Progressive Greetings June2021

June

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From The Editor

ON THE CARDS After what must rank as the most challenging time ever in retail, it was wonderful to share the news about which greeting card retailers are in the finals of The Retas 2021; lap up the whoops of joy and receive the uplifting photos and comments from the worthy nominees.

It has been incredibly inspiring to learn of the lengths so many independent greeting card retailers have gone to over the last year or so, being right at the heart of their communities even during lockdowns, finding ever inventive ways of staying in touch with customers and ensuring a constant supply of greeting cards at a time when people couldn’t physically see each other.

As the 2020 Retas did not take place due to the pandemic, the awards programme this year is doubly poignant, hence the reason that the awards event itself just has to happen!

Originally planned to take place on July 14, the announcement of the delay in the easing of restrictions meant that we had to invoke ‘plan B’ but were determined that it would be a physical event. Thankfully, we have been able to secure Tuesday 16 November as the new date for The Retas 2021, taking place once again in the Ballroom of The Grosvenor House Hotel, opposite Hyde Park in London. Yippee! So, although it will be a longer wait to discover who are the ultimate winners, in the meantime, the beating drums of delight about reaching in the finals will continue to resonate far and wide.

However, while The Retas gathering has been postponed from mid-July, the great news is that everyone will be able to get together at PG Live 2021 on Tuesday 27 July and Wednesday 28 July.

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EXHIBITIONS

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Above: PG’s Jakki Brown with some of the packages full of card and wrap samples that are to be transformed into ‘dresses’ for PG Live meeters and greeters.

Left: One very happy Retas finalist – Jane Rawson, owner of Love & Best Wishes, Sheffield.

Below left: Rachel Roberts, owner of Wishlist, Raynes Park is delighted by the news.

Forget Sound of Music’s ‘raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens’ and ‘bright copper kettles and warm woollen mittens’, it is the ‘brown paper packages tied up with strings...’ that became my ‘favourite things’ recently as PG Live exhibitors’ card samples arrived in readiness for them to be turned into the ‘meeters and greeters’ dresses for PG Live. My sneak peek inside the envelopes, Jiffy bags and boxes gave me just a taster of the thousands of new designs that will be launched at the show, from leading companies down to brand new start-ups.

I so just can’t wait to see everyone, but not having the same vocal range as Julie Andrews, I promise not to sing!

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What’s Inside?

CONTENTS 23

39

42

9-19 News

39-41

All the latest happenings and developments in the trade.

Staycation Bonanza

Retailer Feedback Indies share how they are looking to make the most of the UK staycationing boon.

20-21 The Retas Roll Call

42-43

Meet the finalists of The Retas 2021

In Conversation With…Words ‘n’ Wishes

A Principled Decade

22-23

A look back and forwards as Words ‘n’ Wishes celebrates its first decade.

Over The Counter

An Open Book David Robertson, co-owner of JP Pozzi in Scotland shares his latest ‘chapter’ on life and business in these times.

45-51 Spotlight On…Cute Cards

That Warm, Fuzzy Feeling

24-25

A cute delve into what’s the latest on the ‘aah feeling’.

Cardsharp

Who Wants To Be A Billionaire?

PG columnist ponders on the Sunday Times’ Rich List and accepts that the days of cardies being featured are gone.

Withi n th issue is FOCU : CUTE S ON CARD S

53 Art Source

A Brookes Look

27-29

A day in the life of artist Ali Brookes.

Viewpoints

Happy Days!

54-55 What’s Hot?

Sharing the happiness of The Retas’ 2021 finalists…

Retailers share their best selling ranges.

31-37 Innovations

56-66 Sources of Supply

Publishers’ new ranges and designs.

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

Ian Hyder

Tracey Arnaud

Editor/Joint Owner

Joint Owner

Joint Owner

Sales Manager

jakkib@max-publishing.co.uk

warren@max-publishing.co.uk

ianh@max-publishing.co.uk

traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

Use your smartphone app to scan the QR code to visit our website.

Copyright© 2021. 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.

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

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GIVING THE

ANIMAL PLANET

With 350m households who watch the channel, Animal Planet enjoys a strong 81% global brand awareness level. As a show linked to sustainability, Animal Planet is also a top 6 most trusted brand and we cannot wait to show you our new greetings card, gift wrap, bag and calendar range which will be targeted at kids aged 4 to 11 years and adults aged 16 to 45 years.

FOR

PG LIVE As lockdown restrictions gradually ease, we are delighted to be returning this year to the PG Live show in July. Not only do we have some fantastic new card, wrap and bag ranges to show you for the hottest brands, but we will also be sharing the great news around our sustainability practices and how we’re working towards becoming Climate Positive for 2024. Come see us at the show at stand 513.

Lifestyle

THE VAN GOGH MUSEUM

Dedicated to the prominent works of Vincent Van Gogh, we are delighted to partner with the Van Gogh Museum. More than 125 years after his death, he is still inspiring the next generation of artists around the world. Our new official greetings card and gift wrap range will display some of Van Gogh’s most renowned and revered works of art.

Juvenile The Brightside brand, created by Rachel Bright, with its distinctive ‘voice’ and look has proved to be very positive and successful since it was first created over 10 years ago. This fun range includes ‘silver-lining’ captions which aims to encourage, inspire, indulge and uplift and our new Brightside greetings card range will do exactly that, helping people to send happy thoughts around the globe.

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ELMER

Elmer remains one of the most iconic and widely read children’s book series of all time, selling over 10 million copies worldwide since it was first published by Andersen Press in 1989. New greeting cards, gift wrap and bags are being added to the wonderful world of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant which will be available at the show.

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Movies Since 1959, Barbie has been inspiring girls to be anything.

From princess to president, astronaut to zoologist, there isn’t a ceiling Barbie hasn’t broken. Today, with over 200 careers and counting, she continues to inspire the limitless potential in every girl. We are looking forward to publishing a vibrant new Barbie card range including a variety of ages and captions.

PARAMOUNT

Aimed at teens and adults, we have added a whole host of popular Paramount movie titles to our current card portfolio including the likes of Mean Girls, Clueless, Grease, Top Gun and The Godfather. A range of different captions are in the works, with a selection being displayed at the show.

COCO MELON

Providing entertaining and educational content for preschool families, Coco Melon is a combination of fun, colourful animation and classic nursery rhymes and kids songs. Aimed at boys and girls aged 1 to 4 years, Danilo is launching a brand new range of official Coca Melon greetings cards, wrap and bags this year.

NEW MOVIES

Much-anticipated movies Spirit, Paw Patrol and My Little Pony will be coming to our screens this year and we have some fantastic new official card, gift wrap and bags available to view at the show for these popular brands.

Gaming Originally launched in 2001, Microsoft-owned video gaming brand Xbox is one of the world’s most popular consoles. A new official Xbox greetings card, wrap and giftbag range featuring a fun, graffiti-style look is being released at the show.

published by

WARHAMMER

Warhammer is the global leader in tabletop miniature gaming and is an evergreen property. Appealing to people of all ages and featuring stunning character graphics, we are excited to be launching a brand new official Warhammer greetings card range.

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01992 702 900 | SALES@DANILO.COM | WWW.DANILO.COM Independent retailers contact Words ‘n’ Wishes on 01942 233 201

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NEWS TOP STORY

Countdown To PG Live Publishers’ launches, promos and added extras are well underway “The excitement is really starting to build for Progressive Greetings Live, now we are in the final countdown to the show,” exclaimed Warren Lomax, co-owner of Max Exhibitions, which owns and organises PG Live, which takes place on Tuesday 27 July and Wednesday 28 July at London’s Business Design Centre.

“After 16 months of no trade shows, PG Live really will be a wonderful opportunity for the greeting community to get back together. It will be some reunion where business will meet pleasure,” Warren assures. “I have been lucky enough to have had a sneak peek at what just some of the exhibitors are planning to launch and goodness me, it’s impressive!”

In addition to the thousands of new designs to be launched at the show by the stellar line-up of exhibitors, final touches are also being put in place to make the exhibition extra special.

For starters, Fedrigoni, sponsor of the Gallery Hall, is finalising plans to make the room look as scrumptious as the free lunch that will be served to all. Hallmark is working closely with top designer Kate Smith on the keepsake tote bag that will be given to all visitors while The Imaging Centre has gone into overdrive producing all the special promotional postcard invites for exhibitors to send to their retail customers detailing the treats that will be in store on their respective stands.

Meanwhile, forget The Great British Sewing Bee, there is some

Above: The BDC will be welcoming the greeting card community at the end of July to PG Live 2021.

Below left: Saxophonist Graeme Airth and the PG Live meeters and greeters, the dresses for the July show are being made right now.

Below: And it’s a cheers from retailer Love It’s Will and Amanda Oscroft (centre) and Planet Sal’s Sally Wilde!

serious haute couture underway for the show. Costumier extraordinaire, Sharon Harvey is currently working her way through the card and wrap samples submitted by exhibitors to create the ‘meeter and greeter’ dresses for this year.

And, helping to ensure that PG Live hits the high notes right from the off, Skylight Media (leading website and ecommerce specialists for the greeting card sector) is sponsoring celebrated saxophonist Graeme Airth (of Curiosity Killed the Cat fame), who is back by popular demand to provide a musical welcome for all visitors as well as play during lunch. This is show business after all!

Any retailer who has not yet registered for the show can do so easily online (www.progressivegreetingslive.com) or by calling 01635 297070.

Any publisher or designer who is not exhibiting, but is interested in visiting, is invited to go on a tour on both days by contacting Tracey Arnaud on traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

Paperchase’s app launch and old stock sell off A new Paperchase Plus app has launched on the Apple Store and Google Play enables consumers to shop a diverse range of oneof-a-kind cards and design their dream notebook - from the page type to the cover personalisation.

Sarah House, head of brand at Paperchase explained that the app is part of the “ongoing transformation programme.

We’ve seen strong digital growth over the last year and so we wanted to allow our customers to customise our products in a way they have not been able to before with Paperchase.”

New designs, created by Paperchase’s own in-house design team will be added every few weeks with everything being made to order.

Meanwhile, Paperchase’s history has gone under the hammer.

Some 2,000 pallets of old Paperchase stock (from its previous ownership) have been put up for auction with Kettering auctioneers Gordon Brothers.

Pricewaterhousecoopers, the joint administrators of Paperchase Products put what was marketed as being stock with an estimated retail value of Above: The Paperchase £8 million up for auction. Plus app is offering the opportunity for print on The closing date for bids demand products. was June 8.

Paperchase went into administration before being sold in a pre-pack deal in January to new company Aspen Phoenix NewCo, with financial backing from private equity company, Permira.

Get ready for a Royal party It’s going to be party time for partyware suppliers and retailers as Buckingham Palace has confirmed a four-day celebration (Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June 2022) to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

Many partyware suppliers are already underway with plans for ranges dedicated to the Queen’s 70year reign event and no doubt it will have a knock on effect on greeting card designs too. As Jennifer Wilson, Amscan’s head of marketing and design, explained: “We’ve been working on our new ranges for the Platinum Jubilee since early spring and are absolutely thrilled that this 4day extravaganza will provide lots of opportunity for people to celebrate the occasion with their friends and family, and the nation.”

Above: Amscan is already gearing up.

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NEWS TOP STORY

Whoops and Wows!

The Retas 2021 finalists show their joy The finalists of The Retas 2021 greeting card retailer awards have been announced, collectively representing the best greeting card retail stockists in the UK right across the spectrum - and quite rightly the nominees are overjoyed at reaching the finals.

Kirsty Brooks of Guisborough Bookshop summed up her happiness in triplicate:“Whoop, Whoop, Whoop!” she exclaimed on hearing the news that her shop had made in through in the Best Independent Bookshop of Greeting cards.

Jo Sorrell, owner of Cardies, Stevenage was equally as delighted finding out her shop is up for the Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - Home Counties and South East.

“We are absolutely bursting with pride to hear that we have been nominated for a Retas award. It’s such exciting news at any time but even more so after such a strange and difficult year for everyone.”

Meanwhile newcomer, Julie Wombwell, owner of Papersmile, Normanton could not contain her joy either. “I am absolutely over the moon with the news. I’m sure like so many

Below: Kirsty Brooks of Guisborough Bookshop.

Middle: Julie Wombwell of Papersmile.

other small business, we just get our heads down, do our bit and then one day, someone picks you out from the crowd, so I’m chuffed to bits!”

(The full list of finalists are featured on pages 20-21 with lots of lovely comments on pages 27-29) “The line-up of The Retas 2021 finalists stands as testament to the passion, inventiveness, nous and tenacity of the UK’s leading greeting card stockists,” commented Jakki Brown, joint md of Max Publishing, which organises The Retas.

The winners of The Retas 2021 are to be announced at a Finery of Greenery-themed event which will now take place on Tuesday 16 November at the Grosvenor House Hotel. (Previously the event was due to happen on July 14, but due to the delay of lockdown easing, this has now been moved). Tickets to The Retas 2021 can be bought online via www.max-subscriptions.net or by contacting The Retas’ awards organiser, Clare Hollick of Createvents on 01183 340085 or by emailing her on clare@createvents.co.uk.

Online entry is now live for The Henries While the UK’s card retailers will have their ‘time in the sun’ at The Retas, greeting card publisher excellence will be feted at The Henries greeting card awards.

A revamped website, which is the portal for all Henries 2021 entries and judging, has now gone live (www.thehenriesawards.co.uk/) with the deadline for entries being Wednesday 21 July.

Open to all UK publishers, The Henries 2021 awards will reward creative excellence right across the greeting card publishing spectrum, from humour to art, sentiment to contemporary trend and everything in between. In addition, there is an award category for Best Giftwrappings Range as well as one for Best Young Designer or Artist.

Meanwhile, the much-coveted Best Service to the Above: The Henries 2021 Independent Retailer will reward those publishers who have gone the awards event will have a extra mile on the service front.

Boogie Wonderland theme.

All new card and wrap ranges (or extensions to existing ranges) launched between 1 July 2020 and 28 July 2021 from UK publishers or distributors can be entered.

The finalists of The Henries 2021 will be announced in August while the winners will not be unveiled until the Boogie Wonderland extravaganza on Thursday 7 October, which will take place at The Royal Lancaster Hotel, London.

Postmark stamps out new branding on Blackheath store It has all been happening in the Postmark camp. The London-based retailer has recently opened a brand new store in Blackheath (with another set to open in Wimbledon, shortly), has unveiled fresh new branding, has reached the finals of The Retas 2021 and has committed to sponsor The Henries 2021’s Lynn Tait Most Promising Young Designer or Artist award.

“It has been crazy busy, but great,” commented Mark Janson-Smith, who runs the Postmark group of five (soon to be six) shops with his wife Leona. “Our new Blackheath store is off to a flyer!” he added enthusiastically.

About reaching the finals of The Retas 2021 in the Best Greeting Card Small Multiple (4+ stores) category, Leona said she felt “absolutely thrilled…particularly after such a tough 18 months. Opening our new shop in Blackheath has been hugely exciting and really given us so much motivation to expand Postmark further.”

The opening of the Blackheath store comes less than two months after the joint venture agreement was forged with Cardzone to fuel Postmark’s expansion ambitions.

Mark and Leona have gone for a different look in the new store, both outside and in. As well as fanfaring new branding, the interior has lighter flooring and ‘pencil’ dividers.

