Greetings Today July August 2025

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What’s

Bryony

Retailers share what’s selling well

of

Matt Simpson, of The Letter Arty, shares news of two new ventures

Editor Naomi MacKay naomi@lemapublishing.co.uk

Advertising

Marian McNamara marian@lemapublishing.co.uk 01442 289940

Managing

Mark Naish

mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

Production

Suppliers talk about the second half of the year, AI, GPSR and more Design

Chairman

Jayne

Editor Naomi MacKay

leader

Watching the news over the past few weeks has not been the most enjoyable of experiences – but I suppose at least we’ve had some sunshine to brighten the mood.

And there’s plenty of positivity within the greetings industry to at least try to counteract the depressing events worldwide.

That’s where our Cover Star for this issue comes into its own. UK Greetings aims to put a grin on everyone’s face with its latest collaboration with The Smiley Company – bringing strong brand recognition to everything from greeting cards to gift dressings, and its first foray into partyware…

Retailers have some positive news for us too. In our Shop Talk feature, Lucy Eason at George’s in Whitstable, Kent, has seen a fantastic boost in business after the shop’s refit. “We’ve just wrapped up Father’s Day” she says, ‘’and we’re

thrilled to report a 50% uplift in sales! We’re really pleased with this year’s results.’’

And Carl Dunne at Cards and Gifts in Dronfield, Derbyshire, has seen ‘’a huge increase in age 60 and age 80 birthday cards” over the past few months. Publisher Grace Jackson also reports that she is designing ages over 100 now, after some special requests! Luckily, we have a feature on Age Cards in this issue on page 48, so you can check out some new designs.

And if you haven’t made it to the beach yet this summer, join us as we take a trip to the North Norfolk coast for our retail interview with Charlotte Stubbs, owner of Retas finalist Creativity, in the seaside town of Sheringham.

And we keep to the coastal theme with a visit to Kingsbridge in Devon, where Jayne and Kevin Brooking run Occasional Cards and Gifts, another Retas finalist. As well as aiming to keep customers satisfied with a constantly updated card offering, they do their best to support upcoming card designers too.

And proving that small can indeed be mighty, we chat to our third Retas finalist interviewee, Janet Ross-Jordan, owner of Cards and Gift Wrap on the Scottish island of Lewis. Her tiny shop runs alongside a successful online business.

Yet another Retas finalist, and owner of another ‘small’ shop, is Matt Simpson of Manchester’s The Letter Arty, who is our Diary columnist for this issue. He shares with us two exciting new ventures.

This issue of Greetings Today goes to press just before the Retas finalists are announced, so we wish you all good luck!

With the sun shining, anyone who’s been will tell you that this is typical Home & Gift weather. Each year the weather gods seem to look down kindly on this Harrogate show,

Send your views and submissions for the magazine to naomi@lemapublishing.co.uk

which means that visitors can make the most of the outdoor social events. Read more about what’s on in our interview with event director David Westbrooke, on page 18, as the show celebrates its 65th anniversary.

The Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival, to give it its full, proper name, is popular with exhibitors and buyers alike, and it really seems to have that something special. As Stacey McNeill, founder of Fox Under The Moon, says: ‘’It’s not just a trade show, it’s a gathering of likeminded creatives, retailers and buyers, who really understand the value of meaningful, heartfelt products.’’

On that note, do say hello if you see the Greetings Today team at Harrogate.

And finally, if you would like to contribute to the magazine, or take part in a Retail Interview, Shop Talk or Trade Talk, get in touch at naomi@lemapublishing. co.uk, or connect on LinkedIn. I look forward to hearing from you.

Woodmansterne goes back to its roots at naming ceremony

Greeting card publisher Woodmansterne o cially named its new printing press and production facility in Milton Keynes on June 27.

MD Seth Woodmansterne (pictured) unveiled the name of the new £3.5million facility at an event attended by the company’s sta , suppliers and press.

And the event turned into a family a air as Seth was joined by his dad and company Chairman Paul – and the youngest member of the Woodmansterne family, 13-month-old Peregrine, great grandson of the firm’s founder Graham.

Paul emphasised the importance of the UK’s family firms, saying: “It’s the bedrock of UK businesses; 40% are family businesses, so we’re really hoping that this little guy will think, ‘I’ll never work in my daddy’s business’. I said that, Seth said that, and Peregrine can now say that too if he wants to!”

The new press has been named The Croxley Press, to acknowledge the Croxley Green part of its Watford headquarters, where Woodmansterne has been based since the business began in 1953. It also acknowledges 19th century Croxley inventor John Dickinson, who devised and patented paper-making machinery, pioneered gummed paper and corrugated board, and owned the Croxley papermill.

The Milton Keynes site ships around 50m items in a year, Seth added, holds 10.8m greeting cards and has the distinction of being one of the most environmentally greenest warehouses in the UK –with rainwater harvesting, sklylights and solar panels.

Cherry Orchard’s Jackie sets charity challenge

Cherry Orchard Publishing’s Jackie Collins has set herself quite the challenge this year.

Greeting card publisher MD Jackie will be taking on the Mourne Mountains 7 Peaks Challenge this autumn, raising funds for charity Action Cancer.

Jackie said: ‘’Having climbed the 3 Peaks back in 2017 (and because of my Irish roots), I’d always wanted to climb the ‘fourth’ peak, Slieve Donard, in Northern Ireland.

‘’Eight years later, the perfect opportunity popped up and I can combine raising money for a wonderful charity close to our family’s heart, get fit and tick one more o the bucket list!’’

Jackie will attempt to climb seven of the highest peaks in the Mourne Mountains on September 13, and aims to raise £750.

Action Cancer provides prevention, detection and support services, and as a local charity, all money donated stays within Northern Ireland.

For every £1 raised, 82p is spent on providing the range of much-needed services. The charity must raise £4 million each year in order to provide free services to users including breast screening for women aged 40-49 and 70+ (outside the NHS range), skin cancer detection, health checks, counselling services and therapeutic services.

If you would like to donate to this worthy cause, simply head to https://actioncancer.enthuse.com/pf/jackie-collins

Toni’s Trek sees Ian get on his bike…

Greeting card industry stalwarts put their best foot forward in the Cardgains Charity Walk on June 26.

The event raised over £50,000 (and still rising) for Pancreatic Cancer UK, in memory of Toni Cresswell, product manager at Emotional Rescue.

Toni, who lost her short battle against the disease last September, is remembered as ‘’a caring, smiley and friendly colleague with a true heart of gold, always looking out for and asking after others. Toni has left a huge hole in both Emotional Rescue as a company and hearts across the greeting card industry.’’

This year’s 25-mile hike was devised by Ian Bradley, of Rush Design. He said: ‘‘The walk was a huge success. Everyone finished the 25 miles, some clocking up nearly 27 for some reason. The end result was very tired feet, yet happiness for the money raised for such a deserving cause.’’

Thanks to a damaged knee, Ian was unable to walk and instead ‘‘took to two wheels and kept everyone on track, like herding cats. The weather played its part too with an overcast start followed by a sunny day but not too hot…!

‘‘Everyone loved the route I created,’’ he added. ‘‘A circular walk around Birmingham along canals, through parks and old railway lines. Taking in some of the landmarks in the city too.’’ In honour of this, Ian and wife Lorraine, Rush designer and owner, dubbed themselves the Peaky Bradleys, in a nod to the Peaky Blinders TV programme, which is set around the city.

Other greetings teams taking part included Danilo, House of Cards, Emotional Rescue, Paper Salad, Andrea Pinder, of Presentation Cards & Gifts, Barrowford, and David Falkner at Cardology.

You can still donate at www.justgiving.com/team/cardgainsteam2025-tonistrek

IN THE NEWS

Cards For All champions authentic representation in greeting cards

A new initiative has launched within the greeting card industry to drive authentic representation and champion diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I).

Adriana Lovesy, co-founder of Greetings Lab, has brought together a passionate committee of industry leaders who share a commitment to meaningful change. The group has established a not-for-profit organisation under the name Cards For All.

Adriana said: ‘’The idea for Cards For All came to me after my lovely friend Peter Fox hosted a powerful webinar on DE&I. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with so many people asking how they could learn more and get involved. I followed up with a few friends in the industry, and just like that Cards For All was born. It’s incredible what can happen when the right conversation sparks the right connections.”

The organisation’s mission is to: ‘’champion authentic representation in the greeting card industry by educating on the importance of diversity. We work to ensure that people of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences see themselves reflected in cards that mark life’s most meaningful moments.’’

The founding board includes: Adriana Lovesy – founder, Greetings Lab; Peter Fox – editorial manager and DE&I ambassador, cardfactory; Georgina Fihosy – founder, AfroTouch Designs; Matt Simpson – owner, The Letter Arty & creator of Choose Cards; Soula Zavacopoulos – founder, The London Studio; Sara Allbright – director, Retail100, and Anna Berry – director, Retail100.

They are united by a shared belief that greeting cards should reflect and celebrate everyone.

Peter Fox, editorial manager and DE&I ambassador, cardfactory, added: “For millions of people across the UK, greeting cards are the perfect way to celebrate our most special moments. At Cards for All, we believe that everyone deserves an equal chance to feel special, feel seen and feel celebrated – no matter who they are.”

Moonpig CEO to step down

Online card retailer Moonpig has announced that CEO Nickyl Raithatha will leave the company.

Raithatha, who has been at the helm since 2018, oversaw Moonpig’s IPO in 2021. When the company listed on the London Stock Exchange four years ago, its shares shot up by 17% on its first day of trading, valuing the company at £1.4bn.

Raithatha will continue in his role for a year-long notice period, while the search begins for a successor. He said: “After seven years as CEO, I am proud to leave the group in a strong position as the clear leading platform in cards and gifts across both the UK and the Netherlands, with a loyal and growing customer base, driven by our innovations in technology, data and AI.’’

Kate Swann, chair of Moonpig, added: “I would like

to thank Nickyl for his service and contribution as CEO, including leading the group to a successful IPO on the London Stock Exchange in 2021.

“Under his leadership, the group has reinforced its position as the category-defining online platform for greeting cards and gifting.

“Nickyl leaves the group in a strong position, with the Group’s FY25 results showcasing another year of strong earnings growth and high free cash flow. The board remains confident in the opportunities ahead.’’

The announcement came as Moonpig reported that its FY25 revenue was up 2.6% year-on-year, at £350.1m. It stated this was due to growth in international markets such as Ireland, Australia and the US, and an 8.6% increase in Moonpig brand revenue.

Danilo joins fast-growing Dog Man licensing programme

Rocket Licensing has announced two new UK and Eire licensees for the successful kids’ brand Dog Man (who is also loved by quite a few adults): Danilo for calendars and greetings cards, and Bioworld for apparel and accessories.

The Dog Man characters will take centre stage in a new card range and 2025 calendar from Danilo, a leading publisher of licensed calendars, greetings cards, gift wrap and diaries. The range launches this summer. A 2026 calendar is also in development.

Created by Dav Pilkey, the Dog Man books are the exciting, silly and laugh-out-loud-funny adventures of Dog Man, a new hero with the body of a police o cer and the head of a dog, not to mention a large and very entertaining cast of friends, enemies, family and colleagues.

UOE owner Elliot Jacobs

UOE set to open 30-plus new stores this summer

Between August and October 2025, UOE is opening more than 30 new stores across London, Hertfordshire, and beyond!

In an announcement, the Retas finalist retailer stated: ‘’We’re growing faster than ever before and bringing our unique blend of Post O ce services, design-led stationery, business support, and brilliant gifting to even more communities.

‘’Whether you’re popping in for a passport photo, looking for beautiful stationery, posting a parcel, or seeking business support – UOE stores are designed to help make your day a little easier (and a little brighter). We’re proud to be a local hub for everyday essentials, small business services, and sustainable gifting.’’

New stores will appear in the heart of London, commuter towns, and suburban neighbourhoods, including: Baker Street, Barnet, Brixton, Cambridge City, Golders Green, Hampstead, Harlesden, Harold Hill, High Holborn, Houndsditch, Islington, Kennington Park, Kilburn, Kingsbury, Kingsland High Street, Knightsbridge, Leighton Buzzard, London Bridge, Lower Edmonton, Milton Keynes, Mount Pleasant, Northolt, Oxford, Paddington Quay, Raynes Park, Roman Road, St Albans, Stamford Hill, Wealdstone and Windsor.

‘‘From bustling city centres to buzzing high streets, we’re continuing our mission to bring convenience, creativity, and community support to every doorstep,’’ UOE added.

The retailer also said that it would be recruiting for new roles, from store managers to team members.

The series has, to date, inspired 16 massively successful books, which have dominated global sales since 2019, topping the bestseller lists and driving sales of over $1.5 billion. They include the Christmas hit Big Jim Begins and the o cial sticker book, which arrived in January.

The next book in the series Dog Man: Big Jim Believes will reach UK fans in November 2025.

Dog Man has also inspired a movie from DreamWorks Animation, released in January this year. The film received positive reviews from critics and has grossed US$144 million worldwide, becoming the seventhhighest-grossing film of 2025. A second film is already at the planning stage.

Anna Berry, left, and Sara Allbright

L-r: Peter Fox, Adriana Lovesy, Matt Simpson

Giant birthday celebration

The GCA is working with N Smith to produce a giant birthday card to celebrate Harrogate Home & Gift’s 65th anniversary, featuring a beautiful design by GCA member Grace Jackson, whose artwork perfectly captures the spirit of the occasion.

All GCA members who are exhibiting are invited to come and sign the card on Monday July 21 at 9:15am – a great way to kick o the day and celebrate together.

Later that evening, GCA members are invited for informal drinks from 6–7pm (venue tbc). It will be a great chance to catch up with fellow members and meet Danielle McCarthy from the GCA, along with Karen Wilson (Paper Salad), incoming GCA President, and Mark Callaby (Ohh Deer), incoming Vice President.

Plans for Thinking of You Week continue

Plans for this year’s Thinking of You Week (Sept 15-21) are well underway, and excitement is growing!

More than 1,000 stores have already confirmed their participation, including major retailers such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, and TG Jones.

Graphite Creative has kindly agreed to print the Thinking of You week posters and these will be given out to retailers at the Henries judging.

Retailers can also receive posters from the following publishers: UKG, Paper Salad, Ling Design, Woodmansterne, Wendy Jones Blackett, Abacus, Ohh Deer, Hallmark or Raspberry Blossom.

Retailers can download free toolkits, with designs for banners, posters and other promotional material – designed by Paper Salad – from www.thinkingofyouweek.cards/get-involved/toolkit.

Get local for meetups

GCA Local Events are small local meet-ups with fellow members in your area. These events are all about enjoying a cup of co ee – or a drink after work – while chatting about cards. There are two set to be held on July 15: Gloucester Hosted by GCA members Alpha Colour Printers at its o ces. Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy an optional tour of Alpha Colour’s impressive facilities, followed by a complimentary lunch – exclusively for GCA members.

Spaces are limited to just 15 attendees, so early booking is essential as places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

To book head to www.gca.cards/event/gca-local-gloucester.

North London This GCA Local event will be held in London and hosted by GCA Council members Daniel Prince, Nick Carey, Seth Woodmansterne and David Falkner. www.gca.cards/event/gca-local-london.

Waterstones buyer joins GCA conference line-up

Hazel Walker, senior buyer at Waterstones, will be speaking at the GCA’s Conference in Manchester this autumn.

Hazel has been senior buyer at Waterstones for six years and has 15 years of experience in the greeting card industry, with invaluable expertise of the buying process for Waterstones and its partner brands – Foyles, Hatchards and Blackwell’s.

She will explore key trends in the industry and the powerful synergy between books and greeting cards.

Also on the speakers’ line-up is Pip Heywood, MD, Thortful, who will talk about keeping greeting cards relevant, accessible, and exciting for evolving consumers, as well as how the company attracts and nurtures new creative talent.

The conference takes place on September 25 at Manchester Hall in the city centre. Hallmark is sponsoring drinks the night before. There are still some sponsorship opportunities available for GCA supplier members.

Buy tickets at www.gca.cards/gca-annual-conference-and-agm

spotlight

Welcome To The Fold

Ben Dorney, Museum & Galleries’ creative director, launched M&G’s new sub-brand The Fold to sales colleagues at PG Live in June, making this a major initiative for the company.

The result of almost two years of research and development by M&G’s studio, led by M&G’s head of design, Stuart Harris, The Fold spearheads a significant move by M&G into contemporary art and illustration, with two collections totalling more than 80 fresh new designs, the vast majority of which are by first-time artists for M&G. The Fold o ers a vibrant and diverse collection of on-trend artwork, quirky humour and bold typographic designs.

M&G states: “The Fold brings joy, colour, and a carnival of contemporary artists and illustrators to the world of greeting cards. It’s a new and exciting venture, backed by a trusted name.”

Ben says: ”The Fold is passionate about authentic creativity, artistic expression, and the joy of connecting through carefully considered products. The Fold’s mission is to champion talented contemporary creatives and emerging designers in the UK and beyond.”

Each of the two thoughtfully curated ranges in The Fold launch contain more than 40 joyful, bold, and beautiful designs by artists including Daria Solak, Kristian Gallagher, The Native State, Laura Clare and many more. Printed on textured board, the cards feature either foiling or emboss and come with branded Kraft envelopes. SRP is £2.99 for the smaller size and £3.15 for the classic size.

Charm and grace

Joe Davies introduces the Highland Charm Collection, a heartwarming new range of plaques and frames designed to sit beautifully alongside any greeting card. With more than 20 charming designs across hanging hearts, wall plaques, freestanding cottages, and photo frames, this collection captures life’s meaningful moments – from friendship and family to home, love, and memories.

Each piece features a cosy, rustic style with heartfelt messages, gentle wood tones, and textured Highland cow embellishments that add warmth and tactile appeal. Compact, affordable, and full of sentiment, Highland Charm is made for card-and-gift pairing, offering the perfect add-on for birthdays, housewarmings, or just-because giving.

These impulse-friendly gifts are ideal for till-point displays, occasion-led zones, or themed window features. From the best-selling Hanging Heart Plaques to the beautifully illustrated Photo Frames, the range encourages customers to go beyond the card and give something that lasts.

Inspired by the strength of grace and nature, the new Equilibrium Bamboo Collection brings organic beauty to modern styling. Each piece in this elegant range draws on the natural form of bamboo, with flowing lines and textured details that capture its timeless appeal. Crafted in a variety of styles to suit every taste, the collection is plated in real silver or gold for a luxurious finish. Select designs are enhanced with sparkling gemstones, adding a touch of glamour to the earthy aesthetic. Whether you prefer minimal elegance or a bolder statement, these nature-inspired pieces offer a fresh, contemporary take on botanical jewellery.

Joe Davies 0161 975 6300 | sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk

A taste of sparkle

Grace Jackson’s Tasting Notes range raises a glass to all things celebratory with a design-led twist. Inspired by the visual language of fine wine, whisky, and sparkling drinks labels, these cards blend wit with elegance – perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or gifting alongside a bottle. Each design features closeup illustrations that echo premium packaging, finished with luxurious hot foil and paired with playful phrases such as ‘Sip Sip Hooray’, and ‘You had me at Merlot’. This is a collection for the modern celebrator – those who appreciate good design, good humour, and a good drink. Whether it’s raising a smile or raising a toast, Tasting Notes brings a little sparkle to every occasion.

Grace Jackson Design

07902875014 | hello@gracejacksondesign.co.uk gjdesignwholesale.co.uk

Get busy with

the Fizz-y

Cherry Orchard Publishing is fizzing with excitement to introduce the latest addition to its celebratory range Cherry Fizz, a new set of male titles featuring 12 vibrant designs with bold lettering. The set includes six code 75s and six code 100s, each finished with full-colour printed leaf inserts. Every card is beautifully embossed and finished with eyecatching gold foil for maximum impact.

MD Jackie Collins says: ‘’I’m delighted with Cherry Fizz, it’s a stand-out addition to Cherry Orchard’s ever-growing portfolio. This range name couldn’t be more fitting for celebrating our 30th year and it’s already proving to be a hit with our customers.’’

Add a splash of colour to your shelves with this dynamic new set of male titled cards.

Cherry Orchard Publishing 01684 295500

info@cherryorchardpublishing.co.uk www.cherryorchardpublishing.co.uk

Cup winner

Alljoy Design unveil its latest innovation, A Cup of Tea. This is a beautifully crafted 3D pop-up card range designed to surprise and delight. Shaped like a teacup, each card folds completely flat for easy posting and then pops up into a charming 3D scene, layered with intricate details and artistic flair. Designed to suit a variety of occasions – from birthdays and thank yous to everyday moments – A Cup of Tea is where joy unfolds and is ready to be shared with everyone. It feels like a keepsake, making it perfect for customers seeking something extra special. The range is not only visually exciting but also practical, offering retailers a standout new product that’s both giftable and easy to merchandise.

Alljoy Design

info@alljoydesign.com | www.alljoydesign.com

Motor magic

Enzo Ferrari famously stated that the E Type Jaguar was ‘the most beautiful car in the world’.

This new card by illustrator Tom Crowe is one of the new additions to his Great British Cars range for Clanna Cards. Other designs in the range include the Bentley 4.5 Litre Blower that won Le Mans five times, James Bond’s classic Aston Martin DB5 and last but by no means least the iconic Mini Cooper. All cards are cello wrapped and measure 7x5in. Clanna Cards’ car and transport cards also include the Le Mans 24 Hour and Brooklands Museum heritage collections. Clanna Cards & Visoni.com 01242 575574 clannacards@hotmail.com www.clannacardsandvisoni.com

It’s a boy thing!

The girls at Kali Stileman Publishing are head over heels with their latest birthday set for boys! This male hobby collection features cool and colourful golfers, gardeners, cyclists and skiers to name a few. The range has been so popular that they even had to order larger quantities just two weeks after its launch.

Kali Stileman Publishing

01305 848899

info@kalistileman.co.uk

www.kalistileman.co.uk

Wild things!

Be Wild is a new collection of eight beautifully illustrated birthday cards celebrating the charm of safari animals. Perfect for both adults and children, each design features striking safari characters –think elephants, tigers, giraffes, crocodiles and cheeky monkeys – framed in a crisp white border and surrounded by lush flora and fauna. The collection blends playful energy with elegant detail, making it a versatile range that appeals to a wide audience. Each design is embossed and presented with an Eco Kraft envelope. Cards measure 120 x 170mm.

Frilling new cards

Dressed to Frill is the new range from multi-award winning stationery and gift publisher, Clavis & Claustra. Featuring watercolour illustrations by artist Doreen Dames Caldwell, it showcases the evolution of women’s fashion in the 20th century in the context of their changing roles and freedoms. The sassy captions carry a timeless rebellious spirit with modern humorous appeal. Starting with an initial selection of card designs, this range will be expanded over the coming months to other products and designs.

Clavis & Claustra specialises in merchandise celebrating women in history, and supplies museums, castles, bookshops and gift shops across the UK.

Clavis & Claustra 07790 681407

clavisandclaustra@gmail.com www.clavisandclaustra.co.uk

Rosanna Rossi

07900 698 522

infor@rosanna-rossi.co.uk | www.rosanna-rossi.co.uk

A growing range

Draw UK has added 24 original hand-drawn designs to its range of greeting cards, with more to come in what is a very busy creative period for the company.

With more than 150 designs in the range, every character is carefully considered and drawn, by hand, before being printed locally using vegetable inks on recycled board. Products are packed by hand and shipped to customers across the UK and beyond.

“2025 sees our biggest range to date,” comments Will Digby, MD, Draw UK, “For over 20 years the business has created fresh new designs that position our greeting cards and giftware at the forefront of the industry. We are proud of our products and what we can offer retailers. The personal touch is at the heart of what we do, consistently putting our customers first, ensuring there is always something relevant to add to retailers’ shelves.”

Draw UK

01444 401900

sales@drawuk.co.uk

www.drawuk.co.uk

Celebrating the best of the Great British high street

From first-time

exhibitors to trend-led pavilions and immersive networking spaces, Autumn Fair 2025 returns to the NEC Birmingham from September 7-10 with its most enriched and energising edition yet

From first-time exhibitors to trend-led pavilions and immersive networking spaces, Autumn Fair 2025 returns to the NEC Birmingham from September 7-10 with its most enriched and energising edition yet.

High-quality products for high street stores

Each year, Autumn Fair celebrates the Great British high street by connecting independent, brick and mortar retailers with more than 800 British and international suppliers. It’s the perfect time to stock up on unique, trend-setting products just in time for the festive season.

The industry’s favourite place to shop

Hosted during a key buying period, Autumn Fair brings purchase-ready retail buyers and ready-to-ship suppliers together. With more than 12,000 buyers, a fresh line-up of new brands, and a reinvigorated focus on independent retail, Autumn Fair remains the UK’s most comprehensive source of inspiration for the gifting sector. Autumn Fair is the leading order-writing show, and the show buyers commit their budget after browsing. Whether you’re scouting next season’s bestsellers or connecting with forward-thinking suppliers, Autumn Fair is where retail takes root.

10 destinations. Endless discovery

Carefully curated to help retailers explore and shop with ease, Autumn Fair spans 10 definitive destinations across gifting, fashion, lifestyle, and home. The show is expertly edited with thousands of must-have products, making it the trusted trade show to find new and trending collections in time for the year-end rush. Discover Home, Living & Décor, The Summer House Edit, Gift, Beauty & Wellbeing, Kids, Toys & Play, Greetings, Party & Celebration, Everyday, and in Moda x Pure Clothing & Footwear, Fashion Accessories, and Jewellery & Watch.

Buyers sourcing in Greetings, Party & Celebration will be delighted by the new designs from Alex Sharp Photography Ginger Betty Tiger Feet Raspberry Blossom, Bewilderbeest, Brainbox Candy, Cardgains, Five Dollar Shake, From You to Me, Heyyy, hollyisnotanartist, Kenji (UK), Life Charms, Louise Tiler, Marina B, N Smith & Co, Natural Partners, Ohh Deer, Paper Salad Publishing, Rush Design, The Art File, Twizler, VENT for Change, WOW Products, and more. Don’t miss Zoë Doodler and Little Paws Big Memories in the New Business Pavilion.

This year’s show is also already breaking records, with a significant percentage of new-to-show brands and exclusive exhibitors. Hundreds of sought-after brands will be on show including Bedeck, Candlelight Products, Bedeck, Ty UK, Gingko, Widdop & Co, Kikkerland, Sass & Belle, Bomb Cosmetics, Baby Republic, Powell Craft, My Gifts Trade, Casa Verde, Hot Tomato, Hill Interiors, Trampoline, Inside Out, Nordic Style, Malini, The Otters Brook Collection, Bronte By Moon, Blooms by Samuel Baker, Present Time, Elle Sport, Lighthouse Clothing, Hedgeroe, Baby Bambino, Bill Skinner Studio, and Big Metal London.

GCA Debut Pavilion

In partnership with the Greeting Card Association, this pavilion champions fresh greeting card publishers making their trade show debut. With designs ranging from heartfelt to humorous, it’s a key destination for retailers looking to add new energy to their card o ering.

Introducing Taste at Autumn Fair

Food gifting is booming, and Autumn Fair now has a whole new space to celebrate it. Taste at Autumn Fair in Hall 5 is a must-visit new product pavilion to meet the

industry’s growing demand for food and drink gifting and indulgent treats with live sampling, top-tier suppliers, and gifting galore. Confirmed brands include Spice Kitchen, Cocoba Chocolate, Chococo, Popaball, The Chocolate Gift Company, TTK Confectionary, Sweets by Zoia Kulesh, and Stylish Whisky.

New Business Pavilions expand

Discover the popular New Business Pavilions, o ering a dedicated platform for first-time exhibitors and small businesses. Situated across the show’s Home, Gift & Fashion sectors, they’re a brilliant discovery zone for buyers on the hunt for something fresh and original.

What’s new in experience

This year’s Autumn Fair isn’t just about what you buy, it’s about a host of experiences to enhance your visit, from retail masterclasses to tranquil networking retreats.

Styled like a quaint British shopfront, Retail Corner is a hub for industry icon trend talks, trend forecast presentations and practical sessions. The mini stage will facilitate a myriad of sessions from merchandising masterclasses to Pitch Live competitions and shared experiences from real retailers. Retail Corner serves to inspire and educate the retail community.

Buyers Retreat is an invite-only ambient oasis o the show floor for buyers to unwind and regroup. With refreshments, private meeting spaces and bespoke workshops, it’s a sanctuary from the bustle of the show floor – and the perfect place to network in comfort.

Buyers will also be able to take part in daily Retailer Social Workshops providing a unique mix of creative ideas and problem-solving for buyers.

Register Now

Autumn Fair 2025 is free to attend for verified retailers and trade professionals. Register now at www.autumnfair.com/visitorregistration to benefit from exclusive o ers including discounts o hotels and 20% o Avanti train travel.

COVER STORY

UK GREETINGS

Miles of

Put a smile on your face with the latest collaboration between UK Greetings and The Smiley Company – bringing strong brand recognition to everything from greeting cards and gift dressings, and its first foray into partyware…

UK Greetings (UKG) is thrilled to be collaborating with The Smiley Company on a vibrant new collection of celebration products – including greeting cards, gift dressings and partyware. With its rich design heritage and iconic partnerships with global brands such as H&M, Zara, and Nike, The Smiley Company adds strong product identity and cultural relevance to UKG’s product portfolio.

Sandi Parisi, product director, UK Greetings, comments: “Our creative team has done a fantastic job adapting Smiley’s wealth of style guides across greeting cards, gift dressings and partyware, working closely with Smiley’s brand experts throughout the process to ensure the product truly reflects the vibrant spirit of the brand. This collaboration brings an exciting mix of fun, vibrant colour and playful energy to our product o ering,

along with the trusted global presence of The Smiley Company, which strengthens both the appeal and authenticity of our portfolio.”

Ben Whittington, creative director, UK Greetings, adds: “Smiley’s values very much align with our own – spreading positivity through smiles and making the world a happier, kinder place. They do incredible work with charities and fundraising for positive change, and with such strong brand recognition and cultural significance, it’s been amazing to collaborate with them!”

The new collection was showcased for the first time at Progressive Greetings Live. Lora Madigan, licensing manager, UK Greetings, comments: “The SmileyWorld section of UKG’s stand at PG Live received a huge amount of attention; it looked fantastic and we’re so pleased that customers think so too. We’re excited to see the project come to fruition and can’t wait to see the products out at retail.”

UK Greetings’ collaboration with The Smiley Company marks the launch of UKG’s very first collection of partywear products, an exciting step that expands its celebrations portfolio beyond cards and gift wrap into the world of party accessories.

Louise James, head of branded product, comments: “This is just one of many exciting launches in our celebrations journey, where our mission is to create distinctive products that capture shoppers’ interest and meet their celebration needs. SmileyWorld is a perfect fit for diversifying our o ering within the celebration category, as it’s a globally loved brand that shares our passion for spreading happiness and creating meaningful moments of celebration.”

The partywear collection includes cake toppers, paper cups, plates, napkins, a tablecloth, birthday banner, balloon, and party bags – all showcasing the fun and playful imagery of SmileyWorld. The designs are bright and vibrant, highlighting the broad appeal of SmileyWorld for kids and fun-loving families alike. The products are available to pre-order now, with stock available from September 2025. The partywear can be ordered individually or as part of a mixed shipper with greeting cards and gift dressings.

Smiley’s values very much align with our own –spreading positivity through smiles and making the world a happier, kinder place

Ben Whittington, creative director, UK Greetings

Janet Martin, chief product o cer, lifestyle consumer products, The Smiley Company, adds:

“We’re delighted to see the new SmileyWorld and UK Greetings partyware range launch to trade. SmileyWorld is all about expressing yourself and spreading positivity – this range celebrates that spirit and invites everyone to join the party.”

The vibrant SmileyWorld juvenile age card collection spans across ages five to 16, alongside two general birthday designs. Launched in March, the collection fuses bold graphics, fun icons, and standout finishes for a range that’s full of personality.

With bright checkerboard patterns and the expressive SmileyWorld icons, the designs bring a

Sandi Parisi, product director, UK Greetings, at PG Live

The vibrant SmileyWorld juvenile age card collection

Smileyworld partyware

smiles!

SmileyWorld is a perfect fit for diversifying our offering within the celebration category, as it’s a globally loved brand that shares our passion for spreading happiness and creating meaningful moments of

celebration

Louise James, head of branded product, UK Greetings

fresh and modern twist to birthday cards. Younger age ranges feature bright and energetic designs, while older age ranges (11-16) embrace a more psychedelic aesthetic with distorted text, bold icons, and neon embossed holographic foil for a rainbow effect. Two general birthday cards offer versatility, from a polka-dot-inspired Smiley design in a softer palette to a retro, distorted-text style with holographic details. To complete the range, the cards come with a printed monochrome envelope featuring the fun, distorted Smiley icons.

Ben Whittington comments: “It’s amazing to see the finished products as we used a wide variety of print finishes across this range – super bright neon ink on the younger juvenile ages and super striking lazer foil on black for the older kids cards. We also utilised an amazing embossed cold foil effect on some of the standalone options!”

Meanwhile, the versatile standalone collection, launched in June, blends nostalgia, contemporary art, and feel-good energy to brighten anyone’s day. Drawing inspiration from iconic contemporary artists such as Andy Warhol, Mondrian, and Keith Haring, the collection features modern artwork paired with bold, primary colours and the unmistakable Smiley icon. For a more vibrant palette, a selection of cards features bright, rainbow-infused designs with retro-inspired lettering, playful Smiley icons, and holographic foil for a rainbow effect that’s sure to bring a smile. The collection also incorporates softer, simplistic designs for cards with a focus on wellness,

with designs offering a calmer palette and hand lettering, making them perfect for any occasion or just because. Adding to the range’s nostalgic charm, two of the designs lean into playful yet contemporary typography, with summery palettes and bright Smiley icons.

Whether they have passed their exams, are about to go travelling, or deserve thanks for all their help, Smiley also covers a multitude of life events in typical colourful fashion. Featuring playful lettering combined with cheeky faces, they’re open enough to work for a variety of sends and ages, and once again demonstrate the breadth of this partnership.

With such a versatile and innovative licence, it was the obvious decision to expand Smiley into gift dressings too. Vibrant, impactful and bursting with fun and colour, these gift bags and roll wraps are designed to stand out. Rainbow lines, smiley motifs and checked patterns are just some of the exciting looks across a range of products –including a pack of eight party bags with paper twist handles. The product is available to order

Get in touch

from August, or as part of an FSDU including greeting cards and gift dressings from September.

In line with UK Greetings’ steps to make its products 100% sustainable, all the SmileyWorld gift bags have paper handles, and all the roll wraps include its innovative tear strip feature. The product is underpinned by both UK Greetings’ and The Smiley Company’s commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, with both companies aiming to create products that are Future Positive and take care of the planet.

For more information about the Smiley collection or to stock the product, please reach out to your local sales representative or get in touch with UKG’s friendly sales team on 01924 436384. salesandservice@ukgreetings.co.uk www.ukgreetings.co.uk www.myukgaccount.co.uk

www.instagram.com/ukgreetings www.facebook.com/UKGreetings

Smiley gift dressings

PREVIEW

HARROGATE HOME & GIFT BUYERS’ FESTIVAL

A show of celebration

As Home & Gift marks its 65th anniversary, event director David Westbrooke shares what visitors can look forward to, new innovations, and how the whole show will be celebrating this milestone in style

How is the 2025 show shaping up?

Home & Gift 2025 is set to be another bumper year, with an enlarged footprint again (Design Point 1 seeing the most obvious increase, with another whole module of space added!), as well as more product launches, more features, and more networking opportunities –and, of course, this is all against the backdrop of our 65th birthday!

Any changes to the format this year that might help retailers plan their visits?

Absolutely. We’ve made a number of changes designed to improve both the planning and the experience. We’ve expanded the show footprint again, with Design Point 1 seeing an additional module added, giving buyers more to explore across the 500-plus brands onsite.

To help with prep, we’ve launched Retail Revealed Online – a new digital content series o ering expert insight on trends, PR, AI, tari s and more – all before you arrive in Harrogate. We’ve also fine-tuned the Indigo Lounge experience for returning VIPs to help them plan their days in a bit of peace and comfort.

Any special show features that we can look forward to?

Plenty! The ever-popular Gift of the Year Showcase returns to Hall B, and we’ll be announcing the People’s Choice Award live during Sunday’s Sundowners.

One of my personal favourites this year is the new Trends Feature, curated by The Better Trends Co. It’s immersive, inspiring, and closely tied in with our Summer Soirée theme. And of course, the social side is as strong

as ever. From the Sunday Sundowner Drinks and the famous Show Party on Monday to Tuesday’s Drinks on the Lawn, we’ve got networking covered in style.

Do you have plans to commemorate the show’s 65th anniversary?

It’s a huge milestone and we’re celebrating it in true Home & Gift style – with even more features, more inspiration, and more ways to connect than ever before. The whole show is themed as a Summer Soirée, with curated experiences designed to reflect the festival’s rich heritage and vibrant personality.

From celebratory branding and creative direction through to the special edition Trend Installations and expanded Indigo Lounge, everything’s been designed to mark the occasion in style. I can’t wait to welcome everyone to what promises to be a truly unforgettable edition.

Are many new suppliers exhibiting this year?

The massive growth that’s been so evident over the past couple of years has been driven in large part by huge numbers of new exhibitors who have been flocking to the show. For 2025 we’ll have more than 150 companies with us who have never taken part before, from established brands such as Donna May London, Heyyy Cards and Cereria Mollá 1899, through to smaller ones including Puzzle Post, SOEK, and Fatso.

Arguably as important are the lapsed brands returning this year after an absence, including the likes of Rex London, Suck UK, and Le Toy Van. So, all in all, there’s a staggering amount of brands here to discover that weren’t here last July!

How is the attendance from retailers looking in terms of numbers?

We’re anticipating a strong turnout again this year, with a 10% increase in registrations targeted and very encouraging signs across key segments. Our VIP attendance continues to grow – we saw an 82% rise in buyers with £1 million-plus budgets last year, and we’re building on that momentum for 2025.

What’s especially exciting is the return of so many repeat attendees: we saw a 7% increase in revisits last year, and our visitor satisfaction hit an all-time high, with an NPS [Net Promoter Score: a customer loyalty and satisfaction metric] of +43. That tells us people love the experience, and we’re confident this year will be no di erent.

Why do you think Home & Gift is so important to retailers?

It’s important for a number of key reasons. First and foremost, the dateline lends itself perfectly to retailers looking to firm up ideas for the all-important Golden Quarter. Buyers can also source across the whole spectrum of products, from suppliers both big and small, from contemporary to traditional – I challenge anyone not to find their next bestseller at Home & Gift!

And what are the benefits for exhibitors?

For exhibitors, it’s their chance to get new products in front of buyers from all across the UK – from London to

SHOW PREVIEW HARROGATE HOME & GIFT BUYERS’ FESTIVAL

Scotland and beyond – before anyone else, and at such a key point in the buying cycle.

As well as the obvious advantages of seeing greetings exhibitors in one environment, how important is the social side when it comes to the event?

I think they go hand-in-hand. Because of the timing and the setting, it’s a much more relaxed atmosphere than you’ll find at other trade shows – it opens conversations that you just wouldn’t have on a stand alone. We deliberately have social events throughout the show – Sunday Sundowners, the Show Party, Drinks on the Lawn etc – that lend themselves to these sorts of informal interactions, and the opportunities that they create.

What do you believe sets it apart from other trade shows?

It’s fantastic that Home & Gift is so clearly growing every year, and that the exhibitor roster has become a literal who’s who of suppliers. That, combined with the unique atmosphere and all the onsite activations, means it’s a show that people genuinely want to go to.

Where else can you reward yourself for a hard day’s sourcing with a nice cool glass of something on the lawns of a beautiful country hotel, mingling with likeminded contemporaries, and enjoying the sunshine?

The exhibitors keep turning up, the retailer response is great. How can the show improve further and grow beyond the levels it has already achieved?

To keep this upward trajectory, we need to make sure that we continue to deliver what people are looking for – on both the buy and sell side. It means keeping our ear to the ground so we can react to changes in the market, and thinking big!

I’m a big believer in the opportunity for trade shows to add a more experiential side to them, and we will continue to invest in ours every year, to give people those ‘wow’ moments that we’ve become known for. How has the show evolved over the decades –and do you have any favourite memories?

My first Home & Gift was back in 2005 and I think the entire industry has evolved since then. While we’ve

features, and the like. I’ve personally got so many amazing memories from over the years, so it’s hard to single out only one, but a lot stem from those latenight escapades at the Show Party - people really do love to let their hair down!

What do you personally enjoy most about the show?

Besides the beautiful products on display and the gorgeous surroundings, I love all those unexpected handshakes you have over the four days – across the halls in the daytime, and Harrogate itself in the evening. The amount of familiar faces you see and the new connections you make every year is extraordinary – and everyone is always so happy!

Finally, any other thoughts you would like to add?

An interesting fact for you: our tenancy for the show is almost 50 days long (versus an average of a week for most others in the industry). It takes a huge amount of time to do things like level the hotel grounds and build those marquees!

switched between di erent hotels and halls over the years as individual product sector growth ebbs and flows, what’s remained a constant is that unique mixture of business and pleasure that Home & Gift is known for. And we’ve tried to build on that with a more experiential o ering recently, with a separate Indigo Lounge for loyal visitors and VIPs, trend

Stacey McNeill

Founder Fox Under The Moon Stand B-A29

Why are you exhibiting at Home & Gift?

Home & Gift feels like a second home to us. It was one of the first trade shows we ever exhibited at, and we’ve been returning ever since because of the warmth, connection and care that flows through the whole event. As a brand rooted in emotional wellbeing, those qualities matter deeply to us. It’s not just a trade show, it’s a gathering of likeminded creatives, retailers and buyers who really understand the value of meaningful, heartfelt products.

We’ve made some of our most important retail connections at Home & Gift, and many of our longest-standing stockists discovered us here for the first time. For us, it’s not about flashy launches or big fanfare, it’s about real conversations and genuine partnerships.

What products are you excited to showcase?

Alongside our existing collection, we’ll be proudly showing o our children’s range of journals and a rmation cards which won the Best Wellbeing And Accessible Gift category at this year’s Gift Awards.

To celebrate Home & Gift’s 65th anniversary, we’ll also be bringing hundreds of our most-loved greeting cards, and inviting visitors to sit, pause, and write a card to someone they care about – something we believe the world could always use a little more of. We’ll be providing stamps and posting the cards at the end of each day.

Any launches we can look forward to seeing?

Yes! We’re launching a new collection of 16 greeting cards for Summer 2025, featuring adapted artwork and text from Fox Under The Moon – Seasons of Comfort and Hope, our forthcoming gift book published by Quercus (Hachette UK). The cards are themed around emotional resilience, gentle encouragement, and the changing seasons of life, mirroring the heart of the book. It’s a range we’ve poured so much care into, and Home & Gift will be one of the very first opportunities for buyers to view the full collection in one place.

Any top tips for visitors?

Come curious and come comfy! Home & Gift is full of hidden gems and beautifully thoughtful brands, and the magic often lies just a little o the beaten path, so take your time to wander and chat. Bring a notebook, and if something makes you feel something, whether it’s a product or a conversation, write it down. That’s the real value of this show: those moments of genuine connection.The best tip of all? Don’t just shop for products. Shop for purpose. Look for brands whose stories resonate, whose values align with your own.

Gus Fink Studios

Little Bear

Pebble Glass Flower Sheep

SHOW PREVIEW HARROGATE HOME & GIFT BUYERS’ FESTIVAL

Stunning ranges for the seasons ahead

Stand DP1-D10

The Art File will be launching its Autumn/Winter 2025 collection at Harrogate Home & Gift. With more than 130 new designs to choose from, including six new ranges and countless card extensions, there is so much to see in this stunning collection.

Two notable new card collections include Continental Club and Agnes. Continental Club is a tropical card collection featuring fun days at the beach. Created by talented designer Melissa Greenwood, every design is printed on textured board and comes with a lovely kraft envelope. Agnes is a new card collection from talented artist Ally Gore, with every card featuring a bright and beautiful nature design. These cards are printed on recycled board and are finished with emboss, coming with a beautiful ivory envelope.

The Art File also continues to expand its bestselling Storybook collection in this launch, including new notebooks, gift bags and occasion cards. Other standout releases include new designs across bestselling card ranges, new looks in gift bags, wrap and new stationery.

The Art File will also showcase its Christmas 2025 collection, which has been curated to make festive gift-giving even more magical. With more than 140 new designs, from a range of charity cards to a selection of luxurious boxed cards and hand-folded 3D pop-ups, there’s something for everyone in this stunning collection.

Finally, The Art File will be displaying Spring Seasons 2026 for those who want to plan ahead for next year. This collection includes more than 70 new designs across all the major spring events for 2026.

Rachel & Warren Hart-Phillips Co-owners

LoveLossDiscoballs Stand B-B43

What do you enjoy about the show?

This is the first time LoveLossDiscoballs has exhibited at Harrogate, after making our trade show debut at PG Live. The show was a great success so we’re very much looking forward to experiencing Harrogate and also being at a show based in the North as we are from Liverpool!

Any show o ers we can tell our readers about?

At PG Live we donated £12.20 from all orders over £100 to [suicide prevention charity] Campaign Against Living Miserably – the cost of a potentially life-saving call to its support line –and we’ll be repeating this at Harrogate. This is a cause that is very personal to us and our story – and we feel it all ties in with the connection that cards can bring.

What one product or range should greeting cards shops check out at the show?

Our La Luna range has been a big hit since we launched it in June – it features a debossed finish of the moon – and it’s the actual surface as captured through our son’s telescope!

SHOW PREVIEW HARROGATE HOME & GIFT BUYERS’ FESTIVAL

Plans for gifting ahead…

With the busiest season of the year approaching, Harrogate Home & Gift is the perfect opportunity for retailers to explore fresh ideas and plan ahead – and a prime opportunity to discover Joe Davies’ latest collections…

Stand B-A02

Thoughtfully put together with the festive trading period in mind, here we have a little taster of what’s on o er to wet your appetite…

For greeting card retailers looking to expand into thoughtful, elegant gifting, the Azure Butterfly range is a natural fit. This refined collection features glass jewellery boxes and photo frames, each finished with a striking sapphire-blue butterfly jewel that catches the light – and the customer’s eye. Stylish and meaningful, these pieces are ideal for pairing with cards for birthdays, Mother’s Day, anniversaries, or just to say thinking of you. The clean, glossy finish works in both modern and traditional settings, while the colourful butterfly motif adds instant gift appeal. Compact, easy to display, and perfectly positioned as a card-and-gift duo, Azure Butterfly is a standout addition for any card shop looking to boost average basket spend with a ordable, high-impact gifts.

This Autumn/Winter, the Equilibrium Ladies Fashion Accessories Collection embraces the season’s key trends with a strong focus on faux sheepskin, faux fur and bold animal prints – styles set to dominate the fashion landscape. Designed to combine warmth with statement-making appeal, the collection is both practical and fashionable. Expect a wide range of scarves, from thick modern wraps for chilly winter days to lighter styles that are perfect for layering. Embellishments include foiling, pearls and rhinestones, all adding a touch of elegance and glamour. Gloves in an array of comfortable one-size-fits-all stretch fabrics o er stylish warmth, while the hat collection features playful pompom styles, cosy bucket hats and fun designs like Fair Isle patterns, pearls and even a knitted, fun ‘counting sheep’ hat! You can complete your presentation with co-ordinated hat and scarf sets and most pieces are beautifully presented in luxury branded gift boxes, making them ideal for seasonal gifting. This standout collection has a strong visual appeal and certainly allows you to wrap up with style!

The new Equilibrium Twisted Bliss Collection will launch at the show; a fresh, contemporary collection designed to stand out. Featuring an eye-catching twist in every design, this modern range of necklaces, bracelets and earrings is full of movement, texture and style. Plated in real silver or gold, each piece radiates sophistication, while select designs showcase two-tone finishes for a bold, fashionforward contrast. Whether layering for impact or worn solo, Twisted Bliss blends elegance with edge, making it the perfect way to add a touch of glamour to your look.  This is jewellery with a twist – modern, stylish and chic.

Joe Davies expands its bestselling giftware o ering with the adorable Flower Sheep range – a collection of soft-finished sheep decorated with cheerful blossom accents in yellow, pink, and white.

Available in a variety of sizes and poses — including standing, sitting, and the ever-popular dangle-leg style — these flu y little figures are designed

to charm. Their cute expressions and tactile finish make them ideal as impulse gifts, small keepsakes, or a sentimental touch to pair with a greeting card. Perfect for Mother’s Day, springtime occasions, or thank you gifts, Flower Sheep are an easy win for greeting card shops wanting to o er customers a little extra joy — Flower Sheep are ready to graze their way into hearts (and baskets!).

So whether you’re refreshing your seasonal o er or searching for something new and inspiring, the Joe Davies stand (Harrogate Home and Gift Hall B-A02) is the perfect place to start. The Joe Davies team looks forward to helping you to make the busy trading period as successful as possible and invites you to explore their exciting range.

Grace Jackson

Grace Jackson Design Stand DP1-A19

What do you enjoy about the show?

I genuinely look forward to Harrogate Home & Gift each year. The relaxed vibe is everything. It’s one of the few shows where the four-day format gives buyers space to properly explore without feeling rushed. The picturesque setting and chance to catch up with both stockists and fellow publishers adds to the appeal – this year’s 65th anniversary celebrations will no doubt make it even more special.

Any tips for newbie visitors – how to tackle those aisles, best places to eat etc.?

Always make time to step out of the marquees or halls and enjoy lunch outside – Harrogate’s setting is one of the show’s greatest assets. It’s amazing how many conversations and connections can start while queueing for a co ee or sharing a table in the sun. For those new to the show, I recommend making time to explore all the Design Points, and if time allows, take a wander around the town centre too. And don’t over-pack like I did in year one!

What’s your most memorable story/experience from previous shows?

I fondly remember my very first Harrogate in 2023 – it was also my very first trade show. I brought everything just in case, but it gave me a real sense of being prepared for anything. One of the most memorable parts of exhibiting is getting to know your stand neighbours and fellow exhibitors. You spend four days side by side, and those connections often turn into lasting friendships. There’s such a strong sense of community at Home & Gift – it’s one of the reasons I always look forward to coming back.

What one product or range should greeting card retailers check out at the show?

Stop by to see Imperial Flowers – a new range of blank, all-purpose cards that are already resonating with stockists who value giftable, art-led designs. They’re the kind of cards that people buy to send or frame. Bold peony illustrations, a touch of gold foil and a rainbow of colourways make them a standout collection for any display.

Keepsakes and more

Stand DP1-D46

The Ginger Betty team is very excited to show their new cards at Harrogate Home & Gift this year; they have children’s age cards, a new female relations collection, new Christmas, and also new Christmas keepsakes.

The children’s age range features debossed numbers, on lovely textured board. A few new animals have been introduced, along with some familiar ones.

The new female relations collection feels soft and delicate; the cards have scalloped edges, high-quality textured board, debossing and come with a lovely pink envelope.

Ginger Betty has a new Christmas collection, with gold foil and a red envelope. Also introduced is a selection of Christmas keepsakes to add to the popular everyday selection. “Our customers have asked for Christmas keepsake cards for a while, and we have to agree, they’re a great addition to the range!” says founder Tracey Colliston. ‘’They’re a personal thank you to people you spend Christmas with, and send an extra bit of love, in addition to a Christmas card.’’

Tracey is a big fan of Home & Gift: “The show has such a friendly feel to it, and the best part for us is seeing our customers and having a good chat and catchup! It’s also a great opportunity to meet new customers too.

“We’re hoping for sunshine too! The evenings after the show are spent with fellow exhibitors and friends, reflecting on the day and looking forward to the next one.”

Harrogate Home & gift Buyers’ festival

New eye-catching collections

Stand DP1-C57

Alljoy Design is delighted to be returning to Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival this July, and the team can’t wait to share what’s new! They have been busy designing and refining a range of imaginative and eye-catching cards, and we can not wait to unveil them at Harrogate.

Here’s a sneak peek at what you’ll find…

New designs in the award-winning Message in a Bottle collection. This bestselling 3D pop-up range continues to capture the imagination and more magic has been added this summer! The newest designs are bursting with colour, sunshine, and intricate detail, perfect for every occasion. The new designs feature flowers, lighthouses and all manner of interesting cards, including the new female-oriented ages cards from 18 to 80. You really have to see them in person!

With the festive season approaching ever closer, Harrogate is the perfect opportunity to stock up on Christmas cards. Alljoy Design is bringing its seasonal offering to the show. Alongside new Message in a Bottle Christmas designs, visitors will find fun and festive styles across several of the most popular collections. These include Wobbly Head Christmas cards, playful and charming characters that stand out on the shelf and appeal to a wide customer base, with their wobbly head and googly eyes. The Aww, so cute! range features eye-catching detail, with moveable eyes to add to the fun. Alljoy Design’s Christmas selection is a firm favourite with many buyers and the 2025 collection is sure to be another winning collection.

Launching at Harrogate, A Cup of Tea is the latest innovation from Alljoy Design – where joy unfolds and is ready to be shared with everyone. Each design opens into a layered 3D scene, folding flat for easy posting. The cards have full colour packaging with easy to see design elements. You simply write your message on the back of the saucer and send these beautiful cards to your nearest and dearest. They are suitable for a wide range of occasions, offering a keepsake that’s easy to display, post, and treasure.  A Cup of Tea offers retailers something fresh for their stores and for those customers looking for more than just a card.

Stand DP1-C36

The Cath Tate Cards team is excited to be presenting new Hot Foils designs at their Home & Gift Harrogate debut. Following on from the success of the top-selling male cards in this ever-popular range, they’ve added some new male birthday designs. Punchy, bright designs with vibrant foil detailing, these standout designs brilliantly complement the full range of foiled birthday and occasions cards.

Fresh designs make northern debut

Stand DP1-A19

Grace Jackson Design is back at Harrogate Home & Gift this July for her third appearance at the show.

Grace will be showcasing her newest designs for the first time in the North. These launches include four fresh everyday collections, alongside new list and memo pads based on her much-loved Swishes patterns.

One of the most personal of the new collections is Imperial Flowers – a striking range of 12 blank cards, each combining a vivid colour background with a delicate navy peony outline and elegant gold foil detailing. The designs are based on handcut tissue art found in a sewing kit belonging to her best friend’s grandmother; a nod to heritage, artistry, and thoughtful design.

Also making a splash is Tasting Notes, a summer-friendly range inspired by the refined aesthetics of wine and whisky labels. Featuring witty sentiments such as ‘You had me at Merlot’ and ‘Sip, Sip Hooray’, this range taps into the current appetite for drinks-led gifting and design-led celebration, and has already proven popular since its PG Live debut.

Attirely Good brings a considered and refreshingly different take on male-

oriented cards. With shirt collars tucked inside wool V-neck jumpers and gold-foiled sentiments stamped on shirt labels, this 14-card collection was created to offer an alternative to the usual sports, beer or rude humour designs – focusing instead on style, tone and relatability.

Meanwhile, Hello Sweetie is a colourful nod to nostalgia, with striped cards inspired by classic sweet wrappers such as cherry drops, dolly mixtures and lemon sherbets. Originally launched as a Valentine’s range, its success has seen it expand to include birthdays, new jobs, thank-yous and thinking of you cards.

All cards are produced in the UK on FSC-certified board using compostable and repulpable foil, staying true to Grace’s sustainable values. Now printing with a new supplier following a board change in 2024, she says she “loves the board even more now” and feels it’s a better fit for the brand.

Grace Jackson Design 07902875014 hello@gracejacksondesign.co.uk gjdesignwholesale.co.uk

RETAIL INTERVIEW CREATIVITY

A stone’s throw

Greetings Today heads to the beautiful

North Norfolk coast to talk to Charlotte Stubbs, owner of Retas finalist Creativity, in the seaside town of Sheringham

Can you tell us a little about your background before you owned the shop?

When I left college, I trained as a chef and worked in hospitality until I was about 27. I had grown up with my parents having their own restaurant and it felt natural to work in the same industry. In 2017 I was then approached by my mother-in-law, with the idea of managing her gift shop, leading to me eventually taking over, so that she could retire. An opportunity I grabbed hold of and will always be grateful for. Creativity o cially became my business just before Covid hit in 2020. A rough time to take on a business but we have gone from strength to strength since then!

Can you tell us about the family history of the shop?

Creativity was established by my mother-in-law, Jane Stubbs, in 2000. Originally on Church Street, the

business moved into the current premises on the High Street in Sheringham in 2005. We have a loyal, local customer base, as well as visitors who come back to Sheringham every year and ‘must come and visit our shop’.

My sister Sadie and my mum Nicki now both work with me and I couldn’t do it without them!

And can you tell us a little about the shop itself?

Creativity is located on Sheringham’s High Street, just a ‘stone’s throw’ from the sea, on the beautiful North Norfolk Coast. Often described as an ‘Aladdin’s Cave’, we have three rooms packed full of gifts, cards, toys, jewellery and more! We are a traditional gift shop with a few cheeky cards and gifts thrown in here and there! We like to think we’ve got something for everyone and get so many lovely comments from our customers on our large, varied range of cards and gifts.

Presumably you get tourists/walkers in town –how does this a ect what you stock?

Sheringham, traditionally, has always been a very seasonal town, with hundreds of visitors coming during the summer months and school holidays. However, since Covid, we have definitely seen an increase in footfall all year round, so we always have a large range of souvenirs and coastal/holiday related cards and products in stock to cater for the visitors. I have worked with people such as Emma Ball and Alljoy Design to create bespoke Sheringham products that are exclusive to Creativity. This includes postcards, cards, teatowels, magnets, trays and even Christmas baubles (which sell all year round!).

How do you source stationery and cards?

We get so many lovely comments from our customers, who are wowed by our large and varied

ranges of cards. I spend hours online and at shows looking for new and exciting designs, and am always trying to support newcomers and small businesses. I still see a couple of agents but mostly use Faire to source new cards and stationery. Instagram has also been helpful in finding new brands. I attended PG Live this year and also go to Harrogate Home & Gift every year. We used to go to Spring/Autumn Fair preCovid but have not felt the need to go since then.

‘’Since Covid, we have definitely seen an increase in footfall all year round, so we always have a large range of souvenirs and coastal/ holiday related cards and products in stock to cater for the visitors’’

What is your selection criteria?

Design and price are the most important factors for me. I want cards/products that are di erent, exciting and at a ordable prices for my customers. Obviously anything that is coastal related gets my attention as we are in a very well-known holiday destination.

What’s your demographic like?

We have a very varied demographic, from young children spending their pocket money, teenagers

Charlotte (centre) with Mum Nicki, right and sister, Sadie, left at Harrogate Home & Gift last year

from the sea!

buying jewellery and accessories, to the older population looking for special cards and gifts to send to relatives and grandchildren.

How do you get word out there?

We advertise locally by sponsoring a play at The Little Theatre in Sheringham every year. We also sponsor events that happen yearly in our town, including The Viking Festival, Carnival Week and The 1940s weekend.

We use social media to promote new products coming in to store and we even have a TikTok account. This has been a really great tool over the past year or so, and has helped us reach different audiences and resulted in us posting out lots of products, for people who couldn’t physically make it to our shop.

Do you sell both in the shops and online?

Currently we don’t sell online, as I am ‘old school’ and want customers to come in store and experience browsing all the amazing products we have and be looked after by my brilliant team. You can draw so much inspiration from browsing in shops and come away with gifts that you never would have considered from just looking online.

Holding a product and feeling the quality of a wellmade card is priceless really. But, never say never! We do get asked quite frequently if we sell online so it might be something I have to pursue.

Have you seen the average cost of your products go up – and how have you dealt with it?

Yes, definitely. Pretty much every supplier has increased their prices and in turn, I have to then increase my prices. So far, I haven’t really seen a negative effect. Customers seem to be accepting that things are costing more now and would rather spend their money with local businesses than one of the big companies.

Is there anything you haven’t been able to source that you would like to find?

Locally made, silver, sea-glass jewellery! I can never

seem to find anything from around here, but lots from Cornwall.

Do customers ask for eco-friendly product? Is this something you try to stock. If so who do you use? And if not, can you explain why?

We have stocked brands such as Eco-Chic for a few years now, and brands including POM have introduced ranges of accessories made from plastic bottles etc. I can’t honestly say it is something that I have been asked for.

‘’We get so many lovely comments from our customers, who are wowed by our large and varied ranges of cards’’

Do you take part in community/town events? We sponsor lots of town events and decorate our windows for things like the 1940s weekend. We have competitions such as ‘stranger in the window’ during Carnival Week, where shops are given strange objects to hide among their window display and people can win prizes if they manage to find them all. Great fun for adults and kids!

What’s the most unusual thing a customer has asked for?

We get asked for all sorts, and don’t tell anyone this… but we have a list behind our till of all the weird things we have been asked for over the years. It makes for an interesting read! Men’s chokers is one that I have never forgotten!

What’s the most fun thing about running your store?

I really enjoy looking for new cards and gifts, especially ones that make you giggle! Unpacking

deliveries and displaying new products is still exciting. But ultimately, the best thing for me is being able to work alongside my mum and sister, in my hometown and hearing all the lovely things that people say about my shop. It really makes all the stressful times worth it.

If you could choose the cards people sent you – which would you choose to receive for Christmas or birthday or other special occasion?

For Christmas cards it would either have to be the really beautiful designs that The Art File often have or something rude from Bold & Bright!

And you can always find a great birthday card from Rosie Made A Thing

What brands have been particularly popular with your customers (cards and stationery)?

Our bestselling card brands include Bold & Bright, Rosie Made A Thing, Alljoy Design (bottle cards), Whale & Bird, Brainbox Candy, Redback Cards, The Art File and Bewilderbeest. I could name many more but I would be here a while! For stationery it’s brands such as Emma Ball, Rachel Ellen, IF,The Art File, Little Dog Laughed and Cath Tate Cards

GIFTS FOR CARD SHOPS

The present moment

Adding a gift range to your greeting card o ering is the perfect way to increase basket spend and encourage consumers to see your store as a one-stop-shop for special occasions

Retail opinion

Which gifts help to increase basket spend at the till?

Notebooks, chocolate and socks!

What would you recommend to a retailer who was only just starting to stock a gift line?

Start small and focus on high-quality, versatile items that complement your cards and wrap, such as candles, small ornaments, or stationery.

Janet Ross-Jordan, Cards and Gift Wrap, Isle of Lewis

Which gifts help to increase basket spend at the till?

Socks and plush.

What would you recommend to a retailer who was only just starting to stock a gift line?

Wrendale Designs socks and Moulin Roty soft toys. Jayne & Kevin Brooking, Occasional Cards and Gifts Kingsbridge, Devon

Which gifts help to increase basket spend at the till?

Little things such as sentiment pebbles, crystals and pin badges have all been great add-ons. I also have things like fudge and chocolate next to the till, which are great pick-up gifts. We sell a lot of stamps alongside our cards and postcards.

What would you say to a retailer who was only just starting to stock gifts? Price, quality and exclusivity are essential.

Charlotte Stubbs, Creativity, Sheringham, Norfolk

‘’The Gift Set trend continues to grow as busy consumers further appreciate the added value and convenience in smart presentation of multiple items’’

Greetings Today chats to Zara Grindrod, sales and brand director for Rainbow Designs about gifting options for greeting card retailers.

How has this sector changed over the past few years – is there an increase in interest as shops diversify and seek to up basket spend?

Today’s card shop is very much more than just a store to purchase greeting cards. There are clear signs of growth and diversification in the card shop sector, driven by market expansion as well as changing retail strategies. Not dissimilar to the strategy we have seen in garden centres, card shops are now a sought-after destination for purchasing thoughtful, high-quality gifts, making them a one-stop-shop for celebrating special occasions.

Initially focusing on gifts for babies and occasions surrounding the new arrival, card shop gifting is now very much about catering for all ages. Our quintessentially British Paddington and Peter Rabbit in Union Jack Gift Bags, as well as our Guess How Much I Love You Little Nutbrown Hare in a Gift Bag make thoughtful gifts for all generations.

Our retailers are always looking for something di erent – how are you addressing that in this sector?

Retailers love the classic brands we have to o er, born from literacy; Paddington, Peter Rabbit and Disney’s Winnie the Pooh are firm favourites among card shops, but this year we are delighted to have welcomed the iconic Mr. Men Little Miss brand to Rainbow. This classic British brand has been entertaining generations for over 50 years and our new collection not only appeals to children, but very much taps into the kidult market, with plush keychains, collectible soft toys and super soft cushions of some of the most recognised characters – Mr. Tickle, Mr. Bump, Little Miss Sunshine and Little Miss Chatterbox.”

Are there any trends in this sector that we can look out for?

The Gift Set trend continues to grow as busy consumers further appreciate the added value and convenience in smart presentation of multiple items. Our Signature Peter Rabbit and Flopsy Bunny Soft Toy and Knitted Blanket Gift Sets have quickly become bestsellers in the baby gifting sector, and we are excited to welcome two new Gift Sets in the Guess How Much I Love You range including a Soft Toy and Milestone Card set which is already in high demand. Consumers, across all retail sectors, are looking more towards products that support the preservation of our planet, and this trend is only going to continue to grow. All of our soft toys use stu ng made from consumer recycled plastic and our new range from Sri Lankan family run toy company, Tikiri Toys, features organic soft toys and natural rubber toys, as well as a beautiful range of Bonikka Soft Dolls for retailers seeking thoughtful, emotionally enriching toys as gifts.

Kingfisher Cards

Kingfisher Cards has produced a huge boost to its gift offering for its retailers by adding three new ranges of mugs and coasters.

The three new ranges comprise a male range from the artist Richard Partis, the wonderful range of dogs and cats art from Deborah Barker, and the delightful gently humorous range The Whimsy Way. Each of the three comprises 24 mug designs with 24 matching coasters. These can all be complemented by the greeting cards that Kingfisher Cards already produces from these artists.

Managing director Paul Urban tells us that gifting was the natural progression for the company as it evolved but that gifts that complemented the card offering was the main aim: ‘’We had great success earlier in the year with the mugs we launched to complement our Blast from the Past year cards, so we decided to make the next step,’’ he tells Greetings Today. “We have put a lot of thought into the presentation and can offer both spinner stand deals for the mug and coaster collections and smaller shelf/counter displays for just the coasters. All the mugs come with a Such a Mug gift box after customer feedback telling us that a nice box was a strong selling point for the retailer.’’

With the mugs retailing at £8.99 and the coasters £2.99 they are also following the Kingfisher mantra of being commercially strong in both design and price points. 01803 431515 sales@kingfishercards.co.uk www.kingfishercards.co.uk

Classic Paddington with Boots

Soft Cuddly Paddington

Museums & Galleries

The team at Museums & Galleries (M&G) is excitedly awaiting delivery of its first shipment of Bone China Mugs this summer – a new product category the company previewed to visitors at London’s Exclusively Show in June. The collection is available for pre-orders immediately, with delivery in September

The mugs join M&G’s home and giftware collections including insulated bottles and travel mugs, PLA mugs, aprons, oven gloves, tea towels and organic cotton napkins, and cork-backed placemats and coaster sets, and in many cases coordinate across featured designs.

Research and development of the collection took the company over 18 months, chinaware being a completely new medium for the company. However, over the past few years M&G has successfully broken out of the paper-based greeting cards, stationery and gift packaging arena, first with textiles (tote bags and pouches; kitchen textiles) and then with metallics (the insulated drinksware), so was experienced in the issues – not the least of which is achieving a close colour match across di erent substrates to ensure optimum coordination across ranges of di erent products to create the most e ective in-store displays. The mugs contain 380ml, are dishwasher and microwave safe, and are presented in keepsake gift boxes (but also have a ribbon tag for out-of-box display).

M&G creative director Ben Dorney explains the company drew on the expertise of stakeholders and experts, including that of its many prestigious museum licensors. The V&A and Tate Galleries especially have huge in-house experience creating, retailing and licensing bone china products, so both institutions were able to advise and have input into the final design. “We wanted the overall profile of the mug to be timeless and classic, but also uniquely ours. We adapted and refined the mug’s profile, subtly elongating the can and contouring the base. The loop of the handle was also reconfigured.’’ The result is a stylish, classic and very satisfying vessel for a delicious drinking experience.

M&G selected William Morris’s iconic Strawberry Thief from the V&A collections as its primary choice for the collection of four V&A mugs. Another Morris design is the popular Leicester Wallpaper, with favourites by Walter Crane (Cockatoo and Pomegranate) and William De Morgan (Frog Tile) demonstrating the V&A’s wealth of Arts & Crafts masterpieces.

Designs from the Tate include two bold modern pieces – A Henri Matisse paper cut out (Dancer) and a contemporary work by Alvaro Barrington – a detail from the artist’s recent installation at Tate Britain, Grace. Accompanying these are designs by Romantic movement geniuses JMW Turner and John Constable – the subjects of a joint exhibition at Tate Britain in the autumn.

Designers Matthew Williamson, Mary Katrantzou and Emily Burningham supply beautiful and striking designs, as do popular M&G artists Angela Harding, Catherine Rowe and Helen Ahpornsiri for Wild Press. Van Gogh’s beautiful Almond Blossom is also included.

For Tom Williams, general manager of Museums & Galleries, the packaging was an essential component of the product, in order to elevate the mug as a gift or selfpurchase for either home or o ce. The boxes are beautifully printed in full colour to match their contents, with all the technical details printed on a belly band. The box itself is sturdy enough to function as a keepsake gift box after the mug takes pride of place in the kitchen cupboard.

01373 462165

sales@mgml.co.uk

www.museumsgalleries.co.uk

Rainbow Designs

Rainbow Designs has an extensive range of beautiful licensed character gifts that complement any greeting card store display. Perfect for both adult and infant gifting, Rainbow’s best-selling collections include Peter Rabbit, Paddington, Guess How Much I Love You, Disney’s Winnie the Pooh and, new for 2025, the colourful Mr. Men Little Miss range.

Featuring the iconic characters Mr. Tickle, Mr. Happy, Mr. Bump and Mr. Strong, alongside Little Miss Hug, Little Miss Sunshine, Little Miss Princess and Little Miss Chatterbox, the colourful Mr. Men Little Miss range includes large cuddly cushions, collectible plush toys and adorable plush keychains.

The exquisite Peter Rabbit Signature Collection is a beautiful range of forever toys that includes soft toys, comforters and ring rattles, and features two of the most traditional and much-loved children’s literacy characters. Popular lines in this gifting range are the Signature Peter Rabbit and Flopsy Bunny Gift Sets that include a baby soft plush toy and knitted blanket, beautifully packaged in an illustrated keepsake box.

For a gift that is quintessentially British and suitable for all ages, the super cute Classic Paddington in a Union Jack Gift Bag, and the new adorable Peter Rabbit in a Union Jack Gift Bag, both make a thoughtful accompaniment to any greeting card occasion.

Rainbow’s popular collection of adorable Guess How Much I Love You soft toys and gifts make the perfect present for any special occasion. New additions to the range this summer include the Little Nutbrown Hare Soft Toy and Milestone Cards and Soft Toy and Muslin Gift Sets – these heartfelt gifts make a cute way to express just how much you love them and are a popular addition to any card store display.

The beautiful Disney Classic Pooh Always and Forever range is a collection of truly special Winnie the Pooh soft toys and baby gifts, including gift boxed soft toys, comforters and ring rattles. Designed with high-quality fabrics and featuring a beautiful bespoke print, these lines have been created with a vision for these adorable toys to be treasured for many years to come –Always and Forever.

01329 227300

www.rainbowdesigns.co.uk

Joe Davies

Greeting card specialists looking to expand their o er with meaningful, margin-friendly gifts need look no further than the Pebble Glass Mini collection from Joe Davies. Following the success of the original larger format, this new mini series is a natural fit for card retailers. Each compact frame features a charming glass pebble character scene, brought to life with delicate artwork and heartfelt words. With designs covering key occasions such as birthdays, friendship, and Christmas, these sentimental keepsakes are ideal add-on purchases and impulse gifts that pair beautifully with a card.

Sized to sit neatly at till points, gondola ends or small gifting displays, the range is perfect for shops with limited floor space.

And with Joe Davies’ £100 minimum order carriage paid model, it’s an easy way for card retailers to grow their gifting category without overcommitting on stock. 0161 975 6300 | sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk

The Art File

The Art File o ers a number of gifts for card shops, which go hand-in-hand with its cards, gift bags and gift wrap ranges. These items are the perfect gifts to pair with cards and include tote bags, A5 notebooks, magnetic list pads, guest books and calendars.

The Art File team is thrilled to expand the popular Storybook card collection to include four new notebooks, launching at Home & Gift exclusively.

Another notable new gift collection is Bear Plush, the super soft and huggable plush toy that has sustainability in mind. Every Bear is produced from 100% postconsumer recycled PET plastic bottles; both the outer fabric and inner stu ng. Each Bear also comes with an embroidered colourful logo tag, stitched into the side, giving it a touch of charm.

