey won the prize, which included a magnum of champagne, some feathery finery and a hotel stay, sponsored by Pigment with md Lindsay Burridge presenting the prize.

Left: (left-right) Rajeev Arora (Davora); GCA’s Adriana Lovesy and Amanda Fergusson; Georgina Fihosy (AfroTouch Design) and Shruti Arora (Davora).

Left and above: Drag queen Ruby Violet, sponsored by Ohh Deer, put in a fabulous performance and got the dancefloor jumping!

Right: The Face Painting Glitter Station, sponsored by House of Cards, was incredibly popular.

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The Henries 2023 In Pictures Right: The Five Dollar Shakers were out in force.

Below: The Bright Agency’s Vicki Willden-Lebrecht (left) and PG’s Jakki Brown on the dancefloor.

Above: (left-right) Cardzone’s Chris, Paul and Alex Taylor; Jo Jackson (Polytint); Cardzone’s Nina Remnant and James Taylor with Chelsea Levitt (Asda).

Below: House of Cards’ Miles Robinson with Kali Stileman of Kali Stileman Publishing.

Above: Danilo’s Laurence Prince (centre) with the Watermark boys, Brian Murtagh (left) and Paul Slater.

Below: Out of the Blue Studios’ (left-right) Peter Rawlingson, Colleen Whittaker, Bobbie Mulkerrin, Martin Sanderson and Clive Rubin.

Above: Earlybird’s Dom and Heidi Early (centre two) with Penguin Ink’s Lizzie and Jason Parker.

Left: UKG’s Claire Dunstan (right) was delighted to be a winner of a raffle prize, that was presented to her by Nicola Webster (PG Live’s social media maestro).

Right: Hallmark’s Fiona Pitt, Sam Inwood and John Franey.

Below: WHSmith’s Claire Castle (centre) and Scarlett Ford with UKG’s John Eagan.

Below right: Postmark’s Leona JansonSmith and Brainbox Candy’s Ben Hickman get cheeky.

Inset Birds of a feather…Sainsbury’s Abi Wilson (centre) with UKG’s Rachel Wood (right) and Charmaine Fletcher.

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The Lynn Tait Most Promising

Young Designer or Artist

Category Sponsor

Open to: This special award category recognises and rewards the wealth of young creative talent that we have in the UK. This award is open to all designers and artists (employed by a publisher or freelance) aged 35 years or under on 1 July 2023.

winner Stephanie Davies

Initial Reaction: “To win this particular award, especially up against the most seriously incredible artists and designs, truly is an honour. I didn't hear my name called at first and was gobsmacked when I saw my name on screen, I couldn't stop shaking, it was the best adrenaline rush! It was the proudest moment of my career without a doubt and I will never forget it. Thank you so much to everyone who made that happen.”

Stephanie Davies, owner and creative maestro of Stephanie Davies

founder of Stephanie Davies Above: The super talented Stephanie Davies, owner and creative maestro of Stephanie Davies was delighted to be presented with the trophy by Mark Janson-Smith, director of Postmark, sponsor of this award.

A bit about Stephanie…“I began my career as a head in-house designer in the craft sector, where I designed greeting cards and surface patterns for paper pad collections. I saw my work being sold weekly on UK shopping channels such as QVC, Ideal World and Create & Craft, and my paper craft designs can often be found in shops such as The Range and Wilkinsons. I decided to take the leap and create my own business after leaving my first design role, designing greeting card ranges under my own brand.

I like to keep my style timeless and nostalgic, and I have a very keen eye for detail. I make sure each card has as much love and attention as my original paintings and drawings. I truly love what I do and love immersing myself in the little characters and objects I create. I realise every day how lucky I am to have this incredible job in such an inspiring industry."

Below: Mark Janson-Smith, director of Postmark, sponsor of this award announced the first winner of the night.

Right: Stephanie was all smiles!

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To see our latest offering visit our website, contact your local sales representative or call our friendly sales office team on 01638 569050

www.abacuscards.co.uk |

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Tel: 01638 569050 |

Email: info@abacuscards.co.uk

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Best

Diversity and Inclusion Range Category Sponsor

Open to: All greeting card ranges (humorous and non-humorous) that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023 that reflect diversity and inclusivity. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Initial Reaction: “I honestly don’t think I’ve been so shocked to win anything in all my life!! Right before the ceremony we had stopped to look at the finalists’ boards, and had been discussing how high the standard was this year and how lucky we were to make the finals. When they called out “Heyyy Cards” I think we both just looked at each other in disbelief until one of us shouted out “WE WON!!!”. Without a doubt it one of the proudest moments we’ve ever experienced, particularly knowing that the votes came from such an amazing group of retail judges. Just fantastic!”

Dan and Yvette Clarkson, owners of Heyyy Cards Above: Heyyy Cards’ co-owner Dan Clarkson (centre) was so happy to be presented with the trophy by Steve Chappell, graphical board development manager of Antalis, sponsor of this award category.

winner Two Finger Salute from Heyyy Cards

Below: (As sponsor of this award, Antalis’ graphical board development manager Steve Chappell announced the winner.

Below: The good news sank in as Heyyy’s Dan made his way to the stage.

Below: Dan seems pleased!!

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Best

Humorous Range Category Sponsor

Open to: All humorous greeting card ranges that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs which had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Right: Good job Redback’s owner Chris Stanley donned his best shiny silver shirt for his sparkly win, receiving the trophy from Chris Sharman, sales executive of Herbert Walkers Printers, sponsor of this category.

Below left: Chris Sharman, sales executive of Herbert Walkers Printers, sponsor of this category composed himself before announcing the winner.

winner Holy Flaps

Below: Redback’s Chris Stanley was thrilled to be presented with the trophy.

from Redback Cards Initial Reaction: “Amazing! Super thrilled to win the humour award! Really proud of all the team... I couldn't be happier.”

Chris Stanley, owner of Redback Cards

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A library of card classics With The British Library and our long-running Classics range, the M&G Collection is an ever-evolving collection of renowned or rediscovered artistic gems, alongside iconic images of the future.

Please contact your agent or visit our website to find out more.

E: sales@mgml.co.uk museumsgalleries.co.uk Tel: 01373 462165

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Best

Licensed Card Range

Category Sponsor

Open to: All greeting card ranges that are published under licence (eg entertainment properties, brands or named artists) that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs which had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

winner Emma Bridgewater from Woodmansterne Publications

Initial Reaction: “To win a Henries award is always such a fantastic achievement, so having Eleanor [West] from our Emma Bridgewater licence attending her very first awards ceremony winning the Best Licensed Range award was simply the icing on the cake.

So proud for Eleanor to have experienced our wonderful industry in its finest. Well done to all winners!!”

Ian Blake, art director of Woodmansterne Publications

Below: John Skeet, director of Skeet Print, sponsor of this award did the honours at the lectern in announcing the winner.

Above: (second right) Ian Blake, art director of Woodmansterne Publications went on stage with Eleanor West, senior licensing manager at Emma Bridgewater to collect the trophy from John Skeet, director of Skeet Print, sponsor of this award.

Inset: A great way for Eleanor West, senior licensing manager at Emma Bridgewater to christen her first Henries event, sharing the triumphant moment with Ian Blake, art director of Woodmansterne Publications.

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Best

Christmas Box or Pack Category Sponsor

Open to: All Christmas boxes or packs that had been launched to UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. These could be branded, own brand or charity products.

winner Christmas Luxury Collection from Ling Design Initial Reaction: “We are chuffed, chuffed, chuffed that the panel voted our luxury box collection as the Best Christmas Box or Pack.

Christmas is Ling’s heartland and, for us, this award is the big one and a great accolade from the trade for our Luxury Box Collection which all the team has worked so hard on. For me, it was worth buying a new jacket, bow tie and even some snazzy socks (which sadly can’t be seen) as my take on Mardi Gras to mark the fantastic night and a great celebration after a huge week which started with the BBC TV visiting us in Gloucester to talk about #cardmitment. The next day was all together a lot less energetic, but at least we had a Henries award to keep us company!!”

David Byk, ceo of Ling Design and GBCC

Above: His velvet jacket is blue, but that is defo not how David Byk, ceo of Ling Design was feeling having been presented with the trophy by Nick Henry, managing director of Gould Paper, sponsor of this award category.

Below right: Nick Henry, managing director of Gould Paper, sponsor of this award category, focuses on announcing the winner.

Below: David proudly holds his trophy.

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Best

Christmas Counter Range

Category Sponsor

Open to: All single Christmas card ranges that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs which had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Above: Louise Mulgrew, director and creative maestro of the eponymous card company was thrilled to be presented with the trophy by Bruce Podmore, owner and managing director of Windles, sponsor of this award category.

winner Christmas Collection from Louise Mulgrew

Initial Reaction: “Winning the Christmas Counter Range award was just the cherry on top of a wonderful evening. The Christmas range is very special to me as I take so much time each year to work on a range that is both festive, but also subtle and hopefully a little bit magical. I was super lucky to be invited to sit with Postmark, one of my longest running customers, and it was such a fun table and they all gave me a huge cheer when my name was read out! I’ll really treasure this Henries trophy and the memories of a very special evening!”

Louise Mulgrew, director of Louise Mulgrew

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Below right: Bruce Podmore, owner and managing director of Windles, sponsor of this award category opened the gold envelope to announce the winner.

Below: Louise proudly clutches her trophy.

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Best

Cute Range Category Sponsor

Open to: All cute greeting card ranges that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs which had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Initial Reaction: “We were so chuffed that BEAR won the Best Cute Range at The Henries. The award means so much to everyone in the company and thank you to all our customers who have embraced the collection. Wow!!!”

Ged Mace, managing director of The Art File Below: Amy Muldrew, managing director of Alpha Colour Printers, sponsor of this award category, readies to announce the winner.

winner Bear from The Art File

Above: Ged Mace, managing director of The Art File was delighted to be presented with the trophy by Amy Muldrew, managing director of Alpha Colour Printers, sponsor of this award category.