The new Postmark brand also features in the rollcall of Henries greeting card awards’ sponsors with the retailer delighted to have the opportunity to sponsor the Lynn Tait Most Promising Young Designer or Artist award category. Commenting, Mark said: “Recognising and supporting emerging talent is hugely important to our industry and something our own business relies heavily on for new designs and trends. We are very honoured to be sponsoring this award, which we hope will encourage all those nominated on to successful longer-term careers in the card industry.”

Top: Leona Janson-Smith outside the new Postmark shop in Blackheath.

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NEWS TOP STORY

UKG Commits To World Land Trust Publisher to carbon offset all of its single greeting cards UK Greetings has announced that all of its single greeting cards will be offset through the global conservation charity World Land Trust’s Carbon Balanced Paper programme.

This news is one of the largest commitments to date under the Carbon Balanced Paper programme. It will see UK Greetings offsetting almost 10,000 tonnes of CO2 relating to the manufacturing of the board used to produce its 200 million cards a year.

This is the latest step in UK Greetings’ pledge to make its business ever more sustainable. The company set up its Environmental Steering Group back in 2018 and has been making progress on many fronts since then. This has included taking a lead on making cards naked, thereby massively reducing the whole industry’s single-use plastic, by re-engineering products as well as through its logistics.

As Chris Shaw, head of sustainability at UK Greetings, commented, “UKG is committed to reducing our impact in every aspect of our business. Since 2019, we have removed over 250 tonnes of single use plastic from our cards and reduced our carbon footprint by 400 tonnes, simply by improving our energy efficiency.”

He adds that with paper being the primary raw material of UKG products, the publisher works closely with its suppliers “to help ensure that every single card and paper product can be physically traced back to sustainably managed forests.

Choosing Carbon Balanced Paper was

therefore a natural next step in our sustainability journey. We are thrilled to support World Land Trust in its efforts to protect the world’s most biologically significant and threatened habitats.”

By choosing Carbon Balanced Paper, UK Greetings will fund the protection of 635 acres of threatened habitat in the Khe Nuoc Trong region of Vietnam.

Dan Bradbury, director of communications and development, World Land Trust, says, “WLT works with a network of local partners around the world currently in 20 countries - to save, protect and restore critically threatened habitat for wildlife, and in doing so, lock up carbon and address climate change. WLT has been saving land to save species for more than 30 years, and today our work to protect existing tropical forest habitat is more urgent than ever to save what remains of these vital ecosystems for wildlife. We couldn’t do any of it without the help of our amazing supporters, and we thank UK Greetings for their commitment.”

Top: The work of the World Land Trust helps to safeguard our planet.

Above: One of the claims that UKG can make as a result of its tie-up with World Land Trust.

Lola Design X ZSL collaboration Amanda Fountain, the creative maestro behind Lola Design is well known for her distinctive animal-based artwork which graces its products, but now the publisher has stepped up its pledge to help the animal kingdom by collaborating with ZSL (Zoological Society of London) to create a special collection of greeting cards and stationery, the sales of which will raise funds and increase awareness of the Society’s sterling work.

With Amanda and her husband and business partner Frank both committed wildlife-lovers, they are “delighted” to have teamed up with ZSL (Zoological Society of London) to create the range of 28 products, which include weekly planners, tear off notepads, premium greeting cards, wiro-bound organisers and notebooks.

Above: Eight animals star in the inaugural Lola Design x ZSL card and stationery collection.

This collaboration is especially important and close to Amanda’s heart as she has volunteered on various conservation projects around the world. These have included her volunteering in Sumatra, Indonesia as well as working on a GVI marine conservation project in the Seychelles.

Commenting, Amanda said: “This collaboration is a dream of ours, we couldn’t be happier to create a collection with ZSL to support the vital work the international conservation charity does for wildlife across our planet. This collection focuses on some of ZSL’s most loved animals while embodying our signature style and supporting an amazing charity all at the same time.”

Cardies’ sustainability learnings Greeting card publishers, retailers and trade suppliers are among those attending SILC (Sustainability in Licensing Conference) later this month.

Following the success of the inaugural conference last year, SILC21 is to take place entirely digitally across two days - Thursday 24 and 25 June.

“We have the full support from an incredible line-up of speakers and panellists – from leading retailers to sustainability experts; visionary brand owners to trailblazing product manufacturers all set to inspire, educate and connect, for the common good,” commented Helena Mansell-Stopher, curator of SILC and founder of Products of Change (owner and organiser of SILC), an affiliate of Progressive Greetings.

At retail, change is being demanded not desired, as will be evidenced by retail panellists such as Asda, Tesco, Character.com, Dayrize and BuyersEye’s Julia Redman. On the product manufacturing front, LEGO, ZURU and others will unveil their developments and leading gaming body Ukie will also share its progress while The Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Recoup and Retail Economics are also among the line-up of keynote speakers.

Tickets to SILC are £100 (+VAT) and are available from www.sustainabilityinlicensing.com, or from Clare Hollick of Createvents on clare@createvents.co.uk or by calling 0118 334 0085. All SILC content will be available to be downloaded, on-demand, for all ticket holders for a month afterwards.

Above: SILC will bring together all manner of sectors, including cardies, in the name of sustainability.

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NEWS TOP STORY

GCA Meets With Govt Minister Paul Scully Small Business Minister reveals a ‘return to work’ campaign The GCA’s ceo Amanda Fergusson met with Small Business Minister Paul Scully recently to share feedback on how retailers in our sector were feeling since the reopening and to air retailers’ concerns.

Amanda attended the meeting (held via Zoom) along with fellow members of the IRC (Independent Retailers Confederation).

“The levelling-off of trade after the initial activity on reopening was discussed and we also stressed the need for positive consumer messaging to support trade and encourage a full return to the High Street,” said Amanda.

At the meeting the IRC made a strong case for the moratorium on commercial lease evictions (which would allow landlords to evict retailer tenants for nonpayment of rent) to be extended beyond its current July 1 date.

Coming as welcome news for city centre-based greeting card retailers, Small Business Minister Paul Scully revealed that a ‘return to work’ plan is to be put in place to revitalise urban centres.

Amanda led the discussion about how greater clarity is needed on the changes in export VAT rules that come into effect in July. (This is among the elements covered in the GCA Brexit blog on the association’s website) The meeting was the second in a series of what will become regular dialogues.

Through the IRC, the GCA is now involved in quarterly meetings with Paul Scully with issues raised by GCA members being added to the agenda for government response.

“To have ongoing engagement from such a key government Minister is very important to our industry,” said Amanda.

“By joining forces with other members of the IRC we are able to represent the many common issues faced by different retail sectors,” she added.

Top: Great that the GCA has engagement with Govt through the IRC. Above: Paul Scully cut the official ribbon on Earlybird Designs’ shop in London’s Stoke Newington when it reopened in April.

Changes to Sainsbury’s buying team

Spending spree weekend for indies Good news for indie card retailers is, for the first time since it was launched, the organisers of Independents Day UK which helps to drive footfall into indie retailers on July 4 each year - will be making a weekend of it, with promotions and celebrations on Saturday July 3 and Sunday July 4.

“The British independent retail sector has shown real resilience in the face of the Covid crisis across the last year, operating through extreme uncertainty and putting on a brave face for their customers and wider communities,” says Independents Day UK’s Howard Robinson. “We are asking the public to show their thanks by simply heading out across the weekend of July 3rd and 4th and spending a few £pounds at an independent or locally-owned retailer,” he adds.

Last year, it was estimated that over 8,500 small shops across the UK engaged with the campaign and is hoped that figure will reach at least 20,000 this July.

The website (www.independentsdayuk.org) includes ideas about how to get involved as well as hosting downloadable assets.

The GCA, along with fellow members of the IRC (Independent Retailers Confederation) is supporting the campaign.

As Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA commented: “People more engaged with their local communities post-lockdown, and with shops now fully open, and retailers building their businesses back up, this is a key year to highlight and support our wonderful indies”.

Having made huge strides in improving Sainsbury’s greeting card offer over the last five years, an internal restructure has seen Carly Pearson, senior buyer for cards and wrap move category to cover small domestic appliances.

Taking up the greeting card mantle under the new structure is Kate Goss. Kate has been part of the Sainsbury’s buying team for over eight years, becoming senior buyer of stationery in 2018 while also continuing her gifting and events buying responsibilities.

Kate’s new remit will not only encompass cards and wrap, but will now also include the additional categories of paper tableware and party, alongside boxed Christmas cards which has shifted from Sainsbury’s Christmas seasonal category into cards and wrap.

Kate inherits a strong legacy on the card front with Sainsbury’s having won the Best Supermarket Retailer of Greeting Cards award in The Retas for two years in succession.

Looking back on her time as the supermarket’s senior card buyer, Carly said: “On a personal level I have learnt so many new things from the industry and will always cherish this role as some of the best times in my career.”

While Emma Tanner is to remain within Sainsbury’s card and wrap team as a buyer (with a focus on cards), Chloe Johnson (who has been part of the card and wrap buying team for the last two and a half years) leaves the team today, moving within the business to the garden maintenance category.

Abi Wilson continues to head up the team as buying manager - celebrations.

Her remit has been widened, bringing in gift events, Christmas, as well as the former Papershop departments.

Above: Carly Pearson (middle) collecting the award for Best Supermarket Retailer of Greeting Cards at The Retas 2019 awards from Simon Boyd, operations director of PG Live, sponsor of the award category.

Left: Having had buying responsibility for stationery Kate Goss knows many card suppliers already.

Right: A new look card department has been introduced into a number of Sainsbury’s stores over the last few months.

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NEWS TOP STORY

The Art File Expands With Tall Boy Designs Publisher launches B2C wall art division Marking a significant expansion for The Art File, the Nottingham-based publisher has recently gone live with Tall Boy Designs (www.tallboyprints.com), its brand new wall art and art print division.

The new consumer-facing online business has debuted with 150 artworks from 15 talented artists and designers, but with many more likely to join in due course. Next month (July) will also see a designated V&A collection joining the portfolio.

Explaining the rationale behind Tall Boy, Ged Mace, managing director of The Art File told PG: “Tall Boy is the culmination of something we have wanted to do for the last five years. Through The Art File, we have had the privilege to work with and discover many talented artists and amazing designers, and felt their work should be promoted way beyond greeting cards.”

This, coupled with the consumer’s increased interest in their home décor, something which has escalated over the last 15 months of the pandemic further reinforced the merit of launching Tall Boy. In fact, it has even come up with a new phrase ‘homesters’ as the target market for Tall Boy products. Using this in its marketing, Tall Boy Designs defines a ‘homester’ as ‘A house proud, designinspired, discerning individual or couple (homesters) who love their home and choose statement objects for their space that reflect their own personality and style.’

Right: As well as featuring the artwork from 15 designers, illustrators and artists, there is a bio for each to add interest for the purchasing consumer.

Below: The two Tall Boy Designs’ co-founders, Ged and James Mace.

Ged stresses that the prints being offered through Tall Boy Designs and very much “art and not just reproductions of greeting cards.”

Ged has co-founded the new strand of the business with his son James (and fellow ‘tall boy’), who is sales and marketing manager of The Art File.

The inaugural portfolio of artists whose work features on the Tall Boy Designs portal includes Emma Ball, Emily Brooks, Stuart Cox, Snowdon Flood, Ally Gore, Kate Heiss, Rachel Hibbs, Natasha Newton, Robert Reader, Catherine Rowe, Sarah Watson. In addition, some of The Art File’s in-house artists’ work also features under a Tallboy Originals collection. These include Bethany Kemp, Kerry Lister, Clare Mayes and Lucie Whitehead. A biography of each artist is included on the site.

The company has invested in a state-of-the-art printing press to produce the wall art inhouse. While initially the prints will be being supplied unframed, the plan is to progress to offering a framed option in due course.

The cost of the prints ranges from £27.50 up to £50, with each artist to receive 8% of this each time their print is purchased.

The Tall Boy Designs site was created

by Skylight Media, the Nottinghambased company who built The Art File’s very first website (which also saw Skylight go on to create websites/ecommerce platforms for almost 50 other greeting card companies).

Maybugs flutters its wings Showing some indie pep, Greg Rose and John Dale, co-owners of Maybugs in Hailsham, East Sussex are pressing ahead with ambitious expansion plans to open a second, much larger gift store in Eastbourne at the end of July, taking over all three floors of the former Laura Ashley site situated in the centre of town.

“We’ve been working on this in secret for months,” states Greg. “Covid delayed our expansion plans, but not even that was going to stop us. We have so many wonderful customers that come from Eastbourne to shop with us in Hailsham, or order online via our website, that it was a natural move for us to open a second store here.”

Maybugs in Hailsham opened in 2018 and was followed by Flowers by Maybugs, a contemporary florist and floral design studio next door to the shop.

Right: Maybugs’ co-owners Greg Rose and John Dale outside the Hailsham store.

Harrogate beckons The Art File, Caroline Gardner, Coulson Macleod and Wrendale Designs will be among the greeting card companies in the exhibitor line-up for Harrogate Home & Gift Buyers’ Festival, which takes place 18-21 July.

Taking place at Harrogate Convention Centre and the grounds of the DoubleTree

by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel & Spa, the show, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary, is set to be the first large-scale buying and selling opportunity for the gift and interiors industry in nearly 18 months.

The show will host a wealth of social events, including Sundowners on Sunday, gin and tonics on the lawn, street food, and the Home & Gift exhibitor party.

The show will also see the christening of its new brand identity.

Below: A new brand identity for Home & Gift.

Digital meets physical Clarion Events, the team behind Home & Gift (as well as Top Drawer) has recently unveiled its plans for REVEAL, a trade e-commerce platform which aims to provide a ‘seamless connection’ between its live shows and its digital offering.

This announcement came only a few days after Hyve’s Spring Fair/Autumn Fair’s Marketplace went live with both trade show organisers now actively looking to straddle both the physical exhibition experience with the flexibility of year round e-commerce.

“Regardless of whether buyers are B2C or B2B, the past year has really changed how purchases are made, with 88% of our community telling us that, off the back of our award-winning virtual events, a trade marketplace would be useful to them,” explains Clarion Retail portfolio director Zoë Bonser (pictured).

Above: News of REVEAL coincides with the new branding for many of Clarion Retail shows.

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NEWS TOP STORY

Card Factory Shows Its Hand Retailer reports a £16.4 million pre-tax loss due to the pandemic Card Factory has just reported that it made a £16.4 million pre-tax loss (compared to a £67 million profit for the previous year) on a turnover of £285 million (down 37% on the year before) on the year to the end of January, as the effects of the pandemic hit the value retailer. In line with other non-essential retailers, Card Factory’s shops were closed for five months in the 12-month

Above: The extra finance is be used to fund Card Factory’s growth strategy which includes further developing its online presence.

period to end of January. While it has benefitted from revamping its online presence as well as increasing its prices on its greeting cards, these measures alone were never going to be enough to overcome such lengthy store closures, especially as they coincided with the key events of Mother’s Day and Christmas.

In his chairman’s statement, Paul Moody said that “Card Factory has demonstrated strong resilience in the face of the wide-ranging impact of the pandemic. Swift action was taken to preserve the Group's cash position and protect the balance sheet towards the start of the year and our careful cash management meant we ended the financial year with a £35m reduction in net debt.”

In the year covered in the results, over half of Card Factory’s sales came from single cards (51.1%) 2.2% from boxed cards and 46.7% from non-card products.

These results come shortly after Card Factory announced that it has clinched a £225 million refinancing package with its existing banking syndicate.

Having joined Card Factory in March, Darcy Willson-Rymer, ceo, commented: “Our powerful brand and unique business model means we are well placed to respond positively to the changing retail environment and to unlock the inherent potential in this business. The recent refinancing provides sufficient resources for us to do that by building on our excellent platform to drive future growth. I am excited about the opportunities ahead."