These new stationery and gift collections feature striking designs created by The Art File in-house designers. Every item contains thoughtful added touches, which elevate the design and add a higher-quality finish.

sales@theartfile.com

www.theartfiletrade.com

Ginger Betty

Ginger Betty’s popular wooden pin badges make an ideal small add-on gift. Ginger Betty will be showing its new wooden pin badge CDU spinner for the first time at Home & Gift. The spinner holds 24 pin badge designs. Each pin badge is fixed to a backing card, which has a small message. Each one retails at £3.99 and they are all made in the UK.

01706 557285

hello@gingerbetty.co.uk

www.gingerbetty.co.uk

Wrendale Designs

Wrendale Designs, known for its beautiful watercolour illustrations, o ers a wonderful range of products that pair beautifully with any card display.

A standout in Wrendale’s gift collection is its plush toy collection. These irresistibly soft animals are based on beloved characters from the company’s illustrations, including a fabulous fox, charming Highland cow, a wonderful elephant and many more. At Harrogate Home & Gift Wrendale will be introducing two new characters, Vanessa the pig and the highly anticipated Chester the beaver. Each plush toy is beautifully crafted and presented with a character tag.

Socks are another top-selling gift option. Wrendale’s socks are super soft, featuring favourite animals such as birds, hares, and dogs. Each pair comes with a beautifully illustrated gift bag and they make ideal impulse buys at the till. Available in everyday and Christmas designs in women’s, men’s and children’s sizes.

No gift o ering is complete without stationery, and Wrendale Designs truly shines here. From beautiful notebooks and magnetic shopping pads to weekly planners and pens, each piece features Hannah Dale’s heartwarming artwork. Launching this July is Wrendale’s new Signature Stationery collection featuring luxurious notebooks, a pen and pouch set, pencil set and a gorgeous boxed stationery set. All featuring gold foil details and beautiful packaging. These stationery items are both functional and beautiful, appealing to shoppers looking for unique and thoughtful gifts.

01652 680253

info@wrendaledesigns.co.uk

www.wrendaledesigns.co.uk

Grace Jackson Design

For retailers looking to expand beyond cards while staying true to design-led gifting, Grace Jackson Design o ers a range of vibrant, multi-use pencil cases that are as versatile as they are visually striking. Available in two sizes – slim and medium – these UK-made accessories are a colourful and considered gift o ering, ideal for creatives, professionals, and stationery lovers alike.

Printed on 100% cotton and fully lined with soft black cotton, each case is designed with both form and function in mind. The zip is crafted from recycled materials. The slim size is perfect for on-the-go essentials: Grace herself uses one to store her EpiPens, and customers have shared how useful they are as cable tidies, make-up bags, or to keep diabetes supplies close at hand. The medium case o ers a little more room without becoming bulky – ideal for those who like to carry a bit of everything.

Designs are taken directly from Grace’s popular Swishes and Tiled Sentiments card ranges, translating her distinctive aesthetic into something tactile and portable. Nine colour-rich designs are currently available, with bestsellers including Sage, Coral, and Seaside.

While created with gifting in mind, these cases work equally well as selfpurchases and lend themselves perfectly to displays alongside matching cards and notebooks for an eye-catching in-store edit.

Made entirely in the UK, this collection is perfect for card shops looking to dip a toe into lifestyle accessories or expand their o ering without losing sight of their core design values. Small but mighty, these pencil cases are the kind of everyday luxury your customers will love – thoughtfully made, beautifully finished, and built to be used again and again.

07902 875014

hello@gracejacksondesign.co.uk gjdesignwholesale.co.uk

Should indie retailers go online?

Bricks versus clicks…

For most businesses, the answer is a resounding yes, says THINK BIG co-founder Bryony Taylor-Edwards. She shares her essential start-up strategy…

The digital revolution has fundamentally transformed how consumers shop, and independent gift retailers face a critical question: should they establish an online presence? The answer, for most businesses, is a resounding yes. However, the key lies in approaching digital expansion strategically, rather than rushing headlong into the vast ocean of e-commerce.

Independent retailers who resist online expansion risk being left behind. Recent consumer behaviour shows that even local shoppers research products online before visiting physical stores.

By maintaining solely a bricks-and-mortar presence, indie retailers limit their reach to foot traffic and word-of-mouth recommendations, missing opportunities to connect with customers who may never stumble upon their physical location.

The benefits extend beyond reach. An online presence provides valuable customer data, enables targeted marketing, and creates opportunities for repeat business through email marketing and social media engagement. Moreover, digital platforms allow retailers to showcase their product curation and brand personality to a wider audience.

The prospect of launching an online store can feel overwhelming. But successful digital expansion doesn’t require a massive initial investment or complete business overhaul.

Begin by identifying your bestselling products and most distinctive offerings. Rather than attempting to digitise your entire inventory immediately, focus on 20-30 products that represent your brand well and have proven appeal. Here is my three-step launch strategy:

1Establish your digital foundation

Start with a user-friendly e-commerce platform such as Shopify, Squarespace, or WooCommerce. Invest time in high-quality product photography: this single element can make or break online sales. Natural lighting and clean backgrounds work better than expensive studio setups for most gift items. Create compelling product descriptions that tell stories rather than simply listing features.

2Integrate

with existing operations

Your online presence should complement, not complicate, your current business model. Use inventory management systems that sync between your physical and digital stores to prevent overselling. Consider offering click-and-collect services, which drive online traffic to your physical location and reduce shipping costs. Leverage your existing customer relationships by announcing your online launch through in-store displays and personal conversations.

3Build gradually

Once your initial product range is live and functioning smoothly, gradually expand your online offerings. Monitor which products perform well digitally versus in-store – you may discover surprising differences in preferences between channels.

Perhaps the most crucial realisation for indie retailers is that online and bricks-and-mortar operations are fundamentally different businesses that happen to share the same brand.

Your physical store thrives on atmosphere, tactile experiences, and spontaneous discoveries. Online retail operates on entirely different principles. Customers typically arrive with specific intent and rely heavily on visual presentation and detailed descriptions.

In-store customers expect personal service and expert advice. Online customers expect immediate information, fast checkout, and quick responses to enquiries. This doesn’t mean compromising service quality, but rather adapting your approach through comprehensive FAQ sections, detailed product guides, or responsive customer service features.

Running both channels successfully requires understanding their different rhythms and customer behaviours. Consider dedicating specific products to each channel initially, allowing you to understand each channel’s preferences without constant inventory conflicts. Designate specific team responsibilities: one person could handle online photography and uploads, while another

manages digital customer enquiries and shipping.

Starting an online presence need not require substantial upfront investment. Basic e-commerce platforms cost between £50-£100 monthly, and initial setup can be accomplished over several weekends.

Many successful indie retailers report that their online sales complement rather than take over their in-store purchases. However, e-commerce is a different and specialist skill and you may need some freelance help with setting up and building a strategy.

The question isn’t whether independent gift retailers should go online, but how to successfully manage two complementary yet distinct business channels. Success lies in playing to each channel’s strengths. Your physical store provides warmth and discovery that builds brand loyalty, while your online presence extends reach and provides convenience. Start simple, build gradually, and remember that the digital world needs more independent voices.

Bryony Taylor-Edwards is co-founder of Think BIG – a community dedicated to empowering purpose-led founders to build their business confidence, master a growth mindset, and have lasting impact.

Email: bryony@thinkbigleadership.com Visit: www.thinkbighuddles.co.uk

SHOP TALK

Greetings Today catches up with retailers in this issue to discover what’s selling well, summer merchandising plans, and more. To get involved - email naomi@lemapublishing.co.uk

Name: Cathy Frost

Owner Shop: Loveone

Location: Ipswich

What’s selling well for you at the moment?

Ohh Deer, Ricicle and Brie Harrison in cards. Plus Plum and Ashby hand cream and St Eval candles, and Pump Street Chocolate

Late summer has no special days such as Father’s Day, so what do you highlight in your shop at this time of year?

This time of year I highlight floral/botanical themes – vegetables, fruit, gardening, RHS Chelsea Flower Show colour palettes or themed flowers, and I incorporate real plants and flowers.

‘’How do we rebrand high streets to be attractive places to tempt people back, and encourage and support small indie business and events?’’

What do you think about WHSmith disappearing from the high street (and being rebranded)?

It’s very sad, but I’m relieved the shop will continue; another sign our high streets are changing and adapting. I really hope the Post O ce element that exists in some (like the Ipswich Branch) remains in store. This is a service we really need on the high street. Ours could do with modernising, so fingers crossed it gets a facelift!

Any other issues you wish to highlight?

The ongoing challenge of people working from home, and the footfall in many towns/cities struggling to improve. How do we rebrand high streets to be attractive places to tempt people back, and encourage and support small indie business and events, and collaboration with local authorities and BIDS (Business Improvement Districts)?

Name: Sally Swift

Owner

Shop: Cards & Moor

Location: Yelverton, Devon

‘’It will be interesting to see what newness the Hobbycraft guru will weave into the iconic brand’’

What’s selling well for you at the moment?

3D cards from Me & McQ. Whenever a new order arrives they fly out! I think customers realise the recipient is more likely to keep such a card as a keepsake rather than bin it after the event, so it is very much worth the extra spend.

Late summer has no special days such as Father’s Day, so what do you highlight in your shop at this time of year?

The sun! And anything with uplifting mottos and outdoor images/pursuits. What do you think about WHSmith disappearing from the high street (and being rebranded)?

It’s very much a shame to see somewhere I remember loving to shop as a child/teen disappear from the high street, but I realise a good thing can’t always last forever! It will be interesting to see what newness the Hobbycraft guru will weave into the iconic brand.

Name: Jo Marwaha

Product manager and director

Shop: Penny Black

Location: Flagship store, Great Western Rd, Glasgow

What’s selling well for you at the moment?

Given the time of year we’re selling a lot of Father’s Day cards! Other standout designs at the moment are Joy Jen Studio Scottish landscape designs in cards, notebooks and bookmarks. As well as that LEUCHTTURM1917 notebooks, 18-month planners and its new 411 notebook have been very popular recently. It’s also a very busy time of year for balloon orders for birthdays and graduations.

’Academic season is a big one for us, from Thank You Teacher, Exam Congrats, Graduation to Back to School/Uni/ College – it runs all the way until the end of September’’

Late summer has no special days such as Father’s Day, so what do you highlight in your shop at this time of year?

Academic season is a big one for us, from Thank You Teacher, Exam Congrats, Graduation to Back to School/Uni/College – it runs all the way until the end of September for us. This runs across a few product types; cards, gift and stationery. We also have a tourist season in our stores too, being in Glasgow city. We’re busy with Scottish product; cards, stationery and gift. Pride Month in June is a minor season that we include in our calendar too!

Sally Swift, pictured far right

Name: Lucy Eason

Owner Shop:

George’s

Location: Whitstable, Kent

What’s selling well for you at the moment?

Since our shop refit, which involved changing the flooring in January and upgrading our shelving units, we’ve seen a significant uplift in sales across almost all product types and sections in the store. It’s truly transformed the entire shop and boosted sales. We’re genuinely blown away by the di erence it’s made, specifically within the card shop, where we’ve witnessed the biggest surge in Occasions cards.

We’ve put a lot of e ort into curating a fantastic and unique range of designs and titles across all the standard occasions. Seeking out and stocking more modern designs from suppliers such as Ohh Deer, Running With Scissors and Tracks, are testament to the diverse and high-quality selection we’ve built with all our wonderful suppliers. It’s been a real juggling act to maintain such a strong card range within our existing space.

We’ve just wrapped up Father’s Day, and we’re thrilled to report a 50% uplift in sales! We made the decision to move the display into the main shop rather than keeping it tucked away in the card shop, and this significantly contributed to the sales improvement. It also allowed us to merchandise gifting around that area, which also saw an increase in sales. A special shout out to Ohh Deer, Rosie Made a Thing, Bold & Bright, and Cinnamon Aitch, and many other suppliers who contributed to the fantastic range we o ered to our customers this year.

‘’Our humour collection is incredibly strong and we’ve enhanced it with an injection of newness from some card greats such as Dean Morris and his comedy filth!’’

Late summer has no special days such as Father’s Day, so what do you highlight in your shop at this time of year?

While summer doesn’t have major card-focused seasons like Father’s Day, a highlight for us has been all the exciting new stock ordered at PG Live. We had a fantastic time there, meeting new suppliers, seeing new products, and reconnecting with industry friends. Bloody love PG Live!

Our humour collection is incredibly strong and we’ve enhanced it with an injection of newness from some card greats such as Dean Morris and his comedy filth! We’ve also added some Laugh Out Loud additions from Redback – the Holy Flaps and Cloud 9 additions are destined to become best sellers. I’m so looking forward to hearing the laughter in the store. Objectables have excelled themselves with the new range Check Mate, male relations and open birthday. I must mention too the new cards from Amy at Badgerbee Designs – Wineimals’ animal/ alcohol-themed cards – which also are selling exceptionally well. Woodmansterne has also smashed it with the Deliciously Designed range; everyone loves a sugar tits!

What do you think about WHSmith disappearing from the high street (and being rebranded)?

The continued presence of Post O ce concessions within WHSmith stores, run by TGJones, is absolutely vital for the high street. The fact that the stores will remain open and retain the Post O ce is crucial. Both of these elements are essential for maintaining footfall on the high street, which in turn supports all other retailers in the area, including independent card businesses like ours. We’ll be keenly watching to see if WHSmith’s o ering is maintained, improved, or if it falters. If it does falter, independent retailers stand to benefit by attracting those dissatisfied customers.

Name: Helen Williams Owner

Shop: Helen’s Wishes

Location: Dursley, Glos

What’s selling well for you at the moment?

For cards it would be our range of cards provided by IC&G and Noel Tatt. These brands both prove popular with my customer base and also have a full range available. Bespoke age relation cards are also top sellers.

‘’High street shops should all try to work together to keep the high street alive’’

Late summer has no special days such as Father’s Day, so what do you highlight in your shop at this time of year?

This year we are focusing on festival season as we have a local town festival, so the theme fits in well for us, and all this sunshine helps!

What do you think about WHSmith disappearing from the high street (and being rebranded)?

I think it is a sad occasion when any business closes as it a ects so many di erent people. High street shops should all try to work together to keep the high street ‘alive’. Two of my favourite sayings I have spotted on social media recently are “They are not your competition they are proof that it can be done”, and “Bashing another business will not make your business more successful”. Any other issues you wish to highlight?

I would love to see the card and gift industry doing more for the environment by reducing waste and improving e ciency.

Name: Carl Dunne Director

Shop: Cards and Gifts

Location: Dronfield, Derbyshire

‘’We have seen for at least the past six months a huge increase in age 60 and age 80 birthday cards’’

What’s selling well for you at the moment?

If you take away relation birthday cards, I would have to say the next best seller is our humour range – we’ve massively pushed the Emotional Rescue range. We still stock high levels of UK Greetings with Giggles and other branding under the UKG umbrella. IC&G’s Schumer are selling very well. I personally think this is due to the fluorescent coloured envelopes. Plus we have seen for at least the past six months a huge increase in age 60 and age 80 birthday cards.

What do you think about WHSmith disappearing from the high street (and being rebranded)?

This could be a very in-depth debate topic! In a very polite way, let’s be honest, over the past few years what was WHSmith? It had become extremely expensive, so I personally think it priced itself out of the market. This could have been head o ce costs or other costs, which have been passed down the channels. I’m glad it was sold, but why would anybody buy a going concern business and then from day one change the name? I personally don’t understand that and don’t understand what they have actually bought to move forward. What will the new owners change? I really don’t know but I do think it needs a massive overhaul and to actually have a USP so the customers know what it is within the high street. Let’s hope they turn it around, make it a great success and bring it back to the high street like the old days!

SHOP TALK

Name: Sarah Laker

Chief stationery geek

Shop: Stationery Supplies

Location: Marple and Wilmslow, Cheshire

What’s selling well for you at the moment?

Legami! It’s still selling like hot cakes, especially the erasable pens. In fact, pens in general are selling well with our sales steadily increasing and are now 80% up on 2019. Best sellers alongside Legami erasable are Stabilo BOSS highlighters and Pentel Energel. Customers rarely just buy one pen, often buying several di erent colours. I’ve also seen an increase in customers asking for pen refills, which is great, so we highlight in store which pens are refillable.

Notebooks also go hand in hand with pens, and we’ve done particularly well with The Art File and Ohh Deer A5 notebooks this year.

Late summer has no special days such as Father’s Day, so what do you highlight in your shop at this time of year?

Teachers’ gifts give a little boost to our end of June/early July sales, and then we begin the slow climb up from the end of July to the heights of Back to School sales at the end of August. Our social media features B2S heavily during August as we share the delights of pencil cases, rainbows of pens and highlighters, erasers, rulers… and so much more!

What do you think about WHSmith disappearing from the high street (and being rebranded)?

I feel quite sad about the end of the WHSmith on the high street, I have many happy memories of wandering the aisles as a teenager discovering new stationery for school. However, nostalgia doesn’t translate into sales, and WHSmith has lost its way; looking sad and neglected over the past few years. There is a place for both multiples and independents on the high street as it o ers diversity and choice for consumers, and so It’ll be interesting to see what happens once it is rebranded.

Name: Rebekah Mudie

Owner/director

Shop: Daisy Daisy - Beautiful Cards & Gifts

Location: Llanishen, Cardi

What’s selling well for you at the moment?

All round Great British Card Co. and Ling Design’s cards, especially their new additions and ranges such as Lemoncello, Pastello, Curious Inksmith, and Beyond the Garden Wall, Finish Line and Camellia, to name but a few! They’re all really lovely. Pigment and Rosie Made a Thing’s humour are very, very popular. Jonny Javelin’s traditional cards with verses and its kids’ Twingles range fly out. IC&Gs Year You Were Born milestone age cards sell like hot cakes. Woodmansterne’s quirky Quentin Blake cards are great sellers for us, too.

Late summer has no special days such as Father’s Day, so what do you highlight at this time of year?

Over the summer months we focus on academic cards such as Graduation, Thank you Teacher, Exam Congrats and Starting School. We also expand on our wedding and anniversary section. We find we o er more card designs with beach scenes or gardening themes over the warmer months.

What do you think about WHSmith disappearing from the high street (and being rebranded)?

It’s a shame WHSmith will be going but I’m not surprised to be honest. I think it’s been getting tired for a while and struggling to keep up on the high street. I suppose it is good news for small independent card shops in terms of less competition but a shame in terms of job losses and another well-known British brand disappearing.

Any other issues you wish to highlight?

Oh don’t get me started with Royal Mail! We all know the challenges there..

Name: Natalie Tobenas

Owner Shop: Casa Green

Location: Rhiwbina, Cardi

What’s selling well for you at the moment?

Our bespoke chocolates have been a real hit lately, they are beautifully made and make the perfect little gift of indulgence. Our cards continue to be one of the strongest sellers too. We handpick every single design to make sure there is something special for every occasion, and our customers really notice the di erence. It’s lovely to see people taking their time to choose the perfect card. The real standouts for us have been Rosie Made a Thing, Woodmansterne, and Paper Salad

Rosie Made a Thing is always a hit for her cheeky humour. It really resonates with so many of our customers and brings a lot of laughs. Woodmansterne is brilliant for its stylish, contemporary designs and vast range. I use them across open birthday, Relations, Ages and Occasions; they cover it all beautifully.

And Paper Salad cards just brighten up the shop. Their clever use of bold colours feel fun and happy while still being really stylish.

‘’We handpick every single design to make sure there is something special for every occasion, and our customers really notice the di erence’’

Late summer has no special days such as Father’s Day, so what do you highlight in your shop at this time of year?

We tend to focus on seasonal inspiration, items for teachers, end of year thank yous and exam congratulations. We also highlight summer brights – anything that brings joy to everyday life. What do you think about WHSmith disappearing from the high street (and being rebranded)?

It’s definitely the end of an era. WHSmith has been a recognisable presence for so long, so its decline shows how much the retail industry is changing. But it also opens up opportunities for independent retailers like ours; people are increasingly seeking out personal curated experiences and thoughtful service, which we can o er in ways big chains often can’t. That being said, we hope local high streets don’t lose their variety, as a balance is important. Any other issues you wish to highlight?

One ongoing challenge is the cost of living; we are very mindful of keeping our shop a ordable. We have also noticed a real desire from customers to shop more consciously and support small businesses. That keeps us hopeful and motivated to keep o ering beautiful, meaningful products with a personal touch.

Streamlining success: the backbone of modern distribution

James Nash, MD at PicPacGo, explains how the warehousing and distribution company helps greetings industry companies to grow and succeed

In today’s fast-paced economy, the role of warehousing and distribution has never been more critical. As consumer expectations shift towards instant gratification, our company has positioned itself as a leader in providing e cient, reliable, and innovative solutions to meet these demands.

Founded in 2016, PicPacGo has grown from a small operation to a key player in the warehousing and distribution sector o ering free storage. Our mission is simple: to ensure that our clients’ products move swiftly and safely from point A to point B. We believe that strong relationships are the foundation of meaningful service. By knowing our clients personally, we can respond quickly and e ectively to their unique challenges.

The rise of e-commerce has reshaped the landscape of distribution, with a growing emphasis on speed and e ciency. We understand that a seamless supply chain is crucial to customer satisfaction, which is why we prioritise operational excellence in everything we do.

At PicPacGo, we embrace technology. Implementing Intelligent Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), automation, and AI-driven logistics has allowed us to maximise e ciency and minimise errors. Our

commitment to sustainability also sets us apart, as we strive to reduce our carbon footprint through ecofriendly practices.

We take pride in our customer-centric approach. Every client is unique, and we tailor our services to ensure their specific needs are met. This personalised focus has earned us a reputation for service excellence, with numerous testimonials from satisfied customers (as seen on our website).

‘’We

believe that strong relationships are the foundation of meaningful service. By knowing our clients personally, we can respond quickly and e ectively to their unique challenges’’

Despite the ever-evolving challenges in warehousing and distribution – from logistics delays to inventory management – our team tackles these issues head-on, with innovative solutions that keep our operations running smoothly.

Looking to the future, Picpacgo is excited about expanding our services and exploring new technologies that will continue to improve our e ciency and client satisfaction. We are committed to investing in our workforce, ensuring our employees are equipped with the skills needed for future advancements.

If you are looking for a reliable partner in warehousing and distribution, reach out to us today. Let’s work together to streamline your supply chain and achieve success.

We are so much more than just your warehouse; we help and advise our clients on new ideas for packaging, products and distribution ideas. We have helped them reach new selling platforms, increasing their sales, as well as expanding their reach on social media.

Founder of PicPacGo, James Nash has been in the industry for over 25 years and has much experience, not only in contract packing but also in distribution and sales, along with stock management. He has welcomed all sizes of clients to PicPacGo. Taking them from the beginning, working from a spare room, to now filling up a PicPacGo warehouse; plus helping them get their products on all platforms, o ering lots of free advice and helping companies to thrive.

Retailer opinion

What are the bestselling brands in your store?

We have a selection of ranges by Belly Button Designs, Glick and Deva Design plus Penny Kennedy. All sell well and have super wrap, gift bags and accessories. We also sell some nice budget ranges from wholesaler Tiger Feet

Is there a wrap or giftbag size that’s missing that suppliers could cash in on?

I sometimes find it di cult to get perfume-sized gift bags and tiny/mini ones, so it would be great to see more choice of those.

Do you o er giftwrapping in store?

Yes, we always o er to tissue wrap our customers’ gift purchases. We actually have a tissue menu! You can choose from plain pink, blue, white and obviously we have red tissue at Christmas. Our most popular tissue wrap has become our signature wrap, as it’s blue like our shop front with cheerful daisies and bees on it. We source this tissue from Morplan and it’s our customers favourite! They love having their gifts wrapped ready to give and we don’t charge for this service.

Rebekah Mudie, Daisy Daisy - Beautiful Cards & Gifts, Llanishen, Cardi

What are your best sellers in this category?

For wrap and gift bags, Emma Bridgewater roll wrap, bags, and tissue are always solid favourites. The V&A neon floral gift bags from Ohh Dear are selling through really nicely. Our flat wrap sales have been interesting to review. About six months ago, we reintroduced roll wrap after a long break, and it’s really taken o . I initially thought it would impact our flat wrap sales, but we’ve actually seen an increase across both! Flat wrap still has the majority of sales but I’m really impressed. Consistent best sellers for flat wrap are from The Art File and Earlybird Designs and for roll wrap, Ohh Dear and Woodmansterne are leading the way.

Do you o er giftwrapping in store?

We don’t currently have the space or capacity to facilitate in-store wrapping. While I personally love wrapping and embellishing presents, we’d struggle to get the time versus value right for such an o ering, so we haven’t pursued it. I’d be interested to hear from any other businesses about how they have successfully made in-store wrapping work as this would elevate our service to our customers and what’s not to love about that!

Lucy Eason, Georges, Whitstable, Kent

Is there a wrap or giftbag size that’s missing that suppliers could cash in on?

Anniversary-themed wrap would be great – we get asked for that a lot – and also younger ages in wrap.

Do you o er giftwrapping in store?

Yes. We have tried matching cards and wrap but it hasn’t proved popular with our customers. We are only a small shop so, would struggle to hold cards to match the wrap for example but, we do try to match the gift tags where we can for the wrap of choice.

Helen Williams, Helens Wishes, Dursley, Gloucestershire

Wrap

Gift dressings are an easy basket add-on, and the sector is changing all the time. We catch up with suppliers and retailers to find out what’s selling well, latest trends and how giftwrapping services are faring in-store

As in all areas of the greetings industry, one of the main changes in this sector is the rise in sustainable products, and it’s driven by consumers, says Paper Mirchi founder Rani Moochhala:

‘’There has been a huge increase in the interest of sustainability in the gift wrap sector,’’ she says.

‘’Consumers are increasingly opting for recycled products and are highly aware of the story behind items –how they have been produced, are they recycled or recyclable, FSC certified, where they have been produced, and so on. With this in mind there has been a shift from mass market and single-use options towards more sustainable, long lasting, reusable and customised yet still convenient products.’’

And while we’re talking trends, Jemima Stileman, director of operations at Kali Stileman Publishing points out: ‘’We’ve noticed a real demand for animals, especially pets on wrapping papers. Our cats & dogs wraps have been particularly popular; party-ready cats and dogs in gorgeous on-trend colours. They’re ‘pawfect’ for children and the young at heart alike!’’

Rani adds that “block print designs across gift wrap are very on trend currently’’.

We know greetings retailers are always looking for something a bit di erent to make their o ering stand out, so as well as picking up on the latest trends, how do our suppliers endeavour to o er their customers something just that little bit di erent?

Jemima says: ‘’We listen to our customers! We consider their advice invaluable as they know and understand what the end customer/ target audience wants far better than we’re able to. Some of our favourite wrap designs have come from customer requests; such as our popular lozenges wrap.’’

Rani says that the handmade nature of Paper Mirchi products is what makes it something di erent: ‘’They are all handmade and therefore every single item is unique, which makes it di erent from what else is out there in the market currently.’’

So, that being said, what do they think is their most innovative and unusual wrapping product?

For Rani, it’s Paper Mirchi’s block printing technique: ‘’Hand-carved wooden blocks are used to manually stamp beautiful designs onto handmade cotton paper, using only the experienced eye and dexterity of the printer.

‘’Symmetry forms the core of the

party

design and pattern repeats must be perfectly balanced. A separate wooden block is used for each colour application. The colours are stamped one at a time and a high level of skill and precision is required to produce every sheet. This ancient textile printing technique is labour intensive but the results are truly amazing.’’

For Kali Stileman’s Jemima it’s all about an exciting collaboration: ‘’We always love playing around with colours, patterns and themes, but at the moment we’re most excited about our gift bag and roll wrap collaboration with

What are the bestselling brands in your store?

Glick and The Art File

Is there a wrap or giftbag size that’s missing that suppliers could cash in on?

Extra small gift bags for smaller jewellery items.

Sally Swift, Cards & Moor, Yelverton, Devon

What are your best sellers in this category?

Glick, Alex Clark, The Art File.

Charlotte Stubbs, Creativity, Sheringham, Norfolk

What are your best sellers in this category?

At the moment our best-selling gift dressings are from the Glick Brandon range – I personally think it’s due to the thickness of gift bags and the luxury fabric handles – but at the moment I have to say the vibrancy of the iridescent colours are massively standing out. That’s closely followed by UK Greetings’ gift dressings, which is always a better option for what I call everyday people as this is a cheaper brand.

Some companies have decided to drop a lot of the flat wrap and more so in the individual ages from 18 upwards – I can kind of see why, however if that is your business then you should be catering for all aspects of the business and not just what earns a quick buck or two.

Rani Moochhala, Paper Mirchi founder

Woodmansterne! We get a lot of requests from customers for rolled wrapping paper and gift bags, which hasn’t been possible – being a small business with limited storage space. The collection features bold and blocky diamonds in muted ontrend hues, with the inspiration largely coming from the Dorset coast, where we’re based. The cool blue tones of the water peppered with the bright colours of the buoys, boats and beach huts provided the perfect starting point for these fun designs.’’

Jemima at Kali Stileman Publishing

Carl Dunne, Cards and Gifts, Dronfi eld, Derbyshire

What are the bestselling brands in your store?

Paper Mirchi and Ohh Deer

Is there a wrap or giftbag size that’s missing that suppliers could cash in on?

Slightly bigger than standard wrap size – not as big as rolls.

Do you o er giftwrapping in store?

We o er a gift wrap service free for one or two gifts – we just charge for the paper/ribbon, and we charge for more items – that’s especially popular at Christmas. We always suggest a matching card where possible.

Cathy Frost, Loveone, Ipswich

What are the bestselling brands in your store?

Glick is our go-to brand – the quality, patterns and seasonal designs are always popular with our customers.

Is there a wrap or giftbag size that’s missing that suppliers could cash in on?

Yes we’d love to see more tiny gift bag options, especially for jewellery or small keepsakes.

Do you o er giftwrapping in store?

We wrap our customers’ gifts in our lovely tissue paper alongside our pink bags, which always gets a great response and sometimes save our customers a job to do. We also o er wrapping paper to purchase, and much of it is carefully chosen to match or complement our card ranges, making it easy for customers to put together a beautifully coordinated gift.

Natalie Tobenas, Casa Green, Rhiwbina, Cardi

What are your best sellers in this category?

Deva Designs gift wrap – stunning designs and quality at an a ordable price.

Anything that is hard to source in this category?

It would be lovely to have tissue paper printed in the UK at an a ordable price. I would love to design my own but am finding it di cult. I have designed my own gift wrap; my tartan gift wrap sells well but it’s not at a price point that I can provide it to wholesale, which is a pity.

Janet Ross-Jordan, Cards and Gift Wrap

Isle of Lewis

Paper Mirchi’s block printing technique

Kali Stileman/ Woodmansterne collab

The Art File

The Art File gift bag and wrap collections contain more than 130 stunning designs, perfect for every occasion. Choose between 25 di erent designs in the gift bag collection, with four new looks to select from, launching at Home & Gift exclusively.

The Art File roll and flat wrap collections feature striking designs created by the talented in-house team, with two new looks launching with The Art File Autumn/Winter 2025 collection.

Looking for a more luxury look for your gifts? Browse The Art File luxury gift wrap, which features stunning designs finished with pearlised paper. sales@theartfile.com www.theartfiletrade.com

UK Greetings

Grace Jackson Design

The Woven gift wrap range from Grace Jackson Design combines timeless pattern with contemporary colour to deliver bold, versatile wrapping paper for all occasions. Printed in the UK on uncoated FSC-certified paper, each 500x700mm sheet o ers a sustainable and tactile finish with a modern matt appearance that feels as good as it looks.

The collection features two distinctive pattern styles: a set of striking multicoloured stripes in varying widths and a gingham-inspired series available in six considered tones – coral, lilac, teal, mustard, sage, and burgundy. This pairing of classic pattern with fresh colour makes the range ideal not only for birthdays and celebrations but also for gifting occasions that fall outside traditional seasonal themes.

Available either rolled or hanging, the sheets are designed to work flexibly across retail spaces. With their bold presence and clean finish, they merchandise beautifully – whether displayed on their own or styled alongside matching birthday cards from the Grace Jackson collection.

07902875014 | hello@gracejacksondesign.co.uk gjdesignwholesale.co.uk

Introducing new gift dressings additions to Collage for 2025. Each range carries paper handles, which are fully recyclable. Even better, wherever there is a roll wrap to accompany the bags, UKG has removed the film packaging and now o ers a paper tear strip, meaning customers can also do their bit for the planet.

The Wild Valley gift range and matching cards showcase beautiful and sophisticated designs finished with gold foil detailing and deep embossed accents. The theme is carried across both bags and cards allowing consumers to mix and match where appropriate.

The beautiful Wild Lotus range is perfect for a variety of special occasions including birthdays, weddings and engagements. Featuring stunning holographic foiled watercolour designs, they’re overlayed with embossed gold foil meaning they really catch the light.

Available in bags and matching cards, they allow consumers to combine both to give their gifts a stylish synergy.

With unique access to stunning floral assets from the Royal Horticultural Society’s library, Curated Wild is a beautiful and illustrative range for the horticultural lover.

Ideal for birthdays and garden parties, this pretty look is available in both bags and matching cards.

Stop the Clock is a bright and fun range that incorporates candles, cake and colour! An easy birthday send for any age, it’s designed to pop with its bold colours and neon inks.

And with looks carried across roll wraps and bags, consumers can add that bit of pizazz to their presents and parties! 01924 436384

salesandservice@ukgreetings.co.uk www.ukgreetings.co.uk

Diary of a card shop

Matt Simpson, of Manchester’s The Letter Arty, makes room in

his small Retas finalist shop for his PG Live haul, and shares news of two exciting new ventures…

It’s a relief to get Father’s Day packed away and regain some shelf space at The Letter Arty to make way for my annual PG Live buying spree, which sees almost daily card deliveries in the fortnight or so after the show. I struggle to show restraint when presented with so many fantastic and original cards from both existing and new suppliers in one place, so my plan to dial down the buying went right out of the window.

As a result, my tiny back o ce, stockroom, dumping ground, cupboard – call it what you will – is currently full of lovely new cards vying for space in the shop, and so feels even smaller than usual. The Letter Arty is a converted 40ft shipping container with an internal width of just over 7ft so although space is at a premium, customers love that it’s packed with high-quality cards that they don’t see in the average high street card shop. This is entirely thanks to the 40-plus talented independent publishers, illustrators, designers, typographers and printers from all over the UK who supply my cards, despite occasionally being asked by customers whether I make all of the cards myself!

I generally stick to the smaller independent publishers and creatives as I find they produce some of the most innovative and original cards. Like Stormy Knight’s fantastic tattoo-inspired Inked range, which uses black foil in place of ink, giving the cards a uniquely sumptuous finish. Also making great use of foil is Ricicle Cards, with its colourful new Cocktail birthday cards, with each one using a di erent carefully selected coloured foil to represent each drink producing some truly beautiful results. Customers started buying these ranges as soon as they arrived, which is always a good sign. Innovative use of print finishes is something I love, so Two for Joy’s new die cut cake range with

spot UV details, and Studio Boketto’s new Snug as a Bug embossed kids age cards were two other standout ranges for me from PG Live that I just had to have. Mini cards are having a bit of a moment it seems, with Raspberry Blossom’s Little Joys, Earlybird’s Mini Neons and You’ve Got Pen On Your Face’s mini food cards being particular favourites here at The Letter Arty.

‘’Following

the accidental success of my Choose Cards T-shirts, I’m now hoping to produce a Choose Cards Christmas Jumper to spread some festive joy and encourage the sending of Christmas Cards’’

PG Live for me this year was about a lot more than just buying cards though, it also saw the start of a couple of exciting projects that I’m involved in. Adriana Lovesy of Greetings Lab approached me a while back to be part of a new non-profit called Cards for All, which aims to champion authentic representation in the greeting card industry by educating on the importance of diversity. There’s nothing more important than seeing people like yourself represented in the world around you. So we want to help ensure that representation in greeting cards so that everyone, especially people from under represented communities or with under represented experiences, can be a part of the joy that cards can bring.

Talking of joy, there’s nothing in the card world that brings quite as much of it as Christmas, which brings me on to my other new venture. Following the accidental success of my Choose Cards T-shirts, I’m now hoping to produce a Choose Cards Christmas Jumper to spread some festive joy and encourage the sending of Christmas cards, alongside the GCA’s annual Cardmitment campaign of course! I’ve found somewhere that manufactures the jumpers using 100% recycled yarn here in Manchester, just 10 minutes from my shop. I’m currently taking pre-orders for the jumpers via an all-or-nothing crowdfunder to ensure I can cover the cost of the initial production run. I never anticipated that I’d be designing and producing clothing, but I’m more than happy to be the uno cial merch store for the card industry, which you can find at choosecards.co.uk

For me, the reaction to both of these projects shows just how supportive and lovely the greeting card industry is. Although I am the entire The Letter Arty team, I never feel like I’m working on my own as I know that help is just an email or WhatsApp message away from a number of other retailers and publishers that I’m lucky enough to know. So before I get too mushy, I should probably work my way through some more card deliveries that have just arrived…

CARDS AND GIFTS

Helping the next

Jayne & Kevin Brooking, owners of Retas finalist Occasional Cards and Gifts in Kingsbridge, Devon, not only work hard to o er customers an ever-changing choice of cards, but do their best to support up-and-coming card designers too

Can you tell us a little about your background before you owned the shop?

Both of us have grown up and always lived in the local area where our shop is situated.

Kevin has always been in retail, working in the highend furniture industry. He was the manager in a store before we made the decision to run our own shop.

Jayne worked in a law firm for many years and trained as a Paralegal. She also has a trade and worked for two flooring companies making bespoke rugs; many have been seen in articles in Country Homes and Interiors and sold in John Lewis.

And can you tell us about the shop itself?

We have one shop on Kingsbridge high street, which consists of three areas over two floors. The first area as you enter the shop is dedicated to birthdays and any special occasion – as we speak, it’s Father’s Day. The second floor is for occasions – weddings, anniversary, birth, sympathy and so on.

The third area is a sale shop and is changed to a

Top 5 bestsellers

Quentin Blake

Nigel Quiney – Pizzaz

Tracks – Flu

Wrendale Designs

Abacus – BBC range

Christmas shop for the holiday season, filled with everything festive. The first floor has all Christmas cards displayed at this time of year and the whole store is moved around. We have gifts and plush

‘’We have tried very hard to make our shop an interesting and vibrant one-stop-shop for all occasions’’

throughout the shop. A whole wall is dedicated to gift wrap and gift bags. We have a section with balloons and party accessories

We have tried very hard to make our shop an interesting and vibrant one-stop-shop for all occasions.

Presumably you get tourists/walkers in town – how does this a ect what you stock, and the rise and fall of footfall?

We tend to always stock a large selection of local area cards (beach and coastal) and notelets relating to the seaside and countryside all year round. We commissioned one of our suppliers – Ben Marriott Design – to make a Kingsbridge card exclusively for us. A donation is given with every card sold to our local Kingsbridge in Bloom charity. Ben is an up-and-coming card designer. We believe in the next generation and we have been working with him throughout the last

year or more. The next generation is really important to us and it’s great to see them thrive and hopefully be part of the bigger suppliers in the future. He is going to be exhibiting at Spring Fair next year and he has been talking to one of our large suppliers to design for them. So fingers crossed for him!

During the holiday season we always ensure we have plenty of back-up stock. This also applies to wrap and stationery.

Congratulations on being named a Retas finalist! What makes your shop stand out?

Retail has its challenges at the moment and this is definitely the lift ourselves and the other finalists will appreciate. We are really proud of our shop and how we have adapted to the challenges that the economy keeps throwing at us.

Customer service and great products are core to our business. Every customer is greeted with a hello and a thank you for coming in, even if a purchase isn’t made, and the o er to help if needed is also always made. We make ourselves available 24/7 by responding to customers emails and any contact through social media when the messages are received. We don’t just deal with them in opening times.

We also deliver to elderly customers. They give us a list of the cards they would like and we pick a variety for them and drop them o . They choose the ones they like and we collect the remainder a couple days later.

And finally we have consistent opening times – 9-5 Monday to Saturday (extra hours over the holiday periods). Consistency is definitely key.

generation

How do you source products – both stationery and cards?

We go to trade shows, including Giving and Living in Exeter, Spring Fair at the NEC, and PG Live. Reps and agents also visit us regularly.

What is your selection criteria? How is that a ected by your location?

We are looking for good-quality products at a competitive price. Our location has lots of local customers but during the summer the customer base increases from very a uent areas locally – for example Salcombe, which is only a few miles away.

What’s your demographic like?

We have a mature population but also a lot of families within the Kingsbridge area. Kingsbridge is a market town with excellent schools, which is also a popular tourist area.

How do you get word out there?

We use both Facebook and Instagram to connect with all our followers and to encourage more people to engage with us.

We also sponsor events, such as sponsoring a football for a local football team or giving a product or gift vouchers for a charity event. We also give discounts on balloons for local charity events – in turn they post on social media and mention us in their posts.

We pride ourselves on our customer service and the word of mouth that generates.

Do you sell both in the shops and online? We are currently updating our website to simplify the card section on it. Most of our sales are in store currently as customers like to choose and enjoy the experience of looking through the large selection we have.

The new website will have a limited selection of suppliers on it at one time. This will be rotated to cover

all suppliers throughout the year. This will ensure we have the correct amount of stock to service the website.

We have also employed a media company to do two promotions a month for us. The new website should be live in July.

‘’The next generation is really important to us and it’s great to see them thrive and hopefully be part of the bigger suppliers in the future’’

Have you seen the average cost of your products go up – and if so how have you dealt with it?

Prices have increased across all sectors. Over the past few years we have been consciously increasing the average spend per customer.

Do customers ask for eco-friendly product? Is this something you try to stock. If so who do you use? And if not, can you explain why?

Customers’ concerns are mainly with the balloons not the cards. We try to stock as many cards as possible with no wrap. If they are wrapped, we try to ensure it is biodegradable.

All card suppliers are very conscious and moving forward with sustainability, but as with all change it takes time.

Woodmansterne and Wrendale Designs have made the switch as have lots of our suppliers. We have conversations with our agents and reps with regards to packaging.

We as a shop recycle our packaging by using it to send out our orders from our website. We keep all

What brands have been particularly popular with your customers (cards and stationery)?

Tracks – Flu range

Woodmansterne – Quentin Blake Wrendale Designs – Cards and stationery

Nigel Quiney – Pizzaz range

appropriate boxes and packing for this. All the rest goes for recycling.

Is there anything you haven’t been able to source that you would like to find?

Wholesale biodegradable foil balloons.

Do you take part in community/town events?

We always support Kingsbridge Fair Week by advertising in the programme and taking part in the Odd Object competition.

I have been in the carnival dressed as Tatty Teddy from Carte Blanche, a costume loaned by them with lots of goody bags to give away.

Other town events we support by attending and donating gift vouchers.

I also go to all traders meetings to help with ideas for the town to thrive and get people back on the high street.

What’s the most unusual thing a customer has asked for?

Screws!

What’s the most fun thing about running your store?

It’s got to be sourcing and buying new products and helping up-and-coming new independent card suppliers.

If you could choose the cards people sent you – which would you choose to receive for Christmas or birthday or other special occasion?

Definitely Five Dollar Shake; I love all the glitz, glamour and ribbons.

Anything else you would like to add?

As a buyer I feel we are totally spoilt for choice with so many fantastic suppliers and products. What a great time to own a shop!

Trade talk

In this issue, suppliers talk to Greetings Today about their thoughts on business for the second half of the year, AI, GPSR and more. If you’d like to share your opinions in upcoming issues, please email naomi@lemapublishing.co.uk

Rachel & Warren Hart-Phillips

Co-owners

LoveLossDiscoballs

How are you feeling business-wise as we head into the second half of the year?

We only launched in January so we’re still very much finding our feet and trying to get our brand out there as much as possible at the moment – but we’re very excited about the reception we’ve had so far with lots of retailers and key industry people supporting our mission to bring some colour and modernity to the sympathy and support category.

How do you feel about the recent proposal from the government to change the law to let big AI tech platforms use British artists’ content to use in their AI models without permission or payment?

We feel that while it’s important to explore AI innovation and the benefits it can bring, it shouldn’t come at the expense of our creative sector. Artists, writers, and musicians deserve fair payment and control over their intellectual property. The government’s opt-out approach puts too much responsibility on individuals, many of whom lack legal or technical tools. It all seems very wrong, and scary!

What are your thoughts on GPSR?

We think the GPSR is a really important step in recognising the power and potential risk of large AI systems. It’s encouraging to see legislation being considered that insists on transparency in how these models are trained and deployed. For small creative businesses like ours, where originality is everything, it’s vital that AI companies are held accountable for how they use and benefit from other people’s work.

We believe that regulation shouldn’t stifle innovation, but it must protect the rights of individuals and ensure the creative industries aren’t quietly mined and mimicked without consent or credit. GPSR feels like a move in the right direction towards fairness, responsibility, and keeping a human heart at the centre of progress

What trends can we look out for from now until Christmas? Personally we love seeing a rise

‘’We think one issue that’s still not talked about enough is representation in the card industry, not just in terms of who the cards are for, but who gets to make them’’

in cards being sent ‘just because’, and all of the positive messages of connection and care which are emerging. It’s definitely the space we’re in and it’s so great to see the industry embracing the power of a card in bringing moments of connection and support.

Any other issue you’d like to highlight?

We think one issue that’s still not talked about enough is representation in the card industry, not just in terms of who the cards are for, but who gets to make them. There’s still a lot of room for more diverse voices, more honest emotion, and more real-life experiences on shelves.

Cards have the power to say what people can’t always find the words for –especially during life’s hardest moments. We’d love to see more space given to small publishers doing something different – whether that’s tackling taboo topics such as grief or simply celebrating the messy, beautiful, complicated parts of life that we all go through.

There’s so much appetite for connection, honesty, and creativity – but those voices need backing from retailers, media and buyers to truly thrive.

Daniel Prince MD

Danilo

How are you feeling business-wise as we head into the second half of the year?

We’re feeling pretty positive, all things considered. The market still has its challenges, but we’ve seen some strong results – especially in gaming, music, sports and kids’ TV brands. People still love licensed products, and that’s keeping us busy. We’re doubling down on what we do best – creating standout product and working closely with our retail partners to make sure we end the year on a high. We’re particularly excited about our largest-ever licensed Christmas range landing at retail across cards, wrap, and bags. How do you feel about the recent proposal from the government to change the law to let big AI tech platforms use British artists’ content to use in their AI models without permission or payment?

Honestly, it’s really worrying. As a publisher of licensed products that rely on the creativity and IP of artists, studios, and rights holders, we believe any use of creative content – AI or otherwise – should be with full consent and fair compensation.

What are your thoughts on GPSR?

We’re supportive of any move that gives customers greater clarity and confidence in the products they’re buying. We already take product safety and compliance seriously, so we see this as a natural next step in the industry evolving to meet today’s expectations.

‘’Rising costs across the board are putting pressure on everyone. Publishers and retailers are going to need to work even more closely together to navigate what’s ahead’’

What trends can we look out for from now until Christmas?

We’re heading into a busy second half of the year, with several major releases set to have a big impact. Family films continue to drive box office success, with the new Minecraft movie and Disney’s Lilo & Stitch remake already generating strong momentum. Anticipation is also building for Stranger Things Series 5 and Wicked: Part Two – both poised to create major retail moments in Q4. In the lead-up to Christmas, heritage brands such as The Snowman and The Grinch remain evergreen favourites, consistently drawing interest from retailers and consumers alike. We’re also seeing increased demand for formats with added value – such as storybook cards or calendars with built-in extras – which offer more of a giftable feel and help products stand out during the festive season.

Any other issue you’d like to highlight?

Rising costs across the board are putting pressure on everyone. Publishers and retailers are going to need to work even more closely together to navigate what’s ahead – finding ways to support each other and keep delivering for the consumers.

Paul Urban

Managing director Kingfisher Cards

How are you feeling businesswise as we head into the second half of the year?

It’s slightly mixed emotions, really. If everything was under my control I would feel pretty confident; we are seeing good year-on-year growth and as we expand into gifts and all the other things we have planned I’m hopeful we will see very positive results. However the high street picture is that retail is extremely tough at the moment, not only with footfall but endless cost pressures, so that obviously tempers enthusiasm.

Add into the mix the geo-political events then the only thing we can be certain of is that we are in for a period of uncertainty! It doesn’t make forward-planning any easier.

How do you feel about the recent proposal from the government to change the law to let big AI tech platforms use British artists’ content to use in their AI models without permission or payment?

I think it’s disgusting to be honest. I thought perhaps I should ask the minister in charge to forward me his salary for the work he does in parliament. Same thing really isn’t it?

What are your thoughts on GPSR?

I think it’s another complete set of nonsense drawn up by bureaucrats who ought to resign in shame and get a proper job that actually contributes to society rather than cause more red tape for businesses. You can see why I never had a career in diplomacy!

‘’I think in uncertain times people like to go for traditional themes that make them feel they are in a safe space, and humour, which helps them forget about all the miserable news we keep on seeing’’

What trends can we look out for from now until Christmas?

I think in uncertain times people like to go for traditional themes that make them feel they are in a safe space, and humour, which helps them forget about all the miserable news we keep on seeing. I do think price points are going to be more important than ever this year.

Any other issue you’d like to highlight?

I do think the whole of our trade ought to be seriously worrying about the plight of the high street and not just about the endless increases they face in costs but the fact that if you talk to the younger generation (I have two nieces) they don’t know why I care. They can buy everything they want from Amazon, Temu, Etsy et al while sitting on the sofa, and couldn’t care less about town centres. Towns and shopping areas need to think a lot more about re-creating the ‘pull factor’ they had in the 80s, which is easier said than done. Having said that, when a shopping area gets it right, the footfall can still be extremely good so it’s not all doom and gloom.

Cherry Orchard Publishing

Marking the milestone birthdays has just become easier, thanks to Cherry Orchard expanding its range of age-relations cards.

The latest designs in code 75 feature a wide selection of relation titles tailored for those extra-special birthdays. Each card showcases playful and colourful illustrations of classic birthday elements such as presents, balloons and cake. They are all finished with beautiful fluted foil including the title and the milestone number.

To support retailers in displaying this new collection Cherry Orchard has introduced a 48-pocket spinner, designed to maximise floor space and enhance presentation.

01684 295500

info@cherryorchardpublishing.co.uk www.cherryorchardpublishing.co.uk

Looking For...

In our last issue, Elliot Jacobs, owner of Retas finalist UOE, told us ‘’finding a great range of Age cards is particularly challenging – I always feel like they should be better for milestone years!’’ Here’s a few we found…

The Art File

The Art File team is over the moon to expand their ‘Roll Up Roll Up!’ collection to now offer a new collection of age cards, from age one up to 18. Created by talented in-house designer Millie, every card features an intricately designed number, finished in two pantones, emboss and gold foil. These musthave cards are printed on premium board and come with a luxury ivory envelope. sales@theartfile.com www.theartfiletrade.com

Ornament Art

Upcycling and reimaging antique ceramic figurines, Ornament Art’s newly launched age cards use its original, playful photographic style and kitsch colour combinations to deliver feel-good birthday messages for milestone celebrations. ‘Bowl them over’ with the legendary cricketer range or ‘Have a ball’ with the dancing queen designs. 07971 704650 joanne@ornament.art www.ornament.art

Kali Stileman Publishing

Wish someone the sweetest of birthdays with Kali Stileman Publishing’s gorgeous cupcake birthday cards! The collection features delectable fairy cakes and colourful candles against a chalk white background, with candles counting from 16 to 50. Each card comes with an antique gold envelope to make them extra special.

01305 848899

info@kalistileman.co.uk

www.kalistileman.co.uk

Age cards

Grace Jackson Design

Grace Jackson Design introduces Birthday Stripes, a vibrant range celebrating milestone birthdays in style. Spanning ages 18 through to 100 – and now including 101, 102, and 103 by special request – this cheerful collection combines bold, colourful stripes with elegant gold foiled typography for a fresh, modern twist on classic age cards.

Each design features a striking palette and clean layout, with Happy Birthday subtly foiled alongside the age, making these cards both celebratory and stylish. Printed on FSC-certified board and finished with compostable, re-pulpable foil, the Birthday Stripes range upholds Grace Jackson Design’s commitment to sustainability without compromising on impact.

Created with the needs of bricks-and-mortar gift and card shops in mind, the wide age o ering provides stockists with an easy-to-merchandise, design-led solution to meet growing demand for milestone-specific cards. With its bright aesthetic and premium finish, Birthday Stripes makes every milestone feel truly memorable.

07902875014

hello@gracejacksondesign.co.uk

gjdesignwholesale.co.uk

Twenty Birds

Mark milestone birthdays with colour and character using Twenty Birds’ standout Age Cards from the circle cut collection. Available in 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100, each 15 x 15 cm square card features a vibrant aperture cutout revealing the age, surrounded by a playful, alliterative phrase — from ‘Fantastic Fellow’ and ‘Incredible Individual’ to ‘Sensational Soul’ and ‘Literal Legend’.

Printed on premium 300gsm G.F Smith textured card, and paired with a zingy yellow envelope, these joyful designs are made to stand out. Inside, each card reads: Celebrate with pride – the perfect sentiment for someone special hitting a milestone year.

An optional badge, attached with a transparent paper band, adds a fun, giftable twist.

Designed to bring a smile and celebrate every decade with flair.

07887674780

gabbmonica@gmail.com

https://twentybirds.co.uk/collections/cards-circle-cut

Grace Jackson Design

Blending timeless design inspiration with practical features, Grace Jackson Design’s A5 notebooks are the perfect marriage of style and substance. Influenced by historic patterns, museum visits, and architectural detail, each cover design is a modern homage to visual movements across the ages –echoing the flow and intricacy of Grace’s popular Swirl greeting card range, making them a beautifully complementary gift.

Every notebook is crafted with usability in mind. With 208 fountain penfriendly, FSC-certified pages, they’re designed for everyday writing without show-through. Each page is lined with a generous margin and features a date header at the top — ideal for journaling, project planning or daily notes. Tick-boxes in the margins support task tracking and productivity, while numbered pages allow for easy indexing.

The OTA-bound lay-flat design ensures that the notebook stays open wherever you’re working, and two brass page markers help keep your place. The 250gsm covers give a refined yet tactile finish, while the vellum belly band packaging adds an elegant touch for gifting.

07902875014

hello@gracejacksondesign.co.uk gjdesignwholesale.co.uk

Save the date

Calendars, diaries and other dated products bring fun to planning busy lives – and these all look great too!

UK Greetings

For over a decade, Boofle has been delighting consumers with adorable antics and cute cards. In fact, it’s estimated 50% of the UK population buy or receive a Boofle product every year!

This success has encouraged UK Greetings to look for new ways to grow the snugglesome pup’s presence in the market and diversify into other exciting product areas. Stationery and household items such as diaries, and particularly calendars, have been a fan favourite for years… after all, nothing sets you up for a good day like this lovable and cuddly pup. Utilising the bright, felt designs of the Happy Days style guide, the calendars for 2026 are fun and playful, just like Boofle.

