Greetings Today May June 2025

REGULARS

What’s occurring in the

The latest for your shelves and spinners

29 Diary of an Agent

Richard Pass looks forward to PG Live and Harrogate Home & Gift

38 Shop Talk

Retas finalists share their excitement 46 Trade Talk

Suppliers talk postal service changes, the loss of WHSmith from the high street, and more

51 Retail 100

Navigating the last half of the year...

Editor

Naomi MacKay naomi@lemapublishing.co.uk

Advertising Manager

Marian McNamara marian@lemapublishing.co.uk 01442 289940

Managing

Mark Naish

mark@lemapublishing.co.uk

Production

Paul Naish paul@lemapublishing.co.uk

Design Rick Vickers rick@lemapublishing.co.uk

Danilo

Elliot Jacobs, owner of Retas finalist UOE, explains how this ‘modern take on a high street store’ works

Cute cards & plush – get ready

Helen Lloyd, MD of Stratford Garden Centre and Warwick Garden Centre, explains how suppliers have helped out with stocking the greeting card section at her newly-opened

George’s in Whitstable, Kent is a real family affair, says owner Lucy Eason

Editor Naomi MacKay

leader

What a busy time of the year it is for the greetings industry! The sun has been shining and it seems as if the balmy weather has injected everyone with a new-found verve and vigour.

Of course, the excitement of upcoming shows and award ceremonies helps. In this issue exhibitors at PG Live (which takes place from June 3 to June 4 at the Business Design Centre in Islington) share not only the ranges they will be unveiling, but their top tips on how to make the most of the exhibition – there’s a lot of food involved! And Ross Harrison, business development manager at Laura Darrington Designs, recalls a search for his suspected stolen car amid howling winds and torrential rain!

And we’re so pleased to share in the excitement of a number of the Retas finalists who are thrilled to have made it to this stage of the Awards. Fingers crossed for them all when the winners are announced in July.

We’re also delighted that two of those very finalists appear in our Retail Interviews in this issue. Lucy Eason, as you can see below left, was ‘‘absolutely amazed, over the moon, and quite shocked, because I had no idea anyone had nominated us’’. You can find out more about her shop George’s on the Kent coast in Whitstable, on page 48.

Another finalist is UOE, owned by Elliot Jacobs, who explains how his ‘‘modern take on a high street store’’ works, and how he’s really upping its game when it comes to greeting cards.

With the high street proving challenging in the current economic climate, it’s wonderful to hear so many positive stories from retailers.

One chain that has not weathered the storm, however, is WHSmith, whose familiar brand will be disappearing – from the high street, at least. As Daniel Prince, MD at Danilo, says in our Trade Talk feature: ‘‘It’s a big shift and definitely feels like the end of an era in some ways. But it’s reassuring that many of the stores will stay open under the TG Jones name.’’ Suppliers comment on a number of other issues in that feature, so do

Danilo is also our Cover Star for this issue. If you’re heading to PG Live on the Tuesday, do pop along to the stand to see the newest member of Peppa Pig’s family – and get some treats at the interactive sweetie station. And, of course, check out the latest licensed product!

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

We’re also happy to see our columnist, agent Richard Pass back with us for this issue. He’s looking forward not only to PG Live but also to the Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival in Harrogate.

The vital role of the agent has been mentioned a number of times in this issue.

Lucy Eason, for instance, considers many, whom she has known for 20 years or so, as friends – and our third retail interviewee, Helen Lloyd, MD at Stratford and Warwick Garden Centres, explains how they helped to stock and merchandise the card area in the just-opened Warwick Centre.

No doubt the industry’s agents will be out in force at the upcoming shows. The Greetings Today team will be there too. Do say hello!

And as always, if you fancy joining those suppliers and retailers who contribute their thoughts and opinions to Greetings Today, do get in touch at naomi@lemapublishing.co.uk.

Cardfactory reports record trading day

Cardfactory, specialist retailer of greeting cards, gifts and celebration essentials, announced its preliminary results for the year ending January 31, citing ‘strong strategic progress driving profitable growth’, and a new record trading day.

The results report highlighted a new record trading day on the Saturday before Mother’s Day (Saturday March 29).

Gross profit was £193.8m (FY24: £184.9m) with, the report added, ‘’margins broadly maintained vs. FY24, as we successfully mitigated the majority of increased freight costs and a c.10% increase in National Living Wage’’.

The figures reveal that the company has shown strong revenue growth of +6.2% to £542.5 million, with total store revenue up +5.8%.

Like-for-like store revenue grew +3.4% through a combination of range expansion and development, as well as targeted pricing action, while partnerships revenue was up £5.2m, including contributions from new acquisitions in the Republic of Ireland and the US.

Adjusted profit before tax (PBT) shows growth of +6.3% to £66m, ‘’reflecting disciplined management of operating costs and the benefits of e ciency and productivity programme’’.

The company expects to see mid-to-high single-digit percentage increases in Adjusted PBT, with margin in line with FY25 remaining unchanged.

Trading through the first months of the new financial year has also been in line with management expectations.

The company opened more than 32 new stores in the financial year, and a space optimisation programme allowed in-store innovations such as stationery and kids’ zones. It also expanded its gift and celebration essentials o ering, including new baby, toys, gift food, balloon and confectionery ranges.

Cardfactory’s partnership programme saw a full rollout to the Aldi UK & Ireland estate completed in September 2024, extension of its partnership with The Reject Shop in Australia, and a first wholesale supply agreement with a nationwide US retailer, initially covering more than 1,100 stores with a curated Christmas card range.

Read all about it!

The team at Cherry Orchard has been hard at work bringing their new and exciting catalogue to life. This special 30th Anniversary edition is a vibrant showcase featuring more than 250 designs. Packed with stunning new collections, it o ers a wealth of choice.

This new catalogue celebrates Cherry Orchard’s past successes while looking ahead to the future, whether you are looking for bestsellers, seasonal favourites or something a little di erent.

www.cherryorchardpublishing.co.uk

Clintons returns to profit following store closures

Clintons has returned to profit under its new owner following a store closure programme, and despite a drop in sales.

The greeting card and gifting giant has reported a pre-tax profit of £8m in the year to June 29, following a loss of £5.3m during the previous year. It experienced a 14% drop in sales, from £96.5m to £82.6m.

Clintons was acquired by Cardzone owner Pillarbox Designs in March 2024. New Clintons boss James Taylor told Retail Gazette last year that the greetings chain was in a “worse state than expected”. He added: ‘’We weren’t optimistic as to what we would find or the condition the business would be in, but we underestimated the task to turn it around.”

After the purchase last year 15 stores were closed, bringing its total to around 170 shops, and than 300 jobs axed.

Stationery Awards – winners revealed

Congratulations to the winners of the Stationery Awards 2025, which were announced at the London Stationery Show.

Best Independent Stationery Retailer – North went to Stationery Supplies, Marple and Wilmslow, owned by Sarah Laker, who is also coordinator of Stationery Week.

The Stationery House, Somerton, Clevedon and Winscombe was named Best Independent Stationery Retailer – South.

The Ryman Group (Ryman, Ryman Design and London Graphic Centre), bagged the title of Best Multiple Stationery Retailer, while Under The Rowan Trees was named as Best Online Stationery Retailer

Product category winners included: Novelty Stationery Product of the Year: Legami Erasable Pens –Tiger and Butterfly from Stone Marketing

Children’s Stationery Product of the Year: Maped Creativ Pixel Factory from Maped Helix

Home O ce Product of the Year: Exacompta AutentiK TINY BOX from Exacompta Clairefontaine (ExaClair)

Sustainable Stationery Product of the Year: Tutti Frutti Stitched Notebooks from Co eenotes

Diary/Organiser of the Year: A5 Seasonal Diary Collection from Rebel Stationery

Licensed Stationery Product of the Year: Licensed Fidget Pens from Blue Sky Studios

Notebook/Journal of the Year: Notebooks 411 from LEUCHTTURM1917

Sarah Laker (centre) won Best Independent Stationery Retailer – North

Danilo duo run the London Marathon

Congratulations to Danilo’s finance manager Paul Slater, and sales administrator Nicolas Walsh, who both completed the London Marathon in April.

It’s an impressive achievement, but perhaps even more impressive is that they both made it into the Danilo o ces the following morning!

Paul was raising funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society, while Nicola’s chosen charity was Mencap.

GOTY winners revealed…

The winners of Gift of the Year 2025, organised by The Giftware Association, were unveiled at a glittering ceremony at the Royal Lancaster, London.

These winners stood out for their exceptional design, innovation, and ability to wow the judges — who included buyers and retailers. They include: Cards, Wraps & Stationery: Write Me Roses, Pikkii. Festive & Occasions: Pirouette Countdowns, Santoro London. Health & Wellbeing: Thoughts and Feelings Collection for Children, Fox Under The Moon. Home and Kitchen: Magnificent Mugs, Rosie Made A Thing. Novelty, Tech And Gadgets: Cheese & Crackers Game House of Marbles (Town Mills Craft Centre)

Chris Workman, PR & marketing manager at the Giftware Association, said: “The quality of entries this year was truly outstanding. Gift of the Year continues to shine a spotlight on the most exciting talent in the home and gift industry, and our 2025 winners are a testament to the creativity and resilience of this vibrant sector. It’s great to see new brands enter into the spotlight as well as old favourites continue to bring something new to the table.”

Card Factory Foundation announces partnership with Centrepoint

The Card Factory Foundation has named leading youth homelessness charity Centrepoint as its new charity partner.

The Bright Future Initiative – a £1.5 million, three-year partnership – will fund transformational support for young people experiencing homelessness, with a focus on creating Psychologically Informed Environments (PIE). These spaces are designed to o er tailored support, helping young people overcome trauma, build resilience and move toward independence.

This marks the first charity partnership for the Card Factory Foundation and will see it become the sole funder of key Centrepoint projects, including one-to-one therapy services and specialist support workers within the PIE team.

As part of the partnership, the Foundation will also become Centrepoint’s o cial Christmas Partner, donating £25,000 annually toward the charity’s festive gift drive. This annual contribution is included within the overall £1.5 million commitment and will ensure thousands of young people receive a meaningful gift on Christmas Day, a moment of dignity and celebration at a time that can be especially di cult for those without a stable home.

Pushpinder Gill, head of Card Factory Foundation, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be announcing our first-ever national charity partnership with Centrepoint. The Bright Future Initiative is about creating meaningful, lasting change by supporting young people through some of the most pivotal and challenging moments in their lives. This partnership allows us to directly fund vital, specialist support that helps young people move forward with confidence and hope, and it’s a powerful step in our mission to make a real di erence where it’s needed most.”

Autumn Fair returns to NEC

Autumn Fair returns to the NEC Birmingham from September 7–10, o ering retailers a key opportunity to refresh their product ranges ahead of the peak shopping season.

The 2025 show is expanding with 10% more floor space and will feature more than 800 brands, showcasing thousands of must-have products across three key destinations: Home, Gift, and Fashion.

Longstanding exhibitor The Art File shared the impact Spring and Autumn Fair has had on the company. James Mace, sales and marketing manager said: “Ged and Karen Mace founded the business in 1997, and with Ged having already had 13 Spring and Autumn Fairs under his belt with Accord, Ink Group and Portico, he knew that the 1998 Spring Fair would be crucial and integral in a successful launch of The Art File – within the first day of the show,

we landed our first international Distributor (a Canadian distributor called Incognito run by Dean Newman, with whom we still work today), and a plethora of independent retailers. And the rest, as they say, is history. We have been proud supporters of Spring and Autumn Fair since we started, and it would be an understatement if I didn’t say that the show has been, and continues to be, integral to our growth and success as a business today.”

Greetings Card brand Ohh Deer will be joining the Autumn Fair line-up for the first time this season. Mark Callaby, co-founder and MD, said: “We love doing trade shows at Ohh Deer and they’re a vital part of our brand marketing each year and we’ve been seeing such great success with Spring Fair in recent years that we thought giving Autumn Fair a go would be a logical step.” www.autumnfair.com

Pikkii

Santoro

Pictured: Julie Milnes, director of Fundraising at Centrepoint, Brian Waring, chair of Card Factory Foundation, and Seyi Obakin OBE, CEO at Centrepoint

Banding together…

Terry Mansfield introduces Self Seal Belly Bands, doing its bit to help

Our journey so far....

During Covid, conversations took place regarding the desire to rid our industry of single-use plastic. After quite a bit of research into the correct material and development, Self Seal Belly Bands was born.

Our bundle and belly bands are completely recyclable and are a great alternative to single-use plastic and card clasps that can stain and damage the surface of the card and envelope. None of our bands come into contact with either the card or the envelope. They all have a selfadhesive strip for ease of application, and the versatility to ensure a snug fit around your product.

The translucent bands have proven extremely popular; by wrapping the card with these bands it preserves most of the imagery.

As we look around at retailers, we are seeing many more introducing our bands in preference to plastic or naked cards. We thank the many fulfilment houses that are recommending them as the best alternative to wrap cards.

Shipping to many countries around the world is now really helping to get our message across and we intend to keep spreading that word and doing our bit to help save our planet.

The journey continues.....

ECO NEWS

Gem of an idea…

Paper Rose has announced the latest eco-handmade additions to its bestselling range Artisan. Holographic paper gems and thick card add-ons are adhered with a water-based glue onto sustainably sourced board, making truly special sends without the environmental cost.

Born in the UK

One independent publisher is proving that creativity, quality, and sustainability can go handin-hand – without the air miles.

Based in the heart of Dorset, International Cards and Gifts (IC&G) is making waves with its commitment to producing greeting cards that are 100% designed, printed, and finished in the UK – a rare feat, it says, for a publisher of its size.

“Our cards don’t clock up air miles,” said Allen Taylor, sales director at IC&G. “They’re imagined in Dorset, printed by Dorset-based partners, and finished by hand right here on the South Coast of the UK. It’s about keeping things local – supporting British jobs, reducing carbon emissions, and ensuring quality from start to finish.”

In a market where many publishers outsource production overseas to cut costs, IC&G has taken a deliberate stand. The business proudly champions:

• Sustainable materials: Environmentally friendly glitter is used and the vast majority of cards are printed on FSC-certified board.

• Local partnerships: Working exclusively with UK printers and finishers.

• Small carbon footprints: By keeping the entire lifecycle of the product within the UK, emissions are drastically reduced.

This focus on ethical production doesn’t come at the cost of design; the in-house design team are committed to avoiding the use of AI in their designs, working with brilliant UK illustrators to continuously add fresh new ranges.

“Our customers care where and how things are made. They want meaningful design without environmental compromise. That’s what we o er,” said Allen. customerservices@icgcards.com

Quirky

Looking for something a bit different to appeal to your customers? Here’s some quirky designs that should fit the bill!

Trends: Cherry Orchard Publishing

The Camilla and Rose collection from Cherry Orchard is a delightful assortment of 130 humorous cards, each featuring Sarah Boddy’s signature quirky illustrations.

Celebrating life’s moments with a smile, this collection is designed to suit any occasion and a variety of ages and relations. Each card is blank inside offering the freedom to add your own message.

Explore the full Camilla and Rose collection on the website.

01684 295500

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

Cath Tate Cards

Cath Tate is unveiling a major new collaboration: Simon Drew for Cath Tate Cards. As the new wholesale distributor for legendary artist Simon Drew, Cath Tate is introducing 80 of his iconic designs – celebrated for their surreal hand-drawn illustrations, clever wordplay and wonderfully offbeat humour. This unique and quirky collection promises to delight fans old and new.

0208 671 2166

orders@cathtatecards.com trade.cathtatecards.com

Puckator

Puckator has recently unveiled a range of stationery designs that are sure to excite all ages. The new collection features an array of products that combine practicality with personality. Among the standouts are the popular Everlasting Pencils. Alongside these, Puckator has introduced Erasable Pens, a brilliant addition for those who want to write with confidence but also need the freedom to correct the odd mistake.

Puckator brings personality and charm to the collection with fun and quirky designs. From animal-shaped sharpeners to themed highlighters they are guaranteed to bring fun to any desk or pencil case. These playful designs are not just for kids – they also appeal to adults looking to add a touch of whimsy to their workspace. Plus, many of the products feature exclusive characters, all hand-designed by Puckator’s UK creative team.

Finally, with their quirky appeal and relaxed vibe, capybaras are truly the animals of the moment, and Puckator’s exclusive Capybara range, designed in the UK, includes mugs, water bottles, nail files, and compact mirrors.

0800 011 6969 customerservices@puckator.co.uk www.puckator.co.uk

Rush Design

At Rush Design, a little bit of quirkiness has often been part of the design process. Just a little twist here and there to accompany the main feature of the card, whether it be a few words or a part of the illustration.

Following the recent collaboration with artist Sarah Boddy, Rush commissioned a full range of quirkiness in the form of simple fun charcoal drawings of animals. As it evolved, the range was soon named Cheeky Charcoals. Initially comprising eight designs, Dave the Donkey was one of the best sellers. So, following the success of the initial launch, Rush is releasing 10 more quirky creatures, including Bingo the Horse and Spike the Hedgehog.

Rush Design tells us: ‘’Customers have absolutely loved them and keep asking for the next animals to be featured. Maybe some safari animals next!’’

01788 521745

info@rushdesign.co.uk www.rushdesign.co.uk

spotlight

Here comes summer!

Alljoy Design continues to make waves with its award-winning Message in a Bottle pop-up card collection, now expanding with fresh summer designs and a new spiritual twist.

This latest release includes vibrant, sunshinefilled scenes — perfect for the summer season — as well as beautifully illustrated New Age-inspired cards featuring themes of energy, mindfulness, and cosmic charm. Each design pops up from a flat envelope into a 3D bottle-shaped card, capturing imagination and sparking joy. As always, no assembly is needed — just open, and the magic unfolds.

Alljoy Design has also introduced new additions to its Original Papercut collection, featuring detailed laser-cut designs with gold foil and nature-inspired themes. The summer release also includes colourful new cards designed for everyday sending, as well as a new set of New Age cards with themes including mindfulness, energy, and connection

Alljoy Design info@alljoydesign.com www.alljoydesign.com

Keep it abstract

This gorgeous collection of cards features bold and abstract designs. Created by Pavilion, this card series features abstract shapes, typography and colours. Printed on textured board, this collection is finished with emboss, deboss, and comes with a kraft envelope. The Art File sales@theartfile.com | www.theartfiletrade.com

More Wishes & Dreams

Following the success of the Wishes & Dreams collection launched in January, the Rush Design team is excited to release 20 new designs. These include female ages 16-90, new open Birthday and the often-requested Mam and Mom birthday titles.

Wishes & Dreams is a very feminine collection. Dreamy and shimmering, with a twist of vintage.

Printed on 300gsm textured board (FSC certified). Finished with foil and diamantes and matched with a striking gold envelope.

Rush Design 01788 521745

info@rushdesign.co.uk www.rushdesign.co.uk

Fresh and funky!

Fans of the award-winning Lost Plots collection are in for a treat, as Cath Tate Cards unveils a new series of seven brilliantly bold die-cut designs. Created by artist Lisa Robson, the new additions continue the range’s signature mix of psychedelic colour, playful energy and 1970s design influences. With designs covering Birthday, Congratulations, and Thank You, these vibrant cut-out cards are perfect for retailers looking to offer something fresh, funky, and full of personality.

Cath Tate Cards

0208 671 2166 | orders@cathtatecards.com trade.cathtatecards.com

Flower power

English designer Emily Burningham is thrilled with the success of her card range launch with Museums & Galleries (M&G), and on the eve of release of her new home and giftware products reflects on her design ethos: “I just love flowers – they are so strong and beautiful and gentle at the same time! They are miraculous, all these colours, patterns… Think of fritillaries or tulips or pansies – simply extraordinary! We’d be a lot poorer without them; at least I wouldn’t want to be without them. They bring life to our life. There is simply nothing like watching something grow, bloom and blossom. They are an incredible life force, I think. And most look so beautiful. A home without plants – in whichever form – would be bland and is lacking something, in my mind. They bring life and energy. This balance between delicateness and strength is truly fascinating, I think.”

Card and gift packaging are currently available from M&G, with insulated drinks bottles and mugs, aprons, oven gloves, tea towel sets, and organic cotton napkins to launch in June.

Museums & Galleries 01373 462165 sales@mgml.co.uk www.museumsgalleries.co.uk

Mix it up…

Few ranges will stand out more than Dolly Mix, a new range from Rachel Ellen Designs, inspired by colourful confectionery. Neon inks and touches of gold foil combine with strong graphics to create 15 incredibly bright, colourful, and attractive open birthday designs that are sure to brighten anyone’s day! These eye-catching cards are supplied with a vibrant neon pink envelope, ensuring they make an impact both before and after they’ve been opened.

Then there’s this year’s Christmas range – a wonderful mix of proven bestsellers – such as advent calendars, advent cards and jigsaw cards. Plus numerous new card ranges, an expansion of stationery and gift lines and, for the first time, Christmas roll wrap, packs of printed tissue and gift bags as part of its gift packaging range.

Having been asked for Christmas roll wrap for many years, Rachel Ellen finally took the plunge after the huge success of the everyday range. These fantastically festive designs are bright, colourful and fun, appealing to the young and the young at heart. The new range is completed with coordinating premiumquality gift bags and packs of matching printed tissue paper.

Alongside this, there are items such as Santa Letter Kits, temporary tattoos, sticker books, and colouring books. You’ll also find glitter pens, a new Christmas keepsake book, and much more. And as a bonus for customers, more products have been added to the Rachel Ellen Designs Halloween range.

Rachel Ellen Designs

0115 970 0321 | sales@rachelellen.co.uk | www.rachelellen.co.uk

Pig things are

Sweets,

selfies and standout card ranges are all on o er from Danilo on Stand 513…

Peppa, Mummy Pig and Baby Pig are dropping by the Danilo stand at PG Live on Tuesday June 3 for a fun-filled celebration, as the publisher unveils its latest card and wrap collections, an interactive sweetie station, and a star-studded brand line-up.

Get ready for two exciting days at PG Live 2025, where Danilo is set to bring colour, characters, and card creativity to Stand 513. Taking centre stage this year is the exciting arrival of Baby Pig, with a very special visit from Peppa Pig, Mummy Pig and Baby Pig themselves. Don’t miss the chance to meet the trio on Tuesday afternoon – it’s one of Baby Pig’s first-ever public appearances, and Danilo is launching a new Peppa Pig greetings range to mark the occasion.

The fun continues with an interactive sweetie station, where guests can grab a sweet fix while exploring all the latest designs across cards, wrap, and bags.

Among the character favourites, Bluey remains a top performer, and the new collection captures all the warmth, humour and family charm that has made the brand a firm favourite. Preschool heroes such as

Don’t miss one of Baby Pig’s firstever outings – only at Danilo’s Stand 513!

PAW Patrol and The Gru alo continue to perform strongly, with exciting new artwork and formats keeping ranges fresh – and the Danilo team is thrilled to welcome new addition Dora the Explorer.

Also making a big entrance is Dogman, the bestselling book series, brought to life with a bold and adventurous new card range. Packed with humour, heart, and heroic fun, Dogman’s unique style is a perfect fit for fans of action-packed storytelling and comic capers.

Danilo’s collection captures the pulse of today’s TV and pop culture, o ering fans a vibrant line-up of the shows and characters they love most. There’s a bold, nostalgiapacked Stranger Things card collection to coincide with the final season landing later

Peppa Pig

Wicked

Dog Man

Dora

happening at PG Live!

this year, and a gothic-chic Wednesday range inspired by the Netflix phenomenon’s eagerly awaited second series.

For lovers of drama and pop culture favourites, the Wicked card range celebrates the highly anticipated Part 2 movie releasing later this year, while a playful Traitors collection – inspired by the hit show and its upcoming celebrity edition – brings the show’s iconic language and imagery to life with a cheeky twist.

On the lifestyle front, the amazing Boomf card range is a new addition that the team is excited to exhibit, with surprises and smiles in every envelope. They are also incredibly proud to unveil a beautifully designed and meaningful new collection supporting Marie Curie, blending heartfelt artwork with a powerful charitable message.

Finally, meet Lucy Claire – a new name in the artist-led space. Her work brings softness, elegance and contemporary storytelling to the card aisle, perfect for customers seeking a refined, emotional connection.

So whether you’re coming for the sweets, the selfies or the standout ranges, make sure Danilo’s Stand 513 is top of your list at PG Live 2025 – because pig things are most definitely happening!

Marie Curie

Stranger Things

Traitors

On with the show!

As we approach PG Live on June 3-4 at the Business Design Centre in Islington, Greetings Today catches up with exhibitors to get their thoughts on the show…

What do you enjoy about the show?

Sara Burford

Sara Burford, director, Cinnamon Aitch (Stand 231): PG Live is a perfectly formed show in a great location and venue. The stand sizes appear to be carefully managed so no one company can completely dominate, unlike other shows. The organisers genuinely care about the exhibitor and buyer experience, which makes for a positive exhibition all round. It’s a great chance to catch up with peers and agents in the industry, some who we only catch up with at trade fairs. We may moan, groan and grumble (I suspect GPSR [General Product Safety Regulation] will be a hot topic for this!) but we also rejoice, celebrate and laugh!

Claire Bates

Tache’s Pennie Bryant says:

‘’We’re re-launching our most loved, boldest and most talkedabout collection – Famous Faces.

Claire Bates, senior marketing and sustainability manager, Danilo (Stand 513): There’s nothing quite like the buzz of PG Live – it’s such a vibrant, inspiring event, and a rare opportunity to have the entire industry come together under one roof. The energy is always fantastic.

Ross Harrison, business development manager, Laura Darrington Design (Stand 417): Catching up with old, existing and new clients as well as seeing our various publisher friends.

Anna Nelson, co-owner and designer, Rosanna Rossi (Stand 434): We always look forward to this show as many of our international distributors visit and it’s a great way to catch up with everyone. We love that it’s in London so it also gives us a chance to explore the local area for good food in the evenings!

Originally introduced back in 2016, this crowd-favourite is back with a fresh batch of hilarious new designs we can’t wait to share. This fun and cheeky range celebrates pop culture icons with a humorous twist. From tech titans and music megastars to TV legends and controversial figures, this collection has a card for every fan (or frenemy). Each card features our signature layered 3D pop-out design and that unmistakable Tache attitude. If you want a range that gets people talking, this is it.’’

lunch however, as you need to get some buying in before the drinks reception kicks o at 6pm!

Anna Nelson

Pennie Bryant, co-founder and director (Stand 127): PG Live is always a highlight of the year for us – not only was PGL our first-ever tradeshow back in 2013 but it’s the show that kickstarted our business. We met some fantastic buyers such as John Lewis and Cards Galore and we have been suppliers to them ever since. There’s also a real buzz and sense of community that you just don’t get at other trade shows. The vibe is creative, supportive and genuinely inspiring.

Any tips for newbies?

Sara: It’s not a huge show but there’s lots of lovely cards to see so arrive early to see it all. Flagging down the tea trolly is always advisable and lunch is provided, which is usually announced by the silence that falls upon the hall. Don’t be too leisurely with

‘’My most memorable experience from previous shows is losing my car in North Car Park and being positive that it had been stolen. There were gale force winds, driving rain, and my coat and umbrella were both in the car. I rang Laura to tell her I needed picking up and to notify the police.

I located the car two hours later in the next car park over…’’ Ross Harrison, Laura Darrington Design

Laura Darrington Design: 15% off any order over £350 placed at the show. up gives don’t publisher

Claire: Wear comfy shoes, pace yourself, and don’t be afraid to chat – some of the best connections happen in the most unexpected places…

Ross: Never turn down a free brochure and always go for the footlong Subway sandwich. It may look too much at the time, but trust me – you’ll regret not upgrading to the Meal Deal when you hit 4pm!

Pennie: We always recommend grabbing a floor plan, circling must-see stands, and giving yourself time to browse unexpected new emerging companies. For lunch, head upstairs for the famous lasagne!

‘’One year a customer burst into tears on our stand because she loved one of our designs so much, she found it so funny – it was a reminder of why we do what we do. Another year (to celebrate our five-year anniversary) we collaborated with Louise Tiler and decorated the lunch hall! It was so magical and colourful’’ Pennie Bryant, Tache

Show o ers

Tache: Exclusively for PG Live – spend £300 and get £200 worth of free cards (at retail value). It’s a perfect chance to top up on bestselling favourites or try something new from the latest collections.

STAND 319

Gorgeous newness!

Stand 231

Cinnamon Aitch has lots of gorgeous new designs launching at PG Live. In addition to lovely new range Dinky Daisy, there will also be newness added to the bestselling, fun range Googly, contemporary range Margo, and beautiful and painterly Skylark, as well as the recently launched Cobalt Extreme.

A further 16 designs have been added, doubling the Googly fun-filled range popping with colour and more playful characters. Look out for a corny a-maize-ing corn on the cob, a sub-lime and a grateful croissant to name but a few, each hand-finished with googly eyes.

Margo has been a strong-selling range since its launch during Covid, full of design-led illustrations capturing the mischief of favourite furry friends. There are 16 fun-filled new additions to look out for.

Skylark also sees a little refresh, with beautiful paintings of nature and party-ready animals. Sensitive illustrations printed on textured board, each card is supplied with a custom-made envelope.

Building on the success of its launch in January, Cobalt Extreme also sees new designs adding to the fresh take on the male card o ering. Further action-packed, testosterone-fuelled imagery of sports and outdoor pursuits including Formula One, kite surfing and swimming are all finished with eye-catching, popping red foil.

All Cinnamon Aitch cards continue to be designed, hand-finished and printed entirely in the UK.

Cinnamon Aitch 0121 773 6833 hello@cinnamonaitch.co.uk www.cinnamonaitch.co.uk

Stand 319

Alljoy Design returns to PG Live with a fresh burst of creativity and colour. This year’s showcase includes vibrant new summery designs and a first look at the 2025 Christmas collection – full of intricate detail and signature 3D pop-up magic.

Visit Stand 319 to explore the latest launches, discover what’s new in the award-winning Message in a Bottle range, and be inspired by designs that delight, surprise, and stand out on the shelf.

Alljoy Design info@alljoydesign.com www.alljoydesign.com

SHOW PREVIEW

Twice the fun!

Stand 307/426

It’s a milestone year for Cath Tate Cards at PG Live, as the team will be exhibiting on not one, but two stands – each packed with exciting launches and fresh designs.

Alongside 40 new cards across much-loved in-house and artist ranges, Cath Tate is proud to unveil a major new collaboration: Simon Drew for Cath Tate Cards. As the new wholesale distributor for legendary artist Simon Drew (pictured left with Rosie Tate), Cath Tate is introducing 80 of his iconic designs – celebrated for their surreal hand-drawn illustrations, clever wordplay and wonderfully o eat humour. This unique and quirky collection promises to delight fans old and new. Visit Stand 426 to view the full range.

Meanwhile, over at Stand 307, you’ll find plenty more to explore, including the debut of seven new die-cut designs joining the award-winning Lost Plots collection. Full of bold colour, psychedelic patterns, and playful charm, these striking cut-out designs from artist Lisa Robson bring a fresh new dimension to the popular range – perfect for retailers who are looking for statement designs with personality.

There will also be exciting new additions across several bestselling ranges, including Hot Foils, Pina Colada, Betiobca, Type and Story, and Champagne. These new designs span key occasions such as Birthday, Congratulations, Valentine’s and Anniversary – o ering retailers a vibrant mix of styles.

With so much on o er, PG Live is the perfect opportunity to catch up with your favourite motherdaughter publisher and get a first look at their freshest, funniest, and most colourful collections yet!

Diverse designs

Stand 200

The Art File is launching more than 100 new designs at PG Live. From new collections to extensions of bestselling card ranges, there’s a hugely diverse selection of designs to see across cards, gift wrap, stationery items and gifts.

A notable new card collection is Hounds, an adorable art range containing nine designs. Created by talented artist Jo Scott, every card features a beautifully painted portrait of a cute dog framed by a colourful background. This collection is printed on recycled board and every card comes with a lovely Callisto envelope.

Alongside Hounds, there’s a brilliant selection of new card ranges. Continental Club, by artist Melissa Greenwood, features tropical beach scenes, while It’s A Celebration o ers classical birthday scenes. Due to popular demand, The Art File has also expanded its Roll Up, Roll Up collection with 18 age cards and a lovely card featuring a heart for special occasions.

Among these brilliant new collections, The Art File team are pleased to launch more than 63 new designs to their everyday and occasion range, covering every event and occasion.

The Art File plush toys will also be at the show, featuring Bear plush, a super soft and huggable plush toy that has sustainability in mind. Every Bear is produced from 100% post-consumer 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.

If youd like to browse The Art File collections before the show, head to The Art File website to request a trade brochure.

AI gets funny

Stand 158

Contemporary brand Not at all Jack is husband and wife duo Mark and Rebecca. It’s a fun, growing brand known largely for its funny but non-offensive humour range, although a range of contemporary urban scene cards and prints are also on offer. There’s growing excitement around a new collection, AIAI-oh, which launches at PG Live this year. All cards are blank inside, have a recycled paper envelope and are wrapped in a biodegradable sleeve or nested.

AIAI-oh, is a new humour collection in which characters have been created by taking actual photos of plastic toys and then manipulating these in an AI image generator (hence the name of the range). It has been the most timeconsuming and infuriating process, Mark and Rebecca tell us – ‘’it would have been quicker to have got the office cat to paint them in oils!’’. The team is excited to see what reaction they receive at the show.

Bold, bright and tactile

Stand 401

Bold, bright and tactile, that’s how Earlybird Designs is describing its latest card ranges launching at PG Live on Stand 401.

Building on the success of his Super Fab collection, chief creator Dom Early says he had great fun picking out the Pantone colours for his newest additions to the range. “I love working out just the right hue of yellows, oranges, blues and greens to make the design feel punchy,’’ he says.

Six new male designs have been added: “What I love is that with the quality of the spot UV and embossing, I can keep the designs clean and simple and let the texture really shine through,” adds Dom.

“We really needed some strong male designs and these have come out so well”

He’s also added 18 new designs to his cute mini card range, Min-neons with eight Christmas designs. “Mini cards are my favourite size card –everything is just that bit cuter when it’s smaller!”

All cards are printed on 100% recycled board with a craft fleck envelope.

Find fun and sunshine!

Stand 180

Paper Shed Design will be launching its new everyday catalogue at this year’s PG live show. Packed full of fun and sunshine, with delightful new artworks including new cute male range Hey Bear!, and new additions to the Morris and Maude garden range. Greeting cards are available in Birthdays, Blanks, Seasonal, Everyday, Occasion and Relation captions. Also, jumbo cards, keepsake cards, notepads, keyrings, fridge magnets and more... all proudly made in the UK with display package options.

Embracing weirdness!

Stand 217

M!NT will be launching two new licensed humour ranges exclusively at PG Live, and releasing 12 new designs of its hit range To be Frank.

M!NT has teamed up with prolific creative Katie Abey on a new humour range. Katie Abey is a creative human committed to the idea that she might just be able to make a positive difference to the world by drawing perturbed animals and lots of rainbows for a living. She used to view her deeply sensitive traits as a flaw but has now harnessed those characteristics into the superpower they are! She now transmutes all of the feelings into all of the art. Katie encourages us all to embrace our weirdness.

M!NT is launching a mix of 27 birthday, relations, and occasions cards, in both square and rectangle sizes, showcasing Katie’s wry observations on life.

Lost the Plot is a unique concept by veteran illustrator Louise Nisbet, featuring quirky and gently amusing humour based on fruits and vegetables. M!NT leans into the eco aspect of the horticultural subject matter by presenting the range on recycled board with recycled craft envelopes. There are 16 designs in the range, mostly birthdays with a few occasions, and all rectangular in size.

To Be Frank was a huge hit at Spring Fair with its stationery and gift packaging ranges, and now adds 12 new general birthday card designs to its brilliant line-up.

M!NT Publishing 0116 230 4197 sales@mint-publishing.co.uk | www.mint-publishing.co.uk

Tradition and innovation

Introducing Hahnemühle, which has been creating premium-quality paper for more than four centuries…

Founded in 1584 in Dassel, Germany, Hahnemühle is one of the oldest paper mills in the world. For over four centuries, the company has combined tradition with innovation, creating premium-quality paper beloved by artists, illustrators, and designers worldwide. Today, Hahnemühle remains an independent, family-owned business committed to sustainability, craftsmanship, and creativity.

Hahnemühle’s fine art papers stand out for their excellent quality and attentive design. Among its most popular offerings are the Bookmark Pad, Watercolour Postcard Pad, and the Round Watercolour Tin, products that marry functionality with artistic inspiration.

The Bookmark Pad features pre-cut bookmarks made from 300 gsm, 100% cotton Expression Watercolour paper. Cold-pressed and surface-sized, the paper is ideal for watercolour, gouache, acrylics, and fine liners. It’s perfect for quick illustrations, personalised gifts, or collectible mini artworks.

The Watercolour Postcard Pad is a nostalgic piece for handwritten creativity. Made from 250 gsm Burgund board, each acid-free postcard is pre-printed on the reverse for mailing, no envelope required. Whether used for sending greetings or creating portable art, these pads blend utility with charm.

For something truly unique, the Round Watercolour Tin offers a fresh canvas. With 30 circular sheets of 300 gsm, 100% cotton paper housed in a beautifully illustrated tin, it encourages experimentation and makes a great gift or workshop tool.

For card designers and publishers, Hahnemühle brings a fusion of artistry and precision. These papers are not only archival and vegan but designed to bring out the best in every medium, from delicate washes to bold details.

Eco-consciousness is central to Hahnemühle’s mission. All papers are acid-free, vegan, and age-resistant. The company advocates sustainable practices, including tree-planting initiatives and environmentally friendly production processes, ensuring its legacy supports both creativity and the planet.

Whether you’re crafting cards, keepsakes, or fine art, Hahnemühle offers tools that inspire, proving that even after 400 years, innovation and integrity never go out of style.

‘A little piece of happiness’

Meet Rosanna Rossi, a greeting card brand whose latest designs are inspired by travel

‘‘Our mission is to create designs that bring joy to people’s lives. A little piece of happiness on a card to lift spirits, send love, say thanks and connect in a way that is personable and thoughtful’’

Rosanna Rossi is an established greeting card brand founded and run by husband-and-wife duo Anna and Troy. United by a love of travel, they balance their time between the UK and Australia – Troy’s home country. Anna’s designs are inspired by the vibrant cultures, colours, and landscapes they encounter along the way, bringing a sense of story and soul to every card. Anna Nelson, co-owner and designer, says: ‘’We are particularly excited for this year’s PG Live show as we have our biggest set of collection launches to date! There are five new ranges that will be unveiled, together with fresh additions to popular collections. We spent the whole of winter in Australia visiting family, and during that time I found a new sense of inspiration. There’s something about the warm sunshine and change of scenery that reinvigorates creativity. For us, travel really is the best form of inspiration!’’

Rosanna Rossi 07900 698 522 infor@rosanna-rossi.co.uk www.rosanna-rossi.co.uk

Diary of a sales agent

Richard Pass reflects on the bad and the good that’s happened since he wrote his last column, but looks forward to the upcoming trade shows

It’s been a while since my last column and lots has happened. Some good; Christmas proved a very successful trading time and Spring Fair was very busy. And some less so; my brother passed away from prostate cancer and I was hit with PMR [Polymyalgia Rheumatica, a chronic inflammatory condition]. Seemingly, PMR is more common than I knew and, while debilitating and with you for life, it’s not life threatening. So that light at the end of the tunnel still burns.