Below: Ged holds the trophy aloft.

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Best

Contemporary Words and Sentiments Category Sponsor

Open to: All contemporary ‘words and sentiments’ greeting card ranges that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

winner Emosh from Emotional Rescue (in collaboration with Paper Salad)

Above: (second right-left) Emotional Rescue’s creative director Jennie Rutter went on stage with Paper Salad co-owners Karen Wilson and Claire Williams to collect the award from Adam Dury, chief commercial officer of Cardfactory, sponsor of this award category.

Below left: Adam Dury, chief commercial officer of Cardfactory, sponsor of this award category had the pleasure of announcing the winner.

Below: (right-left) Jennie, Claire and Karen make a happy trio.

Initial Reaction: “We were extremely proud to win the award for Best Contemporary Words and Sentiments Range. Having won before with Senti, it was fantastic see Emosh winning this award! We absolutely love working alongside Paper Salad on these ranges – their bright, fabulous artwork ensure these poems reach a more contemporary audience. Huge thanks to everyone that voted for Emosh!”

Jennie Rutter, creative director of Emotional Rescue

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Best

Traditional Words and Sentiments Range Category Sponsor

Open to: All traditional ‘words and sentiments’ greeting card ranges that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Left: UK Greetings’ creative director of brand studio Frances Billington went on stage to collect the award from Simon Pryce, director of Skylight Media, sponsor of this award category.

Below: Frances with UKG’s lovely trophy.

Initial Reaction: “Words and sentiment are at the heart of our business and so much care and skill goes into finding exactly the right words for every card, so we’re thrilled to be recognised for this award!”

Frances Billington, creative director - brand studio of UK Greetings

winner Female Relations from UK Greetings

Above: The super smiley Simon Pryce, director of Skylight Media, sponsor of this award category.

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Best

Art Range Category Sponsor

Open to: All art (fine art, contemporary and illustrative, but not photographic) greeting card ranges that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

winner Art Range from Ohh Deer

Above: Ohh Deer’s managing director Mark Callaby (second right) with colleague (second left) Edd Hamp, head of commercial operations, who were presented with the trophy by Andy Potton, business development manager of Graphite Creative, the sponsor of this award category.

Left: Andy Potton, business development manager of Graphite Creative, the sponsor of this award category did the honours in announcing the winner.

Below: Ohh Deer’s Mark Callaby in his sequin splendour with colleague Edd Hamp who also looked rather dapper.

Initial Reaction: “We were delighted to have won Best Art Range at this year's Henries. Creativity is at the heart of what we do at Ohh Deer and producing an art range felt like a natural extension of Artful, our 'Art School in a Box' product as we work with lots of different artists from across the world and many of them feature on these cards.

We definitely weren't expecting to win this award as we only launched this range at the start of the year and it's not an area that Ohh Deer is known for - but I hope this shows the variety we offer.

I was also pretty excited to show off my sequin suit, it would have been a shame not to have sparkled on the main stage!”

Mark Callaby, md of Ohh Deer

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Best

Photographic Range Category Sponsor

Open to: All photographic greeting card ranges that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Initial Reaction: “Hearing our name read out for Best Photographic Range was the icing on the cake of such a fantastic evening. We genuinely didn’t expect to win with such strong and gorgeous competition, but obviously we were absolutely ecstatic. I had to do a little victory boogie on the way to the stage and give the old wings a flutter in celebration, mainly to get rid of the tummy fizz. It was very odd not having my right-hand man with me on the night but I shared the news with him straight away and he was super chuffed. So were our mums. The celebrations carried on until the very early hours and I would love to see CCTV of my walk home! Ha ha!”

Ben Hickman, co-owner of Brainbox Candy

winner A Daily Cloud from Brainbox Candy

Top: Ever the showman, Ben Hickman, co-owner of Brainbox Candy fluttered his light up wings on stage with Scribbler’s co-founder John Proctor (second left) and Jonathan Difford, head of sales of Fujifilm, the joint sponsors of this award category.

Right: Earlybird’s Dom Early gives Brainbox’s Ben Hickman a pat on the wing as he made his way to the stage.

Right: The high-flying Ben Hickman!

Left: Scribbler’s co-founder John Proctor (left) and Jonathan Difford, head of sales of Fujifilm, the joint sponsors of this award category shared the task of announcing the winners.

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Best

Children’s Range Category Sponsor

Open to: All greeting card ranges aimed at children that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Above: Rebecca Green, owner and creative director of Raspberry Blossom was delighted to be presented with the trophy from Tony Lorriman, managing director of Loxleys, sponsor of this award category.

Below: Tony Lorriman, managing director of Loxleys, sponsor of this award category, had the pleasure of announcing the winner.

winner Fantabulous from Raspberry Blossom

Below far right: A beaming Rebecca!

Below: Rebecca and Mark Green are a super spangly couple!

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Initial Reaction: “What a wonderful event. Every year it gets better and better.

And oh wow we won another Henries award!!! I am still in shock and can’t express how much it means to us. It’s been a really crazy time with life and business at the minute and these little pockets of joys just make all the stress worth it.

When it was first announced prior to the event that we were finalists in three awards we were over the moon, but genuinely wasn’t expecting to win due to the incredible publishers who were in these categories. When Tony from Loxleys announced that we had won it was such a shock and we couldn’t believe we had won the Best Children’s Range category. I hadn’t even touched up my lipstick after devouring the pudding for the ‘just in case’ photo! This category is very close to our heart having two little ones who inspire all of our illustrations for our children’s cards. I know that people will understand when I say that juggling the family life and a growing business is no mean feat, lots of sacrifices and lots of very late nights! But it will forever be an amazing memory of how all the hard work pays off and Mark and I are super proud of this business we have built.

The Henries event was electric! A night where the best people, in the best industry come together to celebrate the best talent and a lot of hard work!

This year the outfits were incredible and I don’t think Mark will ever forget how much everyone loved his sparkly trousers and all the comments he got.”

Rebecca Green, owner and creative director of Raspberry Blossom

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Best

Contemporary Trend Range Category Sponsor

Open to: All greeting card ranges which demonstrate a current trend, be it in subject matter, terminology or production technique, that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Right: Paper Salad co-owners (second and third left) Karen Wilson and Claire Williams were presented with the trophy by Adam Short, managing director of The Imaging Centre, sponsor of this award category.

Below: Adam Short, managing director of The Imaging Centre, sponsor of this award category, at the lectern ready to announce the winner.

Initial Reaction: “We never take winning lightly, as there are so many amazing publishers in the UK, and so to win the Best Contemporary Trend Range award with the same range two years running is an amazing achievement! Thank you to everyone who voted for us!”

Karen Wilson and Claire Williams, co-owners of Paper Salad

winner Hunky Dory from Paper Salad

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Best 3D,Handmade or Hand-finished Range

Message in a Bottle pop up card collection

over 60 designs

Little Adventure childrens’ cut out collection

We are over the moon to have won Best 3D,Handmade or Hand-finished Range with our 3D Miniature World pop up cards.

A huge thank you www.alljoydesign.com

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A big thank you to everyone who voted for us, as well as all our fantastic customers.

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Best

3D, Handmade or Hand-finished Range Category Sponsor

Open to: All greeting card ranges which are either completely handmade or include 3D or handfinished elements, that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Initial Reaction: "We're absolutely thrilled and deeply honoured by our win at The Henries awards. To be honest, when it was announced that Alljoy Design had won, we were completely caught off guard. It's a delightful surprise that has left us overjoyed and immensely grateful. This is a great motivator for our passion. We're bursting with gratitude and excitement for being part of this wonderful community that brings joy through heartfelt cards. The motivation and encouragement that The Henries awards provides are truly inspiring. It fuels our determination and drive to continue doing what we love. Thank you for being a significant part of our journey and for helping drive this industry forward!"

Ling Ji, director of Alljoy Design

winner Miniature World from Alljoy Design

Top left: (second left-right) Lingxiao Ji, director of Alljoy went on stage with agent extraordinaire Richard Pass to be presented with the trophy

by Simon Woolridge, divisional sales manager UK & IRE of EBB Board, sponsor of this award category.

Left: Simon Woolridge, divisional sales manager UK & IRE of EBB Board, sponsor of this award category did the honours of announcing the winner.

Far left: A proud moment for Ling and Richard.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 51

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Best

Male Range Category Sponsor

Open to: All non-humorous greeting card ranges aimed at male recipients that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

winner I'mPressed from Heyyy Cards

Above right: Heyyy Cards’ co-owners (second left) Dan and Yvette Clarkson were chuffed to bits to receive their second trophy of the night from Warren Lomax PG Live’s show director, sponsor of this award category.

Below: PG Live’s show director, Warren Lomax was ‘red’y to announce the winner.

Right: Dan was a little bit happy!

Initial Reaction: “When the Best Male Range award was announced we were still trying to get our heads around the fact we had already won one award… when Warren called out “Heyyy Cards” for a second time it was a dream come true. Literally!

We are so unbelievably proud to win best Male Range as we’ve really worked hard this year to develop a lot of different designs that could appeal to a male audience.

Safe to say Dan did not stop grinning from ear to ear all night and I had to prize the trophies out of his hands when he fell asleep next to them at the end of the night! He has been carrying them around the house all weekend!! We absolutely loved being part of the awards this year, it was lovely to see awards going to a number of small companies and artists as well as the established publishers that we aspire to follow in the footsteps of. What an amazing industry we work in for everyone to cheer and support each other, it’s very humbling.”

Dan and Yvette Clarkson, co-owners of Heyyy Cards PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 53

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Best

Relations and/or Occasions Range Category Sponsor

Open to: All relations and/or occasions greeting card ranges that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Initial Reaction: “Hearing “Stargazing” being called the winner of Best Relations and/or Occasions Range, was such a euphoric moment. Every single one of us at Five Dollar Shake has played a part in producing our gorgeous hand-glittered range and we should all feel incredibly proud of our achievement. I was very honoured to be asked to collect the award and I hope to see many more awards in our studio in the future! Thank you Progressive Greetings for our Henries’ trophy and for a truly wonderful evening.”

Becky Mann, glitter jedi of Five Dollar Shake

rwinner Stargazing from Five Dollar Shake

Above: Not only did Five Dollar Shake win this award, but Becky Mann who collected has the best job title, of glitter jedi. Becky was presented with the trophy by Keith Riley, sales manager of Fedrigoni UK, sponsor of this award category.

Right: A proud moment for Becky.

Below: Keith Riley, sales manager of Fedrigoni UK, sponsor of this award category, had the job of opening the gold envelope and announcing the award winner.

54 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Best

Spring Seasons Range Category Sponsor

Open to: All Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter and Father’s Day greeting card ranges that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023 could be entered. Entries had to be event-specific, ie Publishers submitted a separate entry for Valentine’s Day, a separate entry for Mother’s Day etc (a minimum of eight designs).

Initial Reaction: “I was so shocked when GF Smith’s Mark Jessett called our name out - there were so many amazing publishers in that category so to hear “Stormy Knight” came as an amazing surprise! There was a bit of a pause and I thought ‘oh, we’ve run out of confetti canons!’… Before they all went off with a bang! It was a bit surreal walking up to the stage, but was so lovely to receive this amazing award from one of my fab suppliers! And to celebrate the success with such good industry friends made it even sweeter. I’m still on a high, even though my voice is still recovering from all the whooping!”

- Sarah Jackson, director of Stormy Knight

Above: Sarah Jackson, director of Stormy Knight was delighted to be presented with the trophy by Mark Jessett, greetings consultant of G.F Smith, sponsor of this award category.

Below: Sarah made her way to the stage through a confetti shower.

Bottom right: A super smiley Sarah!

Below right: Mark Jessett, greetings consultant of G.F Smith, sponsor of this award category, announced the winner.

winner Bloom Seedstick Mother’s Day from Stormy Knight

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 55

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Best

Wholesale Range Category Sponsor

Open to: All greeting card ranges sold via the wholesale distributor/cash & carry channel that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

Above: Kingfisher Cards’ managing director Paul Urban was delighted to hold the trophy that was presented to him by Tony Raymond, director of LB Warehousing, sponsor of this award category.

Below left: Tony Raymond, director of LB Warehousing, sponsor of this award category did the honours in announcing the winner.

winner Pixels from Kingfisher Cards

Initial Reaction: “Waiting to hear all the contenders for your category are announced is weird. Doubt, hope, resignation, expectation, all within a few seconds then....

WOW! It only really starts to sink in when you're on stage with all the other winners for the winners’ photo – and it’s a great feeling and a fabulous night” Paul Urban, managing director of Kingfisher Cards

Right: A proud moment for Paul.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 57

We were absolutely delighted to win a Henries Award for Best Gift Wrapping range with Louise Mulgrew this year.

Thanks to all the judges that voted for us and to all our customers for their ongoing support!

Lots more coming from us this November to pre-order for January 2024 delivery. Here’s a sneak peek!

You can order in stock items online: trade.glick.co.uk

01274 655980 sales@glick.co.uk www.glick.co.uk Glick Gift Packaging Ltd, Allenby House, European Ind. Park, Knowles Lane, Bradford BD4 9AB

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Best

Giftwrappings Range Category Sponsor

Open to: All giftwrapping ranges (either ranges of sheet wrap or collections of co-ordinated wrappings such as boxes, bags, ribbons etc) that had been launched into UK retail (bricks and mortar and/or online) between 15 June 2022 and 15 June 2023. In the case of an ongoing range, only designs that had been launched during the aforementioned dates could be entered.

winner Louise Mulgrew from Glick Gift Packaging

Below right: Having recently been appointed event director of Spring and Autumn Fair, it was Soraya Gadelrab’s first time she has represented sponsor Hyve at The Henries.

Below: Becky (right) and Louise share the moment.

Above: (second right-left) Becky Dobson, managing director of Glick Gift Packaging collected the trophy with Louise Mulgrew, founder of the eponymous company from Soraya Gadelrab, event director of Spring and Autumn Fair, the sponsor of this award category.

Initial Reaction: “Humbled, honoured and excited to win among such great talent in the Best Giftwrappings category and thrilled to be bringing back a trophy to the team at Glick HQ!” Becky Dobson, managing director of Glick Gift Packaging Initial Reaction: “I was super shocked and surprised that my range with Glick was selected. I put a lot of love and care into translating my Animalia designs into the repeat format for the bags and wrap and working with Glick is always a joy, so it was a special one to be a part of!”

Louise Mulgrew, director of Louise Mulgrew

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 59

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The Henry Cole Classic Award Category Sponsor

winner Photocaptions from Cath Tate Cards

Open to: This award is for ranges that have stood the test of time. All winners of this award enter The Henry Cole Hall of Fame. The 2023 winner will join previous winners, which are Bestie from Paperlink, The Bright Side from Really Good, Camilla & Rose from Peartree Heybridge, The Country Set from Wrendale Design, Eric the Penguin from GBCC, Forever Friends from Hallmark, Giggles from UKG, Ink Press from The Art File, Me to You from CBG, Medici Cards Blue Label from GBCC, On the Ceiling from Emotional Rescue, Pizazz from Nigel Quiney, Pop-Ups from Second Nature, Quentin Blake from Woodmansterne, Rainbow from Ling Design and Virtual Safari from Emotional Rescue.

Initial Reaction: “I was really overjoyed to get a Henries award for the Photocaptions range that I have been working away on for some 25 years now. It finally made it all worthwhile! I was well chuffed on the Henries night and I am now a well chuffed cardie!”

– Cath Tate, founder of Cath Tate Cards Above: (second right) Cath Tate, founder of Cath Tate Cards and her daughter and co-director Rosie Tate were presented with the prestigious trophy from Richard Bacon, managing director of The Sherwood Group, sponsor of this award category for the Photocaptions range which was launched back in the 1990s.

Below right: Richard Bacon, managing director of The Sherwood Group, sponsor of this award category, announced which range would be joining The Henry Cole Hall of Fame.

Below left: A mother and daughter winning combo…Cath and Rosie.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 61

A4_Full page advert_PG_OCT23_STG2.pdf

1

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Bronze Award for Best Service to the Independent Retailer

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Best Service to the Independent Retailer Category Sponsor

Open to: This award recognises the pivotal role publishers play in providing a good service to independent retailers. The finalists in this category were arrived at as a result of an exhaustive poll, involving 1,750 independent greeting card retailers, who were each asked to nominate their top three card suppliers on the service front over the last year. These responses were then correlated, awarding three points to all first choices, two points to those mentioned as second choices and one point for all third choices. These points were then totalled to arrive at the 12 finalists. There are three awards in this category – a Bronze, Silver and ultimate Gold, that were presented to the top three scoring suppliers in the retailer poll.

Top: Jo Wilson, director of Dandelion Stationery was so happy to be presented with the Bronze trophy from Penny Shaw, managing director of Cardgains, sponsor of this award category.

Bronze winner Initial Reaction: “Any Henries (nomination or trophy) is incredibly special, but to bag a trophy in the Best Service to the Independent Retailer category means the world to our little team. We have an amazing team in our office and warehouse who work their socks off to give our fabulous customers a good experience – to have this recognised is incredible.

We are all chuffed to bits.”

Jo Wilson, director of Dandelion Stationery

Right: Jo could not contain her joy at winning this much coveted award.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 63

A big

thank you t o a l l o u r

customers who voted for us.

+

Best Service to the

Independent Retailer

Over

150 New Designs

including 6 stunning brands

RIPPLE

Noel Tatt Group - Barton Business Park - New Dover Road - Canterbury - CT1 3TE T 01227 811600 64_PG November 2023.indd 1

E sales@noeltatt.co.uk

W www.noeltatt.co.uk

@NoelTattGroup

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Best Service to the Independent Retailer Category Sponsor

Silver winner

Left: Noel Tatt managing director Jarle Tatt enjoyed the spotlight, having been presented with the Silver trophy by Penny Shaw, managing director of Cardgains, sponsor of this award category.

Below: Penny Shaw, managing director of Cardgains, sponsor of this award category announced all three winners.

Initial Reaction: “Genuine shock and absolute delight. Upon hearing the Bronze award winner announced, I was convinced last year’s first and second award winners would take those awards again, so there would be no need to rush my jacket back on. How happy was I to be proven wrong.

Bruce Podmore (md of Windles) had been bigging us up throughout dinner, and had confetti in both hands ready to celebrate, so it was amazing not to let him down! I am so pleased for all the Noel Tatt team, both at head office and out on the road, who really deserve this award. We have missed out on an award for a few years now – so this was a very welcome return to the stage!”

Jarle Tatt, managing director of Noel Tatt

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 65

A heartfelt

Thank You from all of us at IC&G

to everyone who voted for us !

Gold Winner

The best customer service in the industry as voted for by you!

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E: customerservice@icgcards.com

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Best Service to the Independent Retailer

Category Sponsor

gold winner

Above: It was a big thumbs up from IC&G’s sales director Allen Taylor (second right) and sales manager Simon Harper who were presented with the ultimate Gold trophy

by Penny Shaw, managing director of Cardgains, sponsor of this award category.

Below: Allen (right) and Simon were delighted that IC&G had won the Gold this year.

Initial Reaction: “All I can say is Wow! To receive Gold in recognition of our service to our fantastic independent retailers, does mean an awful lot to the whole team of our family business at ICG. Every single person within our business is responsible in ensuring we support every single customer, no matter how small or large.

When I joined Simon and Ian just over two years ago, it struck me how proud and upbeat every single individual from our customer service team to our DC are. A real feel-good factor that does radiate to the sales team and beyond.

To be the little bald guy that was asked by Simon and Ian to step up with my partner in crime Simon Harper who looks after the South of the world for me and collect the Gold award was a great honour.

In such a tough trading climate for us all, regardless of the size of your business, to receive such an accolade is a great boost.