Cardology’s David Falkner in FT

A G7 greeting card welcome A handprinted greeting card featuring a Cornish Oak linoprint by Jill Dunn, founder of Penryn-based Riverbird Studio was commissioned by the Cabinet Office as part of the welcome for the world leaders who attended the G7 Summit that has just taken place at Cornwall’s Carbis Bay June 11-13).

The first Jill knew that one of her creations was to play a part in the important meeting was when she received a telephone call from the Cabinet Office. “The person I spoke to had seen one of my prints on Instagram and bought it from Etsy. She asked if she could commission me to make 30 greeting cards of a Sessile Oak, an unofficial emblem of Cornwall. While I normally would not produce greeting cards as I handprint, I decided to make this an exception!” Jill told PG. Meanwhile, someone else who received an expected call from the Cabinet Office was Ainslie Fowler, who co-owns the St. Ives Co giftshop with her two sisters, Tegen Mackay and Safi Mackie.

As the shop only stocks products that are made in Cornwall, working in collaboration with many local artisans, it was asked to supply gift hampers and toiletries for the G7 attendees.

‘New EU VAT rules to cost British SMEs £180m in extra red tape’ was the headline of an extensive article that appeared on both the Financial Times’ online news site, as well as in the newspaper a few weeks ago. The thrust of the article was to highlight how new rules concerning VAT, that come into effect on July 1, will see increased costs being imposed for many SMEs, including greeting card companies.

Top: The G7 cards by Jill Dunn.

As the FT journalist Oliver Barnes explains, the new rules, Above: St. Ives Co. were originally designed to stop an estimated €7bn in annual VAT fraud by non-EU ecommerce sellers, many of which are located in China. But, after the UK’s departure from the EU, British companies will also need to comply.

‘Small and medium-sized businesses exporting to EU customers are set to face the biggest upheaval because of the changes, which remove VAT exemptions for SMEs and shipments not exceeding €22,’ wrote Oliver.

Having sought comment from VAT expert Richard Asquith, vp of Avalara (which specialises in tax compliance) for the article, who had just participated in a GCA Post Brexit Panel discussion to cover this very subject, when asked if he knew of any sectors who would be adversely affected, Richard mentioned greeting cards.

Having participated in the panel discussion, David Falkner, founding director of Cardology and GCA member, was well placed to share his views.

Above left: The article on the FT online David is quoted in the article as saying that “Brexit had “stunted” his company’s EU sales growth but he still news site. planned to “overhaul his systems’‘ to comply with the bloc’s measures, which would cost his company a fifth of its Above: David Falkner, who co-owns Cardology with his wife and sister-in-law.

EU revenues. “It’s a barrier but it’s a surmountable barrier,” he added.”

The FT piece concludes with comments from Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA about how the changes would result in twin challenges of new costs as well as added complexity for small businesses.

To help members, the GCA has a Brexit blog on its website which is being updated regularly as and when new developments come to light. https://www.gca.cards/brexit-updates-dec-2020/

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The Retas Roll Call

The Retas 2021 Finalists

Facing the immense challenges of the last 15 months, true grit, passion, nous, inventiveness, superb product selection and a customer service extraordinaire have seen the UK’s best greeting card retailers battle on against the odds meaning the finalists of The Retas 2021 really are the best of the best.

Here, we reveal the finalists of these dedicated greeting card retailer awards, with the winners to be announced at a wonderful afternoon event - with a Finery of Greenery theme - on Tuesday 16 November in the Ballroom of the Grosvenor House Hotel, opposite Hyde Park in London.

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - London l Card Bureau, Holland Park l The Card Collection, East Molesey l Earlybird, Stoke Newington l Gift, Crouch End l The Indigo Tree, Streatham and Crystal Palace l The Present, Barnet

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - Home Counties and South East l Calladoodles, Carshalton l Cardies, Stevenage l Dee’s Cards, Leighton Buzzard l Objectables, Folkestone l Red Card, Petworth l Threads of Harpenden

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - East Anglia l Celebrations Hallmark, Aylsham l Creativity, Sheringham l Elm, Norwich l Podarok, Cambridge l Quest, Bury St Edmunds and Holt l Sincerely Yours, Shenfield and Hornchurch

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - Wales and the Midlands l Austin & Co, Malvern l Beau Regards and Willowsbrook, Wombourne and Stone l The Celtic Company, Welshpool l Hugs and Kisses, Tettenhall l Mooch Gifts & Home, Bewdley and Stourport-on-Severn l Nest, Stoneygate, Thurlaston and Broughton Astley l Something Special, Kingswinford

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - North and Northern Ireland l Bailey’s - Ainsdale, Crosby and Maghull l Best Wishes, Garstang l Cards & Gifts, Sheffield and Dronfield l Love & Best Wishes, Sheffield l Reflections, Rugeley and Nantwich l Serendipity, Newcastle

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - Scotland

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - South West

l Bearing Gifts, Troon l Bijou and JP Pozzi, Elgin and Buckie l The Gift Boutique Hallmark, Fraserburgh l Paper Tiger, two stores in Edinburgh l Papyrus, Glasgow l Penny Black, two stores in Glasgow

l Card Collection, Bath and Salisbury l Cilla & Camilla, Beaminster and Bridport l Expressions, Cats Whiskers and Polkadot, Swindon,

Best Greeting Card Retailer Newcomer or New Branch - South

Bishops Cleeve and Keynsham l Frame of Mind, Illminster and Wellington l Just Cards, Honiton l Southbourne Cards, Southbourne

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

l The Bean Hive, Falmouth and Kettering l Cranbornes of Shaftesbury, Shaftesbury l DickieBird Homestore, Battle l I Only Popped In For A Card, Clerkenwell, London l Kingfisher Cards, Sidmouth l Wishlist, Raynes Park

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International Focus

Best Greeting Card Retailer Newcomer or New Branch - North

Best Non-Specialist Multiple Retailer of Greeting Cards (4+ stores)

l Coorie Doon, Campbeltown l HBB Cards, Newport Pagnell l Henry & Co, Bridgnorth, Nottingham and Ormskirk l Jessica Hogarth Shop, Robin Hood’s Bay l Papersmile, Normanton l Paper Wishes, Prestatyn

l Between the Lines - 15 stores in the South l Gee Tees - five stores in the North l Oliver Bonas, 75+ stores in the UK l Lark - six stores in London l Waterstones - 280+ stores in the UK l WHSmith - 1,100+ stores in the UK

Best Independent Bookstore Retailer of Greeting Cards

Best Specialist Multiple Retailer of Greeting Cards (20+ branches)

l Bookends, Christchurch l The Bookshop, East Grinstead l Guisborough Bookshop, Guisborough l House of Books, Crouch End l Spencer Thorn, Bude l Winstone’s Books, Frome, Sherborne and Sidmouth

Best Non-Specialist Independent Retailer of Greeting Cards - North l The Hollies Farm Shop, Little Budworth and Lower Stretton l QLM Home, Leeds l Stationery Supplies, Marple and Wilmslow l Tutbury Present Company, Tutbury l Newark Post Office, Newark l Utility, three stores in Liverpool and Manchester

Best Non-Specialist Independent Retailer of Greeting Cards - South l Anne Toms’ Yarmouth Gallery, Yarmouth l Emporium, Leckhampton l Highworth Emporium, Highworth l No. 14, Ampthill l Papilio at Heritage, Thornbury l Paprika, Bath and Chippenham

Best Greeting Card Small Multiple (4+ stores) l 3 Wishes - Broadstone, Ferndown, Lymington,

l Card Factory - 1,000+ stores in the UK l Cards Direct - 37 stores in the UK l Cardzone - 160+ stores in the UK l Clintons - 240+ stores in the UK l Paperchase - 125+ stores in the UK l Scribbler - 35 stores in the UK

Best Garden Centre Retailer of Greeting Cards independent (1-4 centres) l Bernaville Nurseries, Cowley, Exeter l Fron Goch, Caernarfon l Frosts, Woburn Sands, Willington, Brampton, Millets Farm l Monkton Elm Garden Centre, Taunton l Plantsplus Garden Centre, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne l RHS Garden Centres, Harlow Carr, Hyde Hall,

Rosemoor, Wisley

Best Garden Centre Retailer of Greeting Cards Multiple or group (5+ centres) l Blue Diamond Group - 37 centres in the UK l Dobbies - 70+ centres in the UK l Haskins - five centres in the South l Klondyke & Strikes - 22 centres in the UK l Longacres - five centres in the South l Otter Nurseries - seven centres in the South West l Squires - 16 centres in the south

Ringwood, Verwood l House of Cards - Caversham, Chalfont St Peter, Kidlington,

Best Greeting Card Retailer Initiative

Thatcham, Tring and Wallingford l Mooch - Olney, Northampton (x2), Rushden Lakes and Towcester, l Postmark - Balham, Blackheath, Chiswick, East Dulwich and Greenwich l Zo and Co - Cheadle, Didsbury, Knutsford and Marple

l Calladoodles, Carshalton - for its 10th Anniversary

Best Department Store Retailer of Greeting Cards

l Red Card, Petworth - for its Pants charity initiative l Swagger, Chipping Sodbury - for its Valentine’s

programme l Earlybird, Stoke Newington - for its Hope Programme l Little Boat Gifts, Brightlingsea - for The Brightlingsea

Badge Challenge l My Beautiful Caravan, Stonehaven - for its Pay It

Forward activity l Atkinsons, Sheffield l Austins, Newton Abbot l Morley Group l Fenwick Group l Goulds, Dorchester l John Lewis & Partners

Best Supermarket Retailer of Greeting Cards l Asda l Booths l Morrisons l Sainsbury’s l Tesco l Waitrose & Partners

Windows of Caring

Best Greeting Card Wholesaler l Archway Cards, Norwich l BGC Wholesale, nine branches l Card & Party World, Cardiff l Crosswear Trading, Enfield l Greetings House, Walsall l Jackson’s, Sheffield

Greeting Card Retailer of the Year l All winners of the other categories are contenders for

this award.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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OVER THE

COUNTER

BY DAVID ROBERTSON OF JP POZZI, ELGIN AND BUCKIE.

An Open

Book I am without doubt a bit of an open book. I say too much, I have strong opinions, but all of this shapes me and it also encourages others to open up. Not always, but often my frankness and honesty almost demand the other person to be the same. Covid too has forced us to speak more and share more as we are all looking for some reassurance.

I have bought so many books, but I rarely get time to read anything properly. At best I skim read excerpts most of the time, but I am fascinated in the continued rise of self-help, business, positive thinking books.

One of the books that is on my list of ‘must reads’ is by a local author called Stuart Mason who wrote, ‘How to wreck your business’.

Stuart is a full-on character with great stories and posts across all the usual channels.

He had a publishing company which ran for years, freehold properties and various other business interests, yet around its 20th birthday it failed, causing him to lose it all and eventually start again as a business consultant telling people what not to do.

This month he ran an Eventbrite on Zoom to discuss the bits that couldn’t be published in his book. He basically put the failure down to one major thing. He was too busy working ‘in’ his business rather than ‘on’ it. Think about that for a minute. I know I did and it is something that has been levelled at me before.

As hustlers, entrepreneurs and in some case even maybe chancers, we tend to work in our business. Serving customers, doing the day-to-day work 22

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

and wearing all the many hats that are required to keep the lights on in our businesses. Social media gurus, website designers, photographers, fashion experts, trend analysers… the list is endless in the card and gift industry and if we are not excelling at them all, we feel that we are failing.

It is a common feeling at the moment especially with the retail bounce not being the huge leap that we had all hoped for and the pressure I wrote about last month on us rising. Retail is difficult and uncertain in almost every sector. I have stopped looking back at my figures from two years ago as you simply can’t compare then and now. We are literally living in a different world with different priorities.

People’s lives and values have changed and our businesses and plans will need to change too. Most days I feel that I am not

Top: David Robertson is a self-confessed open book, but is putting learnings gathered from many other directions into practice in his business and personal life.

Above: Work ‘on’ your business not ‘in it’ is the advice Stuart Mason gives in his book.

Below: The current uncertainty means that many are feeling like they are in a hamster wheel, being busy but not feeling like they are getting anywhere.

getting the big things I want done. I feel like I am busy doing stuff and no amount of lists or planning is getting me where I want to be.

Maybe my lists are too long; maybe there are things on them that are not worthy of scoring off - or maybe I am just too hard on myself.

It all feels a bit ‘hamster wheelish’, like I am going round on a busy journey of busyness, stress and problems.

Does this sound like you? If you feel you are acting as basically a full time/overtime employee and never stepping into the owner/manager/CEO position, then quite simply you will not get very far.

In some respects people say you have to treat it almost as two businesses. You have to allocate and discipline yourself to spend time looking down on your business, making bigger picture decisions. At other times you can be right in the cut and thrust.

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OVER THE COUNTER Many of you will have heard of the 80/20 rule or Pareto Principle, which states that 80% of your success comes from 20% of your work. Even knowing this, if you don’t evaluate your performance, your work, your building, your stock, your customer service, how do you even know where to spend your time?

How you evaluate your success is of course subjective. Each person’s definition is very different…Is it cash and profit? Is it how your business is viewed? Is it your quality of life?

The main thing is of course that you have to be clear on where you want your business to go. The reality of this is not as simple as there is little predictability at the moment. A bit like the travel quarantine list, you can be green for go one minute, then amber or red the next. Adaptability is key right now.

Once I have a vision of what I want to do in the business I write it down as this helps me manifest and keep the goals real.

The final part of this puzzle is to invest in your own development, whether through reading, listening to podcasts, being involved in Zooms or business groups. Always treat yourself as your best customer, the one you go the extra mile for and hopefully this will make the difference.

I had a lightbulb moment recently during a discussion with someone who I have known for a long time, who has taken over a family business. Over the last 24 months, she has done basically everything I have described in this article, steadily cutting away all the parts of her business that although profitable and creating turnover were not delivering real bottom line growth for her.

The result is a streamlined business where she has been left with the real point of difference. Her turnover has dropped by nearly two thirds, yet she has made more money and in some ways created more time for herself.

Meanwhile I tend to find myself getting dragged in many different directions which probably means I miss some opportunities in our core area of say greeting cards. This comes to light when someone asks for a product that you know you used to stock or have been offered, but somehow have let it slip.

Left: David has done some detailed analysis of the newspaper side of the business and is reassured that it is worth the time it demands of his day.

Below: By talking less and listening more, David’s boxing has improved.

Even before having this chance conversation, I had done some in-depth analysis of our newspaper business as I wanted to check the real profit from what is a hugely labour intensive part of my day.

I created a spreadsheet that I can update at regular intervals so I know exactly where I am on profit per copy/delivery charge etc. This little win made me feel really good about both the present and the future of the business. Work smarter not harder is a cliché, but it is true. My numbers confirmed my feeling as to how important this area of the business is.

I had another revelation when I bumped into a business colleague who speaks even more than I do! He goes into great detail about everything from life to work and in some ways he is another version of myself.

It prompted me to remember my promise

that I was going to speak less and listen a lot more as by listening I am likely to learn something new.

I was doing some personal training and the boxing guy I was working with said that he thought my boxing was much better after lockdown as I was listening more, meaning that my work in the ring was better.

In Denmark they have libraries where you can go and listen to a person’s life story

for 30 minutes. Each is given a title, such as ‘refugee’ or ‘bi-polar’ and by listening to their story they hope to change your perspective and make you realise you shouldn’t judge based on assumptions or tags. They call it the human library and the tagline is, ‘We publish people as open books…’

This got me thinking about how I interact with people. When we get involved in all the minute detail we sometimes miss out on what we really need to do to make our business successful. It is so difficult to stop yourself being dragged into every little decision, but you must. Selfdiscipline is without doubt the biggest goal you can strive for.