Unfortunately it means I am unable to participate in the fantastic Cardgains Charity Walk on June 26 – Toni’s Trek. This is in memory of Toni Cresswell, product manager at Emotional Rescue who sadly passed away from pancreatic cancer. You can add a donation at www.justgiving.com/page/ cardgainscharitychallenge2025-tonistrek

While talking about this, a big shout-out to Ian and Lorraine from Rush Design, for scouting the walk and just being fantastic supporters of this great charity event (not to mention lovely people too). Good luck to everyone participating. Recently I was asked to participate in a GCA webinar, hosted by PixSell. It was essentially an opportunity to talk about the

agents complete the link between publishers and retailers; even in this modern world of websites and online buying channels, the personal touch and industry advice sales agents can o er can be invaluable. Interestingly, card publisher Ohh Deer is moving more towards working more with its agents and the brilliant website it has developed over the past 12 months. By working closer with the agents this allows for more feedback and product development, plus a closer relationship with the retailer. I’m very lucky to work with publishers who all appreciate agents and the work we do, and who are all committed to helping the retailer.

''Even in this modern world of websites and online buying channels, the personal touch and industry advice sales agents can o er can be invaluable''

Yet again, we are moving towards trade shows: this time it’s PG Live in June and Harrogate Home & Gift in July. These two shows are my favourite of the year; the former because it’s the best card trade show, and the latter because it’s in Harrogate and o ers a variety of publishers and companies in the beautiful setting of a North Yorkshire spa town. Harrogate o ers the buyers an opportunity to see the very best in greeting cards, stationery and gifts under one roof… I know technically it’s about four roofs but you get my point. My clients The

Richard Pass

Art File, Alljoy Design, Ohh Deer and Grace Jackson Design will all be exhibiting. Hopefully the sun will be shining.

During the GCA webinar I was asked by the publishers to look at trends and changes over the past couple of years. One change has been greeting card publishers ever-expanding their ranges and products o ered. The Art File o ers new ranges with more stationery, tote bags and even plush Bears, Ohh Deer licensing with the V&A, the Natural History Museum and now Laura Ashley. Dandelion Stationery, Redback Cards and Two Little Monkeys have all launched new ranges and products. So now is a very busy time for new products and exciting opportunities for retailers.

This really is a fabulous industry to be part of.

Email: Richard@STLAgency.co.uk Tel: 07790 844342

Covering the North of England for The Art File (NW), Ohh Deer, Alljoy Design, Redback Cards (NE), Dandelion Stationery, Two Little Monkeys, Grace Jackson Design and FlameTree Publishing.

Ohh Deer and Dandelion Stationery spinner

Ohh Deer spinner header

‘The

Elliot

magic is in

Jacobs , owner of Retas

fi

nalist UOE , explains how this ‘modern take on a high street store’ works, and how it’s really upping its greeting card game

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

Absolutely! My journey started when I was still at school, with a Saturday job at the original Universal O ce Equipment (UOE) shop in East Finchley, which is where I first fell in love with retail. After that, I spent time working for a couple of US tech companies – including Maxis (in European retail marketing for Simcity and Intuit, the software house behind QuickBooks) – which gave me a solid grounding in systems, finance, and how to scale a business.

When the opportunity came to take over UOE from its founders back in 1998, I jumped at it. It was a chance to combine everything I love – retail, community, creativity, and entrepreneurship. Since then, I’ve led UOE through a complete transformation – from a single-location stationery shop to a multisite retail brand that now includes Post O ces, coworking and some really exciting plans for the future. Leadership-wise, I’ve always believed in empowering

great people, backing bold ideas, and staying really close to what our customers need.

Can you tell us how UOE works?

UOE is a modern take on the local high street shop – a trusted go-to for stationery, cards, gifts, and essential Post O ce services. We operate a growing network of stores across London, Hertfordshire, and Surrey (with more stores coming soon). The magic is in the mix – we combine retail with vital services, creating a community hub feel that still delivers on style, quality and great customer service.

‘’I’ve always believed in empowering great people, backing bold ideas, and staying really close to what our customers need’’

And can you tell us a little about the idea behind the shops, as well as size, where they are located, and anything else that a ects your footfall?

We love being part of high streets – places with strong communities and footfall, whether it’s commuters picking up parcels or locals looking for the perfect card. Some of our shops are in classic high street spots, others are in more tucked-away neighbourhood locations, but all are designed to feel bright, welcoming and surprisingly fun! Our stores vary in size between 1200–3,500 sq ft of retail and Post O ce space, and we carefully curate the product mix to reflect the local demographic with a consistent core range and then an adapted

local range on top. The two sides of the store work amazingly with each other with lots of cross-selling opportunities, and our in-store print shop provides printing/copying/scanning, binding, laminating, ID and photo printing too.

Sarah Laker (coordinator of Stationery Week and owner of Stationery Supplies) tells us you are upping your cards and stationery game! Can you tell us more?

We really are – and we’re loving the response from customers! Over the past year, our greeting card sales have absolutely taken o . We’re on track to sell more than 160,000 cards in 2025, up from 60,000 the year before – that’s a 266% increase! A big part of that growth has come from expanding our range, opening our new store in Reigate, and working more closely with our suppliers.

We now stock more than 1,100 di erent card designs across all our stores, carefully curated by our dedicated buyer who’s constantly updating the range based on customer preferences and seasonal trends. What really sets us apart is our strong focus on UK-based independent designers. We love championing local creatives and o ering cards that you simply won’t find in the big chain stores – beautiful, witty, thoughtful designs that people genuinely get excited about.

It’s paid o too – greeting cards are now our second-largest product category by value in-store. How do you source products – both stationery and cards?

We mix the best of British with a sprinkling of international. We love working with UK-based makers and publishers – especially those that bring something a bit quirky or design-forward to the table. We also attend trade shows such as Top Drawer, PG Live and the London International Stationery Show, and we love discovering new brands through Instagram or recommendations from fellow retailers and customers too.

the mix’

What is your selection criteria? How is that affected by stocking in Post Offices?

Everything we stock has to feel good quality, well designed, and appropriate for the local audience, and we try really hard to focus on the eco-credentials too. With Post Office customers coming in for very practical reasons, we make sure the range is broad both by choice and price – so there’s something for everyone from everyday packaging to beautiful notebooks, pens and pads.

We focus on the shopping missions our customers are on rather than who they are (everyone visits the Post Office!) and try to ensure we have associated or complementary products that work alongside their planned visit.

What’s your demographic like?

It really varies by location, but generally we serve a broad local customer base – lots of families, remote workers, small business owners and retirees, and of course anyone who shops or sells online. The Post Office brings in ‘daily essentials’ footfall for post, banking, travel and identity so the mix is really wide ranging.

How do you get the word out there – do you use social media, local advertising, word of mouth etc?

Word of mouth is huge, especially when we open in a new community – people are curious. We use Instagram to showcase new products and behindthe-scenes stories. We’re active locally supporting lots of local stuff, such as grass-roots sports teams, charity events and schools. We’re also just finalising the appointment of our first dedicated community outreach manager to boost our local engagement with businesses, charities, local community groups and schools.

Do you sell both in the shops and online? We’re bricks not clicks. 100% on the high street.

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

Definitely. Prices have risen across the board –materials, printing, shipping – you name it. We’ve

worked hard to hold our entry price points, especially for core stationery and everyday cards. We’ve worked hard with our suppliers to try to manage increases (especially as we’ve grown in size) by buying in larger quantities. Inevitably, we have in some cases had to raise prices – it’s just the way it is. Sometimes customers are a bit shocked at the cost of things –but we’re living in world where a basic coffee is going to be £5 very soon!

‘’We’re on track to sell over 160,000 cards in 2025, up from 60,000 the year before – that’s a 266% increase’’

Do customers ask for eco-friendly product? Is this something you try to stock?

Yes, and it’s something we’re passionate about too. We actively seek out brands that use FSC paper, compostable packaging, and low-waste printing processes. We’ve removed all the non-eco friendly wraps from our greeting cards over the past three years and try to source as much product as we can from UK manufacturers and suppliers.

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

We’re always on the hunt for fresh takes on traditional products or a new product but nothing springs to mind particularly. Our buyers are pretty good at sourcing – although I’d say finding a great range of Age cards is particularly challenging –I always feel like they should be better for milestone years.

Tell us more about how you feel the combination of cards and stationery works for you.

It’s a perfect match. There’s a natural customer overlap: someone picking up a birthday card might be

tempted by a notebook or pen. Plus, they probably need to post it – and we can help with that too!

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

Great question! For birthdays, something playful and personal – bonus points if there’s a bit of clever wordplay or stationery/post office connection or a cheesy pun. More than that though, there is nothing more special than the handwritten words inside.

Anything else you’d like to add?

Just a big thank you to our customers, teams, and suppliers. Retail isn’t always easy, but when you’ve got passionate people around you – and products that bring people joy – it’s an absolute privilege. We’re excited about what’s next to come on our journey as we continue to grow UOE over the coming years.

What’s selling well… Rosie Made a Thing Lagom Museums & Galleries

Sarah Kelleher

The branch team and some of the area support team outside the Ware store – with dog Alfie!

Cutie patootie!

Get ready to say ‘aww’ as we bring you the cutest cards and plush to grace your shelves, and discuss the latest trends in the sector with suppliers…

Cute – once the realm only of small children – has come to the fore once more, as adults embrace the kidult trend and are not afraid to show their childish side.

Mabel Forsyth, owner/designer at Ping Pig Cards, recognises that while the kidult trend is not exactly new, with plenty of adults loving Lego, board games and Harry Potter, there has been a sea change: ‘’What has changed is how much more accepted (and even cool!) it’s become to embrace those playful, nostalgic interests.

‘’Pink Pig’s new range, YeeHaw!, taps right into that vibe. It features the cutest characters paired with clever titles and playful puns, making it a perfect fit for the kidult audience. These cards work just as well for kids as they do for adults – win-win!’’

Anna Nelson, co-founder and designer at card publisher Rosanna Rossi, is also all for embracing our inner child: ‘’Life can be challenging so I’m all for ‘kidult’ if it means that we can lighten-up and have fun!’’

Meanwhile Ross Harrison, at Laura Darrington Design, recognises the kidult interest in Jellycat as another influencing factor: ‘’The unstoppable rise of the JellyCat

phenomenon as they continue their inevitable march to world domination has seen a slight shift in the direction of our juvenile collections, with more character-based designs as part of our Allsorts Collection, proving to be our most popular at the minute.’’

And if retailers are looking for something a little di erent within the sector, Ross recommends the Allsorts Collection, adding: ‘’We have listened to our various customers and our newest juvenile range the Allsorts Collection has been produced in a smaller pocket-friendly size, also making it a more competitive retail price point.’’

Anna Nelson, meanwhile, recommends the Sunny Side range, saying it’s ‘’perfect for both teens and adults for its often cute, fun illustrations and sometimes quirky sentiments to add a spark of joy.’’

Finally, what trends should we be looking out for in this sector? Ross Harrington says it’s all about cactus, disco balls and comfort-food based characters (pizza/burgers etc.), while Anna Nelson is feeling all nostalgic: ‘’Maybe more nostalgia-driven designs that people can escape to and embrace their inner child!’’

Sunny Side up!

Sunny Side is one of Rosanna Rossi’s newest ranges – a playful capsule collection of 20 mini designs created with teenagers and the young at heart in mind.

Designer Anna Nelson says: ‘’We had so much fun bringing this range to life, with its quirky titles and subtle retro feel.’’ Featuring a soft colour palette and distinctive design style, each 125x125mm card is presented with a coordinating soft white envelope.

Rosanna Rossi

07900 698 522 infor@rosanna-rossi.co.uk | www.rosanna-rossi.co.uk

Charm and whimsy

Bringing a fresh dose of fun, Alljoy Design unveils its latest collection, Aww! so cute – a playful range of greeting cards designed to make people smile. Each card bursts with charm, featuring whimsical illustrations and interactive elements that jiggle and move for added delight. Perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or everyday occasions, these cards are guaranteed to prompt joyful reactions and plenty of ‘Aww!’ moments.

Card size: 125mm x 175mm.

Alljoy Design info@alljoydesign.com | www.alljoydesign.com

Where there’s a whim there’s a way!

Kingfisher Cards has added a superb new range of whimsical humour and sentiment to its portfolio. Having been unable to find anything di erent enough and commercial enough to satisfy managing director Paul Urban, he decided the only way was to start from scratch and, after a year in development, the publisher launched The Whimsy Way.

‘’I think it’s incredible,’’ Paul enthuses. ‘’I’m incredibly hard to please when it comes to humour and not easy to please when it comes to cute. I honestly think this ticks both boxes admirably.’’

The Whimsy Way launches with 24 designs of open humour and sentiment, which feature whimsical animals and a combination of humour and sentiment. They are produced on a 300gsm hammered board and as usual for a Kingfisher Cards range aim to o er good value at a code 50 price point.