Finally, a massive thankyou to our sales team, what a bunch, keep doing what you’re doing.

Let’s all have a great trading Christmas; we can all look forward to a hopeful and successful 2024.”

Allen Taylor, sales director of IC&G

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 67 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 67

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Honorary Achievement Award Category Sponsor

The Honorary Achievement Award is a very special accolade that is awarded to an individual in recognition of the contribution they have made to the UK greeting card industry.

A excerpt of the citation delivered by PG’s Jakki Brown on the night…

“The word ‘legend’ is overused, but the recipient of this year’s Honorary Achievement Award is the real deal. A greeting card icon who has been at the forefront of the greeting card industry on both the publishing and retail sides for over 30 years.

It is a proper rags to riches story, but with a brain the size of a planet, an uncannily astute business nous, commercial integrity bar none, ambition with a conscience and an attention to detail in everything they do, they have helped change the shape of our industry.

This person’s first foray into the greeting card world started at a very young age working in his local newsagent, which gave him shopfloor knowledge as well as a face to face introduction to the wonders of consumer buying habits. From there, having got a taste for retail, they progressed to senior positions with several chains, including working in the Far East as a retail buyer for a blue chip name.

Then, turning their back on the corporate world, their entrepreneurial drive came to the fore, making a left-field move by returning to the UK to help run a small and struggling greeting card publishing company.

Joining forces with a great creative partner, together they transformed this business into one of the most successful in the UK. But the success was no fluke, doing things their way, as is his wont, introducing rigorous testing before the publication of every card design to ensure almost guaranteed success, enabling them to nurture ranges that have stood the test of time, many still thriving from those very early days at the company.

An intermittent spell back in retail, saw our winner step back from the frontline of card publishing, but that lure was ever there and so they couldn’t resist the opportunity to buy back their old business, and supported by some top team mates, have taken it up to new heights and an ever commanding market position.

But as well as having the shrewdest tactical brain of anyone I have ever met, the recipient of this award also has one of the biggest hearts. A tireless supporter of charities, needy causes or anyone he knows who is in need, he donates many thousands of pounds each and every year, the only condition attached is that his identity is not revealed. He does it because he knows what’s right.

Well now there’s no hiding and we can all applaud him from ‘On the Ceiling’.

It is a great honour to announce that The Henries Honorary Achievement Award 2023 goes to David Greaves of Emotional Rescue.”

Inset: The usually cool, calm and collected David Greaves was somewhat thrown by being presented with the Honorary Achievement trophy by Joanne Davis, managing director of UK Envelope Centre, the sponsor of this award.

Initial Reaction: David Greaves shares his thoughts…

“I don't have any issues making a pitch to an audience of any size.

I've been doing so for over 40 years and I enjoy it, but I was a little overcome by the unfolding events at The Henries.

Firstly, the guys at Emo's faces as the build-up speech started, was a picture. They were clearly proud and very pleased. Most of the business was there, which was great, and I've worked with some of these people for a long time and they were a big factor in my going back. So, the award genuinely felt like it was for all of us.

When I turned to say a few words, I was astonished (and humbled) by how many people in the audience had stood up?!

Some of whom I would not have expected it from. Polite applause is the minimum expectation on an occasion like that, but it was much more than that and some seriously capable people were on their feet! I was a little bowled over.

In answer to the question, “What would I have said had I been able to prepare for my acceptance speech?" I think the general pitch was right, but I would have added…

I've been doing this for a while; it's great fun and I'm very fortunate.

I'm very proud of my colleagues at Emotional Rescue. In addition to Jennie Rutter, Toni Cresswell and Elaine Gibson, I would have thanked Brett [Smith], Paper Salad and our suppliers.

I would have mentioned Tony Spooner. He set up Emotional Rescue, welcomed me 32 years ago as a partner and was a brilliant marketeer.

I would have said I'm pleased never to have missed The Henries and proud that we won 27 years ago and proud of our four nominations this year and that we're still winning 27 years later!

Cheesy or not, I would have thanked our customers. I love a good cliché, and trust me, we are only ever as good as they are!!

I've been stunned by the very kind emails, texts, WhatsApp, LinkedIn and Facebook posts that now number well over a hundred.

Customers, suppliers, and the trade generally have been very, very kind!

It was quite a night, only curtailed by an ear infection, antibiotics, and a relatively early night. Who said drugs and alcohol don’t mix well?!”

recipient David Greaves co-owner of Emotional Rescue

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 69

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A selection of lovely new products to pep up retailers’ displays.

Golden Touch Hot off the press from Laura Darrington Design is the Aurora Collection which comprises 18 birthday and special occasion designs. All the cards are finished with some luxurious gold foiling and embossing. Each comes with a matching bespoke gold foiled envelope.

Laura Darrington Design 0116 2849660 www.lauradarrington.com

Sparkling Nature Taking inspiration from vintage broches and Victoriana is the new Crystal Curiosities range from Five Dollar Shake.

These 42 new greeting card designs combine nature and jewels, from foxes wearing tiaras to butterflies made of diamonds. Each design is hand-painted, glittered and embellished with genuine crystals in the publisher’s Sussex studio.

Five Dollar Shake 01424 434062 www.fivedollarshaketrade.com

Festive Squeaks Forget reindeers, penguins and cute robins, the Comedy Card Company is ready to wish everyone a Merry Christmouse with a new range of humorous Christmas cards featuring little mice. There are 10 designs in this inaugural collection, and each comes with a recycled kraft envelope.

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

Bright & Breezy Poet & Painter has added 12 new designs to its core Motley Collection.

The newbies feature the publisher’s signature combination of hand-drawn illustration and breezy, fresh humour.

All the cards are 150mm square, printed on a luxury 300gsm FSC card and come with a white recycled envelope. i Poet and Painter 07779 064894 www.poetandpainter.co.uk

Impressive Canines Following on from the success of its Cuddle Time cuddling cats greeting card collection, Penguin Ink has created a canine version.

These new single-colour letterpress printed cards include some breed specific designs, most notably Cockapoos as well as some cute sleepy puppies.

Penguin Ink 07525 497122 www.penguinink.co.uk

Escape Route Among the wealth of 18 new ranges which have just debuted from Ling Design is Living the Dream. There are 12 designs in this brand new collection, all stunning scenes which celebrate escaping the ordinary to find adventure. The designs are enhanced by matt gold foiling and each card comes with a kraft envelope.

Ling Design 01892 838574 www.lingdesign.co.uk

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A selection of lovely new products to pep up retailers’ displays.

Prophetic Festivities Out of the Box Cards has launched some bold, colourful, illustrative designs with a feminist slant that celebrate the inclusion of women in Christmas narratives, the most notable of which being the publisher’s contemporary female take on ‘Three wise men’. This capsule collection comprises two formats - 105x150mm and 150x105mm.

Out of the Box Cards hello@outofthebox.cards www.outofthebox.cards

Scottish Artistry Portfolio has launched a National Galleries of Scotland licensed range which comprises 14 blank art cards drawn from the home to Scotland’s world-class art collection. These wonderful images join the publisher’s selection of fine art cards licensed from The National Gallery and The British Museum.

Portfolio Cards 020 8960 3051 www.portfoliocards.com

Banging Dino-mite Totally Roarsome! is a brand new kids’ range from Paper Shed Design. This fun dinosaur range, aimed at girls and boys, covers ages 1 to 6 as well as some open designs. The collection also includes party invitations and bookmarks too.

Paper Shed Design 0118 9744283 www.papersheddesign.com

Emotional Attachment

Animal Instincts

International Cards & Gifts’ (IC&G) latest venture into open birthday sentiment is the Big Little Love collection. This greeting card range includes whimsical designs of cute little illustrations sensitively coupled with soft and heartfelt sentiments.

IC&G 01202 897494 www.icgcards.com

Ever wondered what your pets are thinking? Well now you can find out with Paperlink’s Picture Pawfect range. The cards feature fun illustrations of pets in hilariously relatable situations, each with a perfectly fitting caption that any pet owner will appreciate.

Paperlink 020 7582 8244 www.paperlink.co.uk

Poster Boys Inspired by screen-printed retro travel posters, Poster Print represents a new style for GBCC. This 12 design strong collection, which forms one of the publisher’s 11 new everyday ranges, is primarily aimed at a male send. The designs feature block typography finished with punchy gold foiling with each card accompanied by a kraft envelope.

The Great British Card Company 01452 888999 www.greatbritishcards.co.uk

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 71

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Focus on…Animal & Pet Cards

Practically As Adam Dury, coo of Card Factory revealed at the recent GCA Conference, one of its top selling designs this Mother’s Day was ‘from the dog’.

It’s certainly not hard to see how the addition of 5.4million pets to UK households since March 2020 has fuelled the trend to include these very much loved furred, feathered the last 12 months and finned friends in Brits’ along with pet greeting card habits, as sympathy cards, including cat, dog PG discovered.

Statistics show 24% of all owners acquired their pet in the last two years so the pandemic really does have a lot to answer for on the animal front, with a halo effect on greeting card traffic.

“This particular trend has very much influenced the spike in demand for animal cards in the greeting card industry,” explained GBCC’s head of creative Lucy Ledger.

“Sales of domestic animals’ cards have increased year-on-year and these designs always perform throughout the seasons. We find Christmas has seen the biggest demand for including captions like ‘from the cat’ and ‘from the dog’ cards.”

Over at Cardology, while it does not offer from-the-pet captions co-owner David Falkner does see it as a trend and is “increasingly catering to this market by offering a range of cards that can be sent from a human or an animal” – and there’s also a bag and wrap collection “so you can help your dog or cat wrap up the present they’re sending”!

At Alex Sharp, the eponymous creative has been offering from the dog cards for a few years though “sales have seen a big increase over Right: The top nose on Bewilderbeest’s bestseller is family dog Major Ajax.

Middle right: Pet Sympathy cards sell well for Cardigan Cards.

Far right: Dean Morris’ festive pooches are good sellers.

and horse sympathy cards” and she offers over 100 different dog cards in the range.

