09_11_13_15_17.qxp_9/11/13/15/19/23/25 27/07/2024 15:44 Page 9
NEWS TOP STORY
Sam Ody has joined Cardzone
Winning Ways Cardies did Beatrix Potter proud at The Retas The UK’s very best greeting card retailers were officially recognised at The Retas 2024 greeting card retailer awards ceremony, which took place recently at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Mayfair. There were lots of happy tears, plenty of cheers and confetti canons galore as Above: Among The Retas winners were (left-right) Nor, Yarnton Home & Gift, Sainsbury’s, Waterstones and greeting card retail stockists Cardfactory amid a confetti shower. from right across the retail Below: Newcomer contenders, Doodles Cards, Gifts and Balloons in Crowthorne entered into the Beatrix Potter spirit. spectrum were duly recognised, rewarded and celebrated at the Beatrix Potter themed event that was hosted by comedian and radio presenter Andrew Ryan and attended by some 400 greeting card retailers, publishers and suppliers. Welcoming guests, PG’s co-owner Jakki Brown paid tribute to The Retas finalists and winners, saying: “Beatrix Potter was very much a woman ahead of her time. Today though, we are here to celebrate some rather special greeting card retailers who are very much of our time, and what a time it has been in the last year with the ongoing challenges of trade, with card retailers having to understand and anticipate the nuances of their customers’ tastes and needs as well as adapting to the challenges presented by the likes of changes in footfall, the Royal Mail issues and general cost-of-living constraints.” Paying tribute to the finalists’ and winners’ tenacity, she added “just like The Flopsy Bunnies, whatever obstacles they have faced in the Mr McGregor’s garden of real life, they have bounced back, full of ‘hop’ and optimism!” Topping out with the trophies was Postmark, as its rapid expansion over the past year or so to having 14 stores in London, Birmingham and Glasgow was recognised with both the Best Small Multiple award as well as the overall Greeting Card Retailer Of The Year title – clinching the brace for the second year running. (Pics from The Retas and all the winners feature on pages 26-40)
Former Tesco senior buying manager, Sam Ody has joined Cardzone, taking up the newly created role of head of buying for the retail group, with her buying remit also including Clintons. Commenting on her new position, Sam told PG: “I was so determined to stay working in the industry as I love it so much – the people and the products. I am very excited to be joining Paul, James and the Cardzone team and to play a part in helping to drive it forward.” Although Sam started officially on July 8, her appointment was made public at The Retas a few days before at which she went on stage to draw the charity raffle with her new job title being fanfared to all the guests. “I think we have drawn the lucky winning ticket with Sam now on board as part of our Top: Sam Ody, head of team,” said Paul Taylor, ceo of buying at Cardzone with Cardzone at The Retas. “We are the company’s ceo, Paul Taylor at The Retas. delighted that Sam has joined us Above: Sam is now head to help drive our greeting card of buying for the Cardzone group, which and gift buying as part of our also includes Clintons. future plans,” he added.
Amscan International bought from administrators Amscan International and associated companies, including Ginger Ray and Christy’s By Design, have been bought by private equity company, Baaj Capital. The deal was announced a day after James Clark and Will Wright, of Interpath Advisory had been appointed joint administrators of Amscan International Limited, Christy’s By Design Limited, Ginger Ray Limited and Party Delights Limited. At the same time, James Clark and Howard Smith were appointed joint administrators to Wonder Group Bidco Limited and on 10 July, James Clark and Ryan Grant were appointed joint administrators to Amscan Holdco Limited. The companies are part of The Wonder Group, the international wholesaler and retailer of costume, balloon and party products headquartered in Milton Keynes and with operations in markets including the US, Germany, Sweden, Malaysia, Australia and Hong Kong. While 133 jobs have been saved as part of the deal, sadly 69 employees have been made redundant.
Anagram acquires Pioneer Europe In addition to the acquisition of Amscan (see above right), the party sector has seen two other changes over the past few weeks with Anagram acquiring the assets of Pioneer Europe, and Smiffys becoming part of the same Ad Populum group as giftware brand Enesco. Anagram’s president Jim Plutt said the company, which has been running for over 40 years, has established Anagram International as its new EMEA head office said: “We now plan to provide our partners in the EMEA region with the most comprehensive foil and latex balloon programmes. The experienced team from the former Pioneer Europe, located in Bishop’s Stortford, will lead this initiative, managing the distribution of Anagram’s and Pioneer’s product ranges across the EMEA region.” Marie Gransbury, newly-appointed md at Anagram International trading as Anagram Europe, added: “I would like to start by thanking all of our
customers for their business over many years; your support and loyalty has been greatly valued. I am very pleased to say that we have been able to keep all employees as part of this acquisition process.” Meanwhile, after dress-up specialist Above: A lot of change in the Smiffys (RH Smith & Sons) filed a notice of party arena recently. intention to appoint administrators, Ad Populum acquired the business. In the definitive agreement Joel Weinshanker, md and founder of the company that owns brands including Enesco and Rubies II, NECA, WizKids and Kidrobot said: “Smiffys joins the Ad Populum group of fullservice, boots-on-the-ground brands that in this day and age are necessary to properly service our retail partners.”
FOR THE LATEST NEWS VISIT PGBUZZ.net PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 9