I found this little checklist from Daniel Goldstein the American cognitive psychologist and am using it to try work on myself. l Am I setting myself goals for what I want to accomplish each day? l Do I take breaks throughout the day? l Have I taken steps to limit the distractions and temptations that hinder my progress? l Do I give myself a reasonable amount of time to complete tasks? l Am I effectively delegating work and decision-making where possible? l Am I mindful in my day-to-day work routine?

Taking breaks is key according to this and so at least twice I week I am trying to enjoy lunch/read my paper then work on projects at my office at home that are better suited to the quietness there. My goal was to do this at least twice a week and so far, I have managed it. The rest is a work in progress!

And as I mentioned earlier, I am back boxing as we all know that you need to keep doing something physically to stop you from seizing up. After a few weeks the jab is back and the body is not so stiff.

Goldstein certainly believes this is also the case with the mind. “I think self-discipline is something, it’s like a muscle. The more you exercise, the stronger it gets!”

Think I may need to book myself in for a few more PT sessions just on this topic!

To contact David email: jppozzi@btconnect.com PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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cardsharp

Who Wants To Be

A Billionaire?

The Sunday Times’ annual Rich List, published every May, always makes fascinating reading reflected Cardsharp. Who is not intrigued to see how the billionaires (it used to be millionaires!) made, or in many cases, inherited, their fortunes?

For years it was also fascinating for us in the greeting card trade to see at least two or sometimes three of our alumni represented in some shape or form in the list. Not so this year.

The Sunday Times Rich List was somewhat truncated this year, reduced from 500 inclusions to 250 people, but Cardsharp reckons that even if it had gone down to the 500th richest in the land it is doubtful whether any cardies would have made an appearance. This year it was a completely card-free zone.

How things have changed? Just over 25 years ago Simon Elvin regularly appeared in the list on the basis of his company being worth an estimated £35 million. Cardsharp recalls he came in around 70th in the list back then. These days, just to get to number 249, you need to be worth a minimum of a £1 billion that’s inflation for you and just shows how in the last generation the ‘Super Rich’ have got exponentially super richer than the rest of us. Massively!

Back in the early days of the list Andrew Brownsword, the founder of his eponymous company which launched the Forever Friends brand regularly appeared pretty high up (Cardsharp recollects a highpoint of him featuring around 30th). This was based on the profitability of his company when it was privately owned and then later when Andrew sold it to Hallmark for an estimated £200+ million. This, added to his hotel and property interests kept him in the list right up to last year.

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

And when the bar for inclusion was much lower, other cardies would appear periodically. Anders Hedlund, co-founder of International Greetings; Don Lewin, founder of Clintons; Ron Wood, the founder of the now defunct Birthdays retail chain all made appearances.

Interestingly in the 2018 list, the industry’s only four entries appeared on two pages of the 160 page publication which was distributed with the Sunday newspaper.

Andrew and Christina Brownsword topped the ‘greeting card list’, cited as the 423rd most wealthy UK inhabitants, with their interests valued at a very conservative £295 million.

Above left: The Sunday Times’ 2021 Rich List was a card-free zone this year.

Above right: You need a much bigger treasure trove these days to make it into the Rich List.

Below: Christina and Andrew Brownsword (centre) with William McCracken, the former md of Ling Design.

A few pages on and Gatacre brothers William and Thomas, co-founders of Jellycat received their just deserts for their winning take with their plush and gift company, appearing in 723rd position, valued at £155 million.

And recognising that while his business interests are now a lot broader than the own brand cards, wrap, crackers and stationery that IG Design Group supplies to retailers, Anders Hedlund retains a stake in the company he cofounded back in 1979 with his (and his family’s) wealth put at £153 million, 761st in the 2018 top 1,000 Rich List.

The other inclusion was for Dean and Janet Hoyle, founders of Card Factory who came in ranked as 427th, against another conservative estimate of £290 million in that 2018 list and appeared again in last year’s list.

Thinking back, it occurred to Cardsharp, most of the aforementioned people’s names would mean little to any

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evidence of traditional bricks and mortar retail owners up there. Good though to see the canny Tommy Morris, majority shareholder of Home Bargains (and generous friend to several in the card world) is up there in 40th position.

What conclusions does Cardsharp draw from all this?

Firstly, for the last 20 years, average earnings have remained broadly stagnant for the average worker, while reader under the age of 40, showing that fame and fortune can be rather transitory.

The culling of the numbers and rising financial bar to entries means that the greeting card world for the first time has no representative in the 2021 Rich List line-up.

Not surprising really when you think that the UK greeting card market is estimated to be worth £1.7 billon and it takes a cool £1 billion just to be at the bottom of the Rich List and to be at the top requires an astonishing £17 billion. Most of the high positions are taken by internet, mining and media moguls with little

Factoring In The Factory

the rich have become richer to an astonishing degree. The fact that 25 years ago, someone heading the list in terms of wealth would not even appear in this year’s roll call says it all. This provokes a wider political and ethical discussion, into which it is not Cardsharp’s place to delve.

Secondly, although most of us are in the greeting industry because we love it, these days we are never going to get super rich from our involvement. Most of us recognise this and accept that we can aspire to make a decent living out of something we enjoy. Whether that is creating or selling a product which brings so much joy to so many people, and/or attending industry events like PG Live, The Henries and The Retas. Anyway, concludes Cardsharp, bursting into song like Frank Sinatra in High Society… “Who wants to be a billionaire?”

Above left: Ron Wood, the founder of Birthdays (tfar right), who for some years had former football manager and player, Bryan Robson (far left) as a business partner.

Above right: “Wants to be a millionaire?” sang Frank Sinatra in High Society, but if the film was to be made now, it would have to be upgraded to billionaire!

Left: Dean and Janet Hoyle, founders of Card Factory.

Below: The City should be more ‘caring and sharing’ about Card Factory’s share price.

Meanwhile, talking of Card Factory, its share price has taken a battering again, after steadily rising from the depths of last April.

This comes as a result of reported sales being a touch below those of April and May 2019. To Cardsharp this is just another case of over optimistic City expectations.

Whatever view you take on Card Factory, its figures seem okay, especially considering how many consumers were still reluctant to venture out. And unlike some retail sectors the amount of pent up demand is not really that great. Of course some people will want to restock their depleted emergency card drawer, but you are highly unlikely to buy a belated birthday card for the period when the shops were closed due to lockdown. And with weddings and christenings postponed, and children’s parties not happening in that period there is a fair amount of greeting card sending activity that would be depressed. Even card sending events, like passing your driving test and getting a new job, have more or less been in the deep freeze for the last year.

It was also interesting to read in Card Factory’s financial statement that pre-Covid, it claimed a 30% of the greeting card market by volume and 20% by value. Cardsharp had assumed its market share would have been slightly higher. Back in those days, Card Factory made £65 million profit on £451 million profit so why, if things are on the way to returning to pre-Covid sales, has its share price been marked down so dramatically?

Cardsharp suspects that part of this is due to the fact it had to seek new funding as it was about to break its borrowing covenants earlier in the year, and this meant it had to seek a government-backed loan and go for refinancing.

Part of the condition of this loan is that no dividends can be paid to shareholders until this is paid back. This, given that bricks and mortar retailing without a credible online presence (which despite Card Factory’s best efforts it hasn’t really got yet) is not flavour of the month in the City, explains the lack of enthusiasm for the shares.

Yet with the future of Clintons being rather vague, Paperchase being a shadow of its former self and Cards Galore now gone, Cardsharp thinks that its future prospects are probably better than the City thinks. Perhaps that is why the Sunday Times financial analysis recommended the shares as one to ‘Buy’. Cardsharp will watch with interest.

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THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD “It’s in the diary! I am really looking forward to PG Live – it feels long overdue to see and speak to all our publishers old and new!

It will be a key moment for us to start thinking about planning for 2022. I just can’t wait to see all the new designs.”

Sarah Moughtin, card buyer for John Lewis & Partners and Waitrose “We’ve never been so looked after at a trade show as we are at PG Live - just one of the things for us that means it stands apart from other shows. All of our team really enjoy the show. It has such a great buzz and positive vibe. It’s always great to see new publishers and emerging trends, as well as seeing how existing suppliers are upping their game.”

Miles Robinson, co-owner, House of Cards “The PG Live show has such a happy vibe and energy. It is my favourite show of the year. I love that it focuses on just greeting cards and offers a mix of large publishers, established independents and new starters.

I love the coffee and tea trolleys going around which add to the feeling that you are being hosted and should just relax, enjoy the day and take the time to get to know some of these fabulous designers.”

Georgina Black, owner, Pretty Shiny Shop, London

Where the card community comes alive! www.progressivegreetingslive.com

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VIEWPOINTS

Happy Days!

There’s nothing like some good news to lift the spirits, especially after what has been the most topsy-turvy period in living memory. The announcement of The Retas 2021 finalists set off a feelgood ‘Mexican wave’ that percolated throughout the whole industry as the best greeting card retailers in the UK quite rightly celebrated their nominations with the outright winners to be announced on November 16 at a Finery of Greenery-themed event at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

PG shares some of the happiness...

John Pye and Krystyna O’Brien owner and head marketing manager of The Bookshop, East Grinstead Finalist: Best Independent Bookstore Retailer of Greeting Cards “What a brilliant way to start the day by finding out you are a finalist in The Retas 2021! We were absolutely thrilled and felt as proud as punch! Needless to say, we celebrated after 5.30pm by cracking open a bottle or two!

We take great pride in our greeting card selection, and have received many a compliment about them, with our customers saying that our cards are like none other in East Grinstead.

In recent years The Bookshop has been shortlisted for Best Independent Above: John Pye and Krystyna Bookshop of the Year on numerous occasions, O’Brien celebrating in the shop after closing time. something we have been rightly proud of. Now to have The Bookshop`s greeting card department recognised and singled out as among the UK`s very best, is simply fabulous - a great feather in our cap and just the inspiration we need after such a challenging year.

Greeting cards have always played a really important part of what The Bookshop has to offer. We are first and foremost a community book shop, and to that end greeting cards really help us to share in the lives of our customers, to celebrate with them their highs, like births, birthdays, marriages, anniversaries, and new homes etc, and perhaps, even more importantly, share in their lows, when they are ill, or when a loved one passes.

Greeting cards really are at the heart of what we do. Community is about care, and greeting cards really do show, that we do.

We are often heard saying that bookselling is all about putting the right book, in the right hands, at the right time. Now we come to think of it, the same can be said of selling cards - it really is about putting the right card, in the right hands, at the right time.”

Jessica Hogarth and Phil Hammill owner and manager of the Jessica Hogarth Shop, Robin Hood’s Bay Finalist: Best Greeting Card Retailer Newcomer or New Branch - North “We were so excited to hear we are finalists.

Obviously, we chose to open our shop at an uncertain time, but the support and response we have had to our product offering has been incredible and that wouldn't have been possible without our fabulous suppliers, many of whom are friends. We will keep our fingers crossed we are successful in winning the award, but even being shortlisted is enough for us!

Our local Whitby Gazette is going to feature us and we might get a bit in the Yorkshire Post too!”

Above: A very happy Jessica Hogarth and Phil Hammill on the beach having heard the news.

Emma Tanner buyer of cards & wrap at Sainsbury’s Finalist: Best Supermarket Retailer of Greeting Cards “We are thrilled to be nominated for this prestigious award in a category with extremely strong competition.

It’s been an extremely difficult 15 months for everybody, so we are looking forward to attending The Retas this year and to celebrate with all of our friends in the card industry.”

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VIEWPOINTS Paul Mordecai and Hannah Rudder co-owners of Dee’s Cards, Leighton Buzzard Finalist: Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - Home Counties and South East “We are absolutely delighted to be nominated for a Retas award, especially after the tough year everyone has had. We are touched that some of our suppliers have picked us out among the other fantastic retailers out there. Good luck to everyone.”

Linda Bygrave owner of Celebrations, Aylsham

Right: There is no denying that Paul and Hannah are very happy about being in the finals.

Mark and Marion Flaherty co-owners of Best Wishes, Garstang Finalist: Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer North and Northern Ireland “What fantastic news to receive and add to a beautiful sunny day in Lancashire.

We are delighted to be a finalist, it certainly has raised our spirits as well as our staff morale after such a challenging year.

We are all keeping our fingers crossed for the results, while continuing to enjoy welcoming back more of our customers and seeing new faces of visitors and those now working from home.”

Left: Mark and Marion are all smiles.

Finalist: Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - East Anglia "I couldn't be more delighted to be nominated again for a Retas award, and can definitely confirm there was a woop of delight having slowly scrolled down the nominations with bated breath until I saw our name.

Obviously Mandy (manager of the shop and winner of the 2019 Best Retail Employee award in The Retas 2019) was the first person I called with the good news.

I can only say that after the toughest year we have all known, this was like a breath of fresh air. So excited for the event itself and seeing everyone again, both at The Retas and of course at PG Live. It feels so good for things to be ‘real’ again."

Above: Linda Bygrave jumping up and down in delight at the news.

Claire Brown channel manager, Penny Black, Glasgow

Below: A very happy Claire Brown with Jo Marwaha, product manager and cofounder of Penny Black.

Finalist: Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - Scotland “We are all delighted to hear that we're in the finals for The Retas! The whoops of joy are still echoing round our office!

It has been great to share the news with our team and feels like all our hard work over the last topsy-turvy year and a bit has been worth it. We will certainly be spreading the news far and wide.

The whole Penny Black team is absolutely over the moon to hear that we've been chosen as finalists for The Retas after what has been a rollercoaster for our whole community.

We're delighted to be recognised by our industry for our commitment to excellence and continual improvement and wish all our fellow finalists the very best of luck!"

Hayley Bastable owner of HBB Cards, Newport Pagnell:

Above: Hayley Bastable relishing the news.

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Finalist: Best Greeting Card Retailer Newcomer or New Branch - North “I was absolutely THRILLED when I saw my shop name on The Retas finalists’ list, in fact I really couldn’t believe it… seriously I couldn’t. After a very difficult start (I had to close twice due to lockdowns in my very first few weeks) it was so lovely to receive The Retas news I’m still on a high. In short, I am very, very happy!”

Nicky Stephenson and Claire Jarvis The Tutbury Present Co, Tutbury: Finalist: Best Non-Specialist Independent Retailer of Greeting Cards - North “Whoop whoop - that’s the sound of two very smiley shopkeeper finalists!

We were delighted, surprised and overwhelmed to hear the news. We have had amazing reactions on social media from our customers and local community which have given us such a boost. we can’t wait for the ‘real life’ award ceremony in July!”

Below: Nicky and Claire enjoying a celebratory cocktail.

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VIEWPOINTS Heidi and Dominic Early co-owners of Earlybird Design, Stoke Newington Finalist: Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - London Finalist: Best Greeting Card Retailer Initiative - for its Hope campaign “We are both soooo over the moon to reach the finals in two categories! We just feel elated! After such a hard 15 months reaching the finals feels like such welcome recognition for everything.

Our customers, our suppliers, agents, family and friends and just everybody who used cards to connect with people during this quite hideous time, we are forever grateful. To be honest I think we’re all winners for surviving. We have to keep positive, innovating, and caring about one another, that’s how we’ll survive and at some point in the future, thrive!”

Above: Heidi (left) and Dom Early can’t hide their joy!