“I was asked by a pet store last year if I could create a Labrador Valentine’s card for them, which I did, and it sold out of their shop in a few days,” Alex said. “From the dog’ and ‘for the dog’ genres are growing – I offer to write in the cards for people and often they get me to write the card for their dog and post it to them! All things pet seem to be taking a huge leap in sales. For a lot of people their pets were their only company during lockdown.”

Bewilderbeest’s Iain Hamilton has seen the pet trend building for a while, with more products being marketed very successfully towards turning animals into “little

Far left: A Scooby Doo licensed card from Cardology.

Left: Ling’s A card from the cat.

Below: Eli the husky stars on Alex Sharp’s card.

furry people” by dressing them in bowties and Christmas jumpers.

He added: “The next logical step is for them to write to their owners.

It’s a great opportunity for a funny card, and I can think of more than one friend who claims their partner loves the dog more than them!”

Iain admitted: “I always received a birthday card from our farm animals when I was younger living on the family farm. I just thought my mum had lost the plot at the time – turns out she was ahead of the main trend by about 25 years!”

Cardigan Cards’ director Hilda Richardson highlights this trend has been around forever and a day among animal lovers, with people sending homemade or blank cards with their own words, even for pet-related sympathy, occasions, and she introduced their first Christmas message ‘from the dog’ way back in 2011, which sold well where retailers took them on, but it was a bit of an uphill battle.

“I personally think the upturn in these titles that we’re seeing now in shops is in part due to online retailers such as Thortful, Etsy and Notonthehighstreet, etc, who have been offering more of these cards for a while,” explained Hilda.

“This has resulted in many more people, me included, feeling we can go into our local retailer and ask if they have any cards for pets, without feeling we may be seen as a bit peculiar or eccentric.”

At Dean Morris Cards he’s clocked “very good sales in my mostly cat and dog cards since I’ve launched them – but being a tropical fish keeper maybe this is the next market I should try!

“I produce a Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas and Happy Valentine’s Day from the dog and cat. The birthday and Christmas

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 73

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Focus on…Animal & Pet Cards

designs are very good sellers and currently feature on nearly all of my trade orders.”

With pets making us smile, supporting our mental health and, most of all, being a beloved part of the family, they deserve to be celebrated, as Hallmark’s head of writing Ruth Turner-Blood said: “This has brought about more opportunities for pet sends, and even new events to recognise like the Gotcha Day – the anniversary of the day on which a pet joins a family.

“Although dogs and cats are the nation’s most popular pets, we also use some more general captioning too, so every furry and not-so-furry friend can be included.

“Pets really are like part of the family and this becomes even more apparent when it’s time to say goodbye. We’ve included some loss of pet cards in our sympathy range, so people can acknowledge how important they were and how very much they’ll be missed.”

Pennychoo’s Sue Lee designs many of her cards with a 1950s vibe, and her Poodle Right: Pet Real is Hallmark’s latest relatable humour range.

Below: Lots of cute canines at Pennychoo.

Below right: A cat Christmas wish from Lottie Murphy.

Right: Paper Shed is extending its ‘from the pet’ designs.

Far right: Pink Pig caters for Scottish doggie needs.

Skirts range of big skirts and small canines lends itself well to the ‘from the dog’ theme.

“It’s a trend I’ve seen growing in recent years,” Sue explained. “I do birthday, Valentine’s and now Christmas. I’m sure lockdown had something to do with the growing popularity in pet ownership, but Instagram has a lot to answer for with dogs becoming influencers and having their own accounts.”

As a youngster Lottie Murphy always received a present from her family’s two Labradors signed with paw prints “so it’s not new to me but, having designed a lot of dog cards, it’s definitely a growing trend I’ve become more aware of”.

And she has a whole range of designs showing different breeds, which are blank so cover all the bases plus blank festive pet cards too: “So far just for dogs and cats, although with a normal guinea pig and hamster birthday design, I can see these being very popular too.”

Heather Trefusis thinks the pandemic was an “eye opener” in terms of how much pets can improve humans’ wellbeing, and added: “With many people now continuing to work from home, it's allowed more people to own pets as well as spend more time with them. All this has made our pets feel more like family members than ever before, so the trend for sending and receiving cards from pets makes a lot of sense.”

Her new Valentine’s range was originally inspired by British wildlife but she’s now adding new designs based on pets,

and is under increasing family pressure to paint a portrait of her own Cavapoochon Albie – he may well be appearing on a card soon!

They do things differently in Scotland where Pink Pig co-owner Mabel Forsyth makes sure her captions meet local requirements – ‘fae the dug’ is the canine version while ‘from the cat’ works both sides of Hadrian’s Wall.

“We only had requests for these cards during and after the pandemic,” Mabel explained. “The pandemic has strengthened the feelings we all have for our pets, they’re very much part of the family.”

Currently only offering dog sympathy cards, she’s seen a “definite need for other animal designs” and is soon to chat to stockists about the possibility of a more generic design so shopkeepers don’t have to stock 10 different pet versions.

Ling Design knows having a pet is good for mental health, as its head of creative Clare Twigger said: “They add so much love into your everyday life and are always there for you. We also know that where we do put an illustration of a dog or cat they’re always at the top of our sales ranking.

“We always keep an eye on the UK’s most popular pet choices as it goes beyond cats and dogs so equally important to keep this in mind when developing our animal ranges.”

From the cat and dog cards are so popular in Paper Shed Design’s seasonal ranges, co-owners Jo and Dan, the artist behind the designs, have taken them into their everyday collection too, with pet sympathy cards in the pipeline.

Clockwise (l to r): GBCC’s Lucy Ledger with her pooch Sadie; Lucky the rescue dog is Cardology co-owner David Falkner’s furry friend; Alex Sharp has Eli, a Husky and Bear, an Alaskan Malamute; Iain Hamilton named his English pointer Major Ajax and has a cat called Colonel Mustang; Cardigan Cards’ Hilda Richardson has three dogs – Friday, frisbee catching Tanya and Elvis; A regular visitor to the Penguin Ink studio is Dreamies; Fish are the thing for Dean Morris, who’d love to see more tropical fish cards

74 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Focus on…Animal & Pet Cards

Adding up the animals Latest data shows there are 34m pets in the UK – 12m cats, 12m dogs, 3m birds and fowl, 2.4m rabbits, guinea pigs and hamsters, 1.5m reptiles and 5m indoor fish tanks.

The Pet Foods Manufacturing Association’s research says this equates to 17m out of the country’s 29.24m households being responsible for a pet’s welfare – and 11% of owners confirmed their pet was new since the pandemic.

Nicole Paley, PFMA deputy CEO, said: “Our research confirms the belief that many more people are benefitting from pet ownership and we are reassured by the mental health findings.”

And there’s plenty of evidence to show just how loved animal companions are, as a YouGov 2022 survey showed 31% of cat and 37% of dog owners consider themselves to be their pet’s parent, with one in five pet owners describing themselves as their pet’s friend.animals and domestic pets.”

Left: There’s a special bond between humans and their pets.

Right: It’s all about the dog at Lil Wabbit.

Far right: A humorous, but often true design from Dandelion.

Below: Wildlife and pets form Heather Trefusis’ new Valentine’s range.

“As huge animal lovers ourselves we completely understand the consumers wish to include their furry friends in all family occasions,” Jo said.

Lil Wabbit’s Georgi Doig launched her first ‘from the dog’ card in January 2022, just as she and husband Jai took on rescue pooch Taika, and she’s since expanded the range to cover both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day as well as more generic occasions.

“Cards from dogs and cards to dogs have become so popular because millennial households don’t see their dogs as pets,” Georgi said, “they see them as members of the family! Pet’s birthdays and gotcha days are events people genuinely celebrate with pupcakes, presents and cards – our happy woofday card was one of our first cards and has been so popular since we launched it.”

This Christmas is the first year Lil Wabbit

has offered a bespoke dog Christmas card where people can have their pet painted and then printed on 36 luxury cards wishing a Merry Christmas from the dog.

At Dandelion Stationery, founder Jo Wilson has been seeing a “strong interest” in pet-related cards for some time. Somewhat sadly the strong sellers are the pet sympathy cards, which huge dog-lover Jo really sympathises with. “Pets are often an integral

part of the family, and their loss can be devastating,” she stresses.

Dandelion has also recognised there are many other pets which people love, and developed a whole range taking in horses, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, lizards, and birds, which is growing in popularity.”

As ever, humour wins the day and one of Jo’s most popular Valentine’s cards suggests the sender loves the recipient, but not as much as they love the dog – and she laughed: “I gave this one to my hubby last year!”

Below clockwise (l to r): Hallmark’s, head of writing Ruth Turner-Blood sends a from the dog card for Pickle on both Mother’s Day and Father’s Day; Hallmark’s, Daphne gets Christmas and birthday cards from trade marketing manager Eve Benson every year; All cards sent by photographer Rosie Thomson from Hallmark, are also signed by Nella; These clever canines send Lottie Murphy a gift every year; Cavapoochon Albie – short for Albus Dumbledoodle – with Heather Trefusis; Pink Pig’s Mabel Forsyth is proud of her “rather clever” cat Trio, who used to send her cards before he recently passed away at the grand old age of 19. She now has brother and sister kittens Eddie and Willow; Lovely Lula with Ling’s Clare Twigger;Maisy and Flossy with Paper Shed Design’s Jo and Dan O’Brien.

Meet Taika, Lil Wabbit’s first and only four-legged employee, who was rescued from Dogs Trust in January 2022; Dandelion’s Jo Wilson with her loveable pooches.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 75

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In Conversation With…Caroline Gardner

GARDNER’S WORLD What started as a chance conversation with a neighbour concerning product needs for a shop opening in Japan, has resulted in one of the most enduring, well-loved greeting card and gift brands which, quite rightly, is not missing out on the opportunity to mark its 30th anniversary.

PG joined the party and caught up with Caroline Gardner, founder of the eponymous company.

Left: Caroline Gardner trained in architecture, but has certainly built a brand in cards and lifestyle products, including pet fashion.

Below: While cards still represent 70% of sales, lifestyle and gift products has seen the brand expand.

Below right: Caroline (left) and Angus Gardner at the recent anniversary party with agent Fiona Lynchehan who has been involved with the company since it started.

“People make our business, our customers and our staff, they are the true treasures,” exclaimed Caroline Gardner, founder of Caroline Gardner Publishing at a recent drinks party held in its own store in London’s Marylebone High Street attended by several of its many longstanding retailer stockists, including John Lewis & Partners, Waterstones, Oliver Bonas, Between the Lines, Postmark and Gift, to mark its milestone.

Caroline Gardner and her husband Angus, who continue to head up the business were full of thanks, not only for the loyalty of their retailer customers, but also their own colleagues, which now includes their son Charlie!

Although very much part of the weft and weave of our industry, it is strange to think that the Caroline Gardner brand began unexpectantly in 1993, after a chance meeting between Caroline and a neighbour who was looking for handmade cards for the Conran Shop’s new store opening in Japan.

Having been to Chelsea Art College and led by her natural leaning for designing anything and everything, Caroline was well up for the challenge. She experimented with wire to successfully meet the brief, creating six unique greeting card designs from her kitchen table. They proved such a hit, that the reorders quickly followed and from there the rest, as they say, is history, spawning 76 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

many more card ranges, before moving into gifts and then nine years ago opening of its own store to further champion the brand. Greeting cards however remain core to the business, still accounting for 70% of its turnover.

Looking back, Caroline freely admits she had no idea that those very first greeting card designs would pave the way for what has become a thriving, well-respected brand.

“I just needed a bit of money and was excited by the thought that creating products would be the start of a business. Wire cards were perhaps not the easiest starting point as they were incredibly difficult to make and look consistently good. At one point I was paying 25 au pairs to make them in their homes in their spare time, but invariably they were not

good enough to sell on,” recalls Caroline.

The way forward from those early wire creations was sparked by Caroline being mesmerised by a gold die-stamped header on a 100-year-old letter that her father had shown her.

“I immediately saw the potential of translating that look onto greeting cards, but with no internet back then, I scoured the Yellow Pages to find a printer who would be willing and able to work with me on creating foiled die-stamped images,” explained Caroline. The resultant first collection launched in 1995, with one of the designs being two silver embossed baby feet, in fact based on the Gardners’ then baby daughter Flora’s tootsies.

“The range was not an overnight success as many retailers were just not sure about the look as it was so different to what was on

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In Conversation With…Caroline Gardner

Far left: CGP has partnered with Meningitis Now for over 20 years and have donated £270,000 from sales of its charity Christmas card packs.

Left: The company’s shop in London’s Marylebone High Street.

the market,” reveals Caroline. “There was so much white space on the cards that they weren’t sure they looked ‘value for money’, but thankfully the cards did sell well which then encouraged me to move into using pure Pantone colours, which was again something new for the industry,” added Caroline, with many waves of new looks and treatments to follow, although always with a CGP ‘stamp’.

“Our core values have never faltered in our 30 years trading,” believes Caroline. Having trailblazed on design concepts and formats for the last three decades, she clearly has no intention shying away from experimentation.

“I’m passionate about design and it’s thrilling

to come up with ideas which haven’t been done before and to push boundaries. It’s an intrinsic part of the personality of the brand.

We continue to innovate and experiment, driven in part by the desire to make new and interesting product. As science evolves, I am sure there will be more and more ways to do this in an ecological way and this is very exciting.”

Put on the spot as to what advice she

Retailer reactions Retailers share their views on why the Caroline Gardner brand is still rocking n rolling…

Kerry Nichols, category lead for greeting cards, stationery, games, candles and flowershop of John Lewis & Partners: “I’ve been in the John Lewis partnership for almost the same length of time as Caroline Gardner Publishing has been trading. I remember the company in the early days and had the pleasure of also working with the brand on textiles as the strong patterning lending itself well to be translated onto other products.

Throughout the years its Above: John Lewis’ Kerry Nicholls (centre) with colleagues Jason designs have always retained a distinct Billings-Cray, buyer for everyday look yet at the same time it has evolved cards and collections and Emily Cooper, merchandiser. to keep step with consumer tastes.”

Ellie Kleinlercher, buyer of Between the Lines, 17 stores in the south of England: “I grew up with Caroline Gardner products as it has been a constant in our shops over the years. It is an iconic brand with real design integrity backed up by a wonderful company ethos. Its strides on the sustainable front over the last few years as well as its commitment to charity are also impressive.”

would give to would-be publishers starting out today, Caroline came straight back. “Trust your own conviction. Don’t worry what anyone else is doing around you, just go with your own passion. If you totally believe in your own designs, the likelihood is, others will too. Don’t follow. Do your own thing,” she urges.

In his welcome speech at the recent party, the other half of the winning partnership, in life and business, Angus acknowledged that “30 years is a long time to do anything” but cited how the “substance of the brand” coupled with the “strong partnerships” with retailers as well as the “hard work and commitment” from the CGP team have all contributed to the company’s ongoing success and reputation.

“Caroline and I were listening to Keith Richards talking on Radio 4 the other morning about the Rolling Stones’ latest album release, and he’ll be 80 this year and is still coming up with great new ideas – so here’s to our next 30 years!” said Angus.

Hazel Walker, senior buying of Waterstones, Foyles and Blackwells: “In the 15 years that I have been a card and stationery buyer, Caroline Gardner has been a constant brand, always exuding quality contemporary design with wide appeal. It is great that this British brand with such history continues to thrive, still headed up by its namesake on the design side. In a consumer product market which has low brand awareness among the public, it is testament to its strength and distinctive imprint that it is widely known and liked by so many outside our industry.”

Mark Janson-Smith, managing director of Postmark, 15 stores in London, Birmingham and Glasgow: “I have been dealing with Caroline Gardner Publishing for 18 years and what I have always loved about the company is its ability to evolve. How it has managed to reinvent itself for such a long period is incredible, let alone broaden its reach with additional products. On top of this, people do business with people and from Caroline and Angus through to the whole team, they are all lovely.”

Right: Postmark’s Mark Janson-Smith (second left) and colleague Shannon Fisher (far right) presented CG’s Angus Gardner and Carolyn Verderame, CG’s sales director with a bottle of Chapel Down sparkling wine to mark the company’s birthday.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 77

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24/10/2023 17:22

79_81_Handwriting.qxp_Grid 31/10/2023 11:46 Page 1

Industry Issue

Pen Poised

Inset: Children until the age of 10 years old cannot use both hands on a keyboard so handwriting is incredibly important.

Artificial intelligence removing the emotion from greeting cards, the average UK person buys 20 pens a year, and the coordination difficulties stopping primary school children typing were just some of the facts that were vocalised during a panel discussion held at London’s Stationers’ Hall recently that underlined how handwriting still very much has a place in a digital world.

Beamed around the world, the emotive discussion, chaired by former stationery publisher Helen Esmonde, saw GCA ceo Amanda Fergusson, Pentel’s sales director Graham Craik, and National Handwriting Association chair Dr Melissa Prunty present their respective cases for handwriting’s durability and importance.

PG was there, avidly scribbling down notes.

‘Writing by hand faces as big a threat today from new media and technology as manuscript writers did over 500 years ago when William Caxton introduced printing to England,’ was the strong statement that featured in bold at the top of the invitation to the ‘Is there a place for handwriting in a digital age’ panel discussion which took place a few weeks ago in the historic surroundings of Stationers’ Hall. As participants across the UK, Europe, the US and Canada listened intently, both in the room and online, the Stationers’ past master Helen Esmonde decided: “We can conclude, at least for the moment, that handwriting is still relevant

for the digital age – though there are changes and challenges and we must adapt while still championing the fundamental importance of handwriting.”

The event was the brainchild London Stationery Show and Writing Matters campaign founder and stationery passionista Christopher LeonardMorgan, a liveryman at the Stationers’

Above: The handwriting v digital debate continues.

Below right: The invitation to the recent event.

Below left: The panel (anticlockwise from front left) of Amanda Fergusson, Helen Esmonde, Graham Craik and Dr Melissa Prunty.

Company, and was sponsored by Manuscript Brands.

Covering the greeting card history, Amanda explained: “Rationing during WW2 resulted in the banning of cards so the GCA lobbied Lord Beaverbrook, Minister of supply, on the grounds that the morale of the fighting forces, as well as that of the general public, would be negatively affected by the ban.

“Taking this on board, the government rescinded the ban, declaring ‘greeting cards are considered essential to the PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 79

THE GLOBAL GREETING CARD GATHERING OF PUBLISHERS, RETAILERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND SUPPLIERS

PG Live has lots of great retailer fans…

“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

“I really feel that PG Live is 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

SAVE THE DATE Don’t miss PG Live 2024

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

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“What a show! We love visiting 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

A fabulous exhibitor line-up, from brand new start-ups to well-loved brands An upbeat vibe, newness galore - and free refreshments, lunch and opening night party

CELEBRATING THE BEST IN OUR INDUSTRY – THE PRODUCTS AND THE PEOPLE

Registration is now live at: www.progressivegreetingslive.com

30/10/2023 19:04

79_81_Handwriting.qxp_Grid 31/10/2023 11:47 Page 2

Industry Issue

Above: Dr Melissa Prunty explained thecomplexities of handwriting v keyboard use.

Right: John Lewis buyers Jason Billings-Cray (left) and Katie Elmer with Manuscript Company’s Charlie Stockbridge (second right) and Charl Townsend at the event.

war effort’, and the GCA was given the responsibility of allocating the paper until rationing restrictions were lifted.

“Fast forward to today and we see the explosion of social media – however, a message on social media does not create the same powerful connection as seeing a loved one’s handwriting,” said Amanda.

Mentioning the GCA’s Schools Project, which connected pupils in Ghana with those in the UK, Thinking Of You Week, Festive Friday, and the #Cardmitment campaign, Amanda underlined that: “A card is a small hand-written act of kindness. It creates a strong emotional connection between the person that has written it and the person who receives it. There is simply nothing like seeing a hand-written envelope on the doormat with a message from someone who’s thinking of you.”

Dr Melissa Prunty, who is also divisional lead and reader in occupational therapy at London’s Brunel University, then covered the educational side of the subject, explaining that typing, handwriting or texting are all ways of writing and tools for literacy.

She said children aged four to five have to concentrate on how to shape letters so can’t think about the content at the same time, plus they don’t yet have the fine motor skills to use both hands to type – that doesn’t kick in until around age 10.

Melissa confirmed that writing by hand “aids retention of information as it engages the brain”, but added there are moves afoot to allow all GCSE students to take their exams on laptops “which does level the playing field”.

Someone who really is qualified to ink in the detail is Graham Craik, sales

director of Pentel and chairman of the Writing Instruments Association as he has sold around 7bn pens in his 40-year working life. He added that in last year people in the UK bought and used around 1.4bn pens, markers and pencils, worth £520million at retail, with the average Brit buying 20 pens a year.

Admittedly “Office products are slowly declining,” he said, “but the arts and crafts side, creative side and colour side, is most definitely on the increase,” while calligraphy products are growing by 20% every year and in 2020 when lockdown hit, the company sold four years’ worth of colouring products in just three months.

Confirming that working from home has hastened the paperless office predicted by

Microsoft in 1992 – although it’s taken a lot longer than the decade they expected – Graham said people still write on Post-It notes to stick on their computer and also take notes in meetings, and sales of chalk pens and paint markers have seen a 50% increase as they’re used for menu boards and shop signs, while many of Pentel’s pen sales are to greeting card retailers.

And he added: “Handwriting will be a declining skill if we do nothing,” but admitted his wife and the women in the office still expect handwritten greeting cards “and I would never send a Valentine’s text”!

Graham concluded: “Education is the future, we need to encourage handwriting as a skill as there are still a lot of uses for handwriting in the adult world,” with Pentel already involved with university Fresher Weeks, giving away pens and encouraging students to write letters home to their parents.

It was Helen who brought up the subject of AR robots writing cards for people based on their personal handwriting, to which Amanda responded: “It’s just not the same, when we write cards it contains our personality, a robot just can’t have that intimacy. A handwritten message has an integrity that ensures. You know the person that wrote it.”

Above: GCA ceo Amanda Fergusson addressing the audience at Stationers’ Hall.

Far right: Pentel is behind promoting mental health wellbeing.

Right: Handwriting experts Katie Wagstaff (right), of publisher Oh Squirrel, and London Scribes’ Jenny Collier enjoyed the debate.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 81

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PG ASKED A SELECTION OF RETAILERS FOR THEIR BEST SELLERS

Caroline Ranwell, owner of Hugs & Kisses, Tettenhall. A popular card and gift shop with a sister clothing shop in an historic village within the city of Wolverhampton.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

Five Dollar Shake

Crystal Curiosities

“Such beautiful works of art.”

Woodmansterne

Stephanie Dyment

“Gorgeous designs that are that bit different.”

Abacus Cards

“The designs have such wide appeal.”

Woodmansterne

Posies & Petals; Graphite Clive Nichols

Relations & Occasions

White Cotton Cards

Generally

“So flexible on the captions, such as ‘To a Wolves’ supporter Grandson’.”

Humour

Paperlink

Bestie; Bottomline

“Getting humorous cards right is so hard, but these publishers have done it so well for years.”

Pigment Rosie Made a Thing Dean Morris Brainbox Candy

Riff Raff; Rib Ticklers Gin & Frolics Generally Generally

Cute

Paper Shed Design

Absolutely Barking; Positively Purrfect

“Just lovely.”

Children’s

Janie Wilson

“Great designs that customers love.”

Rachel Ellen

Ooh La La; Super Duper Little Darlings

Adult Ages

Paper Salad Molly Mae

Hunkydory; Jamboree Generally

“Really impactful.”

“Strong appeal.”

Giftwrap

Glick

Stephanie Dyment; Paper Salad; Rosie Made a Thing Generally Pizazz Children’s gift bags

“Such a strong and varied offering.”

“I mix these publishers’ products in with some I source from a wholesaler to add to the mix.”

Bath and body Boxed silver earring cards Socks, stationery, lip balms Generally

“We have a large standalone display.”

“They are a lovely gift and card in one.”

Photographic

Caroline Gardner Nigel Quiney Rachel Ellen

Gifts

Inis Crumble & Core Wrendale Designs Jellycat

56 PROGRESSIVE PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS GREETINGS WORLDWIDE WORLDWIDE 82

“Wonderful images.”

“Our ‘cheeky box’ works well for ruder ones.”

“Small, pretty cards at a great price.”

Top: A Graphite card from Abacus.

Middle: An Absolutely Barking card from Paper Shed Design.

Above: Glick’s Stephanie Dyment collection sells well for Caroline.

“A well-loved, recognised brand.”

“Forever popular with customers.”

82-83_What's Hot.qxp_Grid 30/10/2023 23:41 Page 3

Julie Corke, owner of Polkadot, Tankerton. A card, gift and coffee shop on the Kent coast with a locals and tourist customer base.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

Louise Mulgrew Folio Sarah Kelleher

Generally Generally Florals

“Great fun for anyone.”

“Just started dealing with them…great!”

“Bright florals that add punch.”

Relations & Occasions

Molly Mae

Generally

Pigment

Lucia Heffernan

“Sadly, we can’t keep up with the demand for the sympathy designs.”

“Good fun designs.”

Redback Cards

Generally

Rosie Made a Thing

Gin & Frolics

“Cloud Nine is our biggest seller, but all are great.”

“Kept us all going in lockdown and it’s still fab.”

Children’s

Janie Wilson Paper Salad

Fruit & Veggies Jamboree

“I love the kids’ jokes on the back.”

“Bright and great.”

Adult Ages

Still Sunday Designs Wendy Jones-Blackett Rush Design Two Little Monkeys

Generally Generally Generally Generally

“A great find at PG Live.”

“These three publishers are so good for those in-between ages.”

Cute

Crumble & Core Wrendale Designs

Generally Country Set

“Quality artwork of cute depictions.”

Photographic

Noel Tatt Woodmansterne

Cube Framed

“Good variety of images.”

“Especially strong on photographic florals.”

3D

Tracks

Googly Eyes

“These attract the eye of customers.”

Giftwrappings

Glick

“The rollwrap selection nails it.”

Rachel Ellen

Rollwrap and Louise Mulgrew flatwrap Children’s

Warmies Wood & Bates

The Fruit Range Fragranced products

DCUK

Wooden Ducks

“The new lemon, pear, watermelon ones are doing well.”

“A local company with beautifully designed and smelling products.”

“The new raincoat and cyclists options are doing well.”

Humour

Gifts

Top: Folio is proving a winner for Polkadot.

Above: A Still Sunday Designs’ card.

Below: Warmies’ new fruit range is going down well in Tankerton.

“Ideal for kids’ gifts.”

John Sherwood, co-owner of Send It With Love, Harrogate. A long established, well-loved card and gift shop in the Yorkshire spa town.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

The Art File Caroline Gardner Woodmansterne Ohh Deer

Across the board Across the board Across the board Across the board

“These publishers have their finger on the pulse and keep their ranges moving forwards.”

Relations & Occasions

Five Dollar Shake Caroline Gardner

Across the board Across the board

“They are the masters of special cards.”

“The designs always stand out.”

Contemporary

Lagom Hutch Cassidy

Across the board Across the board

“Both are relatively new for us.”

Cute

Two Bad Mice

Anita Jeram

“Charming illustrations.”

Paperbird ArtPress Tatty Co

General art General art Main range

“Such varied good quality designs.”

Humour

Rosie Made a Thing

Gin & Frolics

“Still selling strongly.”

Giftwrappings

Artebene Glick

Generally Generally

“We rely on these two suppliers.”

Gifts

East of India St Eval FYG

Generally Candles Fragranced products

“An incredibly potent selection.”

“They sell and smell well!”

“Good new addition.”

Right: Woodmansterne’s cards sell well for John.

Art Right: Hard to believe Tatty Co’s art is all potato prints.

Right: An eye-catching Jamboree card from Paper Salad.

“Amazing that they are potato printed.”

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 83

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PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

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

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

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

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Publishers of quality blank greeting cards www.bexyboo.co.uk 01565 830 546

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

www.bugart.co.uk Te l: 01638 5 6 9 0 5 0 w w w . a b a cu s c a rd s . c o . u k E ma i l : i nf o@a ba c us card s . co . uk

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

THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD

&$5'6 )25 :+(1 :+$7 6 ,16,'( &28176

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84 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

BexyBooLtd

@BexyBooLtd

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

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83-95_Classified Complete 2023.qxp 31/10/2023 00:16 Page 85

PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

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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

Greetings Cards Plush & Giftware Gi G ft Dressings & Wrrap Gift

or contact Tracey Arnaud T: 07957 212 062 email: traceya@max-publishing.co.uk Innovative high quality gift wrap, gift bags, tissue paper and accesssories galore for all seasons and occasions.

By

®

Also acting as the exclusive UK distributor fo forr Bl Blue Mountain M t i A Ar ts t

Order s can be placed on our tradeer site

www.cbgtrader w. r..co.uk

01274 655980 sales@glick.co.uk glick.co.uk trade.glick.co.uk Glick Gift Packaging Ltd Unit 1 Allenby House European Ind. Park, Knowles Lane Bradford BD4 9AB

or call our customer ser vices team m on

+44(0)1243 792600 @glickgiftwrap

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

1b-Ѳbv|v |_mb1 u;;ࢼm] -u7v "r; S end i n g YO Y OU OU

WISHES

from the

A w o n d e rf u l Eid!

Including firm favourites and brand new designs

Ch C hin nese ese

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

HE IS

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

THE

WAY

THE AND TRUTH

LIFE

THE

THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD

Polissh Po h

Te T el: 0161 1 64 641 0 06 655 Email: m sales@daav sales@d avora.co.uk 135 Hea 13 135 eaton Moorr Rd | Stockp ock kpor port ort SK4 4HY 4 4H HY

Tel: +44 (0)115 986 0115 customerservices@paperrose.co.uk www.writefromtheheart.co.uk PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 85

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PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

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

originalposter.com

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

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

+

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

We replace slow sellers and damaged stock free of charge.

We merchandise regularly, so you don’t have to.

THAT’S WHY WE’RE ORIGINAL!

01932 267 300

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

)

Great brands, Great service Bespoke planning We can help with all your planning requirements.

From smaller displays to redeveloping complete card departments

CHARITY 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.

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

86 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

@NoelTattGroup 01227 811 600 sales@noeltatt.co.uk www.noeltatt.co.uk

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

83-95_Classified Complete 2023.qxp 31/10/2023 00:16 Page 87

PRODUCT DIRECTORY

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Send Love e ( all year round )

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

info@papersheddesign.com www.papersheddesign.com tel: 0118 9744283

t: 0208 6138 085

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

paperbirdpublishing.co.uk u

p p paperlink... the home of fabulous cards!

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.

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

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

@ @paperlinkcards

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

Greetting i g Card C ds

Brands:

THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD

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

Quality Greeting Cards ww ww.passelllpublisshin ng.com m iinfo nfo o@ o @ pas sellpu lpu ublis shin ng n g..com @pas sel ublis shin m

01423 876311 www.peartreeheybridge.co.uk

Wooburn Industrial Park, Wooburn Green, Bucks HP10 0PE Tel: 01628 526711 Fax: 01628 531483 www.simonelvin.com mail@simonelvin.com PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 87

Peartree Small Ad.indd 6

24/02/2022 15:52

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PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

Enquiries: warren@max-publishing.co.uk or Tracey Arnaud traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

DIRECTORY OF WHOLESALE

Market Leaders in

Verse &

entimen

an extensive range of superior quality,

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

Method of Sale: Direct to Retail Orders can be placed on our trader site

www.cbgtrader.co.uk or call our customer services team on

+44(0)1243 792600

EUROPE’S LEADING GREETINGS CARDS, PARTY PRODUCTS, GIFTS, CANDLES, TOYS, STATIONERY AND FLORIST SUNDRIES DISTRIBUTION CENTRE 75000 SQ FT BESCOT CRESCENT, WALSALL, WEST MIDLANDS. WS1 4NG 01922-646666 www.greetingshouse.co.uk info@greetingshouse.co.uk

We offffer a COMPREHEN

MON,WED,FRI 8.00am-4.45pm TUES,THURS 8.00am-7.45pm SAT,SUN 8.00am-1.45pm

range of high Greeting Cards f ALL Occasions,

CHRISTMAS an

THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD

Season f Sale:

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

Tel: 01942 233201

88 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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DIRECTORY OF WHOLESALE

l DIRECTORY OF WHOLESALE

LONDON

WALES

Enquiries: warren@max-publishing.co.uk or Tracey Arnaud traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

CLASSIFIED

l CLASSIFIED BAGS

BAGS

Manufacturers of 30% recycled content packag ging

ST

ABL

E BA

G

ST

ABL

E BA

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

OMPO

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• C

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BDP

www.transrappackag ging.co.uk sales@transrap.cco.uk CALL US TODA AY

01773 537 7810

30 YEARS EXPERIENCE - QUA ALITY SERVICE EXTENSIVE STOCK RANGE - QUICK K DELIVERY Y ASSURED

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 89

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CLASSIFIED

l CLASSIFIED

l CLASSIFIED

BAGS

l CLASSIFIED

l CLASSIFIED

CRAFT & ORNAMENT

Polypropylene & biodegradable bag specialists

GREETING CARD

Over 40 years quality service to the trade Hotfoiling also available

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

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

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

ENVELOPES

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

01 90 83 78 86 6

GIVE E YOUR

V VIP

TREA AT A TMENT HIGH CLARITY L TY Y BA AGS FOR RG GREETING ET T NG CARD DS, CALEND EN N ARS ARS AND AND D ARTW TWORK WORK ŏ ŏđŏ ŏ

FOIL LB BLOCKING NG G

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

‘we we make Envelopes and Stationery’

PLEASE GET IN TOUCH FOR TARY RY YOUR COMPLIMENTA ENVELOPE OR NOTEBOOK WATCH PA PACK SWA

FOR ALL YOUR ENVELOPE NEEDS! Largest range of in-stock colours

EXTE XTENSIVE NSIV VE RANG V R RA ANGE OF S ST TOCK SIZES SIZ ZES AND BES AND BE ESPO OKE KE MANUF KE MANU UF FACTU TUR TURE T U E

Over 400 Bespoke Envelope Sizes

AT TED D WRAPPING SERVICE NEW AUTOMA

100% Recycled Paper Available

8 Sizes Permanently in Stock RECYCLED

Stock & Bespoke Cello Bags

CALL CA CAL C LL US ST TO ODAY OD

0122 1228 228 2 28 8 5605 56 60 052 26 6 www.fful ulcrumfilms. ulcrrum mfillm ms s co.uk uk 90 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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

Peel & Stick Envelopes Bespoke Service on Request

ORDER ON LINE AT: www.regentenvelopes.com 01274 583000 sales@regentenvelopes.com

PAPER

83-95_Classified Complete 2023.qxp 31/10/2023 00:17 Page 91

CLASSIFIED

l CLASSIFIED

l CLASSIFIED

l ENVELOPES

l ENVELOPES

l CLASSIFIED

l ENVELOPES

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

01 90 83 78 86 6

ENVELOPES

l CLASSIFIED

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

‘we we make Envelopes and Stationery’

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

PLEASE GET IN TOUCH FOR YOUR COMPLIMENTA TARY RY ENVELOPE OR NOTEBOOK WATCH PA PACK SWA

FLITTERING FOR ALL YOUR FLITTER REQUIREMENTS

FOR ALL YOUR ENVELOPE NEEDS!

ABL Foil Ltd

Largest range of in-stock colours Over 400 Bespoke Envelope Sizes 8 Sizes Permanently in Stock RECYCLED

PAPER

100% Recycled Paper Available

Unit 1, Industrial Estate East Hanningfield Chelmsford Essex, CM3 8AB

Stock & Bespoke Cello Bags Peel & Stick Envelopes Bespoke Service on Request

ORDER ON LINE AT: www.regentenvelopes.com 01274 583000 sales@regentenvelopes.com

Manuffa acturers off high quality envelopes 10 popular greetings card sizes in stock recycled & kraft envelopes in stock RECYCLED PA P APER

Enquiries: warren@max-publishing.co.uk or Tracey Arnaud traceya@max-publishing.co.uk PRINTERS

Hello Cards are FSC approved digital printers, offering high quality print at competitive prices, working with both large and small publishers. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

CALL US TODAY

01773 537810

www.transrappackaging.co.uk sales@transrap.co.uk

Enquiries: warren@max-publishing.co.uk or Tracey Arnaud traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

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

Additional Services • Foiling with no dies • Inhouse fulfilment

• Distribution • Wiro Bound Notebooks

T 01274 305832 E info@hellocards.co.uk

www.hellocards.co.uk PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 91

83-95_Classified Complete 2023.qxp 31/10/2023 00:17 Page 92

CLASSIFIED

l CLASSIFIED PRINTERS

l CLASSIFIED

l PRINTERS

l CLASSIFIED

l PRINTERS

l CLASSIFIED

l PRINTERS

PJ PRINT LONDON THE SPECIALIST GREETINGS CARD PRINTER Litho Print

D Die-cutting

Digital Print

F ering Flitt

Foiling

Packing

Embossing

D Distribution

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

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

www.herbertwalkers.co.u uk

The Print Works Colville Road, Acton, London, W3 8BL E-mail: sales@pj-print.co.uk Tel: 020 8993 5160 www.pj-print.co.uk

92 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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CLASSIFIED

l CLASSIFIED PRINTERS

l CLASSIFIED

l PRINTERS

l CLASSIFIED

l PRINTERS

l CLASSIFIED

l PRINTERS

WAREHOUSING & DISTRIBUTION WA WAREHOU USING & DISTRIBUTION

• We Store

• Sa ame Day Dispatch

• Hand Finish

• Ac Accurate ccurate Fulfilment

• Wrap Wrap, Band

• De edicated Line Manager edicated

• Pick

• Transparent Invoicing

• Pack

• Cos o ts Reflect Cash Flow

T: E: E: www.lb-warehousing.co.uk

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 93

83-95_Classified Complete 2023.qxp 31/10/2023 00:17 Page 94

CLASSIFIED

l CLASSIFIED

l CLASSIFIED

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DISPLAY AND SPINNERS

WAREHOUSING & DISTRIBUTION

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83-95_Classified Complete 2023.qxp 31/10/2023 00:17 Page 95

APPOINTMENTS

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PIGMENT ARE HIRING!!

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l APPOINTMENTS

HARROGATE LOCATION

senior acco ount manage er

Pigment are looking for an experienced Account Manager to play a key role in our growing business.

Our ideal candidate will have greetings cards/FMCG experience and excellent communication skills.

8 L M W M W E K VI EX S T T S V X Y R M X ] XS N S M R E J V M I R H P] X E P I RXI H XI E Q M R E L M K L T VSǻ P I G Y W XS Q I V JE G M R K VS P I based in our lovely design studio in Harrogate.

For more details or to apply please email Debbie Saltmarsh debs@pigmentproductions.com

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 95

Contact our Customer Service team hello@secondnature.co.uk | +44 (0) 1983 209 590 Or call your local Sales Consultant

REGISTER AT SECONDNATURE.CO.UK TO ORDER ONLINE OBC_PG November 2023.indd 1

30/10/2023 23:55