These exciting product developments support e orts to build brand recognition and make this lovable pup a household name.

01924 436384 salesandservice@ukgreetings.co.uk www.ukgreetings.co.uk

Time well spent: how

calendars are tapping into culture, nostalgia and fandoms in 2025

Danilo’s latest dated ranges reflect how calendars are becoming collectors’ items as well as tools for mindfulness, planning and personal identity

As more people seek ways to stay grounded, plan intentionally and surround themselves with what they love, the humble calendar has seen a transformation. No longer just a way to mark o appointments, calendars have become cultural timepieces –tapping into nostalgia, passion points and the need for tactile, screen-free connection. According to Mintel, over 40% of consumers now say they buy calendars not just for utility but to “brighten their space” or reflect their interests – a trend that’s especially pronounced among Gen Z and Millennials.

Nostalgia and pop culture – a timely revival

From Gen X to Gen Alpha, there’s an undeniable appetite for comforting, familiar favourites – with nostalgic brands

seeing a +25% uplift in licensed product sales in the last year (Source: Licensing International, 2024). Danilo’s collection leans into this wholeheartedly, with iconic retro releases including a much-anticipated Oasis calendar (perfectly timed with the band’s reunion tour), the cultclassic Rocky Horror Show, and a heartwarming Gilmore Girls edition bringing Stars Hollow charm to your desk or kitchen wall.

And for those who like their nostalgia a little flu er, the Care Bears calendar and card range adds a rainbow-coloured dose of joy, tapping into childhood memories and the growing mindfulness movement. Big screen, small screen – all-year escapism

With 2025 set to be a blockbuster year on screens big and small, Danilo’s new launches reflect the power of fandom. From Disney’s Zootopia

The Art File…

The Art File team is thrilled to offer a fabulous selection of wall and desk calendars. The wall calendar collection includes 14 designs to choose from, with every calendar containing 12 art illustrations, featuring nature, animals, food and more.

Every calendar is finished with medium gloss and is completely plastic-free.

There are three designs to choose from in the desk calendar collection. Each calendar features different characters per month and has weekend circle dates. The desk calendars come with a self-assembly display stand, a free postcard and are enclosed in completely plasticfree packaging. sales@theartfile.com www.theartfiletrade.com

2 and Lilo and Stitch to Marvel’s Fantastic Four and Spider-Man, its licensed ranges put fans in the front row. Research shows that 61% of calendar buyers look for designs featuring their favourite shows, films or franchises (Source: GCA & Statista), and Danilo’s range rises to meet the demand. Stranger Things, Wednesday Season 2 and Wicked Part 2 are among the highlights – available not just as calendars, but also as complementary greeting cards and wrap for those who want to share the magic. Meanwhile, Corpse Bride brings Tim Burton’s signature style to life with a beautifully gothic twist, and How to Train Your Dragon and Jurassic World offer family-friendly fantasy with mass appeal.

Sport, stories and staying organised Sport remains one of the most emotionally resonant calendar themes, with major tournaments on the 2025 horizon. Danilo’s range captures this momentum with new releases for the Women’s Euros, the 75th Anniversary of Formula 1, the Six Nations and T20 Cricket. With growing interest in women’s sport and teambased viewing rituals, these calendars double as conversation starters and collectors’ items. And for fans of something a little more motivational, the Ted Lasso calendar is a feel-good favourite, encouraging us all to ‘believe’ a little more. 01992 702 900 sales@danilo.com | www.danilo.com

Collins Debden

Get organised with this latest collection of academic and calendar year diaries; crafted to suit every style. From bold colours to fresh, modern graphics, this new range is perfect for students and stationery lovers alike. Academic editions feature practical pages including timetables, notes, and finance trackers, all tailored to support busy academic lives.

Looking ahead to the 2026 range, Collins Debden will launch even more vibrant designs, all made from 100% recycled materials and fully recyclable after use, just like its previous fashion diary collections.

And for those who love timeless classics, the best-selling Collins ranges –Scandi, Delta, and Essential – are making a return for the 2026 calendar year.

0141 300 8500

enquiries@collins-debden.co.uk https://uk.collinsdebden.com

Wrendale Designs

Wrendale Designs’ illustrated calendars and diaries perfectly blend practicality with beautiful artwork. Known for its signature watercolour artwork by Hannah Dale, Wrendale’s 2026 range offers a variety of options designed to inspire and organise throughout the year.

Wrendale’s calendars remain a customer favourite, with a desk calendar, family calendar, landscape calendar and five slim calendars all featuring beautiful animal illustrations – from curious foxes to playful hares and charming hedgehogs. The artwork captures the changing seasons with delicate detail and warmth, making each month a joy to display at home or in the office. Printed on high-quality paper with ample writing space and packaged plastic free in a paper envelope.

Wrendale’s 2026 diaries are available in a desk diary with a page a day, a slim diary and diary planner with a week to view. Each diary features monthly and weekly planners that help users stay organised with plenty of room for notes.

For card shops and gift retailers, Wrendale’s 2026 calendars and diaries offer a way to refresh seasonal stock with products that blend art, nature, and everyday use.

01652 680253 | info@wrendaledesigns.co.uk | www.wrendaledesigns.co.uk

Making the most of

Janet Ross-Jordan, owner of Retas finalist Cards and Gift Wrap on the Scottish island of Lewis, shows that small can indeed be mighty, as she shares the story of her tiny shop

Before I owned the shop, I worked as a civil engineer in international development, working overseas on various projects. I gave that up when I had children, but I initially started selling books as a way to have something just for ‘me.’

It was during this time that I discovered Phoenix Trading. They had fabulous bookmarks, but it was their gorgeous cards and advent calendar cards that really hooked me. What started as a small venture soon grew into a passion, and over time, I developed my own independent card business.

I started Cards and Gift Wrap in 2012 from my home on the Isle of Lewis. What began as a small venture has grown into a unique business that combines my love for cards, gift wrap, and sustainability. The shop is located in a converted part of my garage, making it a truly local and personal space. Over the years, I’ve expanded to include my own designs, such as Gaelic cards and patterned paper tape, as well as carefully selected products from other brands that align with my ethos.

The idea behind the shop was firstly to reclaim some space in my house! Initially I had a very small online business as well as attending local craft fairs, so that meant if friends came round for a card I was constantly getting boxes out from under the bed so to speak!

Now my shop is tiny – just part of my garage – which means I still have to be very thoughtful about what I stock. The Isle of Lewis is a remote location, so my footfall is limited by geography, but I’ve built up a loyal local customer base. Additionally, my online shop still allows me to reach customers far beyond the island. With four children who have all had additional support needs at various stages, meaning I had to juggle occasional home education and alternative school arrangements, the shop in my garage has allowed me the flexibility to meet their needs but keep my business going.

The small size of the shop means I have to be very

selective with what I stock. I focus on a carefully curated range of cards, gift wrap and stationery that reflects my values of quality, creativity, and sustainability. I also plan my stock around seasonal peaks, especially Christmas, where I focus heavily on advent calendars and advent calendar cards. Suppliers for this include: Lilac Tree Designs, Woodmansterne, Wrendale Designs, Real and Exciting Designs, Ling Design, Great British Card Company, and Roger la Borde

‘’In a small space, it’s all about maximising what you have, so I use vertical space, small shelves, and themed displays to showcase my products. I’m constantly rearranging, it’s therapeutic, just like moving furniture around!’’

I love getting creative with displays! In a small space, it’s all about maximising what you have, so I use vertical space, small shelves, and themed displays to showcase my products. I’m constantly rearranging, it’s therapeutic, just like moving furniture around!

I source products from a mix of independent designers, small publishers, and sustainable brands. I’m always on the lookout for unique and eco-friendly products that stand out. I also design many of my own

items, such as Gaelic cards and patterned paper tape, which helps to give the shop a distinctive identity. My selection criteria revolve around quality, sustainability, and uniqueness. As I’m based on the Isle of Lewis, I also consider the practicalities of shipping and suppliers that can deliver to a remote location. I prioritise products that are eco-friendly and that resonate with my customers’ tastes and values.

My demographic is quite varied, as most of my business is online, and I stock a range of specific items that appeal to di erent types of customers.

For example, I sell advent calendars and jigsaws (from Gibsons Games and Wentworth predominantly, with some children’s ones from Rachel Ellen Design), which attract a wide audience, especially since I’m a jigsaw enthusiast myself!

I also have customers who shop in di erent ways – some buy just one card when they need it, others subscribe to my monthly card box for a regular supply, while others stock up on cards and gift wrap every few months. This means my customer base ranges from those looking for a one-o purchase to those who value convenience and a steady supply of high-quality, unique products.

I use a combination of social media, word-ofmouth, and my website to reach customers. Social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook are great for showcasing new products, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses, and connecting with my audience. Word of mouth is also incredibly important in a small, close-knit community like ours.

I sell both in my shop and online but most of my business is online, mainly because of personal circumstances and family demands. That is slowly shifting and I’ve been more available in the past couple of months to take my ‘shoppie on tour’ and do more fairs in Stornoway. I still have a dream to have a bigger shop in Stornoway that is open six days a week but I’m not quite there yet.

a small space

Have you seen the average cost of your products go up – and if so how have you dealt with it?

Yes, I’ve noticed an increase in costs, particularly for materials and shipping. I’ve addressed this by being even more selective with my stock and focusing on products that offer great value for money while aligning with my sustainability goals. I’ve also communicated with customers about the quality and ethics behind the products, which they appreciate.

Do customers ask for eco-friendly product? Is this something you try to stock. If so who do you use? And if not, can you explain why?

Yes, eco-friendly products are very important to my customers, and sustainability is a core value of my business. In fact, my pretty patterned paper tape evolved directly because of customer demand. Initially, I created it as a practical and ethical way to secure parcels for posting, but customers loved the designs and started using it for gift wrapping. This inspired me to expand the range, and I now have several different designs available.

I also stock other eco-friendly items such as recycled cards and plastic-free gift wrap, ensuring my customers can celebrate in a way that’s kinder to the planet. These include my own and those from The Eco-friendly Card Company, wrap from Deva Designs and Giftwrap UK, as well as my own tartan gift wrap sheets!

Is there anything you haven’t been able to source that you would like to find?

Some products aren’t made in the UK or if they are they aren’t as affordable as they could be. We seem to have lost our textile industry and I sell a lot of socks! A wider range of ethical roll wrap printed in the UK would be amazing but that supply is very limited just now.

Do you take part in community/town events?

Absolutely – I attend quite a few craft fairs around the Isle of Lewis and occasionally in Harris. I’ve been at lots of markets in the Stornoway Town Hall recently. And I always support our local school and community

agricultural show. All my Christmas cards result in a donation to our local cancer support charity WICCI and I’m very proud to be able to design and supply their Christmas card to them at no cost to them so they can keep all money raised from selling them.

What’s the most unusual thing a customer has asked for?

I’m currently assisting a customer from overseas who is sending me gifts to wrap to send to a UK address for a birthday. They have VERY specific requests. For example it needs to be in a gift bag with a cat on it, but only one cat and it has to be blue!

‘’I design many of my own items, such as Gaelic cards and patterned paper tape, which helps to give the shop a distinctive identity’’

What’s the most fun thing about running your store?

The most fun part is connecting with customers and seeing how much joy a simple card or thoughtful gift can bring. I also love designing my own products and seeing them resonate with people.

If you could choose the cards people sent you – which would you choose to receive for Christmas or birthday or other special occasion?

I’m an absolute sucker for an advent calendar card! Anything else you would like to add?

I’m incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received from my community and customers over the years. Being a Retas finalist is such an honour, and I hope it inspires others to see how even the smallest businesses can make a meaningful impact.

What brands have been particularly popular with your customers?

I’d probably have to list everything in my shop here! If it’s not popular I’m probably not stocking it any more. Lilac Tree Designs, Wrendale Designs, Deva Designs, Roger la Borde, Eco-friendly Card Company, Citrus Bunn, James Ellis, Woodmansterne, Ling Design, Great British Card Company as well as lots of other independent artists such as Becky Bettesworth, Janet Bell and Reuben McHugh

The Art File’s notebooks

National Trust, Cragside. Northumberland

Diary of an agent

Agent Richard Pass considers the benefits of card sending and journaling – and looks forward to Harrogatee Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival!

Working in the North of England has so many benefits, such as the fabulous countryside of North Yorkshire, Northumberland, Cumbria, not to mention the stunning coastlines to visit. Add in the picturesque towns with all their quirky uniqueness, and that’s what makes this job fabulous. Yet everywhere I travel there are scores of people, heads down, scrolling through phones and living really busy lives. Meetings on the go, no time to stop. Busy, busy, busy. And missing the world around them. What a waste.

Don’t get me wrong, business is important and I would never stop anyone from trying to achieve. But why miss the world as we travel through it?

This isn’t the most obvious start to an article in the greeting card industry, but bear with….

Greeting cards are an essential break from the fast pace. We all have to take time to source the perfect card, and let’s be honest there are many brilliant cards to choose from and fantastic retailers to buy from. Then we have to sit and write the card, especially for those di cult moments in life where we have to choose the right words and meanings – and then we either meet the person or post the card. The time taken to do all of this, for the benefit of other people is a thoughtful thing to do, and in growing numbers, through all age groups, we consistently do this. Good news for our industry –we are the perfect antidote to the busy world we inhabit. Long live greeting cards!

Another creative aspect of thoughtfulness in writing is journaling, note taking or even just random doodling. It doesn’t matter if it’s in a meeting (obviously not the random doodling), at home or on the train. More and more people are using notebooks, despite the ability to record info on a phone. The very essence of writing in a notebook is therapy (even if it’s in a meeting?). And, as the psychology dept of every university will attest, for most people, writing it down helps you to remember it. Again, we are taking time out, even just for a scribbled note to buy milk. We are taking time for ourselves.

‘’Good news for our industry – we are the perfect antidote to the busy world we inhabit. Long live greeting cards!’’

The notebook is a thing of beauty and choosing the right one is an enjoyable decision. It is also a perfect gift to buy for the special people in your lives. There are so many designs and products to choose from and shopping for the perfect notebook presents an opportunity to browse your local card and gift retailers. Let’s be honest, notebooks are the perfect addition to every good card retailer's armoury. They add variety to the store, increase the potential average spend and the margins are good. Plus they are fun!

Richard Pass is a sales agent (STL Agency), who covers the North of England except where listed below. The companies he currently represents are: Alljoy Design, The Art File [NW only], Dandelion Stationery, Ginger Betty [Yorks & NE only], Ohh Deer, Redback Cards [Yorks & NE only], Two Little Monkeys and Flametree Publishing Contact: 07790 844342 or richard.pass@yahoo.co.uk

glamorous world of the greeting cards agent! Richard hard at work at last year’s Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival

So I guess that leads me to the reason for this article, Harrogate Home and Gift Buyers’ Festival. The perfect trade show to see a selection of the very best publishers in the industry. Of course you know I’m going to mention a few; The Art File has a brilliant new range of notebooks, Ohh Deer’s new Laura Ashley range is going down a storm with retailers, and Alljoy Design is launching a new 3D card range. They will all be exhibiting in DP1. Take time out to visit. I look forward to seeing you there, notebooks in hand and a cup of tea on the go!

The

Every day is a birthday

For year-round sales, Sara Allbright, director and co-founder of Retail100 Consulting, considers some clever ways to highlight birthday cards and gifts – and increase basket spend

As we navigate the no man’s land that lies between the end of the spring seasonal events and the wait for the start of winter seasonal activity, it’s often easy to think there is no drive to sales. I always, though, have stood by the mantra that birthdays happen 365 days a year, so there is always someone in need of a card or a gift.

Unlike gifting at Mother’s Day or Christmas, for instance, we can often neglect how we communicate birthday gifts to customers, and although many retailers have online navigation for the likes of gifts for her or gifts for garden lovers, being explicit about gifts for birthdays is much less common. But in my view it represents a big opportunity for retailers and brands.

Quite often, birthdays can catch people off guard, as they may have forgotten the date or it has crept up on them, so purchasing can easily become something they need to deal with quickly and with less thought and planning. Therefore, making it obvious on cards or gifts that you would recommend easily converts into sales.

When it comes to products, the most simple way brands do this is using giftable packaging solutions that say happy birthday on them – most common on product types such as chocolate or candles – it immediately indicates to the purchaser that this is a gift they can happily give for a birthday. In my opinion that can feel quite cold and unimaginative, so as a retailer you could produce a more creative version by wrapping products in advance and adding a happy birthday tag. This can be a great solution to increase sales of bestselling products or used as a way to highlight and move on slow-selling stock.

Bundling products together can also create helpful solutions, especially for those making a lastminute or panic purchase for a birthday. Thoughtful products brought together in a gift box or basket can suddenly look far more compelling than those same products when they are sat separately on the shelves, and has the added advantage that you have automatically increased the average order value of your customers’ purchases in an instant.

This can also work with cards – imagine a busy parent navigating all their child’s party

invites – a bundle of birthday cards might save them time and stress while again allowing you to potentially include and move on some of your slower-selling products.

Other ways of making products appropriate for birthdays include sentiment-driven gifts that feature the month of the year, a star sign or a monogram. These can work well but are more tricky

‘’Imagine a busy parent navigating all their child’s party invites – a bundle of birthday cards might save them time and stress while allowing you to potentially include and move on slower-selling products’’

to manage from a stock point of view, and need more planning to get the best out of this type of range – but don’t be afraid to try, as they can be a great addition to your offer.

You can also create flexible solutions to highlight products as birthday gifts with sleeves that simply go over the products box, but which can be removed when not relevant or changed when other events such as Christmas come into play.

In essence, don’t worry about being blatant in telling your customers the products that they should buy for a birthday; many will appreciate the help and efficiency that this adds to their shopping mission.

Sara Allbright is a director and co-founder of Retail100 Consulting, which is a consultancy firm with 100 years of retail experience that helps retailers and brands grow.

Prior to Retail100 Consulting, Sara worked in buying roles at John Lewis & Partners for 18 years, predominantly for home and seasonal categories, including eight years leading gift and home fragrance buying.

She specialised in brand relationships and growing small emerging brands into market leaders. Sara is also experienced in own-label sourcing across multiple categories and countries. hello@retail100consulting.co.uk www.retail100consulting.co.uk; www.linkedin.com/company/retail100-consulting

The Fold brings joy, colour and a carnival of contemporary artists and illustrators to the world of Greetings Cards. It’s a new and exciting venture, backed by a trusted name