Aga Gabrysiak co-owner of Highworth Emporium, Highworth: Finalist: Best Non-Specialist Independent Retailer of Greeting Cards - South “Wow! How happy does this news make me feel?! The Retas [now taking place in November] and PG Live at the end of July. The double chance for everyone to get together, I just can’t think of anything better!

I found out we had reached The Retas finals from our Retail Buddies WhatsApp group! As I honestly didn’t expect it, the Above: Aga and the Highworth excitement was mixed with disbelief. This is the first time we have been in The Emporium team in celebratory mood.

Retas finals and I am feeling really chuffed. Cards are big part of our business and Left: It’s party time at Highworth Emporium! we dedicate lots of time to sourcing new and exciting designs. Being recognised in these prestigious awards is a real joy!

The finalist logo is now proudly displayed on our website and all over our social media!”

Angie Goosen

Sarah Laker

category manager - greeting cards, giftwrap, gifting and books of Blue Diamond Group

owner of Stationery Supplies, Marple and Wilmslow

Finalist: Best Garden Centre Retailer of Greeting Cards Multiple or group (5+ centres) “I’m absolutely thrilled see Blue Diamond has been nominated for The Retas. While I’m still on maternity leave I have been keeping in touch with the team so ensure things are still running smoothly in my absence. I’m very much looking forward to the event in July, unsure yet whether I’ll cry from sadness or happiness because I’ll be leaving the twins for the first time!”

Right: Angie Goosen holding one of the two Retas trophies that Blue Diamond won at the last Retas (in 2019).

Finalist: Best Non-Specialist Independent Retailer of Greeting Cards - North “I’m as giddy as a ruddy kipper up North today! The news about The Retas has put a big smile on this tired stationer’s face. And what a great reason for a new frock!”

Below: Sarah is off to buy a new frock for The Retas.

Carl Dunne owner of Cards and Gifts, Sheffield and Dronfield Finalist: Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - North and Northern Ireland “Jumping for joy doesn't really cover it, as soon as I read the email I leapt off the sofa with such a jump that the dog went one way, my coffee the other, the TV changed to The One Show and Ollie [GuiseSmith, Carl’s partner] thought someone had come through the front window. Excited beyond belief! After the worst year any of us have ever seen, this really has made it all worth it. To be recognised for the effort that I've made really is something special. I've told our local community the good news customers to fellow traders and even local councillors - who have all said "you've brought so much life and colour to a dead area, we needed you and we're so glad that you're receiving real recognition from your peers as well" which is lovely.”

Left: The ever enthusiastic Carl Dunne.

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H

ROOM W O

T H E NORTH

THE LAR G E S T

Harrogate, North Yorkshire

IN

S

18-21 July 2021

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PG showcases a selection of new product launches

Growing Up Apple & Clover has extended its beautiful, eco Botanicals collection, which now features numbers alongside birthday and occasions across 27 designs. The cards are foil printed on 100% recycled card and feature illustrations of flora and fauna in Apple & Clover’s signature vintage style. Cards are paired with a rainbow of envelope colours, from muted kraft through to eye-popping yellow.

Apple and Clover 07790 900976 appleandclover.com

Something To Celebrate

A Man’s World

Amelia, the hand-finished range from Cinnamon Aitch has been expanded with a further 23 gorgeous new designs, including ages and new occasion titles joining the line-up.

Designed by the talented Emily Hauck, the contemporary, C6 range features balloon arches and birthday garlands alongside painterly illustrations of flowers and outdoor spaces.

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

Charcoal is Hotchpotch’s brand new male collection, for birthdays and relations.

Hotchpotch has combined its signature and popular 4D embossed foil with touches of sleek black foil for a fresh and masculine look. The collection, 20 designs strong, is both tactile and full of impact – featuring iconic male subject matter, including beer bottles, typography, classic cars and vinyl records.

Hotchpotch London 01243 792600 hotchpotchlondon.com PG Live stand 224

Happy To Bee

Lumpy’s Life

Bee Happy is a new collection of 155mm square cards from Laura Sherratt Designs. The collection of 43 handmade birthday cards includes titles for all friends and relatives. Cute illustrations are adorned with a wooden bumble bee and come complete with a 100% compostable brown envelope.

Laura Sherratt Designs 01538 384566 www.laurasherrattdesigns.co.uk

Wot Ma Like’s latest range, Lumpy Potato Lady was inspired by creator Jo Burrows’ trip to her doctor for a regular health check.

“I was livid, as she suggested I was obese, sedentary and an alcoholic…not true! but it has at least brought Lumpy to life,” says Jo. There are 20 everyday designs and eight Christmas designs, that are all about Lumpy’s everyday life - funny, body positive and self-deprecating. The font is based on Jo’s son Kieran’s handwriting.

Wot Ma Like 0345 257 0267 wotmalike.co.uk

West Coast Wonder California Dreaming…is Five Dollar Shake’s brand-new limited-edition collection of 24 designs. Exquisitely and lovingly made in the publisher’s Sussex studio, genuine crystals and Liberty fabrics embellish illustrations on shimmering board, which is 100% EFC fibre and FSC-certified, made in the Alps with fresh alpine lake water and a little bit of alchemy. The cards are supplied with a complimenting envelope and packaged in a compostable bag.

Five Dollar Shake 01424 434062 www.fivedollarshake.com PG Live stand 425 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 31

FROM IC&G

BRAND NEW

A delightful new addition of 9 female Birthday Captions.

Featuring delicate Birthday illustrations oof champagne, presents, sweets and more.

Each design is enhanced with high quality E emboss, blind emboss, foil finishes and full colour insides and inserts.

AVAILABLE TO ORDER NOW E: customerservice@icgcards.com T: 01202 897494 W: www.icgcards.com 32_PG_June 2021.indd 1

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PG showcases a selection of new product launches

A Glittering Entrance Popsy & Plum is delighted to be launching All That Glitters – a celebratory collection of timeless cards perfect for commemorating life’s achievements, be it exam success, a new job or even passing a driving test.

Cards are 150cm x 150cm in size, blank inside, are printed on FSC-certified board and come with a kraft envelope.

Popsy & Plum 07769 212269 popsyandplum@outlook.com PG Live stand 446

A Fragrant Future A Woman’s Worth

Make a perfumed feature of your living space with Lesser & Pavey’s new 500ml or 100ml, 200ml diffusers in red, pink, white, silver and gold or new soy candle in three sizes, all beautifully packaged. Fragrances available include Pomegranate Noir, Velvet Rose & Oud, Fresh Linen, Nectarine Blossom & Honey, Lavender & Chamomile, Peony & Blush, Lime, Basil & Mandarin and Magnolia & Mulberry.

Lesser & Pavey 01322 279225 www.leonardo.co.uk

Lagom Design has launched a dozen new designs featuring the art of Molly Egan. The South Philadelphia-based artist is inspired by folk art, ephemera and contemporary culture with her work full of strong, quirky women and bold florals using a variety of media.

From large scale murals to pin badges, her work is always full of colour and originality.

Lagom Design 03331230101 lagomdesign.co.uk

Back To Nature

A Festive Mix

Designed by 2020 Henries Award finalist Alex Gunn, each card in GBCC’s AGunn range is based on an original piece of artwork in a colourful contemporary style. Each glorious design features bold brushstrokes that evoke a sense of joy found in nature and countryside landscapes.

There’s a real feeling of summer and sunshine, creating a sense of ‘wish you were there’.

GBCC 01452 888999 www.greatbritishcards.co.uk PG Live stand 226

Christmas has come early with Bexy Boo’s new collection, The Scrabbley Blooms. Based on the success of the publisher’s everyday range, there are 24 floral designs with holly, berries and loveliness in abundance. The cards are hand-finished with a vintage wooden Scrabble tile and sparkly preciosa crystals. They come with a white alabaster envelope, individually wrapped with a biodegradable cellobag.

Bexy Boo 01565 830546 bexyboo.co.uk

A Christmas Cracker Megan Claire is introducing a brand-new range of 21 Christmas designs for 2021.

Festive Frolics is a contemporary hot gold foiled range with bright colours printed on cream board. The 155mm square cards come with metallic gold envelopes, cello wrapped or naked on request.

Megan Claire 01536 560345 www.meganclaire.co.uk PG Live stand 91

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PG showcases a selection of new product launches

Animal Magic Lola Design has teamed up with ZSL (Zoological Society of London) to create a collection of gift-led stationery and premium greeting cards, inspired by some of ZSL’s most loved animals and Lola’s passion for wildlife. The collection consists of 28 new premium card and stationery items, including weekly planners, tear off notepads, pop-up cards, wiro-bound organisers and notebooks. Sales will contribute directly towards supporting ZSL’s work.

Lola Design 01904 675514 www.loladesignltd.com

Raise A Smile!

Lucy Maggie Designs has teamed up with talented illustrator Zoe Spry to create a range of foiled cards.

Featuring some rather cheeky messaging, these cards have been designed to deliver a laugh to the recipient and are perfect for those wanting to wish 'congratulations' in a slightly different way.

Lucy Maggie Designs 07763239731 www.lucymaggiedesigns.co.uk

Curious Owls Dandelion Stationery’s brand-new range of tea towels are the perfect addition to any kitchen. Choose from eight designs, two of which are Christmas themed.

Super absorbent and designed for everyday use, featuring a loop for easy hanging – the tea towels are ideal gifts for house warmings, birthdays, Christmas and more. Free from plastic packaging, they come supplied with a branded belly band. Dimensions are 46x71cm and available to order in multiples of three.

Dandelion Stationery 01332 504940 www.dandelionstationery.co.uk PG Live stand 517

Old Meets New Wendy Bell Designs’ new collection Winchester Blue comprises 32 greeting cards spanning everyday and occasions.

This range was sparked by Wendy Bell rediscovering an old sketchbook from her final degree show at Winchester School of Art in 2003. She has combined photos of some of the pages with new paintings. She has made it a largely male orientated range in honour of her father (who Wendy has not seen for 19 months due to the pandemic) who used to live on Winchester Avenue.

Wendy Bell Designs 07803609902 wendybelldesigns.com PG Live stand 156

Drink up The ever-inventive Coulson Macleod has continued to expand its Mini Clipboard portfolio with the welcome addition of a collection of cocktail recipe cards, perfectly timed to make the most of the garden party weather!

Choose from classic cocktails, gin or rum cocktails, each comes with nine cocktail recipes, plywood clipboard and rustic clip hanger. A great gift or self-purchase for those who enjoy a tipple or two.

Coulson Macleod 01536 419944 www.coulsonmacleod.com

Cat and Mouse Act Cats and mice can get along!

Impractical Cats is cute range from Middle Mouse. Inspired by the publisher’s very own cheeky cat, each design celebrates the irritating places pussycats choose to settle down. The collection includes some open designs as well as occasion cards, all in harmonious colours. The A6 sized cards are printed on FSC-approved luxury card.

Middle Mouse 07855 959176 middlemouse.co.uk PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 35

STAY FRESH! WITH

See the full range online! www.mint-publishing.co.uk

sales@mint-publishing.co.uk

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Tel: 0116 230 4197 Fax: 01536 401 031

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PG showcases a selection of new product launches

Surprise Surprise A master at coming up with ranges which are aimed at book lovers, Yoojoo’s luxury Flowers and Animals collections feature zig zag fold cards that open out to reveal a stainless-steel clip-on bookmark gift inside. The cards are blank inside with brief instructions on the back and encouragement to recycle the remaining card. An eco-friendly glassine bag option has been developed, which is available on request.

Yoojoo 01274 621419 www.yoojoo.co.uk

A Ray of Sunshine Eclectic Sunshine is the latest new range from Purple Tree Designs. The collection includes 10 bright and colourful typographical designs. Printed on uncoated stock, the cards are 15cm square and come with contrasting envelopes, all designed to send a little bit of sunshine through the post.

Purple Tree Designs 07803591927 purpletreedesigns.co.uk

Bottoms Up Indigo is a new male collection from Clare Maddicott Publications featuring designs by talented artist Sarah Long.

The fun, contemporary designs on a vibrant sophisticated colour palette are accentuated with eye-catching hot foil and embossed details. All the designs feature simple front birthday captions and are left blank inside for the sender’s own message. Formatted to standard 5” x 7”, the designs are accompanied by gold envelopes.

Clare Maddicott Publications 01638 569050 www.maddicott.com PG Live stand 300

Movember Motivation Tache has teamed up with men’s health charity, Movember to create a new Modern Mister card range. The 15 handmade cards feature a bold colour palette, foil detail and designs include a ‘Mate Date’ ticket, a mixtape and of course, moustaches. They are designed with men in mind to encourage supportive and open conversations particularly among men, as well as fundraising for the charity through sales.

Tache 01202 691435 www.tache.co.uk

Perfect Pets Animal Magnetism Ohh Deer has collaborated with awardwinning illustrator Owen Davey on a range of greeting cards. Owen works with traditional and digital media to create retro-inspired illustrations. The inaugural collection of 11 animal designs, range from a squirrel to a gorilla, all featuring Owen’s distinctive design style and unusual perspective. The cards are 105 x 148mm and come with a 100% recycled brown kraft envelope.

Ohh Deer +44 1509 812 075 www.ohhdeer.com PG Live stand 318

Scruffy Paws is Abacus Cards’ brandnew range inspired by beloved pets.

The range features quirky, stylised hand drawn images, created by the talented artist Fred Blunt, whose illustrations characterise the amusing antics of cats and dogs. These entertaining images are teamed with comical light-hearted captions.

Formatted to a standard 5” x 7”, the designs are printed on textured art board and are enhanced by an embossed finish. The designs feature a simple greeting on page three and are accompanied by red envelopes.

Abacus Cards 01638 569050 www.abacuscards.co.uk PG Live stand 300 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 37

THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD “My accommodation is booked! It is great we now have a date to look forward to when we can in some way meet up with old friends, forge new relationships and feel human once more. I’ve tried to master virtual trade shows, but it has been a struggle when you’re a people person!”

Sean Austin, owner of Austin & Co in Malvern “What do I like about PG? I love the fact that it’s just about cards. Rows and rows of beautiful cards without any other distractions. And as it’s a short show, everyone’s upbeat, the attendance is strong and there’s a unique and very friendly atmosphere.”

Jo Barber, owner, No.14, Ampthill “OMG where do I begin!? PG Live is by far our favourite trade event. Its size, dedication to the industry and having every good quality supplier under one roof trumps all other shows – and that’s before you add on lunch, free tea and coffee, and the fabulous ladies in the amazing card dresses!”

Carl Dunne, owner of Cards and Gifts, Sheffield and Dronfield

Where the card community comes alive! www.progressivegreetingslive.com

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Retailer Feedback

Staycationing Bonanza Inset: ‘Getting away from it all’ will be confined to UK shores for the majority this year.

Lorraine Blunt, owner of Issey gift and card shop in Mevagissey, South Cornwall: Should I stay(cation) or should I go? “It looks like we are set for an exciting, if somewhat bumpy, year with emotions running high. We have already experienced the trepidation and nerves as people gain confidence in venturing out and we are being very respectful of that. However, by all accounts it does look like Mevagissey, as a tourist destination, will be up to full capacity in the coming season, and full of buzz - we’ll be ready for that!”

The holiday mood: “The last lockdown has given me a chance to pull my shops apart by redecorating and remerchandising to make them look super sparkling.

Holidaymakers will hopefully enjoy the locally-themed products we have added, such as the Cornishware mugs emblazoned the local greeting “Alright?” Yeah, you?” as well as the localised greeting cards from Wot Ma Like.”