Alongside the cards are matching mugs and coaster, which will make lovely gifts in their own right.

This launch is part of a large new Summer Collection, which includes new male open, relations, special captions and a new exciting collaboration with the artist Emma Lawrence.

For a new Summer Collection brochure ask your Kingfisher agent or contact them directly.

Kingfi sher Cards 01803 431515 | sales@kingfishercards.co.uk | www.kingfishercards.co.uk

Cute is now

cuddly!

The Art File team has been proud to publish several cute card collections for years. From the playful card range Cat Walk to the thoughtful Toby The Dog and the beloved Bear, there’s a number of designs for anyone looking for a beautiful and adorable card.

This year the team has been over the moon to expand their Bear collection and launch their very first plush toy. The Bear card collection, created by talented artist Robert Reader, has been a customer favourite for years, and so The Art File is thrilled to bring Bear to life with two new plush toys.

Bear plush is crafted with sustainability in mind, with every Bear being produced from 100% post-consumer recycled PET plastic bottles. Each Bear also comes with an embroidered colourful logo tag, stitched into the side, giving it a touch of charm. Bear is super soft and huggable and is UKCA and CE certified for peace of mind.

The Art File sales@theartfile.com | www.theartfiletrade.com

Up to Allsorts!

The Allsorts Collection is Laura Darrington Design’s latest juvenile range, featuring an array of cute characters from party-hat wearing sharks, fabulous frogs – and not forgetting the bestselling disco ball.

There are 36 designs (18 open kids Birthday, 18 age cards), printed in a pocket-friendly size (110mm x 155mm) and coming with a bespoke striped envelope as standard. The cute collection also features 18 juvenile age cards from one to nine.

You can see these and many more at the card publisher’s new trade website. Laura Darrington Design trade.lauradarrington.com

Let’s play cowboys!

Pink Pig’s new range, YeeHaw! Has been an instant hit with stockists, and the bold colours and foil detailing really pop on the shelf. YeeHaw! features cute characters including, of course, the ever popular cat/dog designs, but also some very cute pu ns, seagulls, and even a cute pink highland cow complete with ontrend cowboy hat! The playful puns in the titles and foiling make these cuties just a bit special and heighten appeal to both adults and kids. The cards are all 100% recyclable, printed on high-quality FSC accredited board and supplied with a recycled ekokraft envelope. Card size 127 x 177mm.

Pink Pig Cards

07795574548

info@pinkpigcards.co.uk www.pinkpigcards.co.uk

Cute characters

Rainbow Designs offers a wonderful collection of beautiful licensed character soft toys and gifts for those special occasions. Best-selling character ranges include Peter Rabbit, Guess How Much I Love You, Disney’s Winnie the Pooh, Disney Baby Lion King and new for this year, Disney Baby Dumbo. Rainbow brings these characters to life, in classic yet contemporary, soft and playful infant toys, to make treasured gifts for little ones.

The exquisite Peter Rabbit Signature Collection is a beautiful range of forever toys, created to be shared across generations. This adorable collection includes soft toys, comforters and ring rattles and features two of the most traditional and muchloved children’s literacy characters, Peter Rabbit and Flopsy Bunny. Popular lines in this gifting range are the Signature Peter Rabbit and Flopsy Bunny Gift Sets. The baby-soft plush toy and knitted blanket, featuring a white bunny silhouette with a cute bobble tail, comes beautifully packaged in an illustrated keepsake box.

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 super soft and cute Nutbrown Hare Muslin Comforter and Activity Cube, as well as the adorable Soft Toy and Milestone Cards and Soft Toy and Muslin Gift Sets – these heart-felt gifts make a cute way to express just how much you love them.

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, and a super soft Winnie the Pooh Muslin Comforter that will join the range later this year. 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.

The ever-popular Disney Baby Lion King collection features the adorable Simba, and the super soft infant toys make beautiful gifts for little fans of The Lion King. Joining the Disney Baby range this autumn, is the new Dumbo collection, featuring

Small but mighty!

Hey! introduces a new range of universal children’s age cards from Rachel Ellen Designs, covering ages one to 14 in a cute, small format of 100 x 130mm. The range is full of typically quirky and funny characters cleverly forming each number; these gorgeous cards will be well received by any child. Printed on textured board with Rachel Ellen’s trademark vibrant colours, a shiny spot UV adds highlights and an extra layer of detail. Supplied with a neutral-coloured envelope, these cards may be small but pack a big punch!

Rachel Ellen Designs, 0115 970 0321 sales@rachelellen.co.uk www.rachelellen.co.uk

GARDEN CENTRES

A new chapter

Helen Lloyd, managing director of Stratford Garden Centre and Warwick Garden Centre, explains how suppliers have helped stock the greeting card section at the newly opened Warwick centre

Can you tell us a little about Stratford Garden Centre and what the card areas are like?

We are family-run independent garden centres in Warwickshire. Stratford is situated three miles south of Stratford-upon-Avon at Cli ord Chambers, and Warwick Garden Centre sits to the very north of Stratford-upon-Avon, on the Warwick Road just south of Warwick.

Core gardening is at the heart of our business;

we have a large selection of houseplants, shrubs, bedding and trees for the garden, along with tools, pots, compost and all gardening equipment.

We also stock a large range of cards, gifts, homeware, toys, and clothing, and have a seasonal area, which incorporates garden furniture and barbecues in the spring/summer and then Christmas in the autumn/winter.

‘’Lorraine at Rush Design has a beautiful range of cards for all occasions. They are designed in the studio in Warwickshire and printed in the UK, so for us it’s great to be stocking and supporting a local company’’

Catering and food is also a big part of our business; we have an extensive foodhall and butchers, and the Limetree Restaurant is very popular. Our menu includes freshly brewed teas and co ees, breakfast, soups, jacket potatoes, freshly made sandwiches and paninis, hot classic lunchtime favourites, children’s choice, homemade cakes and afternoon tea.

The card shop at Stratford sits between the gift and food shop and is on the main walkway to the tills and exit; at Warwick it sits adjacent to houseplants, home living, gifts and food, and is on the main walkway to and from the restaurant. Both are in high tra c areas and ideally placed as an add-on sale to gifts, food and houseplants.

We saw Ian and Lorraine Bradley pop up on social media! Have they been helping with the new setup?

We have dealt with Ian as an agent for several years; we stock Lagom, Rush Design, Paper Salad and Louise Mulgrew cards and Glick wrap and bags, which Ian looks after, and this sits alongside the Woodmansterne Select Range.

Lorraine at Rush Design has a beautiful range of cards for all occasions. I think if our customer is looking for a card that’s a bit special, then the Rush range is

perfect. I personally love the Friendship ones, and they are my go-to card! They are designed in the studio in Warwickshire and printed in the UK, so for us it’s great to be stocking and supporting a local company.

Along with Emma and Mark at Woodmansterne, Ian and Lorraine kindly helped with the setup and merchandising of the new ranges when we did the replan at Stratford and opened the new centre at Warwick.

How do you source products?

We visit trade shows throughout the year including Harrogate Christmas & Gift Show, Spring Fair, Harrogate Home & Gift, Autumn Fair and GLEE.

What is your selection criteria? Are there specific criteria you have to consider as a garden centre?

We look for a card selection that appeals to all ages; we cover all occasions, relations, milestone ages, children’s and popular humour, and as a garden centre we also look for photographic and art that incorporates plants, animals and nature.

With the Woodmansterne select range and the addition of Glick, I really think we have a great selection and something a bit different. We get lots of positive feedback on our card range from customers and colleagues in the garden centre industry

How is trading for you at the moment?

Stratford Garden Centre sales continue to grow year on year, and the initial sales at Warwick Garden Centre have been very promising. We opened on March 3 and we have been very lucky – the sun came out and we’ve had ideal gardening weather.

It’s been one of the best early springs the garden centre industry has had for a long time!

How do you get word out there for cards in particular?

We don’t necessarily promote cards as a standalone product but we incorporate them into our general gift range, and we always highlight Valentine’s, Mother’s Day, Easter, Father’s Day and Christmas.

We use social media and use Mail jet to email our ‘Your Rewards’ App customers as well as promotion in-store.

Do customers ask for eco-friendly product? Is this something you try to stock?

We don’t necessarily get asked but all our cards are made from paper supporting responsible forestry, recyclable and have the smart seal, so are now completely plastic-free. We promote this with signage throughout the card department.

I think this is definitely a positive move forward for greeting cards and wrap, and reinforces our environmental policy.

What brands have been particularly popular with your customers?

I think the Woodmansterne Select Range means that we have a great selection for everyone; we get to have an input into the range, so that it fits our customer profile. Friendship, children’s, and unfortunately sympathy and thinking of you are popular, but they generally all sell well.

‘’All our cards are made from paper supporting responsible forestry, recyclable and have the smart seal, so are now completely plastic-free’’

What challenges have you faced over the past few months and how have you dealt with them?

Opening a new garden centre in a little under six weeks has been a positive challenge. We are lucky to have an established and amazing team, who all worked together putting together new ranges and buying for the new centre in a very short space of time.

We had help from many suppliers like Ian and

Lorraine and together we stocked, merchandised and displayed the whole garden centre!

I am very excited about the future; we now have two great garden centres. Over the years we’ve built a fantastic team of more than 100 staff and forged wonderful connections with our local community. This new chapter means so much to us, we love serving the people of Stratford and the North Cotswolds and now we’re ready to bring that same passion and dedication to the north-east of Stratford.

Up close and personal

Can you tell us a little about your career background?

I’ve worked in the garden centre industry for 40 years, working as a weekender before going to horticultural college, then as a management trainee for a medium garden centre group and then as a buyer/manager for a large independent garden centre. I’ve been running our own family business since we purchased Stratford Garden Centre in 2004 and this year, we took over an old Dobbies site and opened it as Warwick Garden Centre in March.

SHOP TALK

How thrilled were these retailers to discover they had made it into the finalists’ list for the Retas Awards? Read on to find out! Plus they explain what they think makes their shops so popular…

Name: Janet Ross-Jordan

Shop: Cards and Gift Wrap

Location: Isle of Lewis

I’m absolutely delighted and honoured to be a finalist in the Retas Awards for Independent Retailer of the Year in Scotland. It’s incredible to have my little shop on the Isle of Lewis recognised on such a prestigious platform. This nomination means so much; I might be a wee shoppie but this is huge for me.

My shop may be small – it’s in a converted part of my garage – but it’s full of things to make people smile. I design my own Gaelic cards, patterned paper tape, and o er sustainable gifting options, all inspired by the beauty and heritage of the island. Sustainability is at the core of my business, and I’m passionate about helping people celebrate in a way that’s kinder to the planet.

‘’My shop may be small – but it’s full of things to make people smile’’

Above all, I believe in the power of cards and letters to connect us and boost wellbeing. In our fast-paced, digital world, these small gestures make a big di erence. My shop is a space where those meaningful connections are celebrated, and I think that’s what makes it special.

Being a finalist is such an honour, and I hope it inspires others to see how even the smallest businesses can have a big impact.

Name: Natalie Tobenas

Shop: Casa Green

Location: Rhiwbina, Cardi

We’re absolutely over the moon to be a Retas finalist! To be recognised alongside so many other amazing businesses we admire is such a honour. We are truly grateful.

Casa Green was born from a love of indie retail and a dream to create a space full of colour and joy. What makes us stand out? Happiness!

Our shop is all about the good vibes, friendly faces and little moments of laughter. Our customers often say it’s their go-to place for a pick-me-up, and that they leave feeling better than when they came in.

Name: Charlotte Stubbs Shop: Creativity

Location: Sheringham, Norfolk

This is the second time we have been nominated for an award, so I’m really chu ed!

Creativity is a proper family business; I took over from my motherin-law Jane in 2020, after working alongside her for a few years. I have an amazing team of ladies working in the shop, which now happen to include my mum, Nicki, and my younger sister Sadie (pictured with Charlotte in the centre, Nicki, right and Sadie, left).

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.

Some might call us old school as we don’t sell online, but I want people to come in-store and experience browsing in a shop that is crammed full of exciting cards and gifts. Plus be physically able to hold the products in their hands, while taking advantage of our team’s knowledge of trends to help them find that perfect gift.

Name: Simone Richards

Shop: Serenade

Location: Rhiwbina/Whitchurch, Cardi

I am thrilled and so proud to be a finalist. I was lucky to purchase the Rhiwbina shop six years ago, but 10 months in Covid struck. Like every business it was a struggle to survive and stay afloat. But six years on the business has gone from strength to strength and we opened our second shop in Whitchurch last year. It’s lovely that our hard work and expansion in these di cult times has not gone unnoticed. What makes us stand out? We are a family business with my husband, son , auntie and close friend all part of the team. We are a card shop first and foremost, o ering more than 1,600 di erent designs in both shops. We stock all the special titles that customers struggle to find anywhere else. Our customers love our loyalty card and it brings them back time after time. We even stamp their receipt if they have forgotten it.

Last but not least is our good old-fashioned personal customer service, fulfilling special requests for customers by ordering or collecting from the other shop the perfect card.

Name: Stuart Delahoy, owner; Grace Podmore, card buyer

Shop: Set

Location: Leicester

Blimey that’s a surprise! Feeling honoured and pleased to have what we do recognised. We stand out by not conforming and by trying new things. We curate our selection from 40-plus small and independent suppliers who by their very nature can innovate and create something special.

Name: Heidi Early

Shop: Earlybird Designs

Location: Stoke Newington, London

We’re completely speechless at being in the final for two awards! It’s a massive honour – there’s so much competition, so to get to the finals is just brilliant.

I think what makes us stand out is our longevity – we’ve been here over 20 years and do lots within the community. Our own unique designs give us an edge over local competition, along with our carefully chosen cards from other UK independent designers.

Name: Carl Dunne

Shop: Cards & Gifts

Dronfield

Location: Derbyshire

What can I say when I saw the finalists list? I actually looked at it twice. It could’ve been three times because I actually thought oh my God am I seeing things correctly? We’re in the finals for 2025! It’s such a huge achievement not only to be nominated but to actually get to the shortlist of the finals.

Just over one year ago, three doors along the other greeting card shop closed down, and we noticed a huge increase in customers overnight. We spent many hours, days, weeks, even months trying to enhance our range to what I knew the customers wanted. This was extremely hard as we had the best designs and publishers already, however we managed to rise above this and become even stronger. We went to a brokerage scheme o ering us more suppliers such as Paper Salad, Lucy Lavender, Bexy Boo, Paper Rose and Paperlink and so many more that I can’t remember. By bringing these extra stunning designs in our customers asked us, how can you get any better when you were already the best in the immediate area? As you can appreciate we were so overwhelmed by all our customers’ feedback, it completely blew us o the planet!

Without our customers constantly supporting us every day, I strongly believe that we would not be here today. If a customer asks for anything, it’s never too much e ort – even if we don’t stock it, myself and my sta will go out of our way to get that product in store as quickly as possible. This is why our customers love us and keep on coming back for more.

Name: Sally Davies

Shop: Flippin’ eck

Location: Guiseley, near Leeds

My reaction to being a finalist, well, it was definitely a surprise, and now I feel really proud that my shop has been considered to be one of the best independent greeting card shops in the North East, along with other great shops. What makes my shop stand out? Well the name helps, but we also try to be unique and aim to have cards and gifts for almost all occasions, and if we don’t I definitely try to get in whatever the customer needs. It’s always lovely to hear customers say my shop is lovely or that Guiseley needs my shop to stick around, especially when retail is going through a tough time.

Name: Caroline Ranwell

Shop: Hugs & Kisses,

Location: Tettenhall

I was absolutely over the moon to hear that we were one of the seven finalists for our region; to be recognised among the best in our industry makes us so very proud and really makes all the hard work worthwhile! This is the fifth consecutive year that we have been a finalist and we won in 2022.

I think what makes Hugs & Kisses stand out is our vast range of beautiful cards and gifts from the very best designers, and of course our customer service: it’s so very important to look after customers and make them feel special, as without them we wouldn’t be here.

Posting about the shop and stock regularly on social media really gets the shop name out there, too.

Name: Angela Jones

Shop: Lily Blue Gifts And Home

Location: Hagley, West Midlands

We are absolutely thrilled to be shortlisted as a finalist for The Retas Awards.

As a small independent retailer it’s very easy to get caught up in the day-to-day running of the business. So this kind of recognition from within the greeting card industry is a wonderful motivator for all the Lily Blue team. We are proud to be part of such a creative industry and this nomination feels like a celebration of all our hard work and the care that we put into what we do.

Name: Lara Wares

Shop: Threads

Location: Harpenden, Herts

We are absolutely delighted; it’s really lovely to be recognised alongside some other really fantastic businesses. I think what makes our shop stand out is that we buy from hundreds of suppliers and are constantly on the lookout for new and di erent products to keep the shop fresh and interesting for our customers.

SHOP TALK

Name: Rebekah

Mudie

Shop: Daisy Daisy - Beautiful Cards & Gifts

Location: North Cardi

Wow, I am absolutely thrilled to be a finalist for the 2025 Retas awards, woooo hooooo!! It honestly means the world to me and the team at Daisy Daisy. So much hard work, dedication and passion goes into the business so it’s a huge reward to hear we are in the running for Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer in Wales.

We have such a fantastic, varied and stand-out range of cards, which we are really proud of. Daisy Daisy is packed with choice from the bigger well-known card publishers to the small up-and-coming suppliers. If there’s a caption you need, we’ve got it! We pride ourselves in o ering quality, innovative and eco-friendly designs for many tastes.

Customer service at Daisy Daisy is another of our biggest assets as we go that little extra way to help our wonderful customers.

We are up against very strong and well-deserved contenders for this award and we are all winners at this point. Daisy Daisy was nominated two years ago for this award but it wasn’t meant to be in 2023!

Of course we’d be totally overjoyed if Daisy Daisy were to win this accolade in 2025 so fingers, toes and everything crossed for July at the lavish awards ceremony in London – we will be there!

Name: Michael Apter

Shop: Paper Tiger

Location: Edinburgh

‘’We’re basking in the sunshine – and our three awards nominations!’’

We’re basking in the sunshine - and our three awards nominations! We’re in the ‘multiple retailer’ category for the Retas. We’re up against some sti competition from the biggest and best shops in our sector and we’re crossing our fingers. We’re delighted to have also been shortlisted for The Stationery Awards – and The Gift Awards! This year we’re a multiple! Our fourth shop has moved us into the big league. We’re thrilled to make it this far in our first year in this category. Thank you to all of our suppliers and professionals who nominated Paper Tiger. Good luck to all of the shortlisted businesses – there are so many great shops and wonderful people across the country who make it a joy to work in our world of retail. Thanks also to our customers, whose support makes it possible for us to keep delivering the best products we can in the nicest shops possible. All of that happens because Paper Tiger has the best team of people working tirelessly to deliver excellent retail experiences every single day of the year!

Name:

Maggie Wynn

Shop: Just Cards

Location: Honiton, Devon

I believe Just Cards stands out because we’ve been a specialist card shop for over 40 years, and we genuinely care about both our cards and our customers.

We’re lucky to have fantastic reps and agents in the South West – we couldn’t do it without them. And for me, customer service is everything. Nothing is ever too much trouble, and every customer is welcomed with a friendly hello and a big smile.

Name: Nikki Halliday

Shop: The Bay Tree

Location: Edinburgh

I own both stores in Edinburgh: one is in a beautiful neighbourhood and has been here for 39 years. The other is in the city centre and has been open for one year, however it was in the exact same location for 27 years, 12 years ago! It’s magical to be back; so many people are delighted and remember us. Both are super successful and packed full of cards –mostly wonderful independents!

Name: Matt Simpson

Shop: The Letter Arty

Location: Ancoats, Manchester

I’m so excited to be a Retas finalist for the second year running. The greeting card industry is so friendly and supportive and it’s great to be recognised in this way. My shop is in a converted 40ft shipping container, which makes it quite unique and, despite the small size, I’ve managed to fit in hundreds of beautiful cards by some of the country’s best independent publishers, designers, artists and illustrators. I pride myself in guiding customers to find the perfect card for every occasion.

Name: Cathy Frost

Shop: Loveone

Location: Ipswich, Su olk

I am absolutely thrilled to have been nominated for an award. I am celebrating 18 years on the high street this year; cards and stationery have been an important part of my retail life. It is a great industry to be part of. We o er great customer service, beautiful and fun products that are thoughtfully curated, and above all we have fun!

Name:

Jayne

& Kevin Brooking

Shop: Occasional Cards and Gifts

Location: Kingsbridge

We are soooo happy at being a Retas finalist. So so happy.

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 help find products customers are looking for that we do not have in stock. We source them from our great suppliers who are always very helpful.

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 past year or more. 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. Fingers crossed for him.

We have a great selection of greeting cards and gifts, which are ever-changing as they sell through (keeping the bestsellers always obviously). At the back of our shop we have an additional room, which is transformed into a Christmas gift shop over the festive period and into a sale shop the rest of the year.

Our website is being updated as we speak and we are going to be working hard on the social media side to promote o ers to increase business and footfall.

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 of days later.

Name: Georgina Black

Shop: Pretty Shiny Shop

Location: London, Finsbury Park and Oval

We are so pleased to be a finalist in the Retas. It is always such a compliment to be considered and we would love to win this year! We take great pride in our carefully curated card collection that we hope has something for everyone. We carry a mix of independent and established creators and our friendly sta are always on hand to help you find just the right card.

Name: Angie Carlton

Co-owner with Sharon McMahon

Shop: Nice Thoughts

Location: Coleshill, Warwickshire.

‘’We both had so much love for the shop and our customers that we decided to take it on

ourselves’’

Both Sharon and I are just over the moon, so happy to be a finalist. Our shop was originally owned by a family who started it 38 years ago. Sharon worked for them on and o for 36 years, I worked for them for six years. In December 2023 we were both made redundant as the shop went into liquidation. We both had so much love for the shop and our customers that we decided to take it on ourselves.

With the help of our families and friends we stocked the shop with beautiful cards and beautiful gifts and really did make it our own. It’s very personal to Sharon and I, and we’ve worked so hard to make it as beautiful as it is. We receive so many compliments from new and old customers, which warms our hearts and has really made us feel we made the right decision taking it on.

Name: Jo Marwaha

Shop: Penny Black

Location: Glasgow (two stores)

It’s really lovely to be nominated again for a Reta. Having all our e orts recognised by our industry means a lot, especially in a category with so many other great Scottish retailers. We’re always working hard to curate a joyful and authentic retail experience in-store for our local communities as well as online, with brilliant customer service at its heart, so we hope that makes us stand out on the high street!

We want your opinions! If you would like to take part in Shop Talk in an upcoming issue, please email naomi@lemapublishing.co.uk

Rosanna Rossi

It’s the thought that counts…

The Thinking of You card trend has really taken o in recent years – so say these card suppliers. They tell us more about changes within this category, and on the following pages you’ll find a selection of cards that convey that ‘saw this and thought of you’ message

Times have certainly changed within this category, once the sole reserve of sympathy cards – but what’s caused that change?

Mabel Forsyth, owner/designer at Pink Pig cards, believes ‘‘the sector has really opened up in recent years, with a much wider range of diverse titles now available, which is fantastic!

‘‘Whereas Thinking of You cards were once mainly associated with sympathy messages, the category has grown to include a huge variety of sentiments. There are now cards tailored for all sorts of situations – whether someone’s going through a tough time, dealing with a divorce, work stress, illness, or just needs a little pickme-up. The messages feel more personal and relevant than ever.’’

And the GCA’s Thinking of You Week initiative has also made a real impact, adds Lorraine Bradley at Rush Design: ‘’The evolution of Thinking of You Week has really encouraged the sending of cards simply to remind people that we think about them. There is nothing more uplifting than receiving a card out of the blue from family or friends who are simply checking in with you. It puts a smile on your face.’’

In fact Anna Nelson, co-founder and designer at Rosanna Rossi, says it has changed her own card-sending habits: ‘’It’s made me aware of sending more cards even on a whim. There doesn’t need to be a celebration, just send a card to simply say hello. That in itself would mean the world to them!’’

Designs have really changed too, says Ross Harrison, business development manager at Laura Darrington Design: ‘‘While before we would always include one or two sympathy designs in every collection, the Thinking of You sector has really taken o . For example, our newest range, The Eden Collection, contains 17 emotive thinking of you designs.’’

Mabel Forsyth agrees that design has evolved within the category: ‘’It’s no longer just about heavy florals or sombre tones. Now you’ll find everything from cute and cheerful to bold typographic styles, cheeky humour, and more –anything goes!

‘’Pink Pig has embraced this shift with a lovely selection of cards in this space. From heartfelt messages such as Sending Hugs and Sending

Thinking of You Week 2025 September 15-21 www.thinkingofyouweek.cards

‘’There

is nothing more uplifting than receiving a card out of the blue from family or friends

who

are simply checking in with you’’

Lorraine Bradley, Rush Design

Love, to our more classic, minimalist Thinking of You designs. In fact, these are some of our bestsellers!’’

And for retailers looking for something di erent within the sector, they don’t have to look too far. Anna Nelson says: ‘’We o er an eclectic range of styles in this category, recognising that there are so many meaningful ways to express care and connection. It’s a deeply special sentiment to design, as it holds so much meaning for so many. We hope our cards help convey those emotions when words are hard to find.’’

While Ross Harrison adds: ‘’Modern captions that convey di ering levels of emotions, rather than just the standard ‘with sympathy’ have seen our sympathy designs really gain in popularity.’’

Finally, we take a look at the trends we are seeing within this category – for Ross, he has found that ‘’pet sympathy designs have proven popular with our customers both home and abroad’’.

And Anna has seen ‘’a rise in lighthearted, funny, or slightly o eat Thinking of You cards. Gentle humour or playful illustrations help lift spirits without dismissing tough times.’’

Clearly a category that will continue to grow…

‘’There are now cards tailored for all sorts of situations – whether someone’s going through a tough time, dealing with a divorce, work stress, illness, or just needs a little pick-me-up’’

Mabel Forsyth, Pink Pig Cards

Thoughtful messages

The Art File Thinking Of You collection includes seven beautiful designs, each conveying a thoughtful and important message. With designs from the stunning Sara Miller London, Toby The Dog and the awardwinning Natural Phenomenon collection, there’s something for everyone looking for a thoughtful card. The Art File team were thrilled to add new designs to this collection this year, including a beautiful design from Fox Under The Moon, created by talented artist Stacey McNeill. The Art File sales@theartfile.com www.theartfiletrade.com

The Eden project…

Laura Darrington Design’s newest everyday collection – The Eden Collection – features 17 subtle sympathy designs and is the perfect send for a friend, loved one or relative.

Including an increasingly popular pet sympathy design, the collection continues to evolve with new designs including everyday, wedding, anniversary and baby. Printed on a luxury board with a deep emboss, and provided with a bespoke polka-dot envelope as standard.

See these and many, many more at the new trade website.

Laura Darrington Design trade.lauradarrington.com www.lauradarrington.com

Always on my mind…

You don’t need a special occasion to let someone know they are on your mind. A Thinking of You or a Sending you a Hug greeting card from Cherry Orchard is a simple, heartfelt way to express empathy, o er support or brighten someone’s day. Unlike birthdays, these cards require no occasion, instead they celebrate the quiet beauty of connection, reminding someone they are held in another’s thoughts. Sometimes the most meaningful messages are the ones sent spontaneously, a sentiment Cherry Orchard fully supports. MD Jackie Collin says: “There’s nothing like getting an unexpected card through the post to lift your spirits.”

Cherry Orchard Publishing 01684 295500 www.cherryorchardpublishing.co.uk

Pink Pig has always included Thinking of You titles in all its ranges, and the new Oh So Shiny range is no exception, with titles such as Sending Hugs and With Love in the new minimal foil range already proving popular with customers. The simple designs include hearts and florals, and are made all the more special with delicate foil detailing.The cards are all 100% recyclable, printed on high-quality FSC accredited board and supplied with a recycled ekokraft envelope. Card size 127 x 177 mm.

Pink Pig Cards

07795574548

info@pinkpigcards.co.uk www.pinkpigcards.co.uk

Evolving messages

The straightforward Thinking of You phrase is still in high demand from retailers and customers alike. Depending on the image it can relay a variety of messages. From an alternative for a sympathy card, to a more jolly ‘saw this and thought of you’ kind of sentiment. We use cards to send all sorts of messages and feelings to each other. Other variations have evolved including keep smiling, you got this, stay strong, and many more.

Eclectic

Shiny sends Personal touch

Rush Design o ers an extensive variety of greeting cards for expressing thoughts, love and care. This section of captions has always been strong for Rush. Encouraged by the feedback from retailers and customers, the team is always evolving this sector and growing the range.

All Rush Design cards are printed on a quality FSC board, matched with a quality envelope and wrapped in eco cello bags. This product is 100% UK manufactured.

Rush Design

01788 521745

info@rushdesign.co.uk

www.rushdesign.co.uk

styles

Rosanna Rossi’s Thinking of You cards are especially loved – perhaps because of the eclectic mix of styles that speak to many di erent tastes. Each card is finished with beautiful embossing or foil detailing, adding an extra touch of care and attention to these heartfelt designs.

Rosanna Rossi 07900 698 522 infor@rosanna-rossi.co.uk www.rosanna-rossi.co.uk

While some card ranges include thinking of you sentiments, few are specifically designed to send heartfelt messages of support, love, hope, reassurance, and gratitude – but Heart & Soul, a new range of friendship cards from Rachel Ellen Designs, is just that. Rachel’s sweet painted artwork, paired with handwritten text, creates a personal feel to these touching messages. Each one is a beautiful way to reach out and connect with someone facing a tough time or to thank a supportive friend. Printed on high-quality textured board and enhanced with hot gold foil, the cards measure 125 x 125mm and come with a lovely lavender-coloured envelope.

Rachel Ellen Designs

0115 970 0321 | sales@rachelellen.co.uk

www.rachelellen.co.uk

Greetings Today advertisement manager Marian McNamara (right) with Tran Thi Nhat Nien from Intbox Intelligent Packaging Corporation and Panham Charoenprom from The Thai Printer Magazine

Jewels of the Orient

Some 100,000 buyers flocked to Hong Kong’s major series of lifestyle, fashion and home products trade fairs in April, reflecting the strong demand from buyers to source products from some 6,000 exhibitors

Did you know?

Buyers from more than 130 countries and regions attended the four-day International Printing & Packaging Fair, Gifts and Premium Fair, Fashion InStyle, Home InStyle, and Deluxe PrintPack Hong Kong which concluded on 30 April.

The Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair and DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong saw more than 11,000 buyers attend, while the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair recorded some 36,000 buyers.

‘’Attending the shows for the first time was incredible. It provided an invaluable opportunity for strategic headspace, to reinforce existing relationships, build new ones and explore fresh ideas that we’re already putting into action. Most importantly, we’ve placed sample orders on some key strategic products, and I’m excited to see where those opportunities lead. A huge thank you to the show organisers for putting together such a well-curated and inspiring event – it was incredibly worthwhile, and I’m already looking forward to the next one!”

David Falkner, director, Cardology

‘’I spent a great few days visiting the Canton fair plus the printing and packaging and gift shows. We have a great and very competent supply base over the whole of our very broad product categories, but we are always looking for new niches, whether that be on product or finishing, and these shows are a must-do part of my annual calendar. As ever, this year I walked 25,000 steps a day and managed to sort the challenges I had, and hopefully they will form part of our 2026 launches’’

David

Byk, CEO, Swan Mill Group

The Brits are coming!

For the first time, the HKTDC London O ce collaborated with the British Allied Trades Federation (BATF) to bring 11 UK brands to debut their first showcase at Home InStyle, featured at the Cultural and Creative Avenue. The participating UK brands included:

• Wrendale Designs – Whimsical wildlife-inspired stationery and gifts, brought to life with hand-painted watercolours.

• Talking Tables – Imaginative partyware and décor designed to bring people together through joyful moments.

• Meg Hawkins – Art-led homeware and stationery, featuring watercolour works inspired by wildlife and countryside charm.

• McLaggan+Co – Iconic mugs and drinkware, featuring collaborations with celebrated British artists and designers.

Trade talk

Greetings Today catches up with industry suppliers to talk about everything from trade fairs and the postal service, to WHSmith and current trends. If you want to get involved in the next issue, please email

Eddie Clarke Licensing manager Museums & Galleries

What trade shows will you be exhibiting at in the next few months? And what ranges are you most excited about showing off?!

Museums & Galleries is showing at PG Live at the beginning of June, and Exclusively the following week. Both shows will see exciting launches of new product ranges – a new greeting card concept under the M&G umbrella at PG Live, and at Exclusively the following week new kitchen textiles and insulated bottles and mugs (by M&G licences Matthew Williamson and Emily Burningham), together with a surprise entirely new product category featuring M&G’s most popular licences. It will be revealed exclusively on the stand so you have to be there!

How are you monitoring current consumer trends?

We closely monitor sales across our card, stationery, gift packaging and home and giftware ranges, which gives a good temperature of where consumers are at and which style and subject of image is trending. We listen to direct feedback from our customers and sales agents, are active on social media, and follow the general media landscape as it unfolds. Interior design and fashion provides important information, as do trend forecasting services. Watching what is actually in the shops and what customers are responding to is key.

Sara Burford Director

Cinnamon Aitch

What are your thoughts on the effects of the proposed changes to the postal service and increased stamp prices on the industry?

I think the increase in price of stamps has a huge impact on the greeting card industry. We have already seen this impact on Christmas card sending, but the more they continue to rise in price the greater the impact will spread. At Cinnamon Aitch we still produce many beautiful, UK hand-finished cards, many of which are for relations, so there is a percentage that are hand-delivered, but not enough to absorb the impact of losing a reliable, affordable postal service.

What trade shows will you be exhibiting at in the next few months? And what ranges are you most excited about showing off?!

We are exhibiting at PG Live in June, following that our next show will be February’s Spring Fair. We find these two trade fairs provide a great mix of international and UK buyers with a good cross-section of the whole UK covered. PG Live is just a lovely show which, though professional, doesn’t have the huge corporate feel of the NEC. It’s big enough to do in a day, the sun always shines (I’ve just totally jinxed it!) and we always catch up with loyal distributors and independent retailers alongside the multiples. The NEC is on our home ground, but we resisted exhibiting there for many years, preferring Top Drawer. The quality and improved design-led content of Spring Fair in recent years, however, forced us to rethink and it has been a great move for us.

We are excited to be launching a new range – Dinky Daisy –at PG Live as well as many new additions to favourite current ranges. Dinky Daisy is a contemporary square range with gorgeous cut-outs and embossed details. It’s as fresh as a daisy with simplicity and modernity at its core. Definitely not to be missed!

Building on the successes of recently launched Googly and Cobalt Extreme, we have fabulous new designs in both ranges. We also have refreshed fun-loving Margo, as well as the sensitive, painted Skylark, so there’s lots to see. Of course, all alongside our other lovely stationery and gift products.

‘’Seeing any retailer leave the high street is not good, but WHSmith doesn’t seem to have responded to changes in customer demands as well as some other high street retailers’’

What is your reaction to WHSmith disappearing from the high street?

Seeing any retailer leave the high street is not good, but WHSmith doesn’t seem to have responded to changes in customer demands as well as some other high street retailers. I do have great nostalgia for WHSmith and always loved exploring back-to-school offerings with the excitement of a new pen and A4 ring binder. Simpler times! There have been visits back for my own children since but as competition has increased with more visually welcoming displays, lighting and interesting product offering, WHSmith has featured on my stationery shopping radar less and less.

Mabel Forsyth Pink Pig Cards

Is there an issue you’d like to highlight? The thing that worries me most in our industry is AI technology and specifically, how the copyright of an artist’s work is going to be protected. 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 is absolutely horrifying.

‘’Artists are not going to take this lying down!’’

Like many artists, I have filled in the (deliberately long and confusing) consultation on the new copyright law proposal, but the fact that they are even considering this is terrifying!

It seems unthinkable – but with so many previously ‘unthinkable’ events going on across the pond, who knows where this can go?

Let’s hope enough artists have stated their views strongly on the consultation. Artists are not going to take this lying down!

Paul Urban

Managing director

Kingfisher Cards

What are your thoughts on the effects of the proposed changes to the postal service and increased stamp prices on the industry?

I think it’s obvious that no one in our industry is going to be happy about this, but as a company director I just have to play the hand I’m dealt. It has been clear for a while that some of the ‘bulk bought’ cards and some of the occasions cards that used to be posted to friends and acquaintances have dropped off. The stability in the market now seems to be with the cards and captions that are delivered personally. Often this is alongside a gift, so I am seeing a growth in the smaller sizes of card.

What trade shows will you be exhibiting at in the next few months? And what ranges are you most excited about showing off?!

Well the breaking news here is none! Having shown at the NEC Spring Fair for the past seven years with our own stand, I’ve decided that we will take a year off next year. Despite the ‘visitor numbers’ gloated about by the show organisers I just don’t think there is the quantity or quality of potential customers visiting the trade shows. I think we will re-invest the £20k+ cost of the show (and the time and effort required) into product

‘’The stability in the market now seems to be with the cards and captions that are delivered personally’’

development and promotions that look after our existing loyal customers. I’m not saying we won’t be back but I don’t like doing things just because I always have. Time to try something different, I feel.

How are you monitoring current consumer trends?

Well obviously the trade press helps, and conversations with retailers, but to be honest a lot of product development for us tends to be gut feeling. I look at loads of options and go with what I feel may work best. I also am a little wary of ‘trends’ as it always feels like I’m just jumping on a bandwagon. I prefer to sail my own course.

What is your reaction to WHSmith disappearing from the high street?

Hardly a surprise as I’ve never understood how they made it work with what I (as a consumer) always felt was a hugely overpriced offering. The high street is a harsh environment for retailers at the moment, and with ever-decreasing footfall it’s more important than ever to have a relevant offering at acceptable prices. I don’t think WHSmith had that any longer.

Any other issue you’d like to highlight?

Only the plight of the high street and the endless failure of any ruling party to recognise they need to address this before it is too late. I salute all retailers for their willingness to battle the endless headwinds that blow their way.

Daniel Prince Managing director Danilo

What are your thoughts on the effects of the proposed changes to the postal service and increased stamp prices on the industry?

It’s definitely not ideal for our industry – anything that makes it harder or more expensive for people to send cards is a worry. That said, we’re really glad the GCA is pushing back and doing everything they can. Despite the challenges, we’re still confident people will carry on sending cards – it’s such a meaningful way to stay in touch, and that sentiment hasn’t changed.

‘’Despite the challenges, we’re still confident people will carry on sending cards – it’s such a meaningful way to stay in touch, and that sentiment hasn’t changed’’

What trade shows will you be exhibiting at in the next few months? And what ranges are you most excited about showing off?!

PG Live is the next big one for us, and we’re really looking forward to it. We’ve got loads of exciting ranges to shout about – including popular brands such as Peppa Pig, Bluey, and Wicked. We’ll also be showing off some great formats, such as our lenticular cards and new puzzle cards, which we think will turn a few heads.

How are you monitoring current consumer trends? We work with a few expert partners who provide us with regular trend and data reports – it helps us keep our finger on the pulse and make sure we’re creating products that really resonate with shoppers.

What is your reaction to WHSmith disappearing from the high street?

It’s a big shift and definitely feels like the end of an era in some ways. But it’s reassuring that many of the stores will stay open under the TG Jones name. Any other issue you’d like to highlight?

Nothing to flag right now – we’re just focused on staying creative, keeping things fresh, and adapting as the market evolves.

Not just surviving,

George’s in Whitstable, Kent is a real family a air, says owner Lucy Eason, and a veritable Aladdin’s Cave for shoppers! It’s also just been named as a finalist in The Retas

(Non-Specialist Independent Greetings Card Retailer for the South Award)

Tell us about the shop’s history.

It all began with my granddad, George Mist, back in 1969 when he first leased the shop. My parents, Peter and Diana Hopkins, played a huge role in shaping what George’s is today. After 15 years of hard graft in the markets, they bought George out of the shop in 1985. I was four, and by the time I was 13, I became a Saturday girl – the one that never left! They worked hard to expand it into the neighbouring two shops, which you now still see. In 2006 my husband and I got married and we also took over the business from my parents. So now, George’s is in its 20th year of trading under our ownership, and that makes it about 55 years in total. I’m incredibly proud of the heritage I’ve been able to maintain, and we’re still here, and still going strong.

Tell us a little about the shop itself. The core idea behind George’s is to be a design-led shop right in the bustling heart of Whitstable High Street. If I had to give it a quick description, I’d say it’s like a supercharged Aladdin’s Cave filled with joyful and unique finds. We really focus on curating an exceptional selection of products, from our greeting cards, gift wrapping and stationery, to lovely home decor, quirky souvenirs, and seasonal treasures. For us, it’s all about those special little things that can bring a bit of joy to your day and put a smile on your face. I also think our eye-catching window displays play a big part in enticing people to step inside and explore.

Tell us about your refurb.

In December 2023, I reached out to Charlotte Burley, a fantastic local mum and visual merchandiser, and that really marked the start of the next chapter for George’s. Charlotte has been incredible; she initially came in to help with our window displays,

‘’One of my favourite card brands is Paper Salad – their neon pops of colour are just so fun. Life is too short to be beige’’

which I truly value but just didn’t have enough time for myself. However, she saw so much potential in George’s beyond just the windows, and her drive and passion were quite unexpected but so welcome.

We started by opening up the windows in the card shop, and that quickly snowballed into a more comprehensive refurbishment. We began taking down the slat boards that, over the years, I had perhaps become addicted to! We opened up the space, let in more light, reduced the amount of stock we were holding, and focused on displaying things much better.

We also worked closely with Paul, who we call 48 www.greetingstoday.media

Odd Jobs Paul, and his skills and incredibly positive attitude have been a constant support. One of the initial changes we made, particularly in the card area, was the introduction of Perspex card display shelves that fit into the slat wall, bespoke made by a local company All Style Birchington. These allow us to display each card full-facing, so customers can really see the whole design and read the message easily. We started with these above the traditional card stands, but then we realised that by utilising the floor space di erently, we could allow more people to browse comfortably. We also came to the conclusion that having fewer cards displayed full-face was more impactful than having lots of cards stacked up in traditional stands. So, we changed the first side of the card shop, taking out around six card stands and replacing them entirely with these Perspex shelves.

We then did the second side of the shop, which houses all our titles and relations. The data from our Shopify system has been invaluable; it’s revolutionised the time needed for ordering, giving me so much more time to focus on the displays, seek out new card suppliers, manage our ranges, maintain bestsellers, and clear out slower-selling lines. Since January, the rolling refurb has been a continuous process. In September, we made a significant decision to house

but thriving

our entire Christmas card section in the main shop, rather than squashing up all our everyday cards as we had done in previous years. This worked exceptionally well and led to increased sales of both Christmas and everyday cards.

How does being a seaside town a ect what you stock?

It definitely has an impact on our stock and footfall. We have a wonderful base of regular customers who are incredibly supportive, but we also see a huge influx of visitors, particularly during the summer season, which tends to pick up around April. Having a diverse range of products, with cards being a key part of that, really sees us through the earlier months of the year. We have the seasonal card events like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, and currently Father’s Day, which I’m

really pleased to say is showing increasing sales each year.

Then we start gearing up for the summer rush, as many people make their annual pilgrimage to stock up on cards while they’re here. We also make sure to stock local artists and cards with a Whitstable or nautical theme, which are hugely popular with locals and visitors looking for a little memento.

‘’I was amazed, over the moon, and quite shocked – I had no idea anyone had nominated us. ’’

How do you source products?

I’m very fortunate to have built up valuable relationships with reps from my well-established card suppliers. Some of these relationships go back to when my dad was running the business, so we’re talking over 20 years! I genuinely consider many of these reps as friends. It’s a really collaborative process where we manage the card ranges together, discussing what’s selling well, what’s new, and also clearing out anything that isn’t performing. I find that personal connection and expertise so valuable.

I also massively value PG Live, the trade show dedicated to cards. It was a bit of a revelation when I first went in January 2023. The card industry really enveloped me in their welcoming arms, and it hasn’t been the same since!

What’s your demographic like and how do you get word out there?

While our core customer is probably female, between the ages of 30 and maybe 70 or even 80, we see a real mix.

The local community is fantastic; they often share their knowledge with visitors, directing them to us when they’re looking for something specific. This local goodwill really helps maintain footfall.

Alongside that, I firmly believe in the importance of really eye-catching window displays. We put a lot of e ort into making them enticing, hoping to draw people into the shop to see all the unique products and ‘knick-knacks’ we have – going back to that Aladdin’s Cave idea!

The wonderfully creative Felcie of Missbrownesboard is in today creating our Father’s Day window and section signage; check out her work (top right on this page)!

Our social media presence, on Instagram and Facebook under Georges Whitstable, is never too serious, you’d follow us for the fun!

This is George, my grandad (my mum’s dad) on the left and my dad Peter on the right, and me aged about 17!

What the shop looked like before Mum and Dad took over the next two shops in 1985

Do customers ask for eco-friendly product?

Absolutely, and it’s something we definitely try to prioritise in our sourcing. For example, all of our cards now come ‘naked’, without individual plastic sleeves, which is a great step forward. Many of our suppliers are also increasingly removing plastic from their deliveries. I think companies such as Ohh Dear and Dandelion Stationery are leading the way in this area.

What brands have been particularly popular? In humour cards, Pigment and Ohh Deer are consistently top performers – people just love their witty designs. When it comes to age-related cards, Rosie Made a Thing, particularly their designs for 60- and 70-year-olds, are top sellers. Woodmansterne as a whole product range also features very highly. Personally, one of my favourite card brands is Paper Salad – their neon pops of colour are just so fun and their envelopes are gorgeous. Life it too short to be beige!

Then, in terms of matching cards and stationery, the V&A neon floral range from Ohh Deer has been an absolute smash hit. The cards were instantly popular, and then when the matching gift bags and notebooks arrived, they were so well-received by our customers that we’ve already placed repeat orders.

Do you take part in community/town events?

Absolutely, we love being involved in our local community here in Whitstable. We’re really proud of our wonderful Whitstable Town football club, who are in the FA Vase final at Wembley this weekend! It’s completely captured the imagination of the whole town, and many of the shops, including ours, have got involved with window displays. I also help run the window competition for the annual Whitstable Oyster Festival (Sept 13-14), which is always a lot of fun.

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

The one that still makes us chuckle is the customer who came in asking for mincemeat! We had to politely explain that we’re not a butcher’s shop, but perhaps they could try the one just next door.

Anything else you would like to add?

I received a completely unexpected email to say that George’s is a finalist in The Retas 2025! I was absolutely amazed, over the moon, and quite shocked because I had no idea anyone had nominated us.

I was actually with my rep, Tony, from Woodmansterne, at the time, and he said: “Yeah, I put your name down for that!” I was a bit overwhelmed.

The whole team is thrilled too; it’s a real joint e ort, and I couldn’t do it without them. They are amazing, and the business wouldn’t be where it is without their hard work and dedication. So, thank you, team!

We’re not just surviving here in Whitstable; we are thriving!

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, I would absolutely choose one of the most beautiful cards from Five Dollar Shake. They are just stunning, with that little bit of sparkle that makes them perfect for displaying on your mantelpiece, and I think they’re the kind of card you might even bring out year after year. This year’s Christmas collection from Five Dollar Shake is particularly gorgeous; they’ve really elevated their designs.

If it were a card from my husband for our anniversary, I’d always want something with a bit of fun and humour. The Pigment Ri Ra anniversary card with the two old couples sitting in deck chairs would be absolutely perfect and really apt for us!

For a birthday or other special occasion, I really love another Pigment card, Daughter, from the range Happy News. It has such a beautiful sentiment but also a really modern look to it, which beautifully marries the heartfelt message with a modern aesthetic. Actually, that Daughter card is one of our top-selling relation cards. Closely followed by the Son card from the same range. Our best-selling occasions card overall is probably the Naughty by Nature new home card, from Tracks, with the naked couple peeking over a garden fence – it always gets a laugh and outsells other occasions cards by a long way. Overall, our bestselling cards tend to be humour cards.The Received Nun card from Pigment, with the nun giving the middle finger, is our standout best seller in the whole shop and has been for over a year now. We have to keep so many of those in stock! That’s closely followed by another Pigment card featuring a frog sitting on the end of the bed. In terms of age-related cards, Rosie Made a Thing, particularly their cards for 60- and 70-year-old ladies, are our top sellers. And the product range from Woodmansterne always performs really well for us too.

Above: before the stands were replaced with Perspex shelving (below) Right: the change of the oor in the card shop

A game of two halves…

Retail100 Consulting director and co-founder Neil Amer discusses navigating the last two quarters of the year, depending on how the first half shaped up

The first half of the retail year is always challenging to assess. Unlike the more structured patterns of Autumn/Winter trade, Spring/Summer is shaped by multiple seasonal moments – such as Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Easter – that shift around in the calendar.

This lack of year-on-year consistency makes it difficult to compare and track performance effectively. Now that Easter has passed, brands, suppliers, and retailers finally have a chance to roll up the numbers and gauge how trade is shaping up.

It’s tempting to look at previous years for guidance, and 2019 stands out as the last time Easter fell in a similar position in the calendar. But the world was a different place then. The retail landscape has evolved significantly, accelerated by the pandemic, changing consumer behaviours, and the continued shift toward online and omnichannel strategies.

While the direct comparison isn’t perfect, understanding how trade turned out in 2019 can still provide valuable context. Was there a steady build-up to Easter, or did demand peak suddenly? Were shoppers leaning into novelty, personalisation, or classic gifting options? Reviewing past patterns, even in a changed world, can highlight useful lessons for decision-making today.

With Easter behind us, attention now turns to the upcoming June trade exhibitions: The Exclusively Show and Progressive Greetings Live. These events are pivotal moments for brands and retailers alike, marking the point where businesses begin securing their Autumn/Winter ranges.

For retailers, understanding their performance in the first half of the year is crucial in making informed buying decisions. If trade has been softer than last year, what does that mean for the second half? Should they replicate last year’s strategy, or look for new opportunities?

Perhaps novelty gifts, pet accessories, or experiential products could bring a fresh edge to your assortment. Retailers will need to decide whether to play it safe or take calculated risks, while brands and suppliers will need to be prepared for shifting priorities.

For suppliers, the stakes are equally high. Buyers coming into these shows will be focused on hitting

their numbers for Half Two and ensuring they have the right mix to make up for any softer performance earlier in the year.

If Half One hasn’t delivered as expected, they may be looking for something new to reinvigorate their offering. This means brands must not only present strong product ranges, but also be attuned to buyer sentiment.

“Looking ahead, there’s every reason to remain optimistic”

Will retailers double down on proven categories, or will they be in search of fresh opportunities to drive excitement in-store? Understanding this dynamic is crucial for brands to optimise their success at these events.

While Half One can be complex and sometimes frustrating to measure, it ultimately provides the road map for what’s ahead. Retailers and suppliers who take the time to assess their numbers will enter the Autumn/Winter buying season with confidence. Whether the results align with expectations, or suggest a need for recalibration, staying informed and agile is the best strategy.

But, before we wade into the fast waters of peak trading, we first must pivot and focus towards high summer assortments. This transition brings fresh opportunities but also new challenges, as weatherdriven categories become increasingly important.

Suppliers and brands need to stay agile, ready to react to changing conditions and retailer demands. Whether it’s outdoor living, summer gifting, or travel accessories, the ability to quickly adjust and

capitalise on seasonal moments will be crucial. A sudden heatwave or an early start to holiday shopping could dramatically shift buying patterns, and those who are prepared to respond with the right stock, at the right time, will be best positioned to maximise sales in this dynamic retail period. Looking ahead, there’s every reason to remain optimistic. The gifting/greetings space thrives on adaptability, and strong planning now will help businesses navigate what’s to come. As Spring/ Summer trade continues to unfold, there is still time for momentum to build, and retailers, brands, and suppliers alike will be hoping for a strong finish before the all-important Autumn/Winter season that so many in the industry rely on.

Neil Amer 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.

Coming from a retail background, Neil worked as a merchandiser for John Lewis for 17 years, gaining extensive experience in the retail industry.

Email: hello@retail100consulting.co.uk Visit www.retail100consulting.co.uk | www.linkedin.com/company/retail100-consulting