Progressive Greetings January 2024

January

sales@danilo.com | www.danilo.com | tel: 01992 702900

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2024

Text © Rachel Bright Illustrations © Jim Field Licensed by Hachette Children’s Group

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NEW YEAR - NEW PRODUCTS!

CODE 45/GG IC&G are starting the New Year with lots of new designs and a BIG smile!

These 26 NEW designs feature ranges from four talented artists and are all Code 45/GG. All 26 designs are available for immediate delivery.

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Introducing 'IC&G Gallery' A high quality, blank art and CODE photographic collection. All designs are 45/GG 4123 26 fresh, highly commercial designs, incorporating gorgeous photo compositions and hand-painted subjects, with UV covers and bespoke branded envelopes. We've cut-back on plastic as well, replacing it with a card catch sticker around single cards.

All designs are available for immediate delivery

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Christmas 2024

There are over 400 new fantastically festive Christmas cards in the IC&G Christmas 2024 Collection.

At the core of the collection are some fabulous traditional cards with wonderful finishes and sentimental verses.

To compliment our more traditional products, we have the delightfully cute Barley Bear and a few more contemporary collections, to ensure our customers have plenty of choice.

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This beautiful artwork style is NEW and available in the majority of relation captions and beautiful open birthday cards.

All designs have stunning foils and coloured inserts and start at code 50/HH.

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From The Editor

ON THE CARDS While we can’t quite claim it as a Christmas miracle, the signs are that we did it, Christmas card sending is back right up there. I say ‘we’ because it really was a huge collective push from the entire greeting card community – indie and multiple retailers, publishers of all shapes and sizes, agents and trade suppliers.

Yes, the #Cardmitment campaign was superbly spearheaded by the GCA, supported by the professional PR and lobbying expertise from Nick and Andrea at Arena PR, but there is no way that Christmas card buying and sending would have been embraced so heartily by the general public had it not been down to the efforts of so many in the greeting card community, each doing their bit to remind people of the joys and importance of sending Christmas cards.

From the widespread engagement from MPs, retailers’ incredible window displays Above: The #Cardmitment campaign has been driven by the GCA, but the industry featuring the GCA posters, engagement has been phenomenal. (Leftright) Karen Wilson (Paper Salad), GCA’s Christmas card writing Adriana Lovesy and Amanda Fergusson, David initiatives, inventive social Falkner (Cardology) and PG’s Jakki Brown at the recent MPs drop-in session in media activity and the Westminster.

Right: Hallmark group md with PG’s Jakki sharing of ideas, I cannot Brown at PG Live in June. Now nine months think of any other time when into the role he shares his thoughts on the industry (see pages 38-39) our industry has been so Below: Jakki Brown’s dad writing what is united in a cause. likely to be his final Christmas card to her.

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@Prog_Greetings

And while it is great to hear the early indications of how Christmas card sales are well up on last year, in a way it is even more than that. We all put our belief in what this industry is about and we were right.

The visits into care homes as part of the Caring at Christmas idea that Five Dollar Shake’s Matt Genower brought to the table, was life affirming for so many of us, making us think of how the Christmas cards we received are tangible tokens of affection from those we are lucky enough to have forged relationships.

My Dad now has advanced Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia and can’t really write anymore, so me bringing along his trusty ‘Christmas card list’ dating back many years to the Caring at Christmas event at his care home was incredibly optimistic.

But having laid out an impressive array of Christmas cards that I had been kindly sent by publishing chums, Dad immediately reached out for the one I just knew would have been his top choice in his fine fetter days – a lavish gold foiled design of robins from The Art File. He then picked up a pen and wrote ‘from Dad and Mary’. It brought tears to my eyes knowing this is likely to be the last card he will ever write to me…the only puzzling thing is we don’t know a ‘Mary’ and neither is there anyone in the care home by that name. So, I’m seeing it as my own Christmas card miracle.

Here's to us all pulling together even more in 2024 and may it be a fruitful and enjoyable one for all of you.

THE HOME OF MARKET LEADING TRADE AWARDS

Max Publishing Ltd, United House, North Road, London N7 9DP Tel: 020 7700 6740 www.progressivegreetings.co.uk PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 5

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What’s Inside?

CONTENTS 38

49

52

11-27 News All the latest happenings and developments in the trade.

72

55-57 Personal Inspirations Artistic Impressions The landing of The London Studio Artists Collective in the Ryman Design new concept stores is just one feather in the cap for artistic entrepreneur Soula Zavacopoulos.

28-29 Talking Shop Unleash The Dragon…

With Christmas and 2023 now in the rear view mirror, indie David Robertson embraces the Year of the Dragon.

30-31 Cardsharp Nostalgia Ain’t What It Used To Be

59-67 Innovations New ranges and designs, including many Top Drawer launches.

Cardsharp indulged himself with a few reflections.

69-71 Inspiring Retail Just Say Yes

33-37 Viewpoints The Single Life?

PG joined indies in the festive throng in the final Christmas trading crescendo.

Some retailer initiative takeaways from indie Sarah Laker of Stationery Supplies.

72-73 Getting To Know… Akhtar Zahid Preparing for Change

38-39 In The Hot Seat Making His (Hall)Mark

A taster of some of the changes in store for BGC Wholesale.

Some nine months into the role, Graeme Karavis, group managing director of Hallmark reveals his initial perceptions and thoughts for the future.

77-79 Focus on…Christmas Cards Something Special Publishers lift the lid on the design trends, packaging developments and captions in ascendence that are reflected in their 2024 Christmas card collections.

41-47 Industry Issue Collective Strength Members of the GCA Council share their views on the industry’s challenges, as well as the opportunities for the coming year.

81-85 Art Source: Design Predictions Trend Tracking Experienced aesthetic bellwethers cite what they believe will be the cultural drivers of our creative tastes for 2024.

49-51 Retail Up-Close Up With The Lark Priya Aurora-Crowe and Dom Crowe, co-owners of Lark relay their retailing news and views.

87-88 What’s Hot? A duo of leading retailers lift the lid on their best-selling ranges.

52-53 Greater Understanding of…Bewilderbeest Tip Top Tall Stories “Six foot eight inches”, “Lovely thank you” and “No” are the answers to the common questions Iain Hamilton of Bewilderbeest is asked. Intrigued?

89-99 Sources of Supply

Subscribe to Progressive Greetings from £60 (UK) to £90 (International).

You can organise this quickly and easily online at our secure site: www.max-subscriptions.net For assistance, please email subscriptions@max-publishing.co.uk

Jakki Brown

Warren Lomax

Tracey Arnaud

Tracey Bearton

Editor/Joint Owner

Joint Owner

Sales Manager

Features Editor

Joint Owner

jakkib@max-publishing.co.uk

warren@max-publishing.co.uk

traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

traceyb@max-publishing.co.uk

ianh@max-publishing.co.uk

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Copyright© 2024. While every effort has been made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of publication, the publishers cannot accept legal liability for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for the standing of advertisers nor any organisation mentioned in the text. Views of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.

Ian Hyder

PG is the official magazine for the Greeting Card Association GCA: Amanda Fergusson 020 7619 9266 Email: hello@gca.cards www.greetingcardassociation.org.uk

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 7

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NEWS Paperlink launches new planning service

TOP STORY

Final Festive Push Christmas trade looking good for cardies “Our best in all the 13 years we’ve been trading,” rejoiced Sean Austin, owner of Austin & Co in Malvern about his sales in the golden quarter.

“Our November turnover was 50% up on 2022 and I hit last year’s December total on Monday [18th].

We’ve seen increased sales across all categories, but cards have been leading the way, especially humour singles and charity packs.”

As PG went to press, with still a couple of frenzied trading days to go until the big day, sales of Christmas cards were looking good.

Kaye Thurgood, owner of Sincerely Yours in Shenfield and Hornchurch who sparked the idea of the Cardmitment campaign to promote the sending of Christmas cards after the 2022 debacle caused by the postal strikes, is a happy bunny. “Our card sales are up…I had to place repeat orders of single cards three times in December and the shelves are very low for the final push.

Sales of boxes and charity packs are back to pre-Covid levels!”

Down in Petworth, Sally Matson of Red Card was also happy to report that even

Above: There was no missing Christmas cards in Honiton’s Just Cards’ window.

Below: Bentleys in Stourport came up with its own version of a white Christmas.

without the final thrust her “Christmas card sales are up against last December, especially packs.”

In Tettenhall, Caroline Ranwell, owner of Hugs & Kisses was on course to “definitely finish the year ahead of target. Christmas charity cards have sold way better than last year, they’ve almost all sold and the boxes too.”

Meanwhile at Lark, which trades from 18 shops in London and Surrey, coowner Priya Aurora-Crowe revealed she was rather caught short by the public’s appetite for Christmas cards in 2023. “Amazingly we sold out of all our Christmas cards across all stores with a week’s trade still to go, but thankfully was able to rush through some re-orders.”

(See Viewpoints pages 33-37)

Paperlink has launched a new module for card plan packages with three choices for smaller stores and bespoke plans for spaces up to 30ft.

The London-based publisher has designed the planning initiative to give “shop owners peace of mind Above: A Paperlink and allow quicker and easier ordering”, planned display. according to md Emma Young.

And, with the team using industry-leading sales data, the company predicts that its planned displays will increase sales by 35%, with regular visits by the Paperlink team to monitor sales to see what's working and adapt the selections as required.

Emma added: “Each plan contains best selling designs arranged in an optimum layout to ensure strong sales from a wide variety of customer types.”

Fancy slaying the dragons?

Enabling publishers to get their cards in front of retailers as well as gaining invaluable advice are two key elements of the GCA’s Dragons Speed Dating events. Bookings are now being taken for the Dragons 2024 outing, which will take place on Thursday 7 March, held at London’s Business Design Centre.

John Lewis, House of Cards, Postmark and Austin & Co are among the 18 retailers who have already confirmed their participation. Each publisher attendee will have a 10-minute one on one meeting with three buyers – a multiple account, a small group and an independent. Publishers can also submit up to three cards for each of the 18 buyers’ sample bags.

Exclusive to GCA members, there is currently an early bird offer of £150+vat instead of £175. Head to the GCA website (www.gca.cards).

Left: The 2023 dragons event in full pitching mode.

Origamo has a pop at world record 3D cards specialist Origamo is about to stand out even more with a world record attempt for producing the largest pop-up card ever.

Company founder Furio Ceciliato has selected famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo as the subject for the design, as 2024 is the 70th anniversary of her death, someone whose indomitable spirit has become a symbol of resilience.

The Italian greeting card brand has its 3D pop-up designs handassembled by workers in Vietnam so is using the gigantic card, measuring almost three metres high and over nine square metres in total, to help girls in the country’s most populous area of Ho Chi Minh City.

The plan is to collect donations for the Christina Noble Children's Foundation (CNCF), with the funds raised going to the Sunshine Homes For Girls, family homes in the city where children at risk of exploitation and human trafficking are rescued from poverty and given the childhood they deserve.

The official world record attempt card developed in collaboration with

the Frida Kahlo Corporation in Miami with the help of My Design Co, Ondalba, and Paperartviet, will take place on 11 January, during the opening day of Milano Home, the Italian living and home décor trade fair.

The giant card will be on display throughout the show and visitors who make a donation to the CNCF will receive a normal-sized limited edition Origamo card version worth £8.60 (€10). Furio and his wife Erica personally oversee the Foundation’s funds and coordinate its activities in Italy, and he explained they wanted to create a bridge between Frida Kahlo, as a female icon of strength, perseverance and independence, and “all the girls in the world who do not have the same luck as us, but have the right to be able to pursue and realise their dreams”.

Right: Erica Ceciliato with a mock-up of the giant card.

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NEWS TOP STORY

Cardfactory turns up the volume

Below left: Just one of the messages cardfactory used to promote Christmas sales.

Below right: A still from a little advert on social media.

Write Before Christmas

Retailer’s advertising campaign promotes festive sending As part of its commitment to industrywide #Cardmitment campaign, cardfactory invested in an extensive nationwide radio advertising campaign reminding the public to send Christmas cards to those they care about.

“This is probably our largest ever Christmas marketing campaign, encompassing adverts on a number of radio stations as well as on digital channels to achieve nationwide coverage.” explains Brian Waring, customer director of cardfactory. “The main messaging was to nudge consumers about not forgetting to send their Christmas cards.”

The commercial started with a cheery voice quizzing listeners with a “Psst, you on the other side of the radio. Are you forgetting something?”, eliminating that it’s not “the weekly shop or taking out the bins out”, but to “think festive, Christmas…loved ones”, giving the obvious hint they are something you pop in the post box “usually dangerously close to the 25th of December” before cutting to the chase with an emphatic “Christmas cards”.

Above: Bex Hassett enjoying the good news in Greece.

The sign off reinforced cardfactory’s value selection of products, urging folk to head there for “a Christmas well spent.”

This festive campaign, which also included several different executions on social media, follows on from cardfactory’s marketing activity to promote its everyday ranges a few months ago.

“We found that the combination of using radio advertising in tandem with digital media works well, enabling us to reach a significant number of people in a cost effective way,” Brian told PG.

Asda ad wins greetings hearts Supermarket Asda won the hearts of the greeting card industry with its cute social media advert extolling the simple truth about the value of a Christmas card.

In addition to its big-name Make This Christmas Incredibublé commercial, Asda released a 20-second video clip showing a young girl and her dad making the trip to a store to give careful thought to selecting a special festive card for her mum.

The video shows the youngster writing her message then leaving the card out for her mum to find when she returns home late at night from work in a nurse’s uniform - and mum opens it to a voiceover saying “To mummy, merry Christmas, thank you for being my hero” bringing tears to her eyes, with a final line saying “it’s more than a card, it’s a feeling”.

Indie retailer, Sarah Laker of Stationery Supplies in Marple and Wilmslow initiated a ticketed Write Before Christmas event which was a sell out.

“The aim was to bring people together to write their cards,” explained Sarah. The event took place at Butterleys, a new local café and included mulled wine, homemade Christmas cake with Wensleydale cheese, sparkly pens sponsored by Pentel and washi tape to decorate the envelopes sponsored by Stone Marketing.

All attendees received a goodie bag too with Christmas cards donated by Paper Salad, washi tape and sparkly pens, and vouchers for both Sarah’s shops and the café.

“I was impressed how everyone got on with the task of writing and how quickly the piles of cards mounted up - and I've already been asked if we’re doing it again for 2024!” said Sarah.

(See pages 69 and 71 for more of Sarah’s initiatives)

The idea for the video came about when Asda asked UK Greetings, its category broker for greeting cards to help facilitate some special Christmas card marketing, to showcase the emotive story when selecting, sending and receiving a Christmas card.

The UKG team had no hesitation is getting involved, especially as the idea and execution really resonates for this year as part of the industry’s whole Cardmitment campaign.

Commenting Emma Kitching, product manager of UK Greetings told PG: “We worked with Leeds-based Manto Films to create a video which told an emotive story showcasing the thought that goes into selecting the perfect card for a loved one and the positive feeling it creates for the person opening it. We also wanted to increase awareness of our category and encourage shoppers to buy Christmas cards. We are delighted with what was produced as it encapsulates the feeling of sending and receiving cards.”

Far left: Picking the right Christmas card is a big decision.

Left: The Asda video showed how a simple card conveys so much emotion.

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What’s

Q

New in Top Drawer Exhibition

Jan 2024 will be introducing some unique new companies in Row Q these exciting publishers are presenting interesting new designs that are inventive, fun & stylish, as well as historic.

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Row

Q63 Yams

Q74 Tatty Co.

Q81 heraldblack

Q76 Sophia Davenport

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NEWS TOP STORY

Moonpig uplift

Woody’s Gift Packaging Debut Partnership with Stewo offers up to 5m displays Woodmansterne is making a significant move into gift packaging, with a launch which enables the publisher to offer retailers up to a 5-metre planned display of roll wrap, bags, tissue, ribbons, bows and tags as an extension to its W Select programme.

In addition to the 62 SKUs being produced by Woodmansterne, the company has forged a partnership arrangement with Stewo and its UK distributor, Giftwrap UK for a selection of the Swiss-based brand’s products to also be included in the plans, thus broadening the selection.

Andy Paterson, sales director of Woodmansterne describes this wholehearted expansion into gift packaging as a “massively significant step for the company” but something “our retail customers have been asking us to do for the last three or four years.”

As Andy explained, the inaugural range is very much being pitched as a “premium collection in both look and feel with strong eco-credentials.”

The products are graced with designs that are a combination of recognisable licences, namely Emma Bridgewater, Quentin Blake and Sanderson as well as some of Woodmansterne’s key in-house brands,

Left: Woodmansterne has extended into licensing partnership with Emma Bridgewater into gift packaging.

Below left: Woodmansterne’s plastic-free roll wraps, include a kraft pull down tab.

Below: A W Select 5m display. There is no flat wrap included.

such as Peach & Prosecco and Mambo.

All the Woodmansterne products are 100% paper and plastic-free. The roll wrap is protected by a paper sleeve which can be opened using a pull down kraft tab, the giftbag handles are made from woven paper, the tissue paper and gift tag multipacks come in kraft paper packaging with the tags themselves fastened using paper string.

Having launched in 2012, Woodmansterne’s W Select programme now supplies over 300 retail rooftops with greeting cards. The hope is that many of these will extend their relationship with a commitment to the W Select Gift Packaging service, with a number of different sizes of planned displays on offer, from 5m down to 2m, including both Woodmansterne and Stewo products in one delivery and invoice.

The first displays will go into stores from the beginning of April.

An uplift in both sales and profit was the headline news from Moonpig’s half-year results with revenue climbing 6.5% to £152.1m, and adjusted pre-tax profits rising to £20.8m.

“Our focus on technology is driving this growth,” ceo Nickyl Raithatha said, “underpinned by our resilient, profitable and cash generative business model, leveraging our unique use of data to drive customer loyalty.”

The group’s trading performance for the six months to 31 October was underpinned

by Moonpig’s online greeting card and gift offer, which grew revenue year-on-year by 4.9%, and has “consistently delivered growth at a mid-single digit percentage rate in recent months” according to Nickyl.

New features include Moonpig Plus subscriptions, which drives order frequency while nearly four million customers have used the online operator’s card creativity features, including video and audio messages, stickers for the inside of cards, emojis, flexible photographs, moveable text boxes and AI-driven customised messages.

Below: Moonpig’s ceo Nickyl Raithatha is pleased with the group’s performance.

Cardies Join Harrogate Christmas & Gift Hallmark Cards and Ling Design/GBCC will be among the exhibitors at the Harrogate Christmas & Gift 2024 show, which will be returning to the Harrogate Convention Centre from 14-17 January 2024.

“There has been unprecedented demand for exhibition space at the 2024 show,” confirms show organiser Simon Anslow, with over 30 companies showing for the first time.

Publisher lends a hand to young posties The cost of postage was not an obstacle to sending Christmas cards in the Hertfordshire town of Harpenden as a group of Cub Scouts, their parents and volunteers joined forces to deliver thousands of cards for free – and card publisher Heather Trefusis of Heather Trefusis Art and her son were among those to lend a hand. And this year’s Christmas card haul is something of a ‘special delivery’ as it marks the 40th anniversary of this altruistic service.

The founder of Heather Trefusis Art helped her local Cub Scout group sort and hand deliver exactly 3,993 Christmas cards in and around Harpenden the mid weekend in December, accompanied by son Leo and pooch Albie.

“It was an amazing thing to be a part of,” Heather said, “I was so pleased to be able to help out. There was a fantastic atmosphere among the volunteers throughout the weekend. We all know how meaningful it is to receive cards at Christmas."

Volunteers collected cards from local care homes, churches and individuals in the run up to the weekend before sorting them into piles by location, before the cards were hand-delivered on December 17 all around the Hertfordshire town.

Left: Heather, Leo and pooch Albie enjoyed their delivery rounds.

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NEWS TOP STORY

Sad Loss of Derek Hanley Shock at sudden death of industry stalwart The greeting card community is still reeling from the shock news of the death of industry veteran, Derek Hanley who suffered a fatal heart attack while at the gym, aged 70.

Loved by all who had Above: The industry doffs its cap to lovely man, Derek Hanley. the pleasure to know Above right: Derek Hanley (left) with PG’s Warren Lomax. wide, over many decades. him, Derek had a long and varied career in PG’s joint owner Warren Lomax and the greeting card and giftwrap industry long-time friend of Derek’s commented: “I and will be sorely missed by so many. still can’t believe lovely Derek has gone.

His industry career spanned over 40 My heart goes out to his lovely partner, years, notably working for giftwrap leaders Ela, his family and friends. Trade shows Italpapers and Collage, where he worked will not be the same without his larger with his brother Bill. Derek also worked for than life presence.”

International Greetings, Pigment and As Ben Hickman, co-founder of latterly was a freelance sales manager for Brainbox Candy summed up: “Such a the Unique Paper Company. huge loss to the industry, we shall really Charming, funny, and hard-working, miss him. He gave us so much time, Derek was always there to help anyone in encouragement and we shared some need. An incredible networker, his serious laughs.” friendships in the trade spread far and

The art of marketing

Top: Kate Leach is delighted that her own creations under her Essoldo Design brand are now being published on cards by Woodmansterne Publications.

Above: Kate’s book is due out in March.

Kate Leach, Woodmansterne’s head of marketing had a “pinch me” moment recently when she popped into her local garden centre, Ayletts Nursery in St Albans and saw her very own greeting card designs in the Woodmansterne greeting card display for the first time, fanfaring her own brand, Essoldo Design. Not only that but her Ebb & Flow inaugural fabric collection, produced under licence

by US company, Windham Fabrics has seen orders placed for 48,000 yards while pre-orders for her book, Creative Abstract Watercolour, published by David & Charles is already rising up the book charts, even though it is not on sale until March.

“It all started back in lockdown when, sick of making banana bread I brushed the dust off an old watercolour set that had been unused for 20 years and started painting,” reveals Kate, who did a degree in textile design and surface pattern, but whose career has been in marketing and retail, having joined Woodmansterne almost six years ago to head up the publisher’s marketing.

“I have absolutely no intention of giving up my day job!” assures Kate, “Working at Woodmansterne is incredibly inspiring. I just love being around the studio and have learned so much from watching the experts at work. I also feel incredibly lucky that Seth [Woodmansterne, md] has allowed me to work four days a week to enable me to spend one day on my passion project of Essoldo Design.”

The six everyday Essoldo greeting card designs are part of Woodmansterne’s latest release.

“I still can’t quite believe this is happening to me. I started my working life as a graduate trainee at John Lewis, working in the stationery and greeting card department of its Watford store and now I have cards featuring my designs on sale in its stores! It is all like a rather lovely dream come true,” admits Kate.

IC&G’s seeing is believing Believe’ is the new mantra for International Cards & Gifts’ Christmas 2024 campaign. The publisher has taken on the theme of the Polar Express movie (in which children about to stop believing in Father Christmas are taken on an adventure), for its launch, and there’s a big believe carrot now being dangled in front of indie greetings retailers.

IC&G is set to place one golden Believe ticket in a random order when it starts shipping Christmas 2024 and, once claimed, the publisher will visit and measure up to design and supply a oneof-a-kind point-of-sale kit to help that customer promote the season within their store.

“We’ll also be looking to use the Believe strapline throughout the year,” revealed Allen Taylor, IC&G sales director who dressed up in a full Polar Express conductor costume at the sales team launch.

“We’ll also have similar golden ticket promotions, such as find a Believe golden ticket in your Mother’s Day order and you’ll receive your order free of charge,” he added.

A £100 credit will also be given to retailers where a golden ticket is found in an everyday order delivery, and working is underway on a Believe promotion that will be exclusive to Cardgains buying group members.

Above: Barley Bear had help from the Polar Express conductor Allen Taylor, as well as IC&G sales manager Simon Harper and head of creative, Amanda Miles Above right: Golden tickets are at the heart of the Believe campaign.

Right: The IC&G 2024 collection was unveiled at the sales meeting.

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NEWS TOP STORY

89-year-old Uncle Ronnie is a video star

The #Cardmitment Campaign Smashes All Expectations

Family is top of the pops at Christmas and it’s the older relatives who really love the connections made at that time of year, so Pigment introduced Uncle Ronnie to the world.

He’s the 89-year-old star of a video that went viral on social media, which shows how his day was made when he received a festive card from his great-niece Katie Ibbotson, account manager at Pigment.

The video follows Katie picking, writing and posting her card, and shows lovely Uncle Ronnie at home alone when the letterbox rattles as the postie makes a delivery, and his delight when his great-niece follows up with a personal visit.

“We wanted to put together this short homemade film to highlight the importance of connection, especially at Christmas,” explained senior product manager Alicia Atkinson. “We hope it shows the genuine impact the simple act of sending a card can have.

MPs, media and card community’s engagement wins through The festive spirit has always been part of the greeting card industry but this year it’s been off the scale, really making its mark with the #Cardmitment campaign at retail, Caring At Christmas initiative, MPs’ visits and in throughout the media.

Up in Lancashire, Sir Jake Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, had a visit from Tracey Colliston, of Ginger Betty, Middlemouse Group’s Bec Wright, and sales agent Sarah Reynolds to get his support for the #Cardmitment campaign.

“We’re all passionate about the card industry,” Sarah said, “and wanted to highlight the importance of the physical greeting card and the wonderful tradition we have, particularly here in the UK, of sending cards and the joy it brings to receive a card.

“That someone has bought a card, sat down to write it, put a stamp on and posted it is something wonderful in itself… a little bit of analogue in a fastpaced digital world…how wonderful to be Above: (left-right) Middlemouse’s Bec Wright, agent Sarah Reynolds and Ginger Betty’s Tracey Colliston got a #Cardmitment pledge from MP Sir Jake Berry.

Above right: Harry Wallop’s article in The Times.

thought special enough to be sent a card!”

On the media front, there has been something of a flurry.

For example, Brits’ love for the joy of a Christmas card made it into The Times, where consumer journalist and broadcaster Harry Wallop penned a column confirming “the humble Christmas card has not had its day”.

Harry relayed how in the last few years the number of Christmas cards he received had dwindled so much that he had disbanded with the practice of displaying them on string around the family sitting room.

“Cards, I speculated, had gone the way of telephone directories and physical photograph albums: killed off by the internet, the cost of anything printed on paper and the rise of social media. Plus, privatised Royal Mail making a single postage stamp more expensive than a box of mince pies.

Surely no one can afford the luxury of sending a festive missive? Weirdly this year, though, we have been sent tons.

The string has been re-hoisted.”

Harry ended with a greeting card industry-boosting: “I’m prepared to bet that Christmas cards will survive for generations to come.”

TV hit from Caroline Gardner and Graphite Creative Greeting card publisher Caroline Gardner Publishing and specialist printer Graphite Creative, flew the festive flag for the industry, featuring in a very positive Channel 5 programme, entitled Secrets Of The Christmas Factory which was broadcast on December 15.

Both companies played their part in telling the greeting card part of the nation’s Christmas celebrations story.

Caroline Gardner, who founded the eponymous publishing business 30 years ago explained how the publisher whittles a 200 possible Christmas designs down to a final 65, taking on board the nation’s tastes, which Caroline says are “actually really traditional” when it comes to festive greetings.

As well as covering the significant sums raised for charity, Meningitis Now by the sale of the cards, the film footage showed the care and attention that goes into every Christmas card Caroline Gardner publishes, even down each one being hand-folded “to give them a bit more spring,” according to Caroline.

As well as showing the processes involved in the printing of the cards, Graphite’s director Andrew Potton relayed their sustainable credentials.

Below: Uncle Ronnie and Katie.

Danilo scores for Arsenal!

Using its fancy footwork to turn around a new licensed product in whistlestop time has not only led Danilo to produce a winning calendar, but also saw it score an award from Arsenal football club.

The honour came at the recent Arsenal FC 2023 licensee day, held recently at the club’s Emirates Stadium.

“We won the award this year for the Arsenal FC Women’s 2023 A3 Calendar,” licensing director Dan Grant told PG. “It’s one of only a few product lines specifically developed for the Arsenal Women’s FC merchandise range and Danilo is very proud to have been able to support the team as we see women’s football growing in popularity every year,” Making the award even more special it was presented to the Danilo team by Faye White, a former Arsenal Women’s FC and England Women’s captain.

The publisher is expanding its range of women’s football calendars and greeting cards, with the 2024 range including products for four teams – Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs and England.

Right: Caroline Gardner did a fabulous job of promoting Christmas cards in the Channel 5 programme.

Above: Dan Grant and Danilo designer Steph Brown (right) collected the award from Faye White.

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NEWS TOP STORY

Ilona adds a retail draw to Brighton

Top Drawer’s Newness RetailFest, Business Hub and trends galore A larger show, brand Spotlight awards, the return of RetailFest, Business Hub and a trends feature area, are just some of the highlights visitors can expect when they head for the Top Drawer Spring/Summer trade show that takes place at Above: RetailFest will see various retail names take to the stage.

London’s Olympia cover branding, buying, visual Right: Summer Solstice is one of the 14-16 January. merchandising, PR and more, with trends that will be showcased, “There will be more combining the spiritual and folkloric visitors able to book free one to with sustainability. newness than ever, one 20 minute appointments with big name brands from home and abroad an expert to discuss a current challenge or and top quality insight,” promises show their new mtove for their business or manager David Westbrooke. product. Appointments can be booked in The hottest trends will also be on advance via the website display courtesy of Top Drawer’s show (www.topdrawer.co.uk/business-hub). partner The Better Trends Company, Among the greeting card brands showcasing what’s going to be exhibiting include Caroline Gardner, influencing consumer habits in 2024.

Raspberry Blossom, Earlybird Designs, The Business Hub will see industry Cath Tate Cards, Ohh Dear, I Drew experts on hand across all three days of This and Penguin Ink. the show. The line-up of experts will (See Innovations pages 59-63)

Alison’s back Alison Graham has joined Clarion Retail, where she will spearhead the commercial team on flagship trade show Home & Gift. Alison joins having spent over two decades working at Spring and Autumn Fair and more recently on logistics event, Deliver, bringing a wealth of experience and contacts to the role.

Left: Alison Graham’s back in the trade.

Ohh Deer’s mega 2024 kick off Some 400 new products, a host of new licences, an innovative rollwrap sustainable solution, completely fresh premium stationery brand, a relaunch of its Riso Prints side as well as an upgraded tree planting scheme, Ohh Deer is kicking off the new year with a bang.

“This is what happens when you get Jamie heading up our product again!” md Mark Callaby laughed about his partner and fellow company founder Jamie Mitchell.

The publisher and online retailer is expanding its ecological footprint, including through a new planting a tree with product sales scheme.

Mark said: “We used to plant trees via Papergang [its former B2C side] and donated enough to plant more than 150,000 trees via TreeAid through its lifetime. With Papergang now closed we wanted to find a way to introduce it to our wholesale audience, so now we're planting trees for every sale of card packs, roll wrap and our riso prints.”

Its move into roll wrap has long been on the company’s wishlist, and finding a sustainable solution, was the clincher.

“The nifty little tear strip for easy opening is plastic-free and it's

Publisher I Drew This has opened its own bricks and mortar store in Brighton’s North Laines.

“It was the shop unit that sparked the idea,” said Ilona Above: Ilona Drew Drew, founder of the business. “It has a fantastic with her new shop. location, surrounded by a lot of stylish and colourful businesses, and I daydreamed to my friend about how it would make a lovely shop – and now it’s happened!”

The shop, which largely focuses on Ilona’s own paintings, cards and gifts, opened just in time to clinch a few weeks of Christmas trade.

Georgina Fihosy in the spotlight Georgina Fihosy, founder of AfroTouch Design reached the finals of the recent Precious Awards, a long running annual awards programme run in association with Santander, which put the spotlight firmly on women of colour as entrepreneurs and leaders.

Georgina was one of three finalists in the Creative Business Of The Year category.

“It was an amazing evening, and a room Above: Georgina Fihosy (right) filled with inspirational women with Jessica Huie of colour across different MBE at the industries” Georgina told PG Precious Awards.

“I met Jessica Huie MBE, who opened the first doors for black British greeting card publishers back in 2007 with Color Blind Cards, and showed there was space on the High Street for cards with images that reflected our community. For my business to be recognised in this space was an honour and I left the event filled with gratitude and joy.”

much neater than wrap clasps and we know that it works a treat,” explains Mark.

Ohh Deer will be showing its brand new luxe stationery brand Kaleido on its stand at Top Drawer as well as its revised Riso Prints collection, produced on the company’s own risograph machine each coming with a premium backing board made from GF Smith that is made from seaweed.

Eight new licences feature in the Ohh Deer line up, namely Party Mountain Paper, Makingshit, Abigolucky, Ashkahn, Emily Taylor, Diane Hill, Anisa and Suzy Ultman.

Below left: Ohh Deer’s Jamie Mitchell (left) and Mark Callaby with one of the company’s new plastic-free roll wraps.

Below: The Kaleido collection is Ohh Deer’s luxe stationery brand with trees being planted as a result of its sale.

FOR THE LATEST NEWS VISIT PGBUZZ.net PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 25

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NEWS TOP STORY

The Light Fund raises £125,000 AFunds see 25 charity projects go ahead in 2024 Industry charity The Light Fund raised an raise awareness of prostate cancer, paying impressive £125,000 in 2023 which is for a chicken farm for an orphanage in being put to very good use funding 25 Kenya, an incubator for premature babies different charity projects in 2024, in a UK hospital, a helping men, women and children wheelchair for a across the world. disabled child and “We can’t thank everyone enough information for their generosity support for those and support for The with Crohn’s and Light Fund this year, Colitis are just meaning we have some of the ways raised over the charity’s 2023 £125,000 for total will be used. charities meaning 25 The beneficiary very worthwhile charities for 2023 charity projects which will go ahead in are Acorns 2024,” said Trevor Jones, chairman of Children’s Above left: The Light Fund celebrates The Light Fund, which was coHospice, Birth years in 2024 – having raised over founded by PG directors Jakki Brown 20 Trauma £2.2million.

Above: Belly Button’s Rachel Hare and Ian Hyder together with some Association, Bone (right) and Michelle Hindle (left) likeminded folk from the greeting card presented a cheque for over £8,000 Cancer Research and licensing industries back in 2004. to PG’s Jakki Brown for The Light Trust, Bowel Fund recently.

As Jakki added: “It is wonderful that Cancer UK, The through the raffles at The Retas, The Brain Tumour Charity, Brain Tumour Henries and generous donations from Support, Breast Cancer Now, Bromley those in the industry, including over Brighter Beginnings, CALM, Challenge £8,000 from Belly Button Designs as a Africa, Crohn’s & Colitis, Dogs for Good, result of sales of its Christmas cards, that Maggie’s, Motor Neurone Disease we are able to fund such a great diversity Association, MS-UK, New Life Special of charity projects, many of which were Care Babies, Orchid, Pancreatic Cancer put forward by those in the greeting UK, Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s card community”.

Charity, Shelterbox, The Sick Children’s Funding a helpline for cancer sufferers, Trust, UK Men’s Sheds Association, providing an assistance dog for an autistic Whizz-Kidz, Winston’s Wish and child, covering the costs of a roadshow to Young Minds.

Run wabbit run...a marathon every month in 2024 Jai Whitehouse is to live up to the old ‘run Wabbit run’ song as the captain of the Lil Wabbit card publishing ‘ship’ is getting all psyched up for a mammoth sporting challenge.

Despite never having completed a full marathon, Jai is planning to run one every month in 2024 to raise money for StreetVet, the publisher’s favourite charity, which supports the pets of people experiencing homelessness in the UK. Lil Wabbit founder and director of happiness Georgi Doig and her partner Jai already work with StreetVet as their most popular collection features paintings of the charity’s real patients with a photo and paragraph on the back outlining each animal’s story and the care received.

Now they’re aiming to add to the £8,000 already donated to StreetVet with funds raised by Jai’s marathon efforts.

UKG’s on the ball with the Terriers UK Greetings is getting on the ball with Huddersfield Town FC in a new partnership aimed at creating excitement for the football club’s fans.

The link came after UKG was crowned as one of the top companies and employers in the Kirklees area in an event at the Terriers’ John Smith’s Stadium sponsored by the club.

The publisher’s ceo Ceri Stirland said: “We Above: Ceri Stirland are working on a new with Terriers’ club partnership ambassador Andy Booth during the with Huddersfield Town, visit to UKG. to see if we can Below: The club’s collaborate on products mascot is a terrier – taken from the and activities that would town’s coat of arms. create excitement for Huddersfield Town fans, and further build our brand in our community.”

Ceri and the team welcomed a number of visitors from Huddersfield Town to UKG’s Dewsbury headquarters to progress the discussions.

Asperations for The Ecofriendly Card Co’s anniversary As part of its 30-year anniversary celebrations The Eco-friendly Card Company is partnering with local autism charity Asperations to fund an art therapist to work with children.

Director Sue Morrish decided to mark the art card publisher’s three decades with the link after finding out the charity was threatened with closure through a BBC Spotlight TV appeal when all its grant funding had dried up.

The Devon-based publisher has now provided funding for a new art therapist who is based in a quiet room working with small groups on arts and crafts for the small charity, which provides support for parents, siblings and children with autism, ADHD, Asperger’s, and learning disabilities.

Below: Sue Morrish at an Asperations session discovering art is great therapy.

Right: Jai completing the Brighton half-marathon earlier this year.

Far right: One of Lil Wabbit’s StreetVet Christmas designs.

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OVER THE

COUNTER

BY DAVID ROBERTSON OF JP POZZI, ELGIN AND BUCKIE.

With Christmas and 2023 now in the rear view mirror, we can embrace the Year of the Dragon. People born in the Year of the Dragon typically symbolise authority, prosperity, and good luck. They are known for their captivating presence, unique personalities, and strong leadership skills. Sadly, I was born in the Year of the Tiger!

However, I actually think 2024 should be renamed the Year of the Jellycat as so many of us indie retailers have relied on the incredible sales performance of this brand and all we can hope is that this will be repeated in the year ahead.

Inset: David will be embracing the Year of the Dragon showing his tiger stripes.

Unleash The Dragon…

We ended 2023 on a positive note. Sales were strong, customers old and new, found us and although costs continue to spiral there was a buzz in those last few months of the year.

January is always a time for reflection as well as for stepping forward with exciting shows and new products.

Looking back 2023 was difficult for me personally because of a number of decisions I made in 2022. One thing that is really clear was how well supported I was by family and friends to come through the challenges. I am sure many of you reading would also have been lost without help and guidance.

Business can be a lonely

place so having a network that has your back regardless is invaluable.

Running your own business takes guts and a certain level of belief. A big highlight for me a few weeks ago was to see my mum awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Moray Chamber of Commerce.

In truth she is and always has been the strength and driver of our business. My dad and I were ‘the carriers’ doing the less glamorous side of the work, but my mum has always had the right touch.

She finds the different products or makes something look and feel different. You can’t learn that. She will be celebrating her 80th birthday this year, yet she still shapes so much of what is good about our business.

Another element of my retrospective of 2023 is to acknowledge the brilliant fight from so many publishers, retailers and the GCA to reach out to people about Far left: Jellycat’s products were a massive revenue generator for many indies in 2023, JP Pozzi included.

Left: David’s mum and business partner, Lynda was recognised for her business and community contribution by the Moray Chamber of Commerce.

28 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

greeting cards in support of the #Cardmitment campaign.

A greeting card can and does make a huge difference.

While the inaugural thrust of #Cardmittment was focused on Christmas cards, in real terms we do need to continue to remind people to send cards throughout the year.

I am proud that I have definitely sent more cards in the past year. My own personal tick box is that I have sent many new businesses a good luck card even if I don’t know the owners as I feel that I want to encourage new business.

This may sound a bit cheesy, but I still have the good luck cards from when we opened Bijou all those years ago and I am proud of them.

My own Christmas card sending still needs to improve and it is again on the 2024 to do list. I really need to plan in that Festive Friday date like so many of you did.

It is hard to believe that we are four years on from Covid yet we are literally still feeling the effects. The media has been filled with coverage of the questioning of key elected representatives from that time. As I listen to the way they acted, the language they used,

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OVER THE COUNTER

the money that was wasted (that we are all paying for in our lives and in our businesses right now), it makes me so angry.

I have lost faith in politicians as they never listen to what we are telling them. I am not sure if these Covid enquiries will achieve anything except to show that politicians don’t really get what living a normal life is about. I understand totally for those that who have lost loved ones that they want a degree of accountability, but will they get it?

I am lucky to spend time with so many talented business people who are far more knowledgeable than I am. They work across so many sectors, from manufacturing to whisky to housebuilding and I have learned so much from them.

In many cases other businesses can simply add their increased costs to their end product. They can absorb the new wage increases, but how do we find another 9.8% in April? They hide their spiked electric or gas costs in their products which will still sell.

Let’s get real. Retail and hospitality can’t do that.

In general, there is a limit to what people will pay for a greeting card and a gift. There is a limit to what people will pay for a drink or a night out, unless of course they are in a fortunate position where it doesn’t really matter.

Online has and will continue to keep our prices down and there is a worrying trend of many manufacturers now selling direct to the consumer and this leads to all kinds of silly pricing/sales and general confusion.

There is always someone out there who will sell the product cheaper than you and with the rules as they stand, high street retail doesn’t compete on a level playing field with online.

At present the difference between Scotland and England on rates and so many other aspects affects our ability to trade. How can that be fair? Promises have been made for years to look at business rate reform, but the powers that be simply can’t afford to or don’t want to mess with them.

In hospitality we pay the highest rate of VAT out of all the European countries, yet our Government can’t see that dropping it to 12.5% would stimulate and protect so many businesses and jobs. They won’t even listen to that argument as they need the income to

Right: David, Nicola and Hudson Robertson in the Christmas spirit.

Far right: Sportwear company Adidas, was founded by the German cobbler Adi Dassler, whose elder brother Rudolph founded Puma.

pay for their mistakes.

The deeper you dig the more you realise just how things are imbalanced and geared towards the big corporations.

My mantra is you can’t complain if you don’t get involved, but I am tired of turning up and trying to make sense of certain things for common sense not to prevail.

So, what do we do? Well, a few weeks ago I saw a list of when certain businesses started, including…

• Henry Ford, Ford Motor Company 1940 • Adi Dassler, Adidas -1948 • James Robertson, Pozzi Ltd -1952 • Harland Saunders, KFC - 1962 There were many others on the list and I am pretty sure you can see which one I added in! At the bottom of the list was a simple sentence: ‘You’re not behind, you’re just one decision away…’

So, let’s put the negativity of Covid and frustrations at things we can’t control firmly behind us and move Left: Mel Robins and her book the ‘5 Second Rule’ has inspired millions, including Mr Robertson.

Below: One of the messages from the 5 Second Rule.

forward into this new year full of opportunity.

The phrase ‘you are one decision away’ is often attributed to Mel Robins and her book the ‘5 Second Rule’. The 5 Second Rule, and the High 5 Habit which was the follow up, is all about self-reflection. The books were born from a TED Talk given by Mel in 2013 which has been viewed over 31 million times on YouTube. Mel believes that the

challenge in life is not knowing what you want to do as that can and may change many times. The secret is knowing how to make yourself do it.

She proposes that you need to learn to have that mindset to move forward rather than stick where you are. She argues that if you have an instinct to act you must physically move towards it within five seconds or your brain will kill it.

So, if you want to break a bad habit or interrupt that negative voice in your head simply use her rule to break through the hesitancy.

When you feel yourself delaying doing something you know needs to be done, simply count backwards “5-4-3-2-1- let’s go”.

Putting that into a practical situation, if you decide you are going to go for a run, do the countdown and get those shoes on!

Don’t give your mind time to think it’s cold or raining.

The book makes lots of interesting points and gives real examples of people who have done what the author is advocating.

For me there were some great takeaways for life as well as business and I am going to try my best to implement these where I can.

Firstly, go the extra mile. As Mel says, due to the lack of people willing to do it, it is never crowded. This is something we all should do and is something I actually enjoy doing as the bare minimum never really satisfies.

Secondly, never underestimate the power of decision. Reflect - decide - act. Be decisive and do that when you are fresh, well-slept and are thinking clearly. Too many of us try to cram too many things into a day and that is when mistakes are made.

Finally, the easy bit. Just do it. Don’t overthink. Don’t delay and don’t be like our politicians.

Wishing you all a successful 2024 and beyond. Remember you are just one To contact David email: jppozzi@btconnect.com PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 29

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Nostalgia…

Ain’t What It Used To Be

Cardsharp is not really one to look back. He prefers to live in the present and look to the future. But it seems, nostalgia is not what it used to be!

Having said that while contemplating a subject to discuss, he realised that this month’s column means he has been scribing his rubbish under Max Publishing’s ownership for a third of a century!

Given that the start of any new year is a time to look both back and forward, Cardsharp indulged himself with a few reflections.

January 1991 was the first edition of PG under Max Publishing’s ownership, and Cardsharp appeared as part of the line-up.

The cartoon Cardsharp character has appeared in every column since, often disguised in different garbs, although funnily enough, unlike the real Cardsharp, he has not physically aged at all. The character was originally drawn by designer Steve HeathSmith, then one of PG’s designers. Ironically recently PG got to know Steve’s niece, Tori Heath-Smith who was blissfully unaware of her uncle’s heritage, and was a greeting card buyer with Paperchase and is now

heading up the card buying at Scribbler.

Thinking back, some columns came easier than others. During the 1990s as the industry was growing rapidly, there was never a shortage of issues to write about. It was a period of acquisitions with Hallmark and American Greetings seemingly snapping up every medium sized publisher that moved. Or the rise and rise of Clintons where the chain expanded from around 100 stores to over 700. But the period was not without its spectacular failures. The collapse of the iconic Athena chain in 1996, perhaps echoed more by the demise of the likes of Paperchase.

Above: Cardsharp can turn back the pages of the industry’s history book.

Left: There was a time when Clintons’ orange fascia reigned supreme.

Right: Andrew Brownsword (far left) with some Forever Friends bears and their creator Deborah Jones (front) back in the day when the Sunday Times Rich List included several cardies.

30 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

In hindsight, the 1990s really were the boom years. Many of contemporaries of Cardsharp, both on the retail and publishing side, have commented him that if we knew what a good time it was then, we would have made more of it.

Some did! These days you don’t find any cardies in the Sunday Times Top 500 Rich List, nowadays its full of techies, property magnates and a huge amount of wealth based on inheritance. But back then you had Andrew Brownsword, of Forever Friends fame in the top 30, plus Don Lewin, founder of Clintons, Ron Wood founder of the Birthdays retail chain, and Simon Elvin (more of him later) in the top 100, along with many retail magnates. It was really the golden age of bricks and mortar retailing and a period where margins on

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Right: An example of Royal Mail’s ‘I greeting cards, for both publishers and saw this and thought of you’ ad campaign that was very prominent in retailers were mouth-wateringly large. the early 90s.

But nature abhors a vacuum, and the rise Below right: Cheers’ Cliff Clavin postman character was a stoic of discount retailers, firstly Birthdays and supporter of US Mail.

Card Warehouse, and then Card Factory, with the latter’s ground-breaking vertical in support of the greeting card integration model already starting to prick industry, running high profile this bubble as the millennium approached. press and TV campaigns to Then came the rise and rise of the encourage sending. Even when supermarkets’ greeting card market share. the need for new sorting Added to this was the arrival of world wide technology became apparent it worked with web, texting, emails, internet shopping, the the Greeting Card Association to minimise financial crisis, Brexit and Covid in the disruption both to the trade and the noughties and the teenies. consumer, and agreed not to penalise square Since then, Cardsharp’s columns have cards as happened in Germany, even though sometimes had a more sombre tone. It has the cost of sorting them was more often been more about challenges and threats expensive. Cardsharp doubts such a victory to our industry, rather than the victories. One would be claimed by the card industry if it of the recent most egregious examples was to happen now, despite all the GCA’s featured Marks and Spencer, itself a major valiant efforts. retailer of greeting cards, broadcasting a The writing on the wall (or should that be Christmas advert depicting Christmas cards ‘letter on the wall?’) started in 2015 when being incinerated by the government privatised a blowtorch at the Royal Mail. Since then hands of celeb the drive for profits has Sophie Ellis-Bextor. taken over from notion of With friends like service to the community. these, who needs The legal obligation for a enemies?! six-day universal service But we, the industry is still here Above: Cardsharp’s column in and is now worth December 2015 was all about the ‘new British Empire’ and how the £1.5 billion in UK became supreme in culture annual sales, which and arts, citing heavy metal band Black Sabbath’s rise in the 1970s Cardsharp reckons as well as greeting cards as examples of this! is probably three Right: Birthdays was a great to Card Factory. times higher than its forerunner Below: Who knows what the the future will bring for Cardsharp to value was in 1991, write about. although admittedly that does not account for inflation. and letters and cards themselves seem to be Thinking back, the Royal Mail has often seen by Royal Mail senior management as a been very prevalent in Cardsharp’s columns, horrid inconvenience that is best ignored. having undergone a transformation from Contrast that with the publicly owned US hero to villain. As a state-owned organisation mail service, which although loses $billions back in the 1990s, Royal Mail was generous every year, is still imbued with a sense of service and duty. Cliff Clavin, the Postie barfly in the long running sitcom, Cheers, who bores people stupid with his love and devotion of the US mail service, was a stereotype but an accurate one.

Moving on, Cardsharp recalls that WHSmith has been a frequent presence in the column. In 1991 it was the joint largest retailer of

greeting cards, and despite criticisms, frequent and doomed dabbling in expanding into card shops, it is still around as a major greeting card retailer. True it is not nearly as strong in the market as it was then, but this retail institution, that traces its origins back to Victorian times, has survived where Athena, Paperchase, Birthdays and Woolworths among others have gone pop!

And in a quiet month, Cardsharp would often tenuously link some obscure historical, football or music event to a trend in the greeting card industry. Over the years, he has managed to cover the ancient Greek philosopher and founder of Stoicism, Zeno of Citium, the iconic Birmingham heavy metal band, Black Sabbath, and the footballing philosophy of his beloved West Ham United and somehow tenuously link them to greeting cards.

However, some things though have remained constant, throughout that third of a century. An early column, Cardsharp recalls focussed on Simon Elvin, and his eponymous company and its dominant role in the wholesale trade. Some 33 years later, Simon is still at his desk working each and every day, and Simon Elvin Ltd is still the dominant force in an admittedly a much smaller wholesale greeting card sector of the market.

So, what will appear in the next chapter of Cardsharps scribbles? Will our industry still be around? Given the startling rate of technological development who would bet in favour of it. But back in 1991, would anyone have predicted that our industry would be as robust as we are in 2024?

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 31

Visit us at Spring Fair, Stand 3R37

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VIEWPOINTS

The single life?

As PG went to press, the industry was bracing itself for a final full-on festive flurry, with indies doing their utmost to spark those last lucrative Christmas tingles.

The general feedback so far was that Advent sales were off the scale, single cards have been beating pack sales, more niche captions have been grabbed with both hands while the message of sending Christmas greetings second class, at only 75p a pop, had been received loud and clear.

PG joined some indies in the festive throng, in anticipation of a positive Christmas trading crescendo.

Donna Stocks, Beverley Card Company, Beverley Helen and Paul Southgate, co-owners of Cards N General trading observations: Things, Hellesdon “Trade felt slow to start, but overall General trading observations: “Our festive sales so far have been very good.

We’ve been very busy and haven’t seen any drop off in footfall or sales – busier than ever!”

Buying patterns: “We’d say our sales this year so far are 80% single cards and 20% packs and boxes.

Above: Cards N Things went for a Assorted boxes have a higher sell through traditional nativity scene in its shop window. for us over charity packs.

Below: Cuteness abounds when Boris gets into the festive Grandson, grand-daughter and decorations box at Cards N Things. combined relations, such as son and daughter-in law are the most popular for us on the captioned card front while money wallets have also been popular.

We sell both traditional and chocolate advent calendars, but this is a product area where we’ve seen slower sales.”

The impact of postage costs: “We sell stamps, and second class are definitely more popular this year as we aren’t selling nearly as many first class ones. Admittedly a few people have commented about the postage costs, but seemed to be buying similar volumes, with a plan to send them earlier.”

I feel happy with sales so far this year. Lots of specialist cards have sold out and are out of stock with suppliers now.”

Buying patterns: “I believe everyone started early to spread the cost. Our traditional card advent calendars sold out early so we’ll stock more next year.

We’ve found that customers have bought specialist cards a couple at a time.

We’ve found single cards have been very popular in the past few weeks, but boxed cards also have now been selling fiercely.

Charity packs have almost sold out with just a few packs remaining. The quality is good, it helps to make them a good choice.

Top: Donna Stocks’ bestselling On the specialist caption front, Son & singles this year are 3D cards.

Above: A warm welcome Partner, Grandson & Wife and Niece & awaited customers at Beverley Card Company.

Family have been particularly popular this year as well as Granddaughter & Husband and Nephew & family.

Our bestselling single cards this year have been 3D, as we’ve found customers wanting something that is a little different from us this year.”

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 33

THE GLOBAL GREETING CARD GATHERING OF PUBLISHERS, RETAILERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND SUPPLIERS

PG Live has lots of great retailer fans…

“PG Live was SO very good and we came away completely inspired.

Everyone we saw brought their A game to the show. There was lots of inspiration, newness and clear points of difference between the stands. We came en masse as it’s such a great show and we see it as important for everyone to come along to see the publishers and all the new product they have been developing and are on working on.”

Sam Ody, lead buying manager of everyday cards for Tesco

“I really feel that PG Live is absolutely the heart of our industry. It’s our absolute favourite show from both a publisher and retailer perspective. There’s everyone there who I love and want to talk to. We really feel looked after - the free tea and coffee, the free lunch, the drinks in the evening - all of these really make it stand out as a show. This kind of connection and community is absolutely priceless.”

Heidi Early, co-owner of Earlybird Designs in Stoke Newington

SAVE THE DATE Don’t miss PG Live 2024

Tuesday 4 June – Wednesday 5 June Business Design Centre, London +44 (0) 7734 111633 www.progressivegreetingslive.com @PGLiveLondon #pglive2024

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“What a show! We love visiting PG Live, as it always has such a great atmosphere – and this year’s event felt particularly inspiring and there really seemed to be excitement in the air! It was lovely to see so many card publishers under one roof, existing suppliers, as well as discovering some new ones. We came away excited and inspired, with a very long list of highlights – the product standard was so high!”

Hazel Walker, senior buyer of Waterstones

A fabulous exhibitor line-up, from brand new start-ups to well-loved brands An upbeat vibe, newness galore - and free refreshments, lunch and opening night party

CELEBRATING THE BEST IN OUR INDUSTRY – THE PRODUCTS AND THE PEOPLE

Registration is now live at: www.progressivegreetingslive.com

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VIEWPOINTS

Carl Dunne, owner of Cards & Gifts, Dronfield General trading observations: “Christmas trade definitely kicked in at the start of December, but our festive trade is currently down, which is a serious worry. It's weird as the shop is Above: Carl Dunne has gone all out for Christmas – located in an affluent but has a surfeit of chocolate advent calendars. area - Save our High Street, Save independent traders, Shop local is the battle cry!”

Buying patterns: “Singles cards are always going to outsell packs for us, it's the captions. Packs are all well and good for work colleagues or parties where you're just giving them out to all, but the captions on single cards make them special.

I also feel that some of this year’s packs aren't as good as previous years when it comes to style. I think publishers need to have a serious look at redesign for the future and work out how to make cards amazing and more sustainable – ban glitter… I'm sick of vacuuming!

On the charity v generic pack option, people want to give a card that also supports a charity so it makes them feel like they're doing the kind thing at Christmas. While many people have been saying ‘I'm not sending cards this year, I'm going to donate to charity’, we point out they can do that, support retailers and the charity by sending charity cards instead.

Grandparents appear to be going woke! Less of the granddaughter and grandson, and more of grandchild or children – as gender identity finally conquered the silver spenders? It looks like it!”

The advent of advents: “We sell all chocolate Advents and I'm going to get fat on what I have left over! This is a real pain for me as last year I sold out and could have sold 10 more cases so this year I ordered an extra 10 cases alas, my bedroom is filled with 10 cases of advent calendars! I can’t quite figure this one out as I was cheaper than Poundstretcher and Sainsbury’s and was posting on socials constantly. We had the last-minute run on them on the 30th, 1st and 2nd December but I have a lot left over.”

The impact of postage costs: “People are definitely hand delivering more as many customers have said they're sending fewer because of the cost of stamps. I can't believe that Royal Mail isn’t doing something specifically to make sending festive cards cheaper, like a month’s reduction in price or stamps bought in a card shop are cheaper if they are definitely used for Christmas cards, or even Christmas envelopes with lower pre-paid postage.

We do sell stamps but have had to switch to cash only for these as the cost of paying for stamps by debit or credit card actually wipes out the pence of profit due to bank transaction charges. We're about 80% down on last year’s stamp sales while second class stamps are definitely more popular, we've not sold any first class stamps for days!”

Right: Charity cards like these from Ling and Clare Maddicott are customers’ favourites at Cards & Gifts.

Rob Sampson, co-owner of A Stone's Throw, Sherwood General trading observations: “Throughout November, we felt it was perhaps a little quieter than the previous years but, when we did the month end totals, it actually turned out to be our busiest November yet! This is despite the cost-of-living/inflation crisis continuing, so we're obviously doing something right. I'm not quite sure why it felt quieter when Above: The EXiT game advent calendars it clearly wasn't – perhaps it's were a sell-out at A Stone’s Throw. just our brains telling us that it should have been, given the state of things!”

The advent of advents: “We don’t sell chocolate advent calendars at all, but do offer traditional card ones, as well as more interesting options. For the third year in a row we sold out of the EXiT game advent calendars despite increasing our order each year, and Roger la Borde's Pop & Slot advent calendars have done very well for us for the second year on the trot. We'll certainly be looking at other exciting advent calendar options for next year to try to capitalise on this.”

Buying patterns: “Sales of single cards have always been stronger than packs for us, and that's continuing this year – though in roughly the same percentage splits as before so no particular change.

Below: A Stone’s Throw’s Christmas welcome.

We have a lot of charity shops around us so we tend to steer clear of charity packs, instead going for the higher-quality end of the pack market.

One area that's grown for us significantly this year is 3D cards, with people buying Alljoy's Message In A Bottle Christmas cards handfuls at a time, and we'll certainly be on the lookout for more 3D cards when we do our buying next year.

Relations singles have fairly slow thus far, but we're wondering whether some people are buying the 3D cards for special people instead of specific relations cards, something we're trying to keep our eye on.

Another area that has increased for us is the 'Thinking of you at Christmas' type cards for when a Merry Christmas card just isn't appropriate, with a particular mention for cards by Fox Under The Moon – our customers love the sentiment for this type of recipient.”

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 35

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VIEWPOINTS Janet Fowler, owner of Charisma, Sheffield General trading observations: “While our stock deliveries were earlier this year - some arriving in July when we asked for September deliveries - customer spending has been later, making the re-ordering process very difficult indeed. The last push before Christmas has proved very busy in the last couple of years. I am hoping this is the case for 2023 too.”

Buying patterns: “Single cards are selling well for us though we haven’t sold anywhere near as many ‘Across the Miles’ captioned cards this year. Another change is that more customers have been asking for a ‘to the grandchildren’ caption instead of buying individual cards for each grandchild. ‘Both of you’ seems a more popular title this year while sales of individual ‘mum’ and dad’ captioned cards seem to be slowing down.

The Wife captioned cards are always the slowest to sell initially and then we end up selling out so that caption is very last minute – I wonder why?!

People are definitely wanting more charity packs then non-charity. My feeling is there aren’t enough charity boxes available but plenty of cello packs, even though customers are wanting charity cards, sales are down on last year.

The impact of postage costs: “I have heard many customers say that they have been cutting back as a result of postage costs, however, I’m hoping for a last minute surge.”

Above: Real Christmas trees are an added festive sale at Charisma.

Left: Charity packs and boxes from Abacus Cards, Tracks Publishing, Woodmansterne and Nigel Quiney started selling in September in Charisma.

Janet Ross-Jordan, owner of Cards And Gift Wrap, Isle Of Lewis General trading observations: “Our Christmas trade has been very strong. We saw a definite increase in Advent calendar sales. I only sell traditional advent calendars, both full size and cards. Traditional advent calendars are what Christmas memories are made of and I’ve sold a lot more than usual. However, the advent calendar card market is booming with our sales of the card versions outstripping the full size. I think the cost of postage for a small parcel, which most full-size advent calendars fall under, has put many off posting advents. I was worried I’d overstocked but then had to reorder in November.”

Buying patterns: “Both packs and boxes are still selling well, but there’s been a definite shift towards single cards. We’ve seen people sending fewer cards, but more elaborate ones. Meanwhile we've seen a huge increase in sales of single relations cards.

However, while packs of cards might not be what they were years ago, the drive for eco-friendly, quality gift wrapping is on the increase as are creative gifts like jigsaws and craft kits. Christmas pudding chocolate has been very popular!

I've also seen an increase in subscription box sales which has surprised me as these tailed off post-pandemic, but both my gift wrapping and greeting card subscriptions have been making popular gifts this season.

Charity packs have definitely been more popular than Above: Bestsellers for Janet have been Ling’s advent cards and her own Gaelic captions. the generic options. All my Christmas cards are effectively Below: Greetings subscription boxes and own-brand paper tape have sold well at Cards charity cards as I donate a percentage of all festive sales And Gift Wrap. of packs and singles, including advent cards, to my local Western Isles Cancer Care Initiative, who support people living here in the Outer Hebrides with things like transport for someone to accompany them to appointments and treatments on the mainland as the NHS doesn't cover this. As well as sourcing cards from suppliers I actually designed my own Christmas cards this year from which all profits will be going to WICCI. These are available locally in both English and Gaelic.”

The impact of postage costs: “I sell stamps and sales have been slower than previous years. I could write a whole creed on postage stamps and how I think Royal Mail is trying to kill off card sending but that's not what you want for this!

This year's Christmas stamps are beautiful – apart from the barcodes – though it's a shame fewer of them will be dropping on to people's doormats.

I did design some paper tape for wrapping in a postage stamp design with no barcodes and it’s been a real hit. So, while actual postage stamp sales are down, my tape stamp sales are very healthy!”

Chris Beards, co-owner of Mantons, Port Erin in the Isle of Man General trading observations: “Our Christmas sales have been excellent so far, fingers crossed it continues until the 24th. Card sending seems as popular as ever with our customers, although being a card specialist you Above: The Christmas window at Mantons. probably wouldn't visit us if you weren't sending any cards!”

Buying patterns: “We’ve sold far more singles than packs, continuing the pattern of the last few years.

We sell both charity and non-charity packs and find people are more interested in the quality of the cards and the design than supporting a particular charity.

Specialist titles are becoming more popular with our customers. Being a card specialist we’re able to devote a large amount of space to these so our customers expect us to have everything possible. Our same sex couple cards – Brother and Brother-in-Law etc – have proved especially popular this year.”

The impact of postage costs: “The postage system on the Isle of Man is slightly different as we only have one class of stamp, which is priced at 80p.

However, customers do seem to be taking their cards and gifts with them when visiting family and friends rather than posting.”

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 37

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In Conversation with…Graeme Karavis

Inset: Some of the innovative Christmas cards Hallmark has just launched for 2024.

Nine months is the gestation period for a human baby; the same time period PG allowed Graeme Karavis, who joined Hallmark in April, as its new group managing director (responsible for UK, ROI and Australasia) before grilling him on his initial perceptions of the greeting card sector as well as what he sees as his remit, not only for the renowned greeting card publishing group, but for the industry at large.

Making His (Hall)Mark With a career passport crammed with 25 years of ‘stamps’ from FMCG brands, having worked for Coca-Cola, Premier Foods and Tata, last Spring Graeme Karavis took a turn into the sentiment lane, taking on the challenge to make a difference to world’s largest privately-owned greeting card company in the UK and Australia.

Graeme comes across as a someone who is comfortable in his own skin, something put to the test by PG’s editor who unintentionally spilt a glass of water all over him, not once, but twice

during the course of the interview, incidents he brushed off (helped by a couple of absorbent napkins), with an outward easy-going acceptance.

That said, at odds with his natural relaxed persona, as his CV testifies, Graeme knows exactly what is needed in the cut and thrust of business. Yet, you immediately get a sense he is no bluff and bluster merchant; he really wants his Hallmark appointment to work, not just for him personally, but for the company as well as the industry as a whole.

“What attracted me to the role was that What three words would your best friend use to describe you?

Hallmark is a privately“Laidback, approachable and humorous.” owned business, the

Up close and personal

What are three lessons that have stood you in good stead?

“1. To never assume. It was something one of my first bosses taught me.

2. You get what you inspect, not what you expect. You need to look at the whole end to end process.

3. The power of teamwork, both internally and externally, based on trust.”

What did you want to be when you grew up?

“A professional footballer, playing for Arsenal.”

Name three people, dead or alive would you like to have at a dinner party?

“Winston Churchill, someone who knew what was needed at a crucial time; Donald Trump, purely to hear his banter and JK Rowling to challenge him.”

What is your guilty pleasure?

“A bar of Dairy Milk chocolate.”

A magic carpet awaits, where do you want to go?

“To the Alps, to go skiing.”

38 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Below: Graeme Karavis on the Hallmark stand at PG Live in June.

world’s largest privately owned greeting card company, that is rooted in purpose. It is totally committed to perpetuating connections and memories, which is an incredibly powerful legacy of which to be a part,” states Graeme.

He joined Hallmark from Tata, a mega global corporation that is arguably best known for its tea prowess, coincidentally a product which enjoys about the same adult consumer penetration as greeting cards in the UK – of around 93%. Effectively Graeme swopped one product that a vast majority of the adult population ‘consume’ for another – one liquid, the other in paper form. As such Graeme is fully engaged and confident about being involved with a product which plays a privileged and somewhat intimate role in people’s daily lives.

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In Conversation with…Graeme Karavis

Rewarding 285 years of loyalty While Graeme Karavis is a ‘new kid’ on the Hallmark block, nine members of the publisher’s team, were honoured recently for collectively notching up 285 years working for the company.

An annual long-service awards ceremony saw some special Hallmarkers feted for serving 25, 30, 35, and 40 years with the Bradford-based publisher.

The group included Gail McMullen, with four decades at the company; Rose Duffy, Graeme Francis, and Sandra Williams who Left: Graeme Francis have each served for 35 years; it’s been 30 years for Steven (right) collecting his Boyes, and Diane Fishwick; and Mark Boyden has clocked up a long service award from md Graeme quarter century.

Karavis.

“Hallmark is very proud to be able to host the long-service Above: The 2023 Originally working with independent accounts in Hallmark long-service awards every year,” said Graeme Karavis. “To work with such and around London, he stayed in the independent awards recognised dedicated and passionate people is a real privilege. It’s quite rare nine staff with 285 sales division following the business restructure years of loyalty to to have such extensive experience which brought all the companies and brands the company. and length of service within a together under the Hallmark name. company, it’s a real testament to In 2001 Graeme changed roles to work on the re-launch how great it is to work at Hallmark.” of Hallmark Gold Crown in the UK and Ireland and Having begun his tenure at remained as part of the Gold Crown team for 15 years. In erstwhile publisher, Valentine’s of 2020, he moved to the M&S Team where he is currently a Dundee, Graeme Francis said: store trading manager.

“Hallmark has been a great place Asked to pick his favourite all-time Hallmark range, to work over 35 years, with great Graeme highlighted Country Companions for its Above: Country opportunities to develop my career across Companions is “wonderful artwork telling stories about a group of different roles, and travel across the Graeme Francis’ all-time favourite wonderfully drawn characters, there was something UK/ROI and USA.” Hallmark range. quintessentially British and of the moment about it.”

When put on the spot of his early perceptions of the greeting card sector, Graeme admits that while he has always been a fan of greeting cards on a personal level, like so many others joining the industry, he had never realised the complexities of the whole journey from their creation, the logistics of going into retail to the final recipient.

“That old adage, ‘you don’t know what you don’t know’ comes to mind,” he tells PG. “I was amazed by the number of SKUs, the creative thought that goes into the design and production of each card right through to the unique shopper journey of how a greeting card has to work for both for the giver and the receiver.”

Having been to PG Live, the GCA Conference, The Henries as well as other gatherings and meetings, it didn’t take Graeme long to clock that “this is such a friendly industry, everyone is so welcoming. It does seem that the people working in this industry reflect the whole positive ethos of card sending.”

Fresh from a major product launch, fanfaring not just a whole array of greeting cards set to launch in early 2024 but also the latest in Hallmark’s expanding collectable decorations, Graeme is buoyed up for the next chapter in the company’s journey.

As well as playing the lead role in supplying multiples M&S, Co-op and Lidl with greeting cards, Graeme also reveals that Hallmark has a renewed focus on the independent retail sector,

though “the jury’s still out” as to whether this will include a resurrection of the Gold Crown programme. “We have not ruled it out as it is a great way of putting the brand front and centre in the consumer’s mind,” said Graeme.

Graeme explained that there is a “greater focus internally on supporting independents, with specific ranges that appeal to different groups of consumers, both with specific greeting card collections as well as highlighting the opportunities to sell our ornaments, with sales up an incredible 400% over the last year.”

To encourage the pull through from the consumer side, an extensive PR and marketing campaign is underway and bearing fruits, as evidenced by Hallmark ornaments being featured on ITV’s Good Morning breakfast show, a Christmas card article appearing in the Mirror, social media posts gaining traction while clinching support from I’m a Celebrity winner, Sam Thompson is on target to raise Hallmark’s awareness further.

But Graeme fully accepts this is no one horse race and is planning to work more

closely with other publishers and the greeting card community as a whole.

“As came out loud and clear from the GCA Conference, the industry is in a good place, with young people engaged with the sector and the Cardmitment campaign proving successful,” believes Graeme. “The mission has to be to grow the category as a whole.

With Hallmark joining forces with others, both publishers and retailers, I really believe that this is achievable.”

Left: Hallmark’s ornament sales, which included many licensed collections, are up 400% year on year.

Below left: One of the Harry Potter licensed ornaments from Hallmark.

Below: Hallmark’s PR activity saw it clinch a positive article in the Daily Mirror in the run up to Christmas.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 39

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Industry Issue

Collective Strength “Despite the challenges and tribulations for many associated with trading in the cost-of-living crisis, our industry continues to remain robust,” said UKG’s Darren Cave, president of the GCA at the association’s recent Conference and AGM. As he stressed in his inaugural presidential speech, Darren emphasised: “Greeting cards continue to play an important role in helping people to make connections and maintain connections, to show you care, to improve the way that someone is feeling, to share joy and to celebrate.”

Here, in the first of a two part series, Darren and some fellow members of the GCA Council share their views on the industry’s challenges, as well as the opportunities and wishes for the coming year.

Georgina Fihosy, owner and head of creative of AfroTouch Design Opportunity knocks: “I believe the industry has a real opportunity to re-establish its focus on cultural and inclusive designs. I'm looking forward to seeing how publishers and retailers work to create and provide cards that reflect diverse cultures and inclusivity and ensure a broader appeal to a diverse customer base in 2024. I am excited to be working with the Council on this and moving the needle even further over the coming year.”

Key challenges: “I think the economic uncertainty has impacted consumer spending behaviour, reducing discretionary spending on items like greeting cards.

I also think that the growing awareness of environmental issues and topics about sustainability are leading consumers to prefer more eco-friendly options, which in turn is putting more pressure on the industry to adopt more sustainable practices.”

Wishlist for 2024: “I would love it if diversity and inclusion within the industry no longer needed to be discussed because they are embedded and part of our industry's DNA.” Above right: Georgina has joined the GCA Council to help the industry progress on the D&I front.

Right: An AfroTouch Design card which reflect’s Georgina’s Nigerian heritage with a contemporary twist.

Inset: The GCA’s ceo Amanda Fergusson and membership/marketing manager Adriana Lovesy with members of the GCA Council at the recent Conference and AGM.

Sarah Jackson, founder and creative maestro of Stormy Knight Opportunity knocks: “Our industry is focused on something special; greeting cards, that each generate a positivity of feeling. Added to that it has to be a plus, that as a publisher, my biggest competitors are also my best Top: Sarah Jackson friends, with an extraordinary level with some of the Cardmitment posters of support and camaraderie that she created for the comes from this. The GCA is campaign.

Above: Tim Loughton brilliant for facilitating and fostering MP for Shoreham and East Worthing with relationships in the industry, the GCA’s Amanda between publishers, suppliers and Fergusson making his pledge retailers and I personally see lots of Cardmitment to help protect the Royal Mail service. opportunities for growth in the future, despite difficult trading conditions. If you can be creative and unique as well as commercially appealing, then there is still a strong demand for all of our products.”

Key challenges: “The Royal Mail stamp price increases. People still love giving and receiving cards we know this is true, but the stamp increases are creating barriers for people to send as many cards through the post as they may have done previously.

While affecting birthdays and occasions to the same extent, when it comes to Christmas it does now feel harder to send 20/30 cards or more if stamp prices keep increasing. We need to further lobby our government to fight this and cap price increases.”

Wishlist for 2024: “For people to keep supporting their high streets - and for a year where we all just get a little break from Covid/cost-of-living crisis/political turmoil, blah blah blah.”

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 41

INTRODUCING THE SPRING FAIR 4-7th FEB 24

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Industry Issue

Darren Cave, GCA president and UKG’s customer and channel director Opportunity knocks: “In 2023, I feel the GCA represented the interests of our industry and our members better than ever, with a supportive and extremely engaged group of Council members. The recent PR campaigns have been in overdrive and #Cardmitment has seen the whole industry pull together to share the joy of card sending. In 2024, I’d like to see us build on this success with a continued focus on the consumer. Let’s keep banging the drum to remind the British public of the importance of sending a card.”

Maintaining relevance to younger consumers, our shoppers of the future, is crucial. One project that will certainly get

Wendy Jones-Blackett, founder of Wendy JonesBlackett Opportunity knocks: “There is a definite growing swell of cohesion within the greeting card industry at the moment, which is quite heart-warming! As businesses big and small we’re used to promoting our own products, but I’m seeing publishers and retailers joining together to celebrate and encourage the sending of greeting cards. I’d love to see that grow more in 2024 with social media being a great way of spreading the word – with personal stories of cards being sent, received and displayed in homes. It’s something every publisher and retailer can get on board and get creative with!

Imagine if a retailer Above: Wendy JonesBlackett in full flow at the GCA Conference sharing her passion for this industry.

Right: Wendy posted on social media how her son Sam’s 21st cards were up in their family home for five months.

more focus from the GCA is our Schools Project, that will see us engage with primary schools to encourage card sending initiatives with children, aka the consumers of tomorrow.”

Key challenges: “Clearly, the cost-ofliving crisis has been significant. It has impacted consumer spending as people have tightened their belts, but the greeting card industry remains robust.

With inflation coming down, consumer confidence is returning. As I’m sat here writing this today (10 days before the big day), Christmas trading has been positive (so far) and I’m optimistic for a very good 2024.”

Wishlist for 2024: “A committed and strong Royal Mail that is supportive of our industry and keeps a handle on price. I hope inflation continues to fall and consumer spending increases.

Roll-on 2024!”

Above: Darren Cave making his first speech as GCA president at the Conference and AGM in September.

Left: The GCA Schools Project will build on the initiative which saw UK school partner with those in Ghana.

asked every customer for a week why they were buying that particular card, who it was for and what their relationship was or how long they’d known each other, or how they’d met? - I’m sure there are some amazing individual stories out there to be heard which would highlight how brilliant cards are.”

Key challenges: “The number one challenge has to be rising stamp prices.

Although still great value for money, the negative publicity of Royal Mail’s stamp prices seeps into the national psyche and discourages card sending, especially at Christmas when people are posting lots of cards all at the same time. The GCA has been doing everything they can to represent the card industry in this respect and to meet with MPs and Royal Mail to put forward the industry’s concerns. It’s hugely important to all of our businesses that greeting card sending stays affordable and easy (and enjoyable!).”

Wishlist for 2024: “Wouldn’t it be great if Royal Mail got behind Festive Friday next year and had special half-price second class stamps just for Christmas cards posted on December 1st!”

David Byk, ceo of Ling Design and GBCC

Above: (left-right) David Byk with Royal Mail’s Fiona Hamilton and David Gold, GCA ceo Amanda Fergusson and Cardology’s David Falkner.

Opportunity knocks: “I think we are all going to be focusing on our work with the Royal Mail. As part of the GCA subcommittee that deals with RM I’m going to be donning my best suit of armour and going to battle with them on behalf of us all.

I think we have got over really well the importance of cards through the Cardmitment campaign and pushed the second class stamp, but it appears the Royal Mail is just woeful. We now have the ear of politicians too and RM can’t just ditch letters in favour of parcels because they are too rubbish to handle both. The postie wants to do a good job both for the card sender and also the community, but it appears the RM management don’t give them the tools. In 2024 we will use everything we have to pressurise the RM to deliver cards nationally, reliably at the right price six days a week.”

Key Challenges: “Coming out of a tough Christmas with Royal Mail strikes in 2022 weeks launched the Cardmitment campaign at the bequest of retailers and publishers alike and I must say I’m really chuffed in what we have achieved. Now we need to continue that good work into 2024.”

Wishlist for 2024: “I would like a serious competitor for RM to be able to deliver ‘the last mile’ and so we only read positive stuff about how important greeting cards are and the joy they bring as opposed to a rubbish text. I’m up for Scouts, drones, robots or even DPD doing it!”

Below: David Byk would like to see more positive delivery stories, like how the Huntspill and Highbridge Scouts, Cubs and Beavers once again provided a low-cost Christmas card delivery service in the Burnham-On-Sea area, costing only 25p a card.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 43

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Industry Issue

David Falkner, director of Cardology Opportunity knocks: “Like the country, our industry now needs a credible and consistent year-on-year growth story. The preparatory work I completed before we launched #Cardmitment earlier in the year has focused my mind that the single fastest way we can achieve this is by dialling up our investment in brand/product awareness so that our category retains renewed relevancy in the eyes of consumers.”

Key Challenges: “In advocating for this, I’m not talking about tossing a few quid into the type of campaign that screams ‘hurry, buy this fantastic Cardology design now’ but rather focusing on the softer messaging which links our products back to human values and aspirational goals, and translates to the evolution of these needs. Sure, there have/are some clear challenges for our sector right now – Royal Mail’s seemingly kamikaze pricing/QoS mission, the continued cost-ofliving crisis, the squeeze on our independents on the High Street for starters. I can’t think of a single one that doesn’t become a far more

Mark Williams, co-founder of Brainbox Candy Opportunity knocks: “A continued dialogue with the Royal Mail and Government, regarding capping stamp price increases and maintaining the six day service is essential for the longevity of our industry, especially for Christmas card sending.

There are further opportunities for promoting the sending of cards in general.

Members and also the GCA and the industry at large needs to shout this message from the rooftops throughout 2024, not just during Spring Seasons and Thinking of You Week.

A separate initiative is endeavoring to get more independent retailers onboard with phasing out cellowrapping on cards. The public have bought into it and as have many indies, however, there is much more that can be done to move this forward.

With falling retailer numbers at trade shows, more needs to be done to attract buyers and get them to stay over as more and more are only attending for one day due to the cost of hotels, travel costs etc. I think many publishers might be willing to

surmountable proposition if we had confidence that customers will be knocking down our retailers’ doors, completely secure in the knowledge sending their first card of 2024 will immediately transform their life for the better. This has to start with us.”

Wishlist for 2024: “My wish is a direct one to all of our industry customers, whoever you buy from: When you next meet with each of your publishers, ask us the direct question of what we’re personally doing to ensure the card sector retains consumer legitimacy over the next three years, and how this will translate to your own greeting card revenue growth. Find the right people, and I think you’ll be quietly impressed with what we’re up to.”

contribute to the cost of hotel vouchers, sharing the cost with the show organisers.

Publishers need ‘bums on seats’ at shows in order to make them worthwhile and are constantly being told by a growing number of retailers that they are doing the entire show in one day, obviously leads to considerably fewer orders. Publishers

Above: David Falkner has headed up the Royal Mail sub-committee of the GCA and has waded through pages and pages of Ofcom and Royal Mail reports in 2023.

Above: The Cardmitment campaign engages the trade, MPs and consumers about the joys and importance of card sending.

invest weeks of their time and a ton of money for a show and if this doesn’t happen, the shows will continue to shrink and eventually disappear.”

Key challenges: “Maintaining profit margins, as these have been eroded year on year and many publishers are at breaking point with the recent elevated cost rises that were exacerbated by the post Covid world. The UK minimum wage is set to increase to £11.44 per hour from April 2024.

This is a 9.8% increase from the current rate of £10.42 per hour. This will affect publishers and retailers alike and will severely impact on an already challenging business environment. Our staff are not on minimum wage, however, as it rises it will take staff closer to it and this could result in further wage hikes.”

Wishlist for 2024: “Keep sending cards, as among other reasons, it gives both the sender and the recipient a warm, fuzzy feeling and who doesn’t like one of those?!”

Above: Mark Williams (left) with fellow GCA Council member, Nick Carey, md of Abacus at a recent Past Presidents annual event.

Left: Mark would like to see more in initiatives such as the Gold/Silver/Sunshine Tickets at PG Live to encourage more indies to visit shows for longer. It went to his business partner, Ben Hickman’s head (left) when he was presented with a Silver Ticket by Stationery House’s Malcolm Adams and Lynne Bown at the 2023 show.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 45

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Industry Issue

Mark Callaby, managing director of Ohh Deer Opportunity knocks: “I think that the industry feels more united than it's ever been, with everyone getting behind the #Cardmitment campaign. I think we really need to ride this and move it into the new year and continue to shout about the importance of greeting cards all year round. There's also a real opportunity for us next year when we move into a General Election year it's important that we make sure that any potential threats to our industry are at the forefront of any candidate standing for election, for example the rising costs of stamps and threats to the postal service in general.”

Key challenges: “The cost-of-living crisis has continued to not help anyone. I think that everyone has had to find ways to reduce costs and streamline their businesses even more than normal. On top of this, the fallout from Christmas 2022 with the Royal Mail strikes, it's been a challenge to ensure that the end consumer considers last year to be a blip and continues to support our industry. Engagement for #Cardmitment appears to be really strong, so I hope that the efforts are realised by all greeting card retailers.”

Wishlist for 2024: “It has to be making sure that we save our Royal Mail and fight any stamp price increases. Ideally we would have a Royal Mail that understood that if you reduce the cost of the stamps more people would use the service (that is really evident when you actually speak to our customers and the reasons why they're not sending as many cards as before) - when you try and fix problems by increasing your prices instead of properly looking at streamlining your operations and find cost savings you're always going to struggle. Unfortunately, its proposed answers seem to be about reducing the service and increasing the costs for the end consumer. That has to be the main focus for the GCA next year, there's too much at stake for everyone not to get behind the fight.

I also hope that we can expand on Pride next year - we've already applied for the London event again and hope to take it elsewhere with Manchester Pride also on our horizon.”

Above: Safeguarding Royal Mail’s six day a week delivery is of utmost importance to the UK greeting card community.

Left and above middle: The GCA’s involvement in Pride this year was a real progress point for Mark Callaby.

Daniel Prince, managing director of Danilo Opportunity knocks: “There is a massive opportunity to keep promoting the importance of sending greeting cards and the joy the recipient feels when opening the card. The big opportunity is to work together to ensure greeting cards remain an important part of any special occasion for the next and future generations. For the GCA it’s about supporting our members with this message and also fighting off any challenges like postage issues and keeping the sending of greeting cards newsworthy.”

Key Challenges: “One of the biggest challenges has been the costs continuing to increase - across paper, materials and labour costs. The challenge for publishers will be to keep costs controlled.”

Wishlist for 2024: “As chair of the GCA

Above: At least Daniel won his annual wager with PG’s Warren Lomax, a West Ham fan, as Spurs finished higher in the Premier League.

Left: Danilo is committed to reducing its plastic usage on its calendars and on its cards, including working with printers Loxleys to move to paper banding for its transit packaging.

Sustainability committee, my key wish would be to make all cards plastic-free. So, for indies and any other retailers who are still asking publishers to cellowrap cards, now is the time to go naked. My other wish is for Spurs to win a trophy. I can dream…”

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 47

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Retailer Up-Close

Independent lifestyle retail group Lark is on a roll, having opened seven stores on the bounce with another, in Weybridge, slated for the new year, which will take the group nudging toward 20 branches.

PG caught up with wife and husband co-owners Priya Aurora-Crowe and Dom Crowe in their new East Sheen store, and found out how they are taking the arrival of baby Celine, a collapsed ceiling, selling out of Christmas cards and a shoplifting epidemic in their stride.

Inset: Belgian illustrator Alexina Phlox’s depiction of a Lark store.

Up With The Lark

Opening seven stores one after the other is an achievement for any independent retailer, but is even more impressive when you factor in that Priya (a former religious education teacher with a degree in theology) was pregnant with her and Dom’s second daughter, Celine. “Yes, it’s been a challenge,” admits Priya, who introduced Celine to the industry at Autumn Fair in September as a newborn in her arms.

Responsible for the buying, as well as the design, layout, music and overall Lark vibe, plus much else besides, she explains that, “everyone at Lark reports to me” – the ‘everyone’ being 120 staff across Lark’s current 18 stores, with another set to open in Weybridge early in 2024. In the past 18 months, as the business has grown exponentially, there are now two area managers, two merchandisers and two staff trainers, along with managers across operations, online, social media, marketing and music, all of whom work alongside individual store managers and retail assistants.

Dom meanwhile, is in charge of the new store

openings, where he carries out all the shop fittings and maintenance himself, as well as managing the builders, alongside the accounting and finance side of the business.

“And if there’s any IT support needed, Dom’s the one we call,” smiles Priya.

In fact, Priya credits Lark’s continuing success to delegation, making sure that she and Dom have separate roles. “You could say that I’m the visionary and Dom implements it!” she quips.

Interestingly, finding new Lark locations is the relatively easy bit. “We love London villages Left: Priya, Dom and Celine outside Lark’s East Sheen store.

Below: A glimpse inside the store’s interior.

where we can grow in the communities,” states Dom. “We work with the same letting agent as Gail’s bakery, who want us in the same locations that they’re in,” adds Priya, “so we are always open to possible new locations although, at the moment, we draw the line at shopping centres.”

Describing the concept of Lark, Dom highlights that the stores are “very bright, very open and very welcoming”, with Priya emphasising that they are inclusive of price point, gender and age. “We’re an affordable boutique experience, with our customers varying from a 13 year old girl to an older shopper in their ‘70s or ‘80s. In every category, we offer entry, middle and top end, so that there’s a price point to suit every customer. A myriad of product categories go right across the board, ranging from greeting cards to clothing – women’s, men’s and babywear home fragrancing to wellness/beauty, jewellery, home, interiors, children’s gifts and novelty.

Greeting cards feature pretty high in the pecking order at Lark.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 49

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Retailer Up-Close

Left and below: An Oh Squirrel design that chimes well with Lark customers. Priya (right) spending her Retas Golden Ticket with Ohh Squirrel founder Katie Wagstaff at PG Live in June.

Below: Colour blocking is very much in evidence in Lark stores.

“They’re our bread and butter,” states Priya. “Most customers come in to buy a card – that are invariably displayed near the front of the store - and then are quickly tempted by everything else that we offer.”

Of the greeting card selection from Lark, Priya says it has expanded since the Covid uptick in card sales. “We cater for all ages, with cards spanning occasions, age-related and humour. I especially love working with Alljoy Design who does really affordable, high quality cards, and Lagom, while Noi Publishing is absolutely amazing too,” she says.

Priya makes no bones about her favourite place to source greeting cards. “It has to be PG Live. It is a must attend show. We rely on it to find new greeting card brands. I always try to go and see the new designers first and then

Partnering Up Expanding Lark’s retail reach further still, Priya and Dom recently joined forces with South London retail group Jumping Bean (which has upmarket gift and lifestyle stores in Beckenham, Dulwich and Honor Oak Park). “We have a lot of skill sets between us and work very closely with co-owners Nilou Noorbakhsh and Terry Jones,” highlights Priya.

Above: Lark’s Priya (right) with The Jumping Bean’s Nilou Noorbakhsh at PG Live in June.

catch up with those we are already dealing with,” she reveals.

However, Priya admits that she was somewhat caught out by underestimating the consumer appetite for Christmas cards this year.

“Amazingly we had sold out of all our Christmas cards across all stores with a week’s trade still to go. I realise now that I had been rather cautious in my Christmas card ordering, but thankfully was able to rush through some re-orders, with Noi Publishing, The Art File, Lagom and James Ellis really coming up trumps,” explains Priya.

If the greeting card displays are the traffic builder and important warm-up act, the gift, lifestyle and clothing displays land Lark’s look and feel.

Merchandising follows the Mary Portas strategy of colour blocking. “One of the first questions we ask a customer looking for a gift is ‘what’s your favourite colour?’” explains South London merchandiser Libby Cole. “We can then point people in the right direction. It helps that we organise our offer in an appealing way.”

In addition to physical stores, online remains a huge sales driver for the company, with local customers browsing the website and then coming in to buy or using click and collect.

Plus, browsers will also find a Lark store on the Trouva online platform. “To keep things running smoothly, we have gone into warehousing, separating stock for the online and retail sides of the business,” points out Dom. Reflecting on the past year, Priya says that, unsurprisingly, it’s been defined by a more

cost-conscious shopper. Someone who is looking for quality. “Affordability has been key, along with people’s determination to ‘shop local’,” she comments. “Mary Portas’ vision of a ‘15 minute city’ has worked well for us, with working from home impacting positively in relation to all our stores.”

With PG’s catch up just a few days away from the Christmas ‘big day’, Priya has a few pieces still to slot in to paint the final trading picture. “Our Christmas sales were slow to

start this year and there was a lot of catching up to be done. We’ve found that people’s mindsets this year have been focused on making considered purchases – buying better but buying less – and with a budget in mind.”

Anticipating buying patterns has not been the only challenge Lark has faced in the allimportant Christmas run up. “The level of shoplifting was off the scale this year, and then the roof collapsed in our Blackheath store. The saying, ‘it never rains, but it pours’ came to mind a few times, but you just have to get on with it,” reflects Priya.

As she sees it, it’s a retailer’s job “to be proactive as well as reactive, providing the best quality we can to fit the consumer’s festive spend. And when all is said and done, Christmas will always be Christmas, so we’ll be open until 6pm on Christmas Eve for those last minute shoppers,” says the ever philosophical Priya.

Left: Greeting cards are now a key category for Lark.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 51

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Greater Understanding of…Bewilderbeest

Tip Top Tall Stories Above: This image of Iain’s father, who is a working farmer, was the attention grabbing start to his slideshow at The Ladder Club.

Left: Iain’s favourite Bewilderbeest card (left to right) and a new design for 2024.

Below: Iain Hamilton speaking at The Ladder Club.

Kicking off with an image of a farmer on a slide, followed by a slide giving the answers to three most common questions he is asked – No. 1: 6’8”, No. 2: Lovely thank you and No.3: No – Iain Hamilton, founder of Bewilderbeest was the perfect choice as the final speaker at The Ladder Club’s recent comeback seminar.

Having been an attendee at the last Ladder Club event in 2019, Iain returned the favour with aplomb, sharing his Top Tips to Be Tip Top in his distinctive inimitable fashion.

52 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Having been bombarded for hours with information and insights from a jampacked Ladder Club agenda, if attendees’ heads were already spinning, they were sent into oscillation by the grand finale from Bewilderbeest’s Iain Hamilton, that he entitled Top Tips to Be Tip Top.

The phrase ‘larger than life character’ immediately springs to mind after meeting Iain. This is not just due to his stature – 6’8” is the answer to “how tall are you?” his is most often asked question, closely followed

by No.2: “What’s the weather like up there?” and No.3: “Do you play basketball?” – but also down to his quirky observations that are brought to life in Bewilderbeest designs as well as on social media posts and communication with retail customers.

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Greater Understanding of…Bewilderbeest

Left: A drawing of a wildebeest, which is now the company’s logo clinched Iain third prize in an art competition of three entries.

The farming world’s loss has been the greeting card industry’s gain. It was all thanks to an injury caused by a “very small ski jump” that saw Iain put down his proverbial pitchfork (actually he was working for the Farmer’s Union by then) and pick up a pencil.

It wasn’t, by Iain’s own admission, what you could describe as a triumph at the start.

“I entered a local art competition, and came third,” Iain told Ladder Club attendees, quickly qualifying that there were in fact only a total of three entries. “I was beaten by an

oil painting of Princess Diana and a still life of a chair!”

Thankfully it wasn’t enough to put him off. And his entry, a drawing of a nattily attired wildebeest became the company’s ‘proudly absurd’ logo, and the next competition he entered, The Henries 2022 saw Iain clinching The Lynn Tait Most Promising Young Designer or Artist while licensing agreements with Lesser & Pavey for giftware and GBCC for bespoke card designs have added to the publisher’s organic growth and reputation.

“I suppose we have snuck into the industry now,” said Iain with a knowing grin that he and his company will always stand out from the crowd.

Iain’s Top Tips To Be Tip Top 2.Test Things Out – “Before we started supplying retailers, I tested designs at craft fairs.

Some of the feedback was brutal, but it was better to do it that way than get to a trade show attended by all manner of retailers.

Above: Iain and Maddy Hamilton at The Henries with House of Now when we are producing Cards’ Miles Robinson. new designs we ask some of our retail stockists to trial them for us, giving them the cards for free, which means we have made fewer publishing mistakes, like my Scratch & Sniff design. I realise now I made the stain look rather too lifelike!”

Above: The image of nude Iain to launch the company’s naked cards and the Earthquake Detection Kit that Iain sent to customers with orders, just for fun.

Just some of Iain Hamilton’s business philosophies honed during the company’s first few years that he shared with The Ladder Clubbies…

1. Forget Customer Satisfaction – “People that say they were just “satisfied” by an experience aren’t going to rave about it to anyone else. You need to do more than that to be remembered.

‘Find Your Yellow Tux’ by Jesse Cole, is a great book about how to be successful by standing out.

His view is that not standing out is the same as being invisible, though I think even my wife was surprised when I asked her to video me naked in our garden to promote our unwrapped cards to customers.

Just be brave, it will Above: Thankfully now, Iain also puts his new bring rewards.” ideas through the ‘Maddy filter’ so his wife can

3. Think Big About What You Can Achieve – “Some of the best steps can also be the scariest, like deciding to quit my job to work full time on Bewilderbeest and then Maddy my wife joining me in the business, plus employing others. You need to set your goals and work towards them.”

4. Should You Grab The Soft Dangly Bits? – “Comparison is the thief of joy. There will always be someone with a louder horn than you, make the decisions that suit you and your business.

Opportunities will present themselves, but do your checks first.

We were considering getting involved in brokerage, but had a lot of other things going on at the time, so instead have left the door open and will revisit it. Likewise on licensing, while we have some great licensing arrangements there are others that we have not pursued.

However tempting it may sound, do your due diligence before committing.”

5. Learn From Others – “This is a ridiculously friendly industry, learn from those within it. However, as Mark Callaby of Ohh Deer wisely said the other day: “You can do anything, but can’t do everything”. And an extra tip from me, watch out for low hanging doorways.”

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 53

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Personal Inspirations

Artistic

Impressions

Soula Zavacopoulos has very much forged her own path in the greeting card industry ever since she launched The London Studio as an independent greeting card publisher at PG Live back in 2009, so no one should be surprised that she is behind a key greeting card USP of the new Ryman Design stores, especially as she herself is one of the #SBS alumni, having secured a thumbs up from Theo Paphitis, owner of Ryman, when she was a fledgling business.

Given pride of place at the front of the Ryman Design stores, acting as a beacon for its greeting card wall racks, is The London Studio Artists Collective display. Debuting for Christmas, but with an everyday programme being installed immediately afterwards, this pithy collection of 160 designs champions the cause of supporting independent artists and publishers with supportive PoS as well as the information on the backs of cards.

And while Ryman Design has christened The London Studio Artists Collective brand in its trio of new look stores, it is also in evidence on Moonpig’s platform with a lot more to follow, no doubt.

Even in the early days, Soula was not constrained by historic conventions, broadening her base by licensing some of her own

“Community over competition” is a longtime mantra for artistic entrepreneur Soula Zavacopoulos. It is a heartfelt belief that she has brought to life recently in the new Ryman Design concept stores, with the launch of The London Studio Artists Collective dedicated greeting card display which features the work of 38 artists and publishers.

And with 94 artists in TLS’ collective, this is just part of a bigger picture.

PG raced to keep up with all the recent happenings facilitated by pocket rocket Soula, the founder of The London Studio.

Above: Soula Zavacopoulos (left) with a couple of the Ryman Design team in the Marble Arch store.

Left: A display of The London Studio Artists Collective Christmas cards in Ryman Design.

Below left: Soula with retail magnet and entrepreneur Theo Paphitis, who owns Ryman, Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue.

been advising businesses about how to increase the commercial effectiveness of their product offering and other strategies for growth,” explains Soula.

Over the last eight years this has seen Soula consult for leading online and bricks and mortar greeting card and gift retailers, start-ups and £multi-million businesses, including companies owned by BBC Dragons and retail magnates

Birds of a Feather design work to other larger publishers, including American Greetings, Emotional Rescue, Pigment Productions, Paperlink and Woodmansterne, in tandem with growing her own card publishing side.

“With all that experience it brought in licensing while running my own publishing business, consultation in the greeting card space came naturally, and so since 2015 I’ve

For the second year in succession, The London Studio was awarded the RSPB calendar commission for its family organiser.

The 2025 calendar, published by Carousel Calendars, features bespoke artwork by Anna Andrews, part of the Artists Collective, whose art also graces the 2024 RSPB Family Organiser.

The calendars are, one of many projects Soula has worked on with the company.

Right: Anna Andrews holding the 2024 RSPB Family Organiser from Carousel Calendars.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 55

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Personal Inspirations

Into Orbit As well as producing her own products, Jill White, founder of Rocket68 is also represented by The London Studio on the licensing front, resulting in a range of 2025 calendars and diaries being produced under licence by Portico Designs. The Portico range is based on London Calling, Rocket68’s award-winning illustrated collection of London-themed prints and cards that aim to portray the vibrancy and beauty of London's architecture, areas, life and communities.

Below: Jill White of Rocket68 licensed her London Calling images thorugh The London Studio to Portico.

Theo Paphitis, ceo of the Theo Paphitis Retail Group including Ryman, and Nick Jenkins, the founder of moonpig.com.

It was through her advisory and consultation work that adding a licensing dimension to The London Studio came about.

“I was developing strategies for large retailers that would give them a competitive advantage and one way was by harnessing the creativity and uniqueness of the independent artist community. But some retailers were not able to action my recommendations, as issues such as the additional admin and greater staffing requirements for engaging multiple independent artists made it unfeasible for large organisations.

Yet despite this they could see the benefits of the strategies and were enthusiastic to make them happen,” says Soula explaining the background.

The new set up means companies can access multiple independent artists through The London Studio with one contract, enabling them to access an incredibly diverse range of independent artists.

Having put the model to the test with a small number of independent artists more were then invited to come on board. This has now grown to 94 creatives, including independent artists as well as several who have their own greeting card companies, such as Bewilderbeest, Stormy Knight, Rocket68 and Cardinky.

As Soula sees it, creating the licensing side to

The London Studio, bolstered by the recent appointment of Jess Brown as licensing manager, means she can further nurture a phenomenally talented artists community, helping them to flourish and access new opportunities.

“There are so many unique voices out in the independent artists’ space that retailers and licensees are loving having so much fresh variety without the overheads of searching out, onboarding or ongoing management of multiple small suppliers,” says Soula, clearly delighted by the way things have panned out.

“We pride ourselves in always thinking about what will be best for the artists and how to make them eager to create new work and ideas. We make sure we supply new briefs and offer advice as to how to make their work more commercially attractive to retailers and licensees,” sums up Soula.

As evidenced by The London Studio Artists Collective concept, Soula highlights how she is also able to help retailers, such as Ryman Design, tap into the growing consumer trend to ‘shop small’ or ‘support local’.

“We can help retailers to authentically utilise this trend to their advantage, so that they can grow their revenue and at the same time support indie artists and creative small business, which is good news for everybody,” she believes.

So, what’s next for The London Studio? “We

Above: Two Pickled Post designs from the Artists Collective range in store.

Left: One of the most successful Christmas designs in The London Studio Artists Collective’s inaugural collection was this one

by AbiGoLucky Designs.

can only see the licensing side of the business going from strength to strength. We have had phenomenal success in the online space, but are now working with more bricks and mortar retailers, and have secured our artists licensing deals supplying major supermarket chains, national stationery chains, garden centres and premium department stores,” reveals Soula. “It’s a huge privilege being the conduit between artists, retailers and licensees. I have always supported fellow artists and designers, but now that I have brought it into my business model, I’m able to help a lot more artists and publishers achieve their goals and dreams. I strongly believe in community over competition, there really is space for everyone who is creative and original.”

A Woody Duo Illustrations by Jesuso Ortiz and Dannyboy, two artists represented by The London Studio, have been licensed for new greeting card collections being launched by Woodmansterne Publications.

Based in Spain, Jesuso Ortiz combines his own drawings with various household objects, food and flora to produce minimalistic artifacts in an original way. A watermelon, for example, becomes a skirt, a rose can be an umbrella, and a ball of yarn turns into a balloon.

It’s an original approach that has already inspired five published books of art by Jesuso Ortiz. It has also appeared in a collection of watches designed for Swatch that were showcased on the billboards of New York’s Times Square.

Another other range, called Wisecrack, features a new collection of humorous designs by cartoonist and illustrator Dannyboy, who also publishes his own cards under the Cardinky brand.

Right: The London Studio has licensed Jesuso Flamingo (left) and Dannyboy designs to Woodmansterne for two new ranges.

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There will be a feast of new products launched at Top Drawer.

First up is a selection from those exhibiting in Row Q.

Yum Yam Debuting at Top Drawer will be over 120 new designs from Twice As Nice and the new company Yams. The majority of the newness is under Yams based on Amy Dunne’s contemporary lino-cut designs with a touch of humour. The collection spans everyday, occasions and Spring Seasons cards, all printed on FSC-accredited board and supplied naked, but a cellowrapping option is available.

Yams 07971 323 361 www.yamcards.com Top Drawer Stand Q63

Colour Magic Back to College Whilst revisiting her Central St Martin’s college sketch books from the early 1990s to create a Christmas card for friends, artist and photographer Lydia Evans fell in love again with drawing after an 18 year break and Lydia. (London) was born. Launching are over 50 greeting card designs featuring ethereal and whimsical characters with a twist of the surreal.

Lydia. London 07973 625506 www.lydia.london Top Drawer Stand Q80

Some Juicy Nuggets

Structural and Organic The 100+ new card designs from heraldblack, are developed from Stephen Dow’s handmade prints and collages that are created by scanning, layering and recolouring original artwork that takes in both architectural and botanical references. The cards are printed in the UK on FSC-approved Mohawk 324gsm paper from a carbon neutral, wind-powered mill. They come with a dovetail grey envelope and Nativa biodegradable wrap. heraldblack 07598 780950 www.heraldblack.co.uk Top Drawer Stand Q81

Capturing everyday life in meaningful designs that combine sophisticated colour palettes with ideas that have people at the forefront is at the heart of Elsa Rose Frere’s greeting cards. She will be launching three new card ranges Apricot Pink, Denim Blue and Forest Pine each based around a key pantone colour.

The cards will cover everyday birthdays as well as occasions, including same sex anniversary designs.

Elsa Rose Frere www.elsarosefrere.com Top Drawer Stand Q88

Having debuted at PG Live in 2022, Klara Hawkins will be exhibiting at Top Drawer for the first time. Among the newness is Nuggets, a generic children's age and birthday range which exudes Klara’s passion for illustration. There will also be plenty of new additions to Klara’s best selling pattern cards on show.

Klara Hawkins www.klarahawkins.com Top Drawer Stand Q64

Coasting Along Citrus Bunn has masses of new puns and fab designs to add to its main greeting card collection. Also on show will be a new range of kids cards, comprising 12 seasidebased designs, which has been inspired by the publisher’s recent move to the coast.

All featuring watercolour painted critters, they come naked with teal envelopes to reflect the watery theme.

Citrus Bunn 07746324124 www.citrusbunn.com Top Drawer Stand Q84

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There will be a feast of new products launched at Top Drawer.

Here are just a few…

Four-ward Thinking Lucky Ink will be launching four fabulous new ranges at the show. These include Monochrome & Gold, a collection of playful yet elegant patterned cards hot foiled in gold; Dopamine, with designs focused on colour working with pattern to create visual joy; Sunshine, a typographic range of rainbows and uplifting words and All Heart, an age range in a palette of warming colours as well as monochrome and gold. The cards can be supplied nested, with card clasps or in cello.

Lucky Ink 07732526379 www.luckyink.co.uk Top Drawer Stand Q65

Small is Beautiful

All That Glisters Grace Jackson Design will be exhibiting for the first time at Top Drawer launching a new foiled Christmas Bauble range that is inspired by her love of patterns and the vintage enamel trinkets her mother had when she was growing up. In addition, there will be new foiled spring relations range, while the publisher’s kids Balloon range will be extended to include designs covering ages up to 18.

Grace Jackson Design 07902 875014 www.gracejacksondesign.co.uk Top Drawer Stand Q70

Minnows is a new mini card range from James Ellis. These mini birthday and occasion cards are printed on high quality, uncoated board and finished with gold foil. They each measure 90 x 120mm and come clasped with a white laid envelope.

They are blank inside and are made from FSC-certified material. James Ellis is donating 1% of the turnover from the Minnows range to charities which support our rivers and oceans.

James Ellis 0117 927 7667 www.jamesellis.com Top Drawer Stand M46

Puffin Away

Letter Be

Six new cards and two wonderful new gift wrap designs have been added to the flourishing Nadia Taylor collection from Earlybird Designs. Continuing a long-standing relationship between the designer and publisher, designs featuring delicate moths, sociable orange-tipped puffins, stunning dragonflies, playful octopi, a watchful tiger and busy bees join the card line-up, all printed on 100% recycled board.

Earlybird Designs 01227 765 372 www.earlybirddesigns.co.uk Top Drawer Stand N51

Debuting at Top Drawer from lil wabbit is the Numbers, Letters & Animals collection. This 33design strong range is something a step change from the publisher as it features traditional words and captioning while still working cohesively with its signature colour palette and illustration style. lil wabbit 07825127775 www.lilwabbit.co.uk Top Drawer Stand P31

Bold Statements In the latest in a long line of collaborations, Cath Tate Cards has collaborated with Betiobca Designs for its brand new Betiobca range. There are 12 humorous, quirky designs each featuring playful typography and bold colours. The cards measure 17cm x 12cm, are printed in the UK on 100% recycled paper and come with a kraft envelope.

Cath Tate Cards 0208 671 2166 www.cathtatecards.com Top Drawer Stand N60 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 61

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There are lots of lovely new products launching to pep up retailers’ displays. Here’s a great selection…

Be Typecast Archivist’s Typographic Collection is a playful reinterpretation of traditional letterpress design, marrying nostalgia with a modern twist. There are 12 cards in the range, eight larger ones (measuring 178mm x 123mm) and four small notelets, measuring 123mm x 88mm. They are all printed in-house on the publisher’s own traditional press on 100% recycled paper.

Archivist 01608658601 www.archivistgallery.com Top Drawer Stand E39

Winging It

Surfeit of Riches Ohh Deer is kicking off 2024 with over 400 new products and a host of new licensing collaborations with Party Mountain Paper, Makingshit, Abigolucky, Ashkahn, Emily Taylor, Diane Hill, Anisa and Suzy Ultman. It is also expanding into plastic-free rollwrap, launching a new stationery collection called Kaleido and bringing back its Riso Prints after a two year break.

Ohh Deer 01509 812075 www.ohhdeer.com Top Drawer Stand G81

Bexy Boo has been busy designing a brand new collection called Butterfly Beauties. The range comprises 12 gorgeous illustrations featuring fantastical fairies with vintageinspired butterfly wings juxtaposed with pops of neon yellow or pink.

Printed on FSC 350gsm board, the cards come with a soft mulberry coloured envelope and are eco stickered as standard.

Bexy Boo 01565 830546 www.bexyboo.co.uk

Touchy Feely Passing The Time

Hotchpotch London’s new Lucky Dip collection includes a cute alphabet bead bracelet on each card, conveying a positive message in a meaningful and long-lasting way (long after the card has been taken off the mantlepiece and put in a drawer. The bracelets spell out HAPPY, PEACE, DREAM, FABULOUS, MAGICAL, MAMA or BFF, each set against abstract artwork with splashes of neon pink ink.

Hotchpotch 01243 792600 www.hotchpotchlondon.com

Bound to appeal as a send to budding bakers, stupendous seamstresses, awesome artists and keen knitters is Crumble and Core’s brand new Hobbies card collection. Detailed watercolour designs fill the 12cm square cards with each suitably captioned to feature the hobbyist in question.

Crumble and Core 01825 841412 www.crumbleandcore.com

Mini Slice of Life Watermelon is Rush Design’s brand-new collection of mini cards. The initial range of 50 cards includes colourful and imaginative illustration with simple words, covering a mix of quirky, uplifting and encouraging phrases, plus some thank you and birthday options.

Printed on FSC board, matched with an Eco Kraft envelope and wrapped in eco cello bags, spinner deals are also available.

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A selection of brand new ranges and designs to add pep to retailers’ displays.

The Daily Male Skylight is a new male range from IC&G. The 13 designs feature a loose, hand-drawn style in a bright colour palette, suitable for a wide variety of male sends. Meanwhile 2024 also sees a ‘new look’ illustrative style artwork for the Barley Bear collection, with each card enhanced with delicate foil and elegant embossed details.

IC&G 01202 897494 www.icgcards.com

A Natural Calling

Island Life BBC Wild Isles is a new licensing collaboration for Abacus Cards. The new photographic greeting card collection showcases beautiful landscapes and wildlife shots from across the UK, inspired by the BBC series presented by David Attenborough. The 160mm cards are available either packaged with a paper branded kard klasp label or wrapped in a recyclable Nativia bag.

Abacus Cards 01638 569050 www.abacuscards.co.uk

Inspired by nature, Bug Art’s new range, Portfolio is based on intricate watercolours featuring an array of trees, flowers, plants and critters. Each of the cards is beautifully embossed with either gold or blue foil. They measure 118mm x 167mm, are blank inside, come with a pale green envelope and can be supplied naked or wrapped in a biodegradable bag.

Bug Art 0115 9294776 www.bugart.co.uk

On The Mend

Say It Like It Is

Lucy Maggie Designs has released a collection of heart-warming get well and sympathy cards that will send warm virtual hugs to anyone who needs them. With a mix of humour and heartfelt sentiment, the range includes designs that are suitable for sending to those with broken toes right up to loss of a loved one. They are available plastic-free or packed in cello.

Lucy Maggie Designs 07763239731 www.lucymaggiedesigns.co.uk

Sally Scaffardi Design has just launched some new designs into its Spring Seasons collection as well as augmenting its best selling Urban Wild range with nine new cards. As ever, the new cards combine Sally’s diverse creative style with her humorous observations and quirky turn of phrase.

Sally Scaffardi Design 07747 032505 www.sallyscaffardidesign.co.uk

Leaf Through Inspired by the calendar of trees, the 12 designs in jewellery company Glynart’s Birth Tree collection each feature a bracelet with a handmade sterling silver leaf, presented with a card, featuring original artwork. Each comes packaged in protective bio-based, biodegradable and compostable packaging with a compact display stand also available.

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A selection of brand new ranges and designs to add pep to retailers’ displays.

All Ears Having listened to its customers’ pleas, Poet & Painter has picked up the gauntlet and published some more anniversary cards, as well as adding to many other ranges. The new designs are all 150mm square, printed on matt FSC-rated board and supplied with an FSC mink coloured envelope secured inside the card with a branded eco-clasp.

Poet and Painter 07779 064894 www.poetandpainter.co.uk

It’s A Wrap

Good Enough To Eat As the range name suggests, there are two distinct colour strands to White Cotton Cards’ latest Pink & Chocolate range. There are around 80 designs, across both birthdays and relations for both elements. All super sparkly, from the board through to the finish, the pink designs are accompanied by a silver envelope, the chocolate brown ones come with a gold envelope.

White Cotton Cards 07909 911229 www.whitecottoncards.co.uk

Representing one of the most significant launches ever from Woodmansterne, is its venture into giftpackaging which spans sustainable rollwrap, giftbags, tags and tissue with planned display options. In addition to licensing agreements with Emma Bridgewater, Quentin Blake and Sanderson, the collection also features some of the publisher’s own brands, including Peach & Prosecco and Mambo.

Woodmansterne 01923 200600 www.woodmansterne.com

More In Line

Suited and Booted

Following on from the success of its Stroke Me range which launched in early 2023, Rosie Made a Thing has introduced six new additional designs. The range features quirky humour in simplistic black and white artwork. These birthday and open sends complement the existing 12 designs which poke fun at ageing, menopause and getting drunk. The cards are 145mm square 145mm, printed on 300gsm FSC board and come with a neon coral envelope.

Rosie Made A Thing 0113 406 2000 www.rosiemadeathing.co.uk

Claire Louise’s All In Boots collection has welcomed 12 new designs, and this time the animals and birds are dressed up in floral wellington boots, exploring the wild gardens and life on the farm. The quirky illustrations, are originally created in watercolour and pen and cello-wrapped with a white envelope.

Claire Louise 07715 373344 www.claire-louise.co.uk

Playback Time Mix Tape is a brand new range from Petimo with the designs being suitable for Valentine’s and Galentine’s Day, but also for anniversary and friendship sends all year round. The 16 designs were inspired by a conversation the publisher had with her teenager offspring about how making mix tapes for friends was the social media of its day. All 150mm square, printed on FSC carbon balanced board, they each come with a coloured envelope.

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Inspiring Retail

JUST SAY YES “Always say yes” is pretty much Sarah Laker’s mantra as the indie retailer with a passion for stationery, greeting cards, and helping people is determined to make the most of every opportunity, not just for her Stationery Supplies shops in Marple and Wilmslow, but the wider community.

Just before she cranks up to front the marketing for National Stationery Week 2024, PG persuaded Sarah to relive the inspiring presentation she gave at the recent GCA Conference and AGM and share some of the initiatives she has instigated in the last year.

Design a Christmas Card Competition

Above: The GCA 2023 conference saw Sarah Laker’s give her first public presentation.

Right: The delighted young winners with their printed cards.

“It’s all about what you can achieve with your passion and your knowledge and with networking, as we're always saying yes to opportunities – even if you're speaking to 180 people when you've never spoken to an audience before and are really out of your comfort zone!” Sarah laughed, referring to her first public presentation, at the 2023 GCA Conference and AGM in the autumn.

Straight off the back of a charity drive to collect gifts for young mums, Small Business Saturday, Thinking Of You Week, and selling local calendars in aid of good causes, she has also managed to organise a Write Before Christmas event for local people to get their cards sent.

As something of a community liaison maestro – as winning the Best Greeting Card

Retailer Initiative at The Retas 2022 Awards for her Giving Back charity and community programme testifies – Sarah has also become a bit of a whizz on the business front, picking up the British Office Supplies & Services Federation’s Independent Retailer Award for the third year running just a few weeks ago, to add to her Retas Awards for Best NonSpecialist Independent Retailer of Greeting Cards North in 2021.

It was back in September 2005 that Sarah took ownership of the Marple store, having decided to step away from her nursing career to admit she’s a papyrophiliac – as stationery lovers are known – then took on a shop in Wilmslow in 2020 where her daughter Molly is now in charge.

Working with Dandelion Stationery, Sarah ran a competition for children across both shops for them to submit festive designs.

“I've loved every minute of this competition. I also think it's a great insight for children into the world of greeting cards and how they are produced – let's hope we've helped to inspire the next generation of card designers. Seeing their happy faces made my day.”

Sarah handed over the job of choosing the winners to a public vote and it was Sofia, Adie, Sneha and Lucy, two from each store, who had their designs professional printed and paired with festive red envelopes before going on sale, with the majority of the sales going to the parent-teachers’ associations at the winners’ schools.

Below: Dean Morris helps with social media likes.

Thinking Of You Week Stationery Supplies has done a series of initiatives for TOYW, and in 2023 collaborated with publisher Lucilla Lavender for the Week to offer a carefully-curated selection of cards to raise money for local dementia groups, donating £2 from the sale of every card.

“Thinking Of You Week is an important part of my year,” Sarah said, “when we remind customers of the importance of sending cards and the positive impact they make on people’s lives.

With this in mind I wanted to raise money to support the wonderful work that the local dementia groups do.”

Sarah also made use of donated sample packs of Pilot Pen’s Bottle-2-Pen (B2P) eco pen – made from 83% recycled bottles – so everyone buying one of the special Lucilla Lavender cards also received a free pen to use to write their cards.

Left: A social media post about Stationery Supplies TOYW 2023 initiative with Lucilla Lavender.

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Inspiring Retail

18th Birthday Celebrations

Above: The Brainbox Candy snap that captured attention.

Sarah marked the coming of age of her original store in 2023: “It’s a significant milestone in everyone's life, 18th birthdays mark the end of childhood and the beginning of adulthood and so, as a purveyor of greeting cards, it seemed appropriate to celebrate!

“I asked all the super-duper publishers that supply my shops if they could send me one or two 18th cards, and they did me proud! There were over 100 cards in my shop window which caused passers-by to stop in their tracks to look at it, it was fantastic!”

The centrepiece was an eye-catching poster designed by Paper Salad with the wording “celebrating 18 years of supplying stationery to Marple”, and Sarah used the same artwork design on labels for 50 goody bags which she gave out to customers the big day, filled with small gifts kindly donated by The Art File, Brainbox Candy, Redback Cards, Zebra Pens, Alljoy Design, Maped Helix, and Pentel UK. Above: Publishers were more than happy to get involved with Stationery Supplies’ coming of age celebration.

“I had absolutely no idea how to run a shop, how to do accounts, how to buy, how to sell and the other twelftybillion things you need to know as an independent retailer,” Sarah said, “but, 18 years, two shops, five staff and the odd award later, maybe it’s time to start adulting and stop winging it!

“When I left nursing behind, I thought I would miss the people that I worked with but, what I didn't realise was that I’d build a community around my shop, both in the town with my customers and online with my social media.

The community is so important to me. It's not

Give Back Friday Instead of “indulging in the discount shopping mayhem” of Black Friday, Sarah chooses to give back instead around that time.

Since 2017 Stationery Supplies has supported local foodbanks and in 2023 helped the Family Nurse Partnership which cares for young mums aged 19 and under after the organisation asked if she could assist a young mum-to-be who loves art but had no drawing materials.

Both her stores had a box on the counter to receive donations of new and unopened chocolates or make-up/toiletry sets which were passed on to the partnership to gift to the women – and they ended up collecting enough for a gift for each one.

“My customers are an amazing lot,” Sarah commented. “There were so many brilliant gifts that they dropped off for partnership, and brightened many young mums’ Christmas with their generosity.”

Above: Some of the donated gifts before they were wrapped by Sarah and the team.

just about selling and taking from my customers, it's about giving back too.”

In addition to her community work and soft sales initiatives, Sarah has become something of a spokeswoman for indie retailers, appearing on BBC Radio 4, Radio 2, Radio 5 Live, Radio Manchester, BBC News, ITV News, Sky News Radio, and Times Radio as well as in the Daily Mail and Metro.

She said: “It started during the first lockdown when I was outraged that, as independent retailers we had to close. I was selling stationery, everybody was sent home to work and to home educate their children and I couldn't serve my community if I couldn't sell to them.

“I went on BBC Radio Manchester to express what I was feeling. And they invited me back and then it grew, and it grew – my very latest one was with Radio 5 Live asking about inflation. Now, I don't know anything about inflation, it baffles me how all that works, but I do know how it affects me in my shop at the grassroots level so I talked about that from the heart.”

And it’s the heart that counts with Sarah, whose passion for pens, pencils, pads, and paper has led her to become the ambassador for the annual celebration that is National Stationery Week 2024 for the second year running, which will fall in May 1319 with her plans to embrace both physical and social media activity.

Sarah recognises that social media is another window for customers to find out what a store is up to.

“I take every opportunity to take photos, at trade fairs, with agents, visits behind the scenes, anything that's happening to put it out there because those posts get more interaction than just a selling post. To me, it's not just

Charity Mystery Packs Sarah made up mystery card packs from samples she amasses over the year, including those collected at shows and received when she participated in the GCA’s Dragons’ Speed Dating events.

“The packs were so popular that I sold out and so made some more.”

Sarah said, with customers giving incredibly positive feedback. “We sold 34 in total, raising £290 for The Brain Tumour Charity – enough to fund a researcher for one day’s research!”

Sarah explained the cards were a mixture of birthday, blank, humorous and a few general occasions.

Above: Sarah with a handful of the charity mystery packs.

about selling, it's creating that community, creating the vision that people want to work with you. They want to shop with you. They want to support you.”

And it pays off – having established a tradition of taking a daft photo with Dean Morris every time she visits his PG Live stand, Sarah popped along to fellow naughty card purveyors Brainbox Candy at Autumn Fair where the publisher’s co-owners Ben Hickman and Mark Williams posed as only they can.

Sarah laughed: “A lady came into my shop about three months after that photo went on social media. She said ‘where are those cards?

You know, the rude ones where the man on Facebook had dropped his trousers’. That's what you need, isn't it!”

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Getting To Know…Akhtar Zahid

Preparing for Ch nge A total overhaul of its product portfolio to release more margin for customers, significant investment in ecommerce and a rebrand to broaden retailers’ perceptions of what it offers are just some of the changes in store for BGC Wholesale in 2024.

PG caught up with Akhtar Zahid, ceo, at the company’s Manchester HQ to hear all about the plans to take this long-established business forward as well as his fascinating career journey.

Think you know all about Budget Greeting Cards? Well, Akhtar Zahid, ceo of the leading wholesale business, is going to do his best to change that, instigating some far-reaching changes that will go some to alter trade perceptions, deliver better margins for its existing customers as well as to attract additional retailers to the multi-branch business.

It will be five years next month since Ardenton Capital, a Canadian-based private equity company bought a majority stake in BGC and a year since Akhtar Zahid was appointed by the

Top: The showroom in BGC’s Manchester flagship branch and HQ which the in-house studio uses to showcase how the product ranges look like in a retail situation.

Top right: The latest logo broadens the message about the company’s remit.

Above: Work is underway to hone the product portfolio and also improve the shopping experience in BGC’s warehouse.

Right: Akhtar Khalid, ceo of BGC Wholesale with PG’s Jakki Brown.

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investors to fill the top seat of the nine branch wholesale and publishing company and drive the business forward.

Showing a respect for the legacy of the business that was founded over 40 years ago (by brothers Martin and Paul Lavery who are no longer involved in its running) Akhtar said: “I doubt I could ever build a business like this from scratch now, but it can’t continue as it is as our customer base is changing and we need to give them the product mix and improved margins to enable them to better compete in today’s retail landscape.”

The recent demise of both CAPS and Card and Party World, two long established wholesale

names, deliver salutary lessons of what can happen if your business is not in tune with market forces.

Not blind to the dominance cardfactory now commands in the market, its 1,000+ stores offering incredible value to the consumer, not just in cards but in allied celebration products, Akhtar sees BGC’s mission to hone its offer to give its “customers the ability to not just complete with cardfactory, but to give them improved margins so they gain commercially.”

A quick delve into Akhtar’s career history and you get the picture that he is someone who is not afraid of a challenge, but also is tenacious about delivering solutions.

While he has a degree in chemical engineering and an MBA from Durham, which he has put to good use in management consultancy roles around the world, Akhtar is also aware of the need to be hands on.

“My first job, back in 1993, was packing fish fingers in Young’s factory in Grimsby!” he revealed by way of example.

Arguably his most impressive career ‘claim to fame’ to date was when Akhtar, joined DAL

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Getting To Know…Akhtar Zahid

Above: A selection of some of the female-orientated greeting card designs from BGC. Above right: Some of the more male-orientated greeting card designs from BGC. Below middle: Akhtar speaking on the film We All Love Milk: The Story of the School Milk Project in Sudan, which is hosted on YouTube.

Below: Progress will be made too on the company’s ecommerce side over the coming months.

Group, a wealthy private company in Khartoum, and he and his wife moved to Sudan.

“I built a successful dairy farm in a desert,” he says smiling, knowing he is one of the few people who can come out with such a statement. “I put the plan together, told the company it would cost $50 million and was then given the go ahead. We imported 2,500 cows from Australia, cross-bred them with local cows and built a processing plant.”

Not only did he score for DAL businesswise, but also made a massive difference to the wellbeing of many of the poverty-stricken living in the Northeast African country, having been instrumental in starting one of the largest free school milk programmes involving 16,000 children, through a joint venture with Sudan’s Ministry of Education.

Akhtar and his wife returned to the UK after 13 years in Sudan with more than just happy memories as they adopted two baby boys from an orphanage in Khartoum. While the current civil war precludes travelling there currently, once it is safe to do so, a family trip is on the cards.

But until then, what’s ‘on the cards’ for Akhtar is a redefining of BGC Wholesale, and that starts with the name.

“Budget Greeting Cards does not really reflect what the business is about now. Yes,

greeting cards are very important to us and our customers, but we also are strong in party products, gifts and stationery,” stresses Akhtar.

“And while we want to be known for value products, we want to move to offering a ‘good, better, best’ option for customers in each of key product area, enabling them to appeal to more consumers,” he elaborates.

As a first stage in this realignment, the branding has been changed, retaining the BGC Wholesale name but shifting the acronym to ‘balloons, gifts and cards’.

Already underway is a complete review of the

product offering right across the business.

As Akhtar explains looking out at the cavernous warehouse in its flagship branch in Manchester. “We have 115,000 SKUS out there, that’s way too many. We offer 42,000 different greeting cards, 28,000 gift skus, 22,000 balloon and party products and 5,500 stationery items,” quantifies Akhtar. He reveals “the aim is to halve this number, which will still offer a huge selection, but will release some costs that we can then pass on to our customers,” he assures.

There will also be some miscellaneous products that will be culled. “We carry a lot of products that we shouldn’t. Customers don’t come here looking to buy shoelaces or dog products, so it makes no

sense to tie up our cash or time in having them on our shelves,” explains Akhtar. “We need to concentrate on improving the offer in the areas which are core to our business and that of our customers.”

Top of this list is greeting cards, with its own in-house design studio creating the majority of cards BGC stocks with Prelude and Platinum among its most popular brands.

Added to this are greeting cards from other wholesale publishers, most notably Simon Elvin.

“I have the utmost respect for Simon Elvin who continues to uphold such high standards for greeting cards, and has been very kind to me, sharing his many years of experience of this special trade,” says Akhtar.

The scale of BGC’s business means that it is able to offer incredible value, especially in its own brand products, but this will now be carefully tiered.

“It is all about market mindness,” says Akhtar. “A good card will be fit for purpose, the better and best options will offer more by way of finishes, inserts, tipons. This will mean our customers can cater for their consumers’ differing needs,” he adds.

In tandem with honing the ranges, work is also due to get underway on the company’s ecommerce side.

“We have Jon Farrow joining us as head of ecommerce early in 2024, who will be drawing on his extensive B2B experience to tailor our online operations to best serve our customers’ needs.”

Likewise, the team is also beefing up on the sales and marketing front, with several new appointments to be announced.

“With the right ranges offering improved margins for our customers, a better shopping experience in our branches and online and branding that will better signal what we are about, we are on for an exciting year ahead,” sums up Akhtar.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 73

THE GLOBAL GREETING CARD GATHERING OF PUBLISHERS, RETAILERS, DISTRIBUTORS AND SUPPLIERS

THE ESSENTIALS When: Tuesday 4 – Wednesday 5 June Where: Business Design Centre, Islington, London N1 0QH Times: 9.30am-6pm on 4 June (1st night party ‘til 8pm) 9.30am-4.30pm on 5 June Tel: +44 (0)7734 111633 www.progressivegreetingslive.com

A fabulous celebration of publishers, retailers, overseas distributors and suppliers, where business meets pleasure Don’t Miss PG Live 2024…

Here Are Five Fabulous Reasons why…

1. The Incredible Exhibitors

Known the world over as having the greatest selection of greeting cards, the exhibitor line-up for PG Live 2024 is incredible. From leading established brands through to fresh and amazing start-ups, what an amazing opportunity to meet the people behind the brands and see their stunning new products.

2. Newness Galore and Show Only Offers

Thousands and thousands of brand new designs will be making their debut, with a host of ‘show only’ incentives and promotions to boot.

3. The Upbeat Vibe

PG Live brings everyone together – with retailers large and small, overseas distributors from all corners of the world, sales agents, leading trade suppliers, and a whole array of publishers and other exhibitors will all be under one roof.

4. Loads of Treats

Free tea and coffee for all, a delicious free lunch, opening night drinks party for everyone and a keepsake goody bag.

5. The Wonderful Venue

With its high curved ceiling letting in loads of natural light, the Business Design Centre just doesn’t feel like an exhibition venue.

Nestled in vibrant Islington, the BDC is not only easy to get to, but is surrounded by lovely shops, restaurants and bars!

Don’t miss out…just book your free tickets

Registration is now live at: www.progressivegreetingslive.com Call us on +44 (0)7734 111633 Email: jimb@max-publishing.co.uk Follow us @PGLiveLondon #pglive2024

An upbeat vibe, newness galore – and free refreshments, lunch and opening night party, PG Live 2024 is not to be missed!

Here’s just a ‘starter for ten’ of some of the great exhibitors who will be showing at PG Live 2024, all ready to give you a warm welcome…

A GIFT FROM THE GODS ABACUS CARDS AFRO TOUCH DESIGNS ALPHA COLOUR ALFF A BET DESIGN ALL SHADES CARDS ALLJOY DESIGN ANTHOLOGY CARDS APPLE & CLOVER APRICOT CARDS ARCHIVIST ARGUS ARRTHI ART PRESS BARE CARDS BELLY BUTTON DESIGNS BETTIE CONFETTI BEWILDERBEEST BEXY BOO BIRD & CO STUDIO BOLD & BRIGHT BRAINBOX CANDY BRIGHT AGENCY CAMBRIDGE CONFECTIONERY CARDGAINS CARDOLOGY CAROLINE GARDNER CAROUSEL CALENDARS CARTE BLANCHE CATH TATE CARDS CHARLOTTE FARR ILLUSTRATION CINNAMON AITCH CITRUS BUNN CLAIRE MADDICOTT COACH HOUSE PARTNERS COMEDY CARD COMPANY CREATIVE SPARROW CURIOUS PANCAKE DANDELION STATIONERY DANILO DEAN MORRIS DESIGNER GREETINGS DEVA DESIGNS DICKY BIRD DINOSAURS DOING STUFF DOTS ALLOWED DYSON DESIGNS EARLYBIRD EAST END PRINTS EMILY NASH ILLUSTRATION EMOTIONAL RESCUE ENVECO FEATHER INK FIVE DOLLAR SHAKE FUNKY ADI GENIALITY ART GINGER BETTY GRACE JACKSON DESIGN

GRAPHITE CREATIVE HALLMARK CARDS HANDS AND HEARTS HAPPY STREET CARDS HEATHER TREFUSIS ART HEYYY CARDS HOLY MACKEREL HYPE IG DESIGN GROUP INFORMA JAMES ELLIS STEVENS JANE BUURMAN HANDMADE JEHANE JEN WINNETT ART JESS HOGARTH KALI STILEMAN KATIE TINKLER KDEE DESIGNS KIRIORI KIRSTY TODD ILLUSTRATIONS KLARA HAWKINS LAURA DARRINGTON LAURA LONSDALE LETTERBOX LANE LIBRA FINE ARTS LIL WABBIT LING DESIGN LION CAT PAPER CO LITTLE ROGLETS LORENZO LOUISE MULGREW LOUISE TILER LOVELY PAPER STUFF LOWLAND STUDIOS LUCILLA LAVENDER LUCKY INK LUCY DRIVER LUCY MAGGIE MARINA B MEGAN CLAIRE MERAKI MICHELLE FIEDLER MIFKINS MIND OVER MATTER N.SMITH NICOLE ELDERS NIGEL QUINEY NOI NOW THEN SUNSHINE OBJECTABLES OH SQUIRREL OHH DEER OLIVER STOCKLEY ORIGAMO PANGO PRODUCTIONS PAPER BIRD PAPER MIRCHI PAPER ROSE

PAPER SALAD PAPER SHED PAPERLINK PAPERSHEEP PBS WAREHOUSING PENGUIN INK PENNY KENNEDY PHIL JARVIS DESIGN PIGMENT PINK AND MINT POET & PAINTER PORTFOLIO POSH PAWS INTERNATIONAL PRETTY LITTLE SCRIBBLES PRINTESS RASPBERRY BLOSSOM REDBACK RICICLE CARDS ROBERT JAMES HULL ART ROSANNA ROSSI ROSIE MADE A THING RUNNING WITH SCISSORS RUSH DESIGN SABIVO DESIGNS SAKINA SAIDI SARAH KELLEHER SAY IT WITH SONGS SHERWOOD PRESS SIGMUND LINDNER SOPHIE BRABBINS STEPHANIE DAVIES STOATS AND WEASELS STORMY KNIGHT STRIPEY CAT STUDIO FREWB SUNSHINE BINDERY SUSAN O’HANLON TACHE TEEPEE CREATIONS THE ART FILE THE CHARMING PRESS THE IMAGING CENTRE THE LAURA WALLACE COLLECTION THE PORCH FAIRIES THE SEED CARD CO TRACKS UK GREETINGS VEB COMPANY VERSED AID WENDY BELL WENDY JONES-BLACKETT WHITE COTTON CARDS WIDDOP & CO WOODMANSTERNE ZOE SPRY

…and this is just the line-up of exhibitors as we went to press, with plenty more in the pipeline!

Want to exhibit at PG Live 2024?

We have a few stand options available to suit all shapes and sizes Contact Tracey Arnaud on traceya@max-publishing.co.uk or Warren Lomax on warren@max-publishing.co.uk

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International Cards Focus Focus on…Christmas

Something Special Extra-special cards look to be the way to go for Christmas 2024 with publishers from the giants like Hallmark through to indies such as Stormy Knight, all picking up on the trend.

“It seems like the trends are showing people are sending less cards so are prioritising those who they’re closest to,” Stormy Knight director Sarah Jackson explained.

“So, my focus for Xmas 24 is extra-special cards for nearest and dearest. We’ll be expanding our popular Bauble collection – these cards have a die-cut bauble on satin ribbon that can be popped out and hung on the tree so can be kept for years to come.”

With colours, Sarah’s remaining traditional on her upcoming designs while looking to add festive foil in reds and greens, rather than just the more widely-used gold.

Intricate formats, pop-ups and 3D designs allow Hallmark to offer cards with “warmth and a

touch of mantelpiece magic”, as writing director Emma Bragg explained, with the Belle Noël collection including a laser-cut foiled keepsake bauble.

For the publisher and its customers, charity is very important in the festive season and were delighted by its Barnardo’s designs created from working with children from the charity, while the Royal National Institute Of Blind People (RNIB) collaboration led to the Better Connected, an accessible collection featuring braille and other inclusive elements.

Carte Blanche’s Me To You brand also has that extra

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…okay, we’ve only just come out of the 2023 festive season according to the calendar, but many greeting card publishers have their 2024 offer well underway. So, with retailers champing at the bit to see the latest designs and put their learnings from Christmas just past into action, PG takes a look at the design trends, packaging developments, caption changes, and whether traditional palettes are winning out over contemporary colours.

Above: Christmas cards spread joy, so designers get their product out early and this one from Ricicle Cards combines traditional colours and sentiments with a contemporary design.

Left: A festive dog has convinced Stormy Knight to expand its Bauble range.

Below midde: This Hallmark’s 3D Paper Wonder Elf design ties in with something special.

Bottom left: CBG’s Me To You collection has keepsake bauble cards.

Bottom right: Humour and style from UKG.

something with its latest Photo Finish range of lenticular design The Night Before Christmas featuring a Tatty Teddy Santa getting everything ready for the magical day, along with some extra-special bauble-shaped keepsake cards to treasure.

Along with signature range Enchanted Forest featuring shimmering gold accents across luxury boxed cards, pop-up and handmade, with matching dressings, there’s also a fresh modern twist with Merry Berry Christmas showing festive foliage and cosy tones of pink and red finished with hints of gold foil.

Nostalgia and traditional values are the essence of Christmas 2024 according to GBCC creative director Lucy Ledger, “creating a festive atmosphere that harks back to cherished memories of Christmases’ past and a focus on the enduring values that make it a season of joy, togetherness, and timeless tradition” with the colour palette and subject matter reflecting this.

The impact on the planet is also key, with a heightened focus on nature and eco-friendly practices, and Lucy added: “Christmas is incorporating more natural elements and nature as a whole reflects strongly on our range with a continued focus on our beautiful flora and fauna.”

On the colour front over at Dandelion Stationery, Jo Wilson said: “We saw a lot of love PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 77

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Focus on…Christmas Cards this year for Noel, our contemporary pink collection.”

Meanwhile, she’s looking to continue her contemporary humour themes after the strong sales of the Festive FourLegged Friends designs – top sellers have been the guinea pig and horse cards – with the multi-pack of dog cards in 100% recyclable cardboard packaging meeting the eco theme.

The Eco-friendly Card Co is the epitome of the sustainability vibe, and has a full range of packs made from 100% recycled board that’s carbonbalanced with The World Land Trust, along with 100% recycled envelopes.

The art card collection features 12 artists, including Julia Crossland, covering different mediums, while the photographic packs show British wildlife and are available in support of the Wildlife Trusts.

There’s been a makeover on the card packs at Caroline Gardner where eco bags have been replaced by boxes, with cut-out windows, and transparent belly bands for the smaller packs, while the plastic-free roll-wrap is now sealed with a removable sticker.

Design director Nicola Breen said: “Traditional icons such as robins, Christmas trees and foliage, remain important, and we also have plenty of playful characters and bold modern text.

“We believe Christmas is about nostalgia and traditions rather than trends, so our focus is always on hand-worked cards with attention to detail. It’s perhaps with colour that we inject newness, with unexpected combinations and bright pops.”

Humour is always a popular Christmas theme and Rosie Made a Thing is extending its caption options to include all the family, including little fur babies – look out for From The

Far left: Traditional designs and natural eco look feature for GBCC. Left: Sustainability is key at Eco-friendly Card Co. Below: Animals are in the pink at Dandelion.

Dog and From The Cat for 2024.

“Our female-tofemale sends seem to be hugely popular,” founder Rosie Harrison said, “so we’ve got some new quirky h u m o u r- b a s e d around all the joys of Christmas. We also love to have a little poke and joke at the men in our lives – sorry guys!”

Christmas is all about tradition so, for naughty humour-meister Dean Morris, that means embracing his now annual tradition of releasing a new Jesus card, which he’s been doing since 2012!

“My brain is fried from Christmas this year,” Dean laughed, “but there’s another 18 new designs, with more being added last minute in the new year. Again,

Red-dy steady go!

Red envelopes, red postboxes, red Santa outfits, red holly berries, Rudolph’s red nose – the traditional colour of Christmas is pretty much red and it’s personified in the cute little robin who appears on many a festive design.

But for Petimo’s Sophie Edwards that’s proven to be a problem as she also runs the More Than Just A Gift indie store at Leicestershire’s Narborough Hall and found she just couldn’t get away from the sweet red-breasted creatures.

“With all the upheaval in the world, people are looking for comfort at Christmas time even more than ever before. Warm, earthy reds and charming characterful imagery is exactly what consumers want, but we need more than just robins,” laughed Sophie. “As a buyer for my own shop, I know it’s been a growing trend for a while but for 2023 I was actually finding it difficult to source enough cards without robins. Of course, they’re popular 78 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

we have a mix of clean and rude as the British card-buying public are nice and diverse and still buying at both ends of the spectrum and everything in between.”

The Hanson White brand from UK Greetings also hits the funny bone with its TV & Topical range showing famous faces in festive settings, including King Charles III, and family favourites Ant and Dec pictured as Santa’s elves.

Meanwhile Boofle is back spreading his annual Christmas cheer as the UKG character features in cosy wintry scenes accented with gold foil through to fun and festive looks with a host of exciting sustainable finishes and attachments, plus numerous captions and folds so everyone can make the card list.

And the bestselling Midnight Lustre turns up the style with an opulent new colour palette and gold foil accents while the collaboration with Stop The Clock makes Christmas merry and bright.

There’s no one-size-fits-all policy at The Art File, where sales and marketing manager James Mace explained: “Traditional style Christmas cards will be popular for years to come, while other more contemporary themes are often trend-led and can change year on year,” but the publisher recognises many customers do look for contemporary with alternative colours or humour.

Brand-new Kitschmas from in-house designer Beth Kemp is aimed at combining it all with traditional, vintage imagery and a modern colour palette, that’s also translated into roll wrap.

Far left: Kitsch and contemporary from The Art File.

Left: Nigel Quiney favours traditional colours and multi-send captions.

and they do sell well, but a display looks a bit boring if it’s dominated by robins on every card!”

Having recently started as a designer and publisher with Petimo, Sophie came up with her own Holly Jolly range of cute festive characters “but not a red-breasted bird in sight”, finding her Christmas pudding couple and Santa husband designs have been bestsellers.

Above: Petimo’s Sophie Edwards has And the more niche captions of drawn anything but robins. granddaughter, grandson, niece and nephew were “remarkably strong sellers” so for 2024 she’s already adding more.

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Focus on…Christmas International Cards Focus “The softer colour palette of images on the more trad side, pastels, still includes traditional reds plus gold foil for that alland greens which give a nostalgic important sparkle to spread the Well known as Christmas card specialists, Ling Design and feeling,” said Beth, “I wanted the seasonal joy. sister publisher GBCC have plenty of experience in the genre – illustrations to have a decorative, The IC&G profile is firmly within and a recent Henries trophy to prove it. decadent feel – focusing on the David Byk, ceo of parent company Swan the traditional Christmas design Mill Group, has been explaining how theme of decorating for Christmas, sector, but studio manager he and the team have been planning with nutcrackers, full leafy garlands, Robin Birch said the team Christmas 2024 far earlier than being trees, baubles, adorned fireplaces continually consider able to the benefit of any sales and ribbons, but pairing them with new colourways and numbers or how 2023 has performed at contemporary themes too.” design trends to mix up retail.

There’s a lot going on at the design options.

He said: “I’m pleased to see the decisions we made seemed to be the right Hotchpotch with new humour from “Our 2024 range has been ones once you review 2023!

Christmas Cracker, the painted born out of returns analysis data, “We saw great success in our charity offers and both Snowdrop and Alpine collections, where our sales teams have businesses have increased these knowing it’s a price-sensitive along with Fluffy & Fancy, all scanned out every single card, category. We have more religious cards going into 2024 with both combining traditional imagery in giving us a clear vision of not just Medici from GBCC and more options at Ling as we certainly modern colourways. what was sold-in to retail, but have seen growth in this, plus we have a new Ling charity Meanwhile, Nigel Quiney has what has sold-through. This has bumper box following customer demand.

“Both businesses do traditional well, but we’ve also seen younger concentrated on traditional led to the company considering card buyers so Ling’s more contemporary The Curious Inksmith Christmas designs evoking the price, value for money, design brand has been expanded along with more Almanac contemporary warm nostalgic memories of the style, and finishing options as part and art cards from GBCC to fill this increased demand. past, which head of product Carl of the range development.”

“We continue to focus on value as well as the packaging, Pledger believes is what the season With 485 new designs in the making sure it looks premium and is also recyclable to fulfil this is about and will never go out of collection, IC&G’s in-house UK important core sustainability requirement. fashion. manufacturing means it can “Christmas is so important for us that we’re even doing an extra January show – Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair.”

“Green holly and ivy, and red react swiftly to market changes, Above: Ling is hoping its 2024 range can hold on to The Henries berries are the backbone to our and also maintain Best Christmas Box or Pack trophy! range,” he said, “finished with gold or and revise minor and silver foil, topped off less mainstream Left: Poking fun in Rosie Made a Thing’s speciality. with a healthy captions.

Below left: Dean Morris’ humour is naughty and nice. splattering of snow and Talking of captions, Right: Christmas Twilight is a new range you’re on to a winner.

Little Roglets’ Lex from Jonny Javelin, featuring enchanting illustrations with “The captions we feel Rogy has feedback elegant figures.

Below: Wishing Well has captions for all. are on the rise are the that consumers are multi-send designs, has softly-drawn landscapes enjoying seeing From All Of Us, To All Of dotted with silver foiling and a Happy Christmas over You, Neighbours and sweet robin finished with a red Merry Christmas.

Grandchildren, not and white drawn ribbon.

It’s captions that forgetting the captions Having won the Best have helped Ricicle that always work well.

Christmas Box or Pack at the Cards bridge the gap G r a n d d a u g h t e r, 2023 Henries, Ling has been as founder David NicholsGrandson, Mum and developing trends from global Rice’s hand-painted Both Of You, these are resources, with head of creative designs are contemporary always very successful.”

Clare Twigger saying: “The palettes with a vibrant colour Wishing Well, from of a traditional Christmas and the palette while keeping the Carte Blanche, deep rich heritage tones are more trad feel with a red presents a strong weighted in our ranges.” envelope and wording to traditional Christmas Nostalgic memories are a key cater for many, including offering with a focus theme, along with the authenticity of husband, wife, brother, on integrated captions hand-written fonts, and “sincere and sister, To You Both and ensuring something emotive messaging”, while this year’s To The One I Love. for everyone – from Godson through to Wife offer has an open-window box with a rich And, emblazoned which is far and away the bestselling caption of and contemporary palette of berry reds, across a lovely big red bus, is a number of years in a row. regal blue and evergreen, along with a wide the line Happy Christmas To You All, which Tartan Tidings is a masculine offering with a choice of charity packs and bumper box. is what everyone here at PG wishes warm seasonal feel using bold reds and Rich and elegant festive colours adorn the everyone out there – we’re just getting in 12 greens while Christmas In The Countryside new boxed designs from Paperlink with the months’ early!

Voice of experience

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 79

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Art Source: Design Predictions

Trend Tracking Artificial intelligence continues its march into so many enclaves of our lives, yet true creativity, works by real artists, illustrators and designs remain ever potent.

Citrus zing, honouring what came before, modern opulence and some hopping frogs and toads thrown in for good measure, are just some of the trends predicted by some leading artists agencies to be reflected in greeting cards over the coming year.

PG serves up a feast for the eyes as a trio of experienced aesthetic bellwethers cite what they believe will be the cultural drivers of our creative tastes for 2024 as well as the design trends that will shape our interactions.

The Human Touch Jehane Boden Spiers, founder of Jehane shares what she feels will be the aesthetic drivers in the coming year.

“The biggest driver for our clients’ aesthetic tastes in the coming year I believe will be an increased interest in intentional artwork which displays a human touch. The extraordinary advent of Artificial Intelligence will continue to prompt us to ask important questions. Technological advances are nothing new. Indeed, they have long inspired us to reflect on the value we bring to the table. One of the valuable outcomes of AI is the clearer distinction it supports us to seek. The wide-reaching and fast-moving impact of AI is shining an ever brighter light on the key debate around what we do and the value of what, and how, we create. We are increasingly considering the layers within the creation of art and the valuable driver of individual intent. This will extend to an increased emphasis and interest in personalised experiences, storytelling, and authentic narratives.

The personal touch of the human hand will be increasingly valued and drive aesthetic tastes in 2024 and beyond.”

Jehane’s trio of trend predictions…

Left: Jehane Boden Spiers believes AI will see us seek out the authentic.

Right: A robin design of pressed flowers and leaves created by Helen Ahpornsiri, who is represented by Jehane.

Below left: (left to right) Kate Heiss’ Oranges design echoes the Zest for Life trend as does Tracey English’s Lemons piece. Both artists are represented by Jehane.

Below: This Illuminations artwork by Catherine Rowe (top to bottom) and Victorian Garden design by Maria Matos, exude the Modern Opulence trend. Both artists are represented by Jehane.

influence. The lemon was first recorded in literature in a 10th century Arabic treatise on farming and was also used as an ornamental plant in early Islamic gardens. It was distributed widely from then on and reached Mediterranean regions between 1000 and 1150.The popularity of citrus has built entire economies and is the result of an impressive commonality. This makes citrus designs both a design trend which we appreciate as individuals with the commercial benefits of reaching a wide audience.”

Modern Opulence

Zest For Life “Citrus trends will inspire new variations of sharp and vibrant designs without being sugar-sweet. Refreshingly bold yet understated, familiar favourites like lemons, limes, grapefruits, and oranges will reflect a zest for a simpler way of life with an historic

"Modern opulence will be a strong trend in 2024. It offers an elegance of style which everyone can enjoy in smaller doses while maintaining a sumptuous and lavish effect. Modern opulence will combine romance and nostalgia with a relaxed approach while keeping the focus on luxury. Rich colour palettes with carefully balanced details and design layouts which give elements more space to breathe will feature. Decadent designs will be enhanced with innovative materials or juxtaposed with contrasting styles such as Art Deco. With the added bonus of a sense of space, this trend celebrates luxury in a more leisurely

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way."

Left and below: Maja Lindberg’s Harvest Artwork and Katherine Quinn’s Farm Life, two artists represented by Jehane, both reflect the Countryside Neutrals trend.

Countryside Neutrals “Scenic, rural designs in warmer neutrals will be strong in the coming year. The ongoing popularity and evolution of Scandiinspired design continues to hold our interests and influence design trends. From cool and minimalist to cosy and cocooning, this trend informs an array of warm neutrals. Inspired by farm-life, harvest, and the countryside, this farmhouse design (far right) embodies various styles which overall represents cosiness and comfort. Earthy beiges, contemporary off-whites, and wildlife elements will complement using natural materials and modest decorative touches. A softer commentary on climate change; this theme honours the land we want to protect. It celebrates the comfort of the familiar and principally the life we want to preserve.”

Everybody’s Welcome Deborah Millinship, agent for greeting cards and licensing for Advocate Art believes that this coming year will see an even greater embrace of D&I. “Reflecting on eventful 2023, we turn our gaze toward the upcoming trends of 2024.

This year has underscored the significance of inclusivity, emphasising the importance of recognising diverse backgrounds, while further extending our greeting card sends to include beloved pets.”

Left: Advocate’s Deborah Millinship Below left: A Yayo Kawamura design (left to right) that celebrates D&I while this Sharon Montgomery artwork signals how our pets are very much part of the family. Both artists are represented by Advocate.

Right: Advocate artist Katie Abey’s Hopping Mad design reflects the froggy trend.

Hopping Mad “In 2024, frog and toad characters hop into the spotlight, making their way from homeware, fashion, and toys to paper and stationery. These lively characters, alongside trendy motifs like mushrooms and toadstools, contribute a cute or humorous touch to artworks.”

Calm Serenity and Bolshy Brights

Deb unfolds her trio of design predictions for 2024…

Y2K Nostalgia “Embracing the whimsical essence of the Y2K era, envision a world adorned with quirky motifs and characters that encapsulate the joy of life. This trend, inclusive of all genders, sexualities, and friendships, transcends specific occasions, focusing on celebrating the everyday.

Expect retro and modern motifs in candy-bright colours and psychedelic imagery, offering unique keepsake greetings to lift the spirits of recipients.”

Right: Y2K Nostalgia by Bethan Richards, who is represented by Advocate.

“Casting our gaze towards autumn and the changing seasons of 2024, self-care takes centre stage. Calm Serenity guides us through autumn and winter with muted autumnal motifs and neutral palettes blended with soft icy blues, lilacs and sage greens.

On the flip side, Bolshy Brights captures contemporary festive spirit, featuring playful characters, Below: A Modern Families design

by Charlotte Pepper, who is modern families, bright represented by Advocate, showcases the Bolshy Brights trend. geometric and retro prints.

Incorporating subtle hints of Pantone’s trending colour of the year, Peach Fuzz, to add a touch of softness.

There is also a second direction for more sophisticated brights emerging with vibrant jewel tones and clashing patterns, pairing pops of pink with sheer lilacs, grassy greens, light blues, mustard yellow, and peony navy. This eccentric trend promises a lively and uplifting visual experience.”

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Comforting Thoughts Jo Astles, licensing agent of The Bright Agency shares what she feels will be some of the design taste drivers for the coming year…

“2023 was an incredibly exciting year and I believe 2024 will follow suit. Our need for comfort and each other has never been stronger and we will see that reflected in our arts. From a trends point of view, I can see us exploring lots of different avenues.”

Jo’s top three trend choices are…

In Touch with Nature “Nature is the most authentic artist, and it's time we acknowledge and integrate its beauty into our work. Natural settings that feel warm and inviting are taking centre stage, and rightly so.”

Diversity and Inclusion “Art is a universal language, it's for everybody regardless of disability, race, gender, or background. Themes of inclusive families, all the forms of love and our different bodies will all still be key - with the mindset of championing love and inclusivity.”

Honouring What Came Before “With that hand-drawn feel, growing in popularity once again. Our art should emulate classical techniques, such as gouache, watercolour, ink and charcoal, simply put, characterful art that will take pride of place on products that fly off the shelves.”

Top: Jo Astles feels that the coming year will see relationship bonds deepening.

Above: Represented by Bright, this Fiona Lee image reflects the power of friendship.

Above right: This design by Colette Barker, who is represented by Bright, paints a picture of our appreciation of nature, including in our domestic lives.

Middle right: A contemporary design by Wendy Wen, who is represented by Bright, that champions D&I. Right: The coming year will see a greater appreciation for classical artistic techniques as evidenced by these two artworks by Laura Coleman (left to right) and Claudine Rose, both of whom are represented by Bright.

WANT TO BE FEATURED?

If you are an artist, photographer or verse writer and would like to be considered to appear in Art Source, please contact PG’s Jakki Brown on jakkib@max-publishing.co.uk. This is an editorial feature and as such is free of charge.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 85

England DU: 10.10.2023

27. – 30. 1. 2024 FRANKFURT / MAIN

75172-011_CRW_allgemein_progressive_greetings_210x297 • FOGRA 39 • CMYK • js | lr |

BUSINESS AS

UNUSUAL The world’s most important trade fair for hobby, handicrafts and artists’ supplies presents exciting new products and inspiring DIY trends. Start the new ordering season with us here in Frankfurt. info@uk.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +44 (0) 14 83 48 39 84

FIND OUT MORE AND ORDER YOUR TICKET TO CREATIVE PRODUCT IDEAS

086_PG January 2024.indd 1

23/12/2023 20:18

87-88.qxp_Grid 23/12/2023 20:59 Page 1

PG ASKED TWO LEADING RETAILERS FOR THEIR BEST SELLERS Liz Killick, co-owner of Calladoodles, Carshalton. A very popular communityloving card and gift shop in a large village near the border of Surrey.

Right: Liz Killick knows what Calladoodles’ customers like.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday Right: A Folio card, a publisher Liz first discovered at PG Live.

The Art File Sarah Kelleher Louise Mulgrew Folio

Across the board Florals Across the board Across the board

“An ever expanding choice of styles.”

“Lush, colourful and dramatic blooms.”

“Reliable and extremely popular.”

“A PG Live discovery, fresh and original.”

Relations & Occasions

Woodmansterne

Emma Bridgewater

“Bold lettering and great colouring.”

Rosie Made a Thing The Art File

Gin & Frolics Across the board

“Irreverent and fun.”

“A fabulous publisher.”

Humour

Bewilderbeest Cath Tate Cards Pigment

Across the board Life is Rosie Across the board

Right: A Life is Rosie design from Cath Tate Cards.

Rosie Made a Thing

Gin & Frolics

“Wacky and highly original.”

“Loved by ladies.”

“Gently amusing for the less adventurous.”

“Naughty but nice.”

Children’s

Rachel Ellen

Across the board

Woodmansterne

Quentin Blake; Tom Gates

Adult Ages

Pigment Woodmansterne

Happy Jackson Across the board

“Colourful, fun and well priced.”

“Reliable and varied.”

Art

Umbellifer

Across the board

“Floral illustrations with literary quotes.”

“Stunning geometrics and graphic designs.”

Pavilion

“Great prices, choice and oodles of glitter.”

“Perfect cards for tots to teens.”

Photographic

Icon

Curious World; Exposure; Silver

“Funny and great images.”

“Simple, beautiful sympathy and thinking of you cards.”

3D/Pop-ups

The Art File

Form

“Ideal for a special wedding or new baby card.”

“Intricate and whimsical.”

Paper D'Art Giftwrappings

Gifts

Right: A depiction of Calladoodles by Simon Robins Stephens.

Glick

Across the board

Studio Boketto

Across the board

Wild Olive Every Nook

Body and bath products Candles

Jellycat Arthouse

Everything Chocolate

Rex

Slimy Slugs

“Excellent price points, great choice for most occasions.”

“The Full English design is a best seller.”

Above: A striking Dahlia design from Umbellifer. The rear of this card includes the Gertrude Jekyl quote: "The best purpose of a garden is to give delight and to give refreshment of mind, to soothe, to refine, and to lift up the heart in a spirit of praise and thankfulness."

“All natural and smell divine.”

“Retro mid-century design, excellent fragrances.”

“Of course!”

“Beautifully packaged and a great cause.”

“Our best sellers by far… bleuurgghh!!”

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 87

87-88.qxp_Grid 23/12/2023 20:59 Page 2

Nicky Stephenson, co-owner of The Tutbury Present Company, Tutbury. A popular medium sized card and gift shop in a Staffordshire village.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Christmas singles

Five Dollar Shake

Especially the large relations cards

“Beautiful cards with intricate details and lots of sparkle! We had to reorder.”

Ling Design

Boxes and charity packs

“They have have flown out, great value for money and the designs are so varied.”

Citrus Bunn

Generally

Apple and Clover

Generally

“Pun-tastic cards with colourful illustrations that really stand out.”

“Great for animal lovers with handembellished bows and great illustrations.”

Second Nature

Champagne

Bexy Boo

Scrabbly Neons

Pigment

Riff Riff; Etched and Animal Antics

Rosie Made a Thing

Gin & Frolics

Adult Ages

Pigment

Ping

Right: Great standout power from Pigment’s Ping range.

Woodmansterne

Quentin Blake

Children’s

Rachel Ellen

Chatterbox

Redback

Shine

Cute

Paper Shed

Pawsitvely Perfect

“Charming animal designs in beautiful pastel shades.”

Photographic

Tracks

Fluff

Icon

Curious World

“With the added fluffy embellishments they are perfect for all ages.”

“Funny, quirky and great animal photography with added sentiment to inspire the sender.”

Art

Woodmansterne

Sanderson

“Elegant designs from the well-known brand. Ideal all occasions cards.”

Giftwrappings

Glick

Across the board

“They have some brilliant licences and really colourful designs. Excellent quality too.”

Gifts

Joe Davies

Village Pottery

Right: The Country Candle Co’s Pastels range is selling well in The Tutbury Present Company.

The Country Candle Co

Pastels

“These tealight houses are great for this time of year. Customers have started building their own collections.”

“This home fragrance brand is relatively new to us, but it’s selling really well. Great packaging and price points.”

Right: The Tutbury Present Company in its festive finery.

Boxes and Packs Right: The Tutbury Present Company’s co-owners Nicky Stephenson and Claire Jarvis.

Everyday

Relations and Occasions Right: The bow embellishment adds to the charm of this Apple and Clover design.

Humour

Right: Tracks Fluff range appeals to all ages.

88 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

“Handmade designs with lots of different captions which work well across the board.”

“Unique tiled cards that are still a favourite with customers.”

“We have a spinner by the door of these cards and they are always popular. A good price point and always get our customers giggling.”

“These modern designs are always spot on! Rosie knows how to use humour to create the perfect cards to send to friends.”

“New in. Really funky, bright and attractive designs with a lovely raised finish.”

“Classic designs by the instantly recognisable illustrator.”

“Pretty and bright designs, just perfect for little ones.”

“A card and a sequin patch in one, brilliant quality and something a bit different.”

89-99_Classified Complete 2023.qxp 24/12/2023 18:00 Page 89

PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

To appear in the Product Directories contact Warren Lomax T: 020 7700 6740 email: warren@max-publishing.co.uk

To appear in the Product Directories contact Warren Lomax T: 020 7700 6740 email: warren@max-publishing.co.uk

or contact Tracey Arnaud T: 07957 212 062 email: traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

or contact Tracey Arnaud T: 07957 212 062 email: traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

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BEXY BOO

Publishers of quality blank greeting cards Tel: 0115 929 4776 enquiries@bugart.co.uk Order Online

www.bugart.co.uk Te l: 01638 5 6 9 0 5 0 w w w . a b a cu s c a rd s . c o . u k E ma i l : i nf o@a ba c us card s . co . uk

To appear in the Product Directories contact Warren Lomax T: 020 7700 6740 email: warren@max-publishing.co.uk

THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD

&$5'6 )25 :+(1 :+$7 6 ,16,'( &28176

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or contact Tracey Arnaud T: 07957 212 062 email: traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 89

89-99_Classified Complete 2023.qxp 24/12/2023 18:01 Page 90

PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD

To appear in the Product Directories contact Warren Lomax T: 020 7700 6740 email: warren@max-publishing.co.uk

Greetings Cards Plush & Giftware Gi G ft Dressings & Wrrap Gift

or contact Tracey Arnaud T: 07957 212 062 email: traceya@max-publishing.co.uk Innovative high quality gift wrap, gift bags, tissue paper and accesssories galore for all seasons and occasions.

By

®

Also acting as the exclusive UK distributor fo forr Bl Blue Mountain M t i A Ar ts t

Order s can be placed on our tradeer site

www.cbgtrader w. r..co.uk

01274 655980 sales@glick.co.uk glick.co.uk trade.glick.co.uk Glick Gift Packaging Ltd Unit 1 Allenby House European Ind. Park, Knowles Lane Bradford BD4 9AB

or call our customer ser vices team m on

+44(0)1243 792600 @glickgiftwrap

To appear in the Product Directories contact Warren Lomax T: 020 7700 6740 warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact Tracey Arnaud T: 07957 212 062 traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

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WISHES

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Including firm favourites and brand new designs

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Brands include: Keepsakes, Words of Love, Jelly Beans, Bella Rose, Champagne and many more

HE IS

Hallmark Cards PLC Dawson Lane, Bradford, BD4 6HN UK&NI: 0800 90 20 900 ROI: 012 480 104 customerqueriesUK@hallmark.com

THE

WAY

THE AND TRUTH

LIFE

THE

THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD

Polissh Po h

Te T el: 0161 1 64 641 0 06 655 Email: m sales@daav sales@d avora.co.uk 135 Hea 13 135 eaton Moorr Rd | Stockp ock kpor port ort SK4 4HY 4 4H HY

90 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Tel: +44 (0)115 986 0115 customerservices@paperrose.co.uk www.writefromtheheart.co.uk

89-99_Classified Complete 2023.qxp 24/12/2023 18:02 Page 91

PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

To appear in the Product Directories contact Warren Lomax T: 020 7700 6740 email: warren@max-publishing.co.uk

originalposter.com

or contact Tracey Arnaud T: 07957 212 062 email: traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

All our cards are supplied on consignment, so you only pay for what you sell.

+

We also supply card fixtures and spinners free-on-loan.

We replace slow sellers and damaged stock free of charge.

We merchandise regularly, so you don’t have to.

THAT’S WHY WE’RE ORIGINAL!

01932 267 300

To appear in the Product Directories contact Warren Lomax T: 020 7700 6740 email: warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact Tracey Arnaud T: 07957 212 062 email: traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

)

Great brands, Great service Bespoke planning We can help with all your planning requirements.

From smaller displays to redeveloping complete card departments

CHARITY GREETING CARDS One of the UK’s leading publishers of Charity Greeting Cards.

Impress offers a wide collection of images, including fine art, graphic, photographic and cute.

We also offer a bespoke design service for bulk orders and/or mail order fulfilment.

Impress Publishing Appledown House Barton Business Park New Dover Road Canterbury, Kent CT1 3TE Tel: 01227 811 611 Fax: 01227 811 618 email: info@impresspublishing.co.uk

@NoelTattGroup 01227 811 600 sales@noeltatt.co.uk www.noeltatt.co.uk

THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD

To appear in the Product Directories contact Warren Lomax T: 020 7700 6740 email: warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact Tracey Arnaud T: 07957 212 062 email: traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 91

89-99_Classified Complete 2023.qxp 24/12/2023 18:02 Page 92

PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

Send Love ( ll year round) (al d)

Exquisite Designs Beautiful Cards Key br ands include: Wr ite from the Hear t Ar tisan, Marzipan, Capisco Designer s Guild, Clare Tupperr Lucy Ledger plus man y more

paperbirdpu blishing.co.uk

Enquiries: warren@max-publishing.co.uk or Tracey Arnaud traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

info@papersheddesign.com www.papersheddesign.com tel: 0118 9744283

Tel:: +44 (0)115 986 0115 Te customer ser vices@paperrose .co.uk www.paperrose .co.uk www.ar tgroupcards.co.uk

p p paperlink... the home of fabulous cards!

6 Heron Trading Estate Alliance Road, Park Royal, London W3 0RA T: 0208 385 4474 F: 0208 385 4471 E: info@Xpressyourselfcards.co.uk WWW.XXPRESSYOURSELFCARDS.CO.UK

PRODUCTS: World’s leading publisher of high quality plastic greeting cards. Also an extensive range of quality greeting cards covering Everyday, Occasions, Christmas and Spring seasons.

BRANDS: Cherished Thoughts, Sweet Sentiments, Buddies Always, Symphony, Thinking of You, Style, Special Wishes, Special Times, Young Editions, Groove Sensations, Forever Blessed, Grey Skies, Classics.

356 Kennington Rd London SE11 4LD T 020 7582 8244 info@paperlink.co.ukk www.paperlink.co.uk Paperlinkcards

METHOD OF SALE: SENSATIONS – Direct to retail XPRESS YOURSELF – Now one of the leading wholesale publisher suppliers in the UK

@ @paperlinkcards

Products: Greetings Cards, Gift Wrap, Gift Bags, Social Stationery, Partyware

Greetting i g Card C ds

Brands:

THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD

Blossom & Bows Card Essentials Greetings Impressions In Touch Isabel·s Garden Planet Happy Sentiments With You In Mind Word Play

Method of sale: Wholesale Distributors

Simon Elvin Limited

Quality Greeting Cards ww ww.passelllpublisshin ng.com m iinfo nfo o@ o @ pas ssel ellpu lpu u blis sshin hin ng n g..com @pas ublis m

01423 876311 www.peartreeheybridge.co.uk

92 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE Peartree Small Ad.indd 6

24/02/2022 15:52

Wooburn Industrial Park, Wooburn Green, Bucks HP10 0PE Tel: 01628 526711 Fax: 01628 531483 www.simonelvin.com mail@simonelvin.com

89-99_Classified Complete 2023.qxp 24/12/2023 18:03 Page 93

PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

Enquiries: warren@max-publishing.co.uk or Tracey Arnaud traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

DIRECTORY OF WHOLESALE

Market Leaders in

Verse &

entimen

an extensive range of superior quality,

design-led Greeting Cards for all occasions, Spring Seasons & Christmas.

Method of Sale: Direct to Retail Orders can be placed on our trader site

www.cbgtrader.co.uk or call our customer services team on

+44(0)1243 792600

EUROPE’S LEADING GREETINGS CARDS, PARTY PRODUCTS, GIFTS, CANDLES, TOYS, STATIONERY AND FLORIST SUNDRIES DISTRIBUTION CENTRE 75000 SQ FT BESCOT CRESCENT, WALSALL, WEST MIDLANDS. WS1 4NG 01922-646666 www.greetingshouse.co.uk info@greetingshouse.co.uk

We offffer a COMPREHEN

MON,WED,FRI 8.00am-4.45pm TUES,THURS 8.00am-7.45pm SAT,SUN 8.00am-1.45pm

range of high Greeting Cards f ALL Occasions,

CHRISTMAS an

THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD

Season f Sale:

mail: inffoo@words-nWeb: www We w..words-n-wishes.co.uk

Tel: 01942 233201

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 93

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DIRECTORY OF WHOLESALE

l DIRECTORY OF WHOLESALE

LONDON

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www.transrappackag ging.co.uk sales@transrap.cco.uk CALL US TODA AY

Enquiries: warren@max-publishing.co.uk or Tracey Arnaud traceya@max-publishing.co.uk 94 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

01773 537 7810

30 YEARS EXPERIENCE - QUA ALITY SERVICE EXTENSIVE STOCK RANGE - QUICK K DELIVERY Y ASSURED

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Polypropylene & biodegradable bag specialists

GREETING CARD

Over 40 years quality service to the trade Hotfoiling also available

T 01206 396209 E sales@badgerconverters.co.uk www.badgerconverters.co.uk

We’ve been producing p bags of high clarity and high q quality for over 30 years.

01274 220 220 www w.wrapid.co.uk sales@wrapid.co.uk

ENVELOPES

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GIVE E YOUR

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TREA AT A TMENT HIGH CLARITY L TY Y BA AGS FOR RG GREETING ET T NG CARD DS, CALEND EN N ARS ARS AND AND D ARTW TWORK WORK ŏ ŏđŏ ŏ

FOIL LB BLOCKING NG G

IN FO @E NV EC O. CO .U K

‘we we make Envelopes and Stationery’

MOREE THAN 50 COLOURS 6 POPULAR GREEETINGS CARD SIZES 50+ WH HITE SIZES IN STOCK BESPOKE ENV VELOPES AV AVAILABLE PEEL A AND SEAL CLOSURE RECYCLED / KRAFTT / 140GSM / 120GSM 11 SUPER BRIG GHT NEON COLOURS BESPOKE NOTEBO OOKS & STATIONERY

PLEASE GET IN TOUCH FOR TARY RY YOUR COMPLIMENTA ENVELOPE OR NOTEBOOK WATCH PA PACK SWA

FOR ALL YOUR ENVELOPE NEEDS! Largest range of in-stock colours

EXTE XTENSIVE NSIV VE RANG V R RA ANGE OF S ST TOCK SIZES SIZ ZES AND BES AND BE ESPO OKE KE MANUF KE MANU UF FACTU TUR TURE T U E

Over 400 Bespoke Envelope Sizes

AT TED D WRAPPING SERVICE NEW AUTOMA

100% Recycled Paper Available

8 Sizes Permanently in Stock RECYCLED

PAPER

Stock & Bespoke Cello Bags

CALL CA CAL C LL US ST TO ODAY OD

0122 1228 228 2 28 8 5605 56 60 052 26 6 www.fful ulcrumfilms. ulcrrum mfillm ms s co.uk uk

Peel & Stick Envelopes Bespoke Service on Request

ORDER ON LINE AT: www.regentenvelopes.com 01274 583000 sales@regentenvelopes.com PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 95

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CLASSIFIED

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W W W. EN VE CO .CO .U K

01 90 83 78 86 6

ENVELOPES

l CLASSIFIED

IN FO @E NV EC O. CO .U K

‘we we make Envelopes and Stationery’

MOREE THAN 50 COLOURS 6 POPULAR GREEETINGS CARD SIZES 50+ WH HITE SIZES IN STOCK BESPOKE ENV VELOPES AV AVAILABLE PEEL A AND SEAL CLOSURE RECYCLED / KRAFTT / 140GSM / 120GSM 11 SUPER BRIG GHT NEON COLOURS BESPOKE NOTEBO OOKS & STATIONERY

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Manuffa acturers off high quality envelopes 10 popular greetings card sizes in stock recycled & kraft envelopes in stock RECYCLED PA P APER

Enquiries: warren@max-publishing.co.uk or Tracey Arnaud traceya@max-publishing.co.uk PRINTERS

Hello Cards are FSC approved digital printers, offering high quality print at competitive prices, working with both large and small publishers. Contact us to discuss your requirements.

CALL US TODAY

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Enquiries: warren@max-publishing.co.uk or Tracey Arnaud traceya@max-publishing.co.uk 96 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Contact DAVID JIGGINS Tel: 01245 400104 Email: david@abl-ltd.co.uk

Additional Services • Foiling with no dies • Inhouse fulfilment

• Distribution • Wiro Bound Notebooks

T 01274 305832 E info@hellocards.co.uk

www.hellocards.co.uk

89-99_Classified Complete 2023.qxp 24/12/2023 18:03 Page 97

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Tel:0127 e 4 4531828 Email: info@herbertw o alkers.c co.uk

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 97

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WAREHOUSING & DISTRIBUTION WA WAREHOU USING & DISTRIBUTION

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98 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

89-99_Classified Complete 2023.qxp 24/12/2023 18:03 Page 99

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