Must visit tip: “I live in Port Mellon, a beautiful cove, and it was always my ambition to be able to walk to work and to wrap things up in tissue paper. So, in 2004 I gave up my job as a training manager for BT to open the shops and share the glory of where we live. I would urge everyone who comes this way to go to the Fountain Inn and order fish & chips, then walk round the harbour and see if you can spot any seals.”

Magic carpet: “Bob, my partner and I, have such a hanker to go back to Lanzarote, just to kick back and relax.”

Top: Lorraine Blunt (right) having a meeting with agent Rosie Trow in the shop.

Above: Some of the products stocked in Issey’s Right: Mevagissey is a very picturesque Cornish fishing village.

With very few venturing beyond UK shores this year for holidays it should be bonanza time for retailers located in UK hot spots, whether on the coast, beauty spots or areas of interest.

Ditching its passport, PG got out its roadmap to find out how card retailers are ready and waiting to welcome the wave of staycationers in their part of the world.

Below: Sarah inside the shop.

Sarah Barrington, owner of Blue Dog Trading, Clare, Suffolk: Should I stay(cation) or should I go?

“I’m expecting Clare to be busier than usual with holiday makers this summer. We let out the apartment above the shop for holidays and it is getting very booked up with people wanting a change of scenery within the UK.” The holiday mood: “We will be celebrating Suffolk Day on June 21. This year Clare is hosting the formalities so I am PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Retailer Feedback

Graham Fraser, owner of Alba in Oban:

creating a special window display for that.

Clare is a great base for walkers so my window will be themed around that.

Holidaymakers’ buying patterns differ from those of locals in that they tend to come in bigger groups and stay longer browsing, whereas the locals are a little more purposeful! They buy similar things really although probably fewer greeting cards.

On the product front, we have a lovely range of cards of the different shopfronts in Clare that we commissioned from a local artist. And we use the one of our own shop as the card to go with our gift vouchers.”

Must visit tip: “A tour of the Wool Towns is a must - a collection of picturesque Suffolk villages and towns (including Clare of course) which retain their medieval centres with streets lined with timber framed buildings and elegant, light filled churches, all set in pretty walking country.”

Magic carpet: “Corsica - my favourite holiday destination - as it combines fantastic scenery and walking with great rustic French/Italian food. A lovely long lunch, cooked by someone else, in warm sunshine would be just the ticket at the moment.”

Above: Illustrations depicting the shop and shop scenes in Clare appear on a range of cards commissioned by Blue Dog. Below: Clare is Suffolk’s smallest town with a rich history, including being one of the Wool Towns.

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Should I stay(cation) or should I go? “In theory, the UK tourists should replace the foreign visitors in equal numbers and maintain our status quo. However, so far, although the caravan sites are full and we are awash with camper vans, the happy campers seem to be, shutters up in their wee domains and a bit scared possibly, to venture into shops.

But, it was like this coming out of previous lockdowns. It seems to take a while for people’s confidence in going out and mixing with others, to be regained. So, we will wait and see.”

The holiday mood: “We are ready for an influx of visitors! Above: A Jolomo greeting card (from Island Blue) featuring North Oban at sunset.

We have re-merchandised our instore displays and our six Left: Alba stocks a vast array of windows now reflect tourism all the way up and down our street. local-themed products.

Below right: Emma Ball’s Holidaymakers’ and resident customers’ purchasing cards, gifts and homewares patterns criss-cross continuously. Card wise, our Scottish scenic products are a fave in Alba, including this tea towel. ranges, especially from Edinburgh Arts, Tartan 2CV and Island Below left: A design by Vega (the artist uses the name of Blue get their her boat as her trademark). space doubled in summer. Meanwhile strangely, in our art department our ranges of paints, pads and brushes are always being snapped up by visitors who cannot believe that they have found an art shop that promotes 25% off most of their materials.

Other products which promote our area are pictures, aprons, tea towels, table mats, coasters, sculptures and even jigsaws and we can increase every sale by providing the greeting card image of each and every product!

Emma Ball has a great range featuring our area and gives us little bespoke packs so we keep the right side of her organisation! In fact, anything with a Puffin, Highland cow or stag (the Monarch of the Glen) on it is for us!

Locals like the tourist selection for gifts to send/give to people who live far away from Oban. Tourists buy our everyday range of cards, gifts and wrap because it is vast compared to the streamlined choices in shopping centres back home.”

Must visit tip: “Oban is known as the Gateway to The Isles and Scotland’s seafood capital. Our visitors have an endless supply of unmissable things to do and see. The magic of Iona, the grandeur of Glencoe, travel on the Hogwarts Express across the Glenfinnan Viaduct or voyage in a high speed rib through the world’s third biggest whirlpool, the Gulf of Corryvreckan. And, we have products which highlight all these things!”

Magic carpet: “I don’t think I’ll ever need a magic carpet to whisk me away to somewhere exotic - we have it all here. Aquamarine seas washing over pure white sands, the Highland Games and ceilidhs, Gaelic music and singing, even Celtic rock bands and not to mention the fab food and drink!”

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Retailer Feedback

Sally Wilde, owner of Planet Sal in Honiton, East Devon:

Should I stay(cation) or should I go?

“Planet Sal is very lucky to be situated within a beautiful part of East Devon, in the market town of Honiton. Just 20 minutes drive to the beach and on the Jurassic Coast. Cornwall and Devon are gearing up for a very busy season. I don’t think there is a room left to rent anywhere much before October!

‘Unprecedented’ is definitely the word of 2021.”

The holiday mood: “The shop is situated between a main car park and the High Street, so visitors cut through our Court (all independent businesses) to get there. Something

in the window (usually a cheeky card or gift) will catch their eye and bring them in for a browse, normally leaving with a pile of cards! I find that tourists love indie shops as they are a point of difference in each town.

In Honiton, we are aware that the nearby large cities may not be the first choice for shopping that they once were, and feel we have a chance for it to be ‘our time’ this season. We have been sprucing up our shops in anticipation and have had several new businesses opening since lockdown. I am commissioning a chalk artist to decorate the front wall of my shop, which I am so looking forward to.

With Planet Sal, I do buy in slightly different stock for the summer months, mainly a lot more toys and activity books for children. We all know there will almost certainly be some rainy days!

I have had some great Honiton mugs made for me

by Worry Less, and am working on a Above left: Sally outside her shop, which won a 2020/2021 Prestige award for the South West England.

Above right: A scene from the Honiton Show.

Left: A Worry Less mug that is on sale in Planet Sal.

secret project with a local designer, which is very exciting!”

Must visit tip: “If all goes well, the town will be hosting the food festival ‘Gate To Plate’ again this year, on August 21. It was been hugely popular before and even brought Prince Charles and Camilla to Honiton! it’s the sort of day where you can try some local cider, then some local beer, then some local gin, stuff down some hog roast, stuff down some cheese, have a wander around the shops and our famous Lace Museum, then end up at the wine bar.

There is also the Honiton Show in August, with similar appeal, but a lot more cider, tractors, general stalls and cute sheep. This year I think most holidaymakers will be just so grateful to get away and have a change of scene.”

Magic carpet: “If I could go anywhere in the world on the PG Magic Carpet, with no pandemic, it would be to New Zealand to see my best friend, who emigrated there.”

Rachael Barnes, Dragonfly Cards & Gifts, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire: Should I stay(cation) or should I go? “We have a fairly mixed view as to how staycationers will affect our trade to be honest. We find visitors don't spend an awful lot.

They come and laugh at the funny cards, ask for directions, best cafe advice etc but don't actually buy that much. It is really the hospitality venues that benefit from the tourist trade.

The one exception is visitors with young children, as they want to add to an ever growing soft toy collection. Ty Beanies and Squish Mallows in particular at the moment are what they want to part with their money for!

We also find that locals stay away at the weekends at the moment as the town is full of tourists. Our bread and butter is very much our locals trade, we couldn't survive on visitors alone.”

The holiday mood: “We have added a shelf in our window showcasing all things Knaresborough - postcards, greeting cards, magnets, keyrings etc. Little souvenirs that visitors can take home.

Our cards by John Potter Photography are particularly popular with locals to show off our beautiful area, sending them to family and friends elsewhere in the country. Visitors buy a few greeting cards, but mainly postcards. We have an Above left: Dragonfly artist's impression of Knaresborough by Emma Ball, as a postcard, magnet and features the Ty logo on its window to tell visitors they keyring, which is a nice alternative to a traditional photograph.” are stocked there.

Above: Some of the cards Must visit tip: “A walk through the castle grounds to view the viaduct,

by John Potter Photography featuring local scenes. and a visit to all of the wonderful independent shops we have in town.”

Lefy: Rachael and her mum Magic carpet: “Marrakesh in Morocco - it looks so vibrant, full of colour Rita at PG Live, pointing out the shop’s name on The and wonderful food.”

Retas’ Wall of Fame.

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In conversation with... Words ‘n’ Wishes

A Principled Decade

“Where has the time gone? It certainly doesn’t feel like 10 years since Carl [Salt] and I took the plunge and started Words ‘n’ Wishes,” stated Rod Brown, joint managing director of the Wigan-based card publisher.

“It was never our philosophy to reach for the stars or reinvent the wheel; we just wanted to create a middle market greeting card company that our retail customers liked dealing with.”

While the product ranges have changed dramatically since the publisher’s early days – as the 112 new designs that will be on show at PG Live next month testify - PG discovered that Words ‘n’ Wishes’ core principles remain exactly the same today as they were when the company first launched onto the scene.

Rod Brown must rank as one of the fastest talkers in the industry with a ‘go, go, go’ high energy to match. Yet the last year and a half of the pandemic has forced the joint managing director of Words ‘n’ Wishes to learn a new skill - to be patient. “We have all had to accept that there are some things that are beyond our control and that rather than get frustrated about the things that could not happen, we have all had to appreciate and be grateful for the things we do have, both in our business and personal lives,” admits Rod. With independent retailers being very much at the heart of Words ‘n’ Wishes, in common with so many other publishers, 2020 was the only year the company has not shown growth, but Rod is encouraged by how 2021 is shaping up.

“While due to the lockdowns, 2020 didn’t really happen for many card businesses, 2021 is looking much better and we, for one, are ahead of 2019 levels.

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

And I have been so impressed by the tenacity of retailers, who have really dug deep to adapt to the changing landscape,” summed up Rod. As part of its adaptation to the changing landscape of

Above: Rod Brown (left) and Carl Salt, co-founders of Words ‘n’ Wishes. They own the 10-year-old publishing business with colleagues Brian Philips, Alison Traynor, Lesley and Denise Bishop.

Below: Words ‘n’ Wishes Big Thank You All Round has seen the publisher reward its loyal retail customers as well as fanfare some local heroes.

Bottom left: A Words ‘n’ Wishes Moments in Time design.

Bottom right: A Zipadee Doo Da design. While in the early days of Words ‘n’ Wishes square cards were not accepted by its customers, now they are among the company’s best sellers.

opportunities, as well as its own broad product portfolio, Words ‘n’ Wishes now has two years under its belt as distributor of Danilo’s products to the independent sector, making the most of the publisher’s extensive sales force of 24 independent sales agents.

“We learnt a lot about being a distributor when we carried a selection of Quitting Hollywood designs for a few years, meaning that we were very confident about working with Danilo. It has been a privilege to work with the Danilo team and bring their knowledge of the licensing industry to our retail customers,” elaborated Rod, reinforcing the importance of understanding your business’ core competencies and using these to deliver for the customer, something which has been at the core of Words ‘n’ Wishes since day one.

“Being customer-focused is right at the heart of everything we do. This has been our number one priority since our very first day of trading,” states Rod Brown, joint md of Words ‘n’ Wishes. “Having the products that meet retailers’ needs, a strong sales support and an efficient service is not rocket science, but it has been the solid foundation upon which we have been able to grow Words ‘n’ Wishes over the last decade,” sums up Rod.

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In conversation with... Words ‘n’ Wishes

The last few months has in fact seen the publisher take its customer focus up a step, by extending its Thank You Reward Voucher scheme to enable some of its independent retail customers to show gratitude to their ‘local heroes’.

“Over the years, our Thank You Reward Vouchers have been a way for us to say thank you to our valued independent customers for their continued support, something we have greatly appreciated in these unprecedented times,” says Rod. “This year we felt it was important to increase the awareness of local independents as well as to shine the spotlight on some of the people who have been making a difference to town and village communities throughout the UK, giving our retail customers the opportunity to say their very own ‘Thank You’ to their local heroes with us providing

£100 M&S vouchers for them to present and hopefully achieve a bit of positive PR for the shops,” he added.

The whole initiative has seen all manner of ‘local heroes’ being rewarded, from those who have spearheaded foodbanks to others who have provided solace to grieving families, volunteered to help the vulnerable as well as inspirational NHS workers.

As to the company’s own ‘rewards’, all things being equal, Rod would have by now hatched an impressive plan to mark the

publisher’s 10th anniversary. Even in ‘normal’ years, the company’s annual sales conferences are memorable events, staged in wonderful venues such as Ethiad Stadium (home of Man City) so goodness knows what he would have had up his sleeve to mark the milestone.

“We will do something to mark it, but it will be a bit later in the year,” explains Rod. “At least we have PG Live to look forward to next month, our first opportunity for the whole industry to get together. We have all so missed seeing each other!”

Up close and personal PG persuaded Rod Brown to share some personal revelations…

What are you most looking forward to?

“For a total reboot of business generally and for everyone to feel safe and full of hope.”

What three lessons have you learned from the pandemic? “Firstly, patience. It has been forced on me, admittedly, but it is probably a good thing.

Secondly, I have learned a lot about myself and how I am much more of a creature of habit than I thought I was.

Like others, I found the last lockdown the hardest and can’t wait for things to get things fully back to normal.

Thirdly, to appreciate what you’ve got and enjoy it.”

You’ve missed industry gatherings, who would be round the table at your industry dinner party? “Paul Slater and Brian Murtagh (Watermark), Paul Taylor (Cardzone), Chris Dyson (Cardgains), Daniel Prince (Danilo), Jackie Collins (Cherry Orchard) and Brett Smith (Emotional Rescue)…I could go on.”

What is your guilty pleasure? “I have become rather partial to the Dr Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Kabinett white wine which finds its way into my Waitrose shopping trolley!”

Top left: The League in League of Friends Shops in Oswestry nominated Rebecca Warren, a hospital ward manager who has headed up the vaccination hub and manages the spinal unit for its Thank You Reward.

Middle: (Left-right) Tony Cotterill with WnW’s studio colleagues Kate Hughes and Richard Mason.

Far left: D & J McLister in Ballycastle nominated Mia McHale, for her involvement in the local foodbank as well as other helping ways for a Thank You Reward.

Creative thinking While Rod’s strategic management and salesmanship skills (honed over his industry career with Hallmark, Paper House, Second Nature, Rainbow Cards and Wishing Well Studios) and Carl Salt’s production/operations expertise were never in any doubt, it was the formation of the publisher’s own design studio in 2014, headed up by Tony Cotterill, which gave the company real impetus.

“You have to recognise your strengths and design is most definitely not one of mine,” says Rod. “Right from the day he joined, Tony made such a difference, giving Words ‘n’ Wishes its own identity while keeping us right in the centre of the middle market.”

It is now seven years since Tony Cotterill joined Words ‘n’ Wishes to set up the publisher’s in-house studio.

Having formerly worked as an artist for Wishing Well Studios (and Hambledon Studios prior to that), Tony had a great understanding of designing greeting cards with wide appeal.

Left: The new Memories large cards “I have relished the opportunity of being able to give Words ‘n’ Wishes its own identity, broaden our design are three-fold.

The Personalised cards come styles and add more finishes while not straying too far from our traditional roots,” explained Tony. “We have five Above: with a selection of caption ‘tip-ons’ product launches a year and now 95% of the designs are created by us in-house,” he adds. that the recipient can select from.

This month’s product launch comprises 112 brand new designs across a number of ranges.

As well as a cornucopia of captioned cards these include: l Memories - Large three-fold designs that are a fresh incarnation of a previously very successful wordy range. l Personalised - A revamped collection of the publisher’s innovative concept of cards which come with a variety of caption tip-ons. l Tee Hee - A largely typographical soft humour collection.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Contact your Business Development Executive or our friendly Customer Services Team on 01243 792600 or at info@cbg.co.uk for more details. www.cbgtrader.co.uk

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Spotlight On... Cute Cards

That Warm, Fuzzy Feeling

Defining ‘cute’ in the world of greeting cards is easy - it’s the ‘aah’ ‘aww’ factor, an emotion, a lovely warm, fuzzy feeling that’s just like a hug, say publishers. (We could go on!)

With emotions still running high and hugs being greatly appreciated, PG takes a heartfelt delve into the cute card arena.

Regardless of what’s going in the world, if there’s one thing that remains a certainty, it’s our love of cute - from irresistible kittens and adorable puppies to squeaky mice, quirky jungle animals, cuddly teddy bears and gurgling babies, plus much, much else besides. And following on from a huge surge in pet ownership during the pandemic, cute pets in particular are ticking all the boxes this year, say greeting card publishers.

“We are always adding to our cute portfolio and have recently added Lunch With Paws, an illustrated range featuring dogs, as well as Hillside Happiness which features a pair of storybook-style rabbits,” explains Hallmark’s writing director Emma Bragg. “As well as creating new cute ranges, we, continue to develop the enduringly popular Forever Friends cards. The beloved cuddly bears have been around for more than 30 years and still have the same appeal due to the soft illustration style and warm voice.”

Staying with pets, Bexy Hassett, founder and creative supremo at Bexy Boo, has released a new range this year called ‘…because’. “The collection is filled with the cutest characters and cutest sayings,” enthuses Bexy. “Animals are definitely trending at the moment - since lockdown, apparently 3.2 million households in the UK bought a pet - so all the hugs

Below left: Hillside Happiness is new from Hallmark.

Below: Lucilla Lavender’s Scruffles.

Below middle: Time To Cuddle from Penguin Ink’s Molly and Maud range.

we couldn’t give to our friends and family were given to our pets instead.”

At Lucilla Lavender, the company is launching Scruffles, a range of birthday and occasions cards featuring illustrations of dogs. “Although the drawings are loose, their appeal lies mainly in careful sizing and placement of the eyes and nose,” points out Lucilla.

“We are really excited to be launching a brand new collection called Molly and Maud which is based on two cute little kittens,” says Penguin Ink’s founder and designer Lizzie Parker.

“The collection will grow as they do, spanning across our different sizes of cards. We're also about to launch two of our favourite puppies into our Wild cards range, with cockapoos definitely our most popular puppy.”

At Deckled Edge, founder and artist Janna Cossettini says that her aim is to design the cutest, most unique cards for kids with a natural style to emote the feelings that children experience from their favourite soft toys or snuggly blankie.

“If the card buyer and the recipient squeal

Left: ‘because...‘ from Bexy Boo. Right: Mouse Party is Deckled Edge’s newest release from the Eureka! collection.

Far right: Cats are among the new designs in Redback’s Bert range.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Spotlight On... Cute Cards

'aww's and aahh's', then I've done my job well,” says Janna.

Redback Cards meanwhile has teamed up with artist and illustrator Bert Fowler to release 12 new designs in the Bert range, featuring cute, playful characters brought to life with vibrant colours and a foiled finish. “The collection is purrrfect for all the animal lovers out there,” quips designer Esther Jones.

At Hole in my Pocket, director Allistair Burt recently added a further 12 designs to his expanding collection, called Positive Thinking, with more designs in the pipeline. “I think cute will always be a growth sector for greeting cards as it triggers something in our subconscious that releases good feelings.”

Cinnamon Aitch has recently extended the company’s handmade range, Armadillo, which nudges the cute button in more ways than one. “Not only is each creature assembled from a joyful patchwork of crochet, pattern and texture, but each animal is fun loving and comes offering a gesture of kindness or moment of quirkiness,” explains director Sara Burford. “Who can resist an over excited, skippity dog, a cake balancing penguin or a mouse delivering a birthday cake to a begrudging, non-celebratory cat?

Top left: A cute dog design from Hole in my Pocket.

Top right: A trio of designs from Lottie Simpson.

Above left: A cute cat and giraffes are shown in Cinnamon Aitch’s handmade Armadillo range.

Above right: Pink Pig’s cute hedgehog design.

Left: A fun, retirement card from Sally Scaffardi Designs.

Right: Ducks feature on Lola Designs new baby card.

Even the tiny buttons, beads and dots of sparkle tick the cute box in this 28 strong, UK made range.”

Sally Scaffardi’s newly released range, Cause for Celebration, covers birthdays, engagement, wedding and retirement, featuring animals celebrating as humans would. “Most people respond well to animal designs, especially in the UK, where we are known for being animal lovers,” says Sally.

“Can you think of anything cuter than baby animals?” asks designer Lottie Simpson founder of her eponymous company.

“That was at the forefront of our minds when designing our cute cards where we have two collections, Party Animals and When I Grow Up... both of which are expanding.”

Pink Pig’s most recent cute designs are additions to the company’s Cutie Crew range where there are now 55 designs including birthday, and occasion.

“With the increasing popularity of our Wildlife Botanical range, we decided to develop cute cards with this range in mind,” explains Amanda Mountain, artist and co-founder of Lola Designs. “After being apart during lockdowns, cute cards have been important for that emotional connection that gives a fuzzy, warm feeling.”

Comments David NicholsRice founder of Ricicle: “Animals on cards are charming and spark joy. With my Wild Child range, the little headdresses that the jungle animals don on their heads make you go 'aww'.”

Continued on page 49

Family Cute Out of the Blue Studios’ and Into the Green Publishing’s co-owner/sales director Peter Rawlingson reveals that new cute additions have been launched by both companies. On the Into the Green Publishing front, Peter explains that, “as part of our three ranges within our eco-friendly greeting card range, we have launched The Claytons - Family & Friends - a family of lovable characters designed with individual styles that we can all relate to.”

In addition, as part of Out of the Blue’s Everyday in-stock range for the wholesale publishing company, it recently introduced another 50 new skus - many of them cute designs - with a further new range launching shortly. “In fact, around 40% of our total range are cute designs,” confirms Peter. “Customers generally want a varied choice, not just one style, with a more traditional cute look. The proven teddy bear has always been extremely strong, however we have managed to modernise the cute look over the past four years to give our distributors and retailers a more modern, varied choice.”

Above: One of 70 captions featured in The Claytons range from Out of the Blue Studios.

Above right: Among the cute cards from Into The Green Publishing.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

47

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Spotlight On... Cute Cards

At Lagom, recent additions to the company’s Cozy range have been designed to create that warm, fuzzy feeling. Says creative director Kelly Hyatt: “The Cozy mini cards are small and perfectly formed, crafted with eco-friendly paper and embossed with foiled compliments.

They are small enough to keep in your bag as an instant reminder that you care when most needed.”

Inspired by many a spontaneous bedtime story with her own children, Popsy & Plum’s founder and designer Danielle Rodgers’ Nighty Night, Sleep Tight range is an illustrative collection of nighttime friends featuring eight sleepy animal designs to include a polar bear, bunny, penguin, arctic fox, owl and badger. A red fox and a hedgehog are new for 2021.

Sweet koalas and cheeky sloths, as well as vibrant rainbows and sunshine, feature in Think Of Me Designs’ new Zest collection. “It’s full of fun and positivity,” highlights co-founder Freya Kane. “Cute cards continue to appeal to the child in all of us, reminding us of our youth.”

Designer Jo Hawkins, owner of Apple & Clover, admits that she loves designing cute cards but is allergic to cats and dogs, “so the animal characters I create are like the pets I never had,” she explains. “I Top left: Ricicle’s Wild Child range.

Above: A heart cute Cozy card from Lagom.

Left: Popsy and Plum’s red fox is new for 2021.

try to give each cute and cuddly character its own personality ranging from shy and cheeky to grumpy and fearless.”

Nyha Cards latest cute cards are from the Shine range. “They’re not only cute but empowering and uplifting aimed at all age groups,” says illustrator and designer Naomi Robinson. “They’re happy, innocent and smiling with the "aww’ factor.”

At Blue Eyed Sun, the company has a new range of hand-finished cards under the Doodle Girl brand, based on original artwork it has licensed from artist Marnie Mauri.

As managing director Jeremy Corner sums it up: “Cards are all about interaction, feeling and connection and cuteness brings this out in us all.”

Continued on page 51

Top right: New from Think Of Me Designs.

Above right: Stripes Ahoy from Apple & Clover.

Above: Shine from Nyha Cards.

Right: Blue Eyed Sun’s Doodle Girl range.

Bear-y cute Bears have long been at the heart of cute, due to their undeniable anthropomorphic qualities as well as the nostalgic pull from our childhood days.

Bailey Bear, has been a firm favourite with customers, confirms Helen Pallen, business development and marketing manager at Cherry Orchard. In fact, the company will be introducing more designs into the range to cover relations and occasions.

“Bailey has sweet little facial expressions and is often clutching a heart or a balloon,” says Helen. “We think the appeal is down to a traditional love of teddy bears that conjures up feelings of love, security and reassurance from our childhood days. When we send cards, that’s the message that we want to get across, so cute greeting cards featuring teddy bears always seem to withstand the test of time.”

Earlier this year IC&G launched brand new fluffy Barley in a selection of occasion and relation captions.

“Alongside the amazing fluffy character, we have added a bright, vibrant colour palette and some wonderful new writing Left: Cherry Orchard’s Bailey Bear. to give a much softer voice to our cute loveable bear,” explains IC&G’s creative director Amanda Miles. “We are lucky Above: IC&G’s new fluffy Barley. to have two great characters that work for us at IC&G. Both Barley and Hun Bun allow for many cute sends within our portfolio, the best of which are when both character and writing are cohesive. It really does give you the feeling of a little emotional hug.”

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

49

Delightful New Designs

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Spotlight On... Cute Cards

Woof, Woof There is lots of cuteness in the UKG ‘kennel’ with Boofle and Lots of Woof continuing to bark loudly!

A new stand alone range from UKG sees Lots of Woof return to his roots with a more sophisticated, refined look, says creative manager Jo Kirby.

“This relaunch sees a subtle approach to the design and layout, with intricate papercut elements, considered foil embellishments and a printed envelope,” explains Jo. “We’re also taking Woof’s natural handcrafted aesthetic further with the use of a textured board and the foil torn edge, as well as further exploring the playful relationship the character can have with everyday icons, while having a bit of fun along the way creating these new contemporary cute designs!”

Meanwhile, Boofle is starring on a new collection of 22 designs which features a fresh colour palette, pretty patterning and lots of new poses.

“Virtual hugs via greeting cards are always good during unsettled times,” says UKG’s licensing manager Lora Madigan. “Filled with a warmth and sentiment, Boofle always has the perfect words to say,” adds Lora.

Hey baby!

What could be cuter than a newborn baby, with Pitter Patter, Pigment’s new premium Baby collection, launching in June. “It features trending cute characters from unicorns and bunnies to bears and zebras,” comments design studio traffic manager Millie Hall. “With a soft, delicate palette of sage green, powder blue and rose pink throughout, it’s all about considered cute design, beautiful detailing and super sweet editorial. Scalloped edges and rounded corners add further softness, while dainty, dotted foil stars add a special twinkle.”

Above: Pitter Patter from Pigment.

It’s Okie-Dokie to be cute Okie-Dokie is a new children’s brand from Hello Munki with a purposefully cute and generic feel which is debuting on 16 cards (each with wobbly eyes) as well as some gift items, with plans to licence it onto other products. “When we started to build the brand, our ethos behind the Okie-Dokie range was to keep it simple, keep it fun and keep it colourful while also achieving the allimportant ‘aah’ factor,” says creative director Ian Dutton.

As Ian explains “Our brains make us enjoy looking at cute things by rewarding us with dopamine and that’s so relevant when choosing and ultimately purchasing a card.

The physical traits of babies are also features that we find cute, so when they show up on other things, for example baby animals, cartoon characters, cars etc., we just find them ‘cute’.

These are features called kindchenschema, something we looked at when designing Okie-Dokie for example a big head relative to body size, a round face, large eyes and round cheeks. Iinclude these traits in your characters and it’s a great start for cuteness.”

Above: Okie Dokie from Hello Munki.

Above left: Among the designs in the new Lots of Woof standalone collection.

Above: A Boofle ‘birthday hugs’ card from UKG.

Cute: now & then Like all greeting cards genres, designs adapt to a changing environment. “We recently launched a new teenager range, and have started with the Gaming Fox to celebrate birthdays,” explains Zaquarella’s co-founder and creative director Rachel Dickson. “Later this year we will have cute phone cats, a selfie cat hug, an ipad dog, etc. We believe that being able to reflect today’s world in our cute cards range is critical to staying relevant and appealing to today’s customers,” states Rachel.

“What we all found ‘cute’, even a few years ago, has morphed into the cute of today, with kindness and sentiment at its core,” says Cinnamon’s Aitch’s director Sara Burford.

“Cute has evolved from overt, doe-eyed characters and over sentimentality to a quirkier, fun loving cute that nods to gestures of kindness or fun from an unexpected critter,” says Sara.

At Pink Pig, founder and illustrator Mabel Forsyth adds: “Cute cards have evolved massively from the gushy, over decorated images from past eras. Contemporary cute is often quite minimal, but always has the charm and the ‘aah’ factor.”

Above: The Gaming Fox from Zaquarella.

Tatty’s continued evolution Having been around since 1987, Tatty Teddy has always been pretty cute about reading the needs of the nation, and Carte Blanche’s blue nosed hero was there ready and waiting with open arms when the stores reopened with a whole new look.

Launched to speak to a post Covid world, Carte Blanche’s New Beginnings greeting card range received such a positive response to the combination of uplifting sentiment and soft watercolour artwork full of rainbows that is now part of the publisher’s model line.

“New Beginnings is the latest step in Tatty’s evolution, with the new style still retaining his cuddly, vulnerable warmth and thoughtful and caring nature,” commented Ingrid Worthington, CBG’s sales and marketing support executive.

Above: Two of the new designs in the New Beginnings collection.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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on to Su lin the bs c e at new rib PG s e Bu flas zz h .n et

ART SOURCE

From the team behind Progressive Greetings Worldwide, PG Live, The Retas and The Henries, PGBuzz.net has launched as the new online central resource for the greeting card sector online...

TO APPEAR REGULARLY IN THE

ARTSOURCE SECTION OF PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS CONTACT TRACEY ARNAUD ON 01234 740 051

Jakki Brown Joint md & editorial director jakkib@max-publishing.co.uk

●

Twice weekly newsflash delivered to over 9000 inboxes

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Regularly updated jobs-board

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The very latest news, views, articles and analysis

●

Digital issues of Progressive Greetings Worldwide

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Dedicated pages for the GCA and The Ladder Club

Warren Lomax warren@max-publishing.co.uk

●

Up to date information on PG Live, The Retas, and The Henries

Tracey Arnaud traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

Michelle Board News editor michelleb@max-publishing.co.uk

Advertising, Recruitment and Sponsorship Opportunities:

News • PG Worldwide • Interviews • PG Live • Newsflash • Events Gallery • Jobs • Ladder Club • GCA

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Art Source

A Look Brookes

She may describe herself as a “snail” in the morning, but talented surface pattern designer Ali Brookes has certainly covered some ground with her designs.

Here, PG delivers a Q&A into the life of a woman who most definitely has a passion for colour and design.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?

“I am a surface pattern designer from rural Northamptonshire; a curious person with a passion for colour and design. I love to create happy, colourful work that makes people smile.”

Describe your journey into the design world?

“After graduating with a First Class Honours degree in Printed Textiles from the University of Derby, I started work as a lecturer, teaching visual studies to interior design students. Meanwhile I freelanced as a surface pattern designer creating hand-painted work for the home decor and stationery markets - with Paper Rose being my first client. I also gained experience in the manufacturing of glass and ceramic transfers for companies such as Royal Worcester and Denby.

After taking a career break to have a family I returned to the design industry in 2016.”

Tell us about how your design process?

“It tends to start with an inky drawing, painting or cut paper before finishing off the final design digitally in either Illustrator or Photoshop. Pattern design is my obsession, and when not designing, I often knit colourful socks.

I have designed patterns and illustrations for a wide range of Left: Having to contend with homeschooling during the lockdowns has meant Ali has become even more adapt at children’s faces.

WANT TO BE FEATURED?

Left: When not designing, Ali vents her creative spleen by knitting colourful socks.

Far left: Like many other artists, Ali Brooks is powered by tea and toast.

Below middle: Her degree in surface pattern is never far from…the surface!

Below: Ali’s early experience with Paper Rose means that she is akin with designing greeting cards.

markets - greeting cards, home textiles, fabric and children’s products. As well Paper Rose, I have had my work used by companies including Dashwood Studio, The Gift Wrap Co, Hobby Lobby, CCA Occasions and Fisher Price.”

What does your working day look like?

“I start my day gently! I’m like a snail in the morning, so it’s slow and steady until I’m fully awake. Working from home, I’ve developed a routine that mimics going to the workplace minus the rush. After breakfast and applying lipstick (essential!), I go for a walk. Once home, I make a cuppa and head out to my studio, which is in the garden. My studio is more often messy than tidy and crammed with books, art materials, and treasures.

I live in a village, so it’s pretty quiet most of the time. However, if my cat, Percy, gets into bother with the local crows it can get a bit noisy!

I listen to words rather than music during the day and I’m a big fan of Radio 4. However, if I’m doing something that demands a lot of concentration, I work in silence.”

What keeps you motivated?

“Having a clear plan about what I want to achieve during my day keeps me going. Sometimes I write a to-do list, but I keep everything in my head more often than not. I’m not good with bits of paper; so many sticky notes on my desk telling me what to do aren’t going to work. One trick that I also use is to leave work out on my desk the night before, so when I walk into the studio in the morning, I’ll get on with that straight away. Another trick I sometimes use is to set a timer and break a task down into workable chunks.” l Ali Brooks is represented by artists’ agency Jehane.

Above: With Ali’s own cat, Percy never far from her side, inspiration is always close by!

Right: Fun and colour feature strongly in Ali’s artwork.

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.

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WHAT’S HOT? PG ASKED A SELECTION OF CARD RETAILERS FOR THEIR ‘HOT’ RANGE SELLERS Pam and Graeme Ness, co-owners of Bearing Gifts, Troon.

A long established card and gift shop in a seaside town on the west coast of Scotland.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

Hi Horse

Wee Tartan Cards

F&B Cards

Various

Relations and occasions

Molly Mae

Flutter on the Breeze

Right: A F&B top seller for Bearing Gifts.

Below right: Marc Peters Glass rainbows.

Wendy Jones-Blackett

Rainbow Drops

Humour

Dandelion

Words of Wisdom

Art

Wrendale Designs

The Country Set

William McLean Kerr Rachel Ellen Designs Janie Wilson Megan Claire Five Dollar Shake Glick

Various Chatterbox Milkshake Pink Champagne Secret Garden Various

Marc Peters Glass Melt Candles Isle of Skye Candles

Various Candles

“These cards sell so well as they are made locally by a local girl.”

“These have gone from strength to strength.”

“A new range to us this year and we have been re-ordering regularly.”

“What’s not to love…bright, bold colours with a little sparkle.”

“The designs never fail to make our customers giggle. I always have a few in our window display and they bring new customers in.”

“We sell the Wrendale range of gifts and the cards are a perfect add on.”

“A local artist. All are reproduced from original oil paintings” “Our customers love the bright illustrations and bold numbers.”

“Fabulous bright foiled colours and illustrations.”

“Stylish and sassy, cream board and rose gold foiled lettering.”

“For a card that’s a little bit extra special these are perfect.”

“A gift wrapping display that offers gift bags, gift wrap and tissue all to match.”

“A stand out for us over the last year from local business.”

“Home fragrance sales have seen a massive increase.”

Children’s Adult ages Giftwrap Gifts

Sally Wilde, swopped life as a sales agent almost three ago to open Planet Sal. A “quirky, slightly bonkers, card and gift shop,” in the market town of Honiton, Devon.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday Humour

Louise Mulgrew Dean Morris Cards Brainbox Candy Rosie Made a Thing

Furry Friends Across the board Across the board Across the board

Jelly Armchair Cinnamon Aitch

Multipuns Piccadilly

‘These consistently sell out” “Honiton loves a cheeky card, so we have a dedicated display! “ “My overall best-selling company by a long way.”

“Bright and cheerful designs.”

“So beautifully crafted and stylish.”

The Art File

Nature Trail

Children’s

Relief Press Hype

Across the board Across the board

Giftwrap Gifts

Rachel Ellen Designs Hype Art Wow

Children’s ages Peter Rabbit Designs For The Discerning Sterling silver jewellery

Relations & Occasions/Adult Ages Art

POM (Peace of Mind)

“Customers are really drawn to these.”

“A mix of quirky and traditional.”

“The Moomins, Peanuts and Mr Benn take people down memory lane.”

“Great for the hard-to-find 7-12 ages.”

“The perfect wrap for a new baby gift.”

“It’s good to support the individual artists.”

“The simple hook earrings and seathemed necklaces fly out.”

Above: The Dairy Legend design from Jelly Armchair.

Right: A Moomin design from Hype.

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Sarah Corbett and Christine Knott, co-owners of Something Special Kingswinford.

A popular medium sized card and gift shop in the west Midlands town in the borough of Dudley.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

Noel Tatt

Blush

GBCC Ling Design

Opia; Wildflower Press and Word for Word King Street; At Home

Art

Alex Clark Art

Various

Relations and occasions

UK Greetings

Across the board

Hallmark

Across the board

Ling Design Second Nature

Curious Inksmith Pop-ups

Woodmansterne Second Nature

Various Champagne

Woodmansterne

Various

Glick DCUK Kit Heath NOVA Leathers

Various Ducks Dew Jewellery David Jones handbags

“Pretty cards which customers choose time and time again.”

“Great variety of traditional and contemporary designs.”

“Strong staple ranges with some good male options.”

“Great variety of designs with wide appeal.”

“Beautiful cards which offer nice words.”

“The new range of large square cards for family relations are working really well as are the Paper Wonder Plant cards.”

“Quirky yet classic.”

“Our customers still love the novelty of them.”

“Quality, stylish and design-led.”

“Our customers love the handmade finish.”

“Simple but classy designs with lovely details.”

“Beautiful quality with a wealth of lovely designs for all occasions.”

“Fun, quirky, full of character and our customers love them.”

“Lots of great designs and a perfect price point.”

“Quality handbags in a great range of styles and colours.”

Top right: A pretty Wildflower Press design from GBCC. Right: Blossoming sales from Hallmark’s Paper Wonder Plant cards.

Adult ages

Giftwrap Gifts Self-purchases

Rachel Bates, owner of The Celtic Company in Welshpool.

A popular medium sized card, gift and jewellery shop in a Montgomeryshire market town.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

Humour

IC&G Abacus Woodmansterne Paperlink Pigment

“A best seller since reopening.”

“Lovely soft colours and intricate designs.”

“The new designs are beautifully subtle.”

“I love the simplicity.”

“These have been hitting the mark since reopening. We are continually restocking.”

Relations and Occasions

Woodmansterne IC&G

In the Garden Belgravia Across the board Reflections 20th Century Icons; Etched and the new Edward Monkton Emma Bridgewater Avec Amour

Art

Alff a Bett Hannah Marchant

Across the board Seed Card ranges

Children’s

Raspberry Blossom

Treasures

Adult ages

Paperlink IC&G

Hopscotch Year You Were Born

Pigment

Age of Arts & Crafts

Giftwrap

Glick

Gifts

East of India

Tails & Whiskers by Paper Salad Matchbox animals

Coco Pzazz

Chocolates

Thinking of You

“Bright, instantly recognisable designs.”

“We find that verses are more popular in the special relations cards.”

“Beautiful detailed sketches.”

“Great cards that the recipient can plant.”

“The 3D range is a stand out for us for children’s cards.”

“A winner for us! “ “Always popular; the new styles have gone down really well.”

“A great collection which adds some colour to the adult ages. “ “We have a wall filled with the paper, bags and accessories.”

“This is the year of the letterbox gift.”

“They taste great, easily posted and handmade in Wales!”

Top: An Into the Garden design from IC&G. Above: An Age of Arts & Crafts design from Pigment.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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PRODUCT DIRECTORY

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To appear in the Product Directories email Warren Lomax warren@max-publishing.co.uk or Tracey Arnaud traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

Te l : 0 1 6 3 8 5 6 9 0 5 0 w w w . a b a c u s c ard s . c o . u k Em ail: in fo @ ab a c us c a rds .c o.uk

To appear in the Product Directories contact

Warren Lomax

020 7700 6740 or email warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud

07957 212 062

or email traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

Publishers of quality blank greeting cards Tel: 0115 929 4776 enquiries@bugart.co.uk Order Online

www.bugart.co.uk

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Warren Lomax

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

BEXY BOO bexyboo.co.uk enquiries@bexyboo.co.uk Tel: 01565 830546 @BexyBooLtd

or email warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud

07957 212 062

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PRETTY ELEGANT DESIGNS | LONDON

Warren Lomax

020 7700 6740

Available online Wholesale & Licensing

or email warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud

07957 212 062

or email traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

hello@emmabryan.co.uk www.emmabryan.co.uk

www.ch w eekyc w. ychoppstrrade.cco o..uk k phone: Da Danielle :07946 056571 email:wholesale@speciall--day yss.co o..uk

SALES AGENTS WANTED

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020 7700 6740 or email on warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud on:

07957 212 062 or email on traceya@max-publishing.co.uk made with great imagination

@thecuriousinksmith

01892 838 574

sales@thecuriousinksmith.co.uk

www.cathtatecards.com

Caspari Ltd Linden House, John Dane Player Court

Witty, gritty, switched on humour.

Cards and gifts with a real difference.

Unit 1, 45 Morrish Road London SW2 4EE Tel: 0208 671 2166 Fax: 0208 678 1119 info@cathtatecards.com

East Street, Safffrron W Waalden Essex, CB10 1LR Teel: 01799 513010 T Faax: 01799 513101 F Email: inffoo@caspari.co.uk ww ww w.CaspariOnline.com

Products: Everyday cards - birthday, blank & occasions, charity Christmas cards, gifftt wrap, bags, tissue, ribbon, hankies, napkins, paper plate, candles, placemats, crackers,invitations, placecards, notecards,diaries, address books, journals, advent calendars and bridge gifftts.

To appear in the Product Directories contact

Warren Lomax

020 7700 6740 or email warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud

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or email traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

Method of Sale: Direct to Retail

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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PRODUCT DIRECTORY

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CHARITY GREETING CARDS

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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.

A w o n d e rf u l

YO Y OU OU

Eid!

WISHES

High Quality Greeting Cards, Gift Bags, Gift Wrap & Ta Tags for every occasion.

*GCF 1HƂEG +353 (0)404 20528 Email info@garlanna.com www.garlanna.com

Ch C hin nese ese HE IS

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

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frrom the

Including firm favourites and brand new designs

Polissh Po h

Te T el: 0161 1 64 641 0 06 655 Email: m sales@daav sales@d avora.co.uk

Brands include: Keepsakes, Words of Love, Jelly Beans, Bella Rose, Champagne and many more

To appear in the Product Directories simply contact Warren Lomax

135 Hea 13 135 eaton Moorr Rd | Stockp ock kpo port ort SK4 4HY 4 4H HY

Hallmark Cards PLC

• UK Market leaders with humour, art, photographic, contemporary and traditional occasions & relations cards, plus seasonal.

• 2΍HULQJ D IXOO SODQQLQJ VHUYLFH with merchandising and retail development opportunities.

• Specialists in garden centres and the independent trade.

Dawson Lane, Bradford, BD4 6HN UK&NI: 0800 90 20 900 ROI: 012 480 104 customerqueriesUK@hallmark.com

Teel:: +44 (0)115 986 0115 T customer t ser vices@paper i @ rose .co.ukk www.writefromthehear t.co.uk

0127 74 4 655980 sales@glick.co.uk www.glick.co.uk

SUPPLIER

www.greatbritishcards.co.uk Waterwells Drive, Gloucester GL2 2PH Tel: 01452 888970

Glick, Unit 1 Allenby House, European Ind. Park, Knowles Lane, Bradford BD4 9AB

@glickgiftwrap

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

020 7700 6740 or email on warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud on:

07957 212 062 or email on traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

Innovative high quality gift wrap, gift bags, tissue paper and accesssories galore for all seasons and occasions.

Find The Great British Card Company on:

on:

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020 7700 6740

An exciting and innovative range of quality Birthday, Relations, Special Occasions, Handmade, Art and Humorous greeting cards. Full range of Christmas and Spring Seasons merchandise.

B rand N ames a Pizazz, Pizazz Gallery, G Pizazz Limited Edition, E Pizazz for Men, Doodle, D A of Nature, Whatt a Picture, Art Designers Corner

or email on warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Cloudesley House, Shire Hill, Saffron Walden,, CB11 3FB

T: 01799 520200 F: F: 01799 520100 www.nigelquiney.c w ww ww.nigelquiney.com om

Tracey Arnaud on:

07957 212 062 or email on traceya@max-publishing.co.uk Great brands, Great service Bespoke planning

www.catherinekleeli.co.uk

ck@catherinekleeli.co.uk k@ th i kl li k

We can help with all your planning l i requir i ements. t From smaller displays to redeveloping complete card departments

60 years

originalposter.com

Your Number One Supplier of Numerals, Name, Relation & Age Labels for Greetings Cards.

Huge selection with immediate delivery y.. Buy direct or from your wholesalerr..

LING DESIGN

We also supply card fixtures and spinners free-on-loan.

Listan Labels 3 Isis Court, Wyndyke Furlong, Abingdon Business Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX1 5JN

@NoelT Ta attGroup 01227 811 600 sales@noeltatt.co.uk www.noeltatt.co.uk

www.lingdesign.co.uk

We merchandise regularly, so you don’t have to.

THAT’S WHY WE’RE ORIGINAL!

01892 838 574

01932 267 300

information@lingdesign.co.uk

Marina B Designs from me to you with love

We replace slow sellers and damaged stock free of charge.

UK

Happy Mother’s Dayy D

To appear in the Product Directories simply contