Conor McCabe
Cover Story
Business
David Carroll, Carroll’s Hallmark Store
CARROLL’S HALLMARK STORE, DUNDALK Ian Carroll started out in retail opening a newsagent and bookshop in the Dundalk Shopping Centre in 1974. “The newsagent was a great place to test new products and at some stage we sold everything from Acorn Computers, CDs, DVDs, videotapes, mobile phones, stationery, greeting cards and gift wrap,” says his son David who now runs the business. “Some of those had a relatively short life span but the greeting cards sector experienced significant growth during that period.” A partnership with Hallmark was made and the first of four Carroll’s Hallmark stores opened in Dundalk Shopping Centre in 1984. According to Carroll, customer service is a huge focus of the business and something he believes sets his stores apart. “While we always endeavour to stay relevant and keep ahead of the trends by bringing the latest ideas in cards and gifts to our stores, we’re very aware that the discerning customer of today expects much more than this,” he says. In addition to its bricks and mortar stores, Carroll’s Halmark is currently developing a website and online presence to give added value to its customers. “Success for us in the next five years would be to have a significant share of the online gift market, which would complement our direct business,” says Carroll.
Competitive Card Payment Rates Carroll’s Hallmark Store has worked closely with PostPoint for over 15 years, first selling stamps, and now accepting card payments through PostPoint in all their stores. “We have grown as PostPoint has grown and we use their merchant services in all our stores,” says Carroll. “We have a brilliant working relationship with our local area manager and I feel that we get a great product that covers all our needs, at a competitive price.”
Get a Free Card Payments Quote Today PostPoint works with local businesses across every county in Ireland. You can find more information about joining PostPoint at www.postpoint.ie. You can request a free quote from our website at www.postpoint.ie/ card-payments.
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04/12/2017 12:21