24-27_GF.qxp_Grid 04/04/2023 15:21 Page 2
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A Juicy
Inset: The first quarter of 2023 was fairly juicy, but there were still some troublesome pips that added a sour taste.
Quarter?
With the first quarter of 2023 now ticked off the calendar, PG checked in with some of those in greeting card community to find out how the first chunk of the year has panned out and what their expectations are for the coming three months, with the Coronation and bonus Bank Holiday expecting to lift sprits and sales.
Allen Taylor
John Procter
regional sales director of IC&G
co-founder of Scribbler First quarter: “Trade definitely improved on all fronts as shoppers continue to return to the high streets, especially in our out of London branches. Our gift ranges have performed well and our card sales are nearly back to pre-Covid levels.
The low points were simply strikes and to a certain extent weather-related.” Next quarter hunch: “We are feeling cautiously optimistic in that Spring Seasons, thus far would, had it not been for the rail strikes, have performed well.” Above: Scribbler’s Newcastle store in Easter mode. Left: John and Jennie Procter with the new Scribbler/FujiFilm kiosk at the Spring Fair.
First quarter: “On the back of a challenging trading period for our industry as 2022 came to an end with poor footfall for many independents, all Above: Allen Taylor. of us pinned our hopes and relying on a strong Christmas trading period. While overall the Christmas season ended strongly in the normal last minute.com 10-day rush, many factors including the Royal Mail strikes, the public’s lack of monies to spend due to ever increasing costs, and rail strikes, left many of our trading partners not being able to catch up the poor trading of previous weeks. As a business that supports the independent, and that doesn’t trade in the supermarket sector, this had an obvious
Miles Robinson co-owner of House of Cards, a group of seven card and gift shops in the Home Counties First quarter: “It’s been a quite mixed quarter coming after a less than sparkling Christmas and dealing with the residue stock etc to a fair Valentine’s Day, excellent Mother’s Day and so far, Easter is looking good too. Overall, extremely positive given the challenges we are all dealing with.” Next quarter hunch: “I think Easter and the Coronation should be very good for trade. The Coronation, with its extra Bank Holiday is an unknown but a great opportunity for extra sales of ‘Royal/party’ product. This will be countered by the rather large National Minimum Wage increase kicking in and business rates hike hitting those larger retailers that don’t get the generous retail discounts smaller businesses will enjoy this year.” Above: Giving the UK a postal service on which it can rely is key for our industry as far as Miles Robinson is concerned. Right: Last July, Miles and his business partner Nigel Williamson were presented with The Retas 2022 Greeting Card Retailer of the Year award.
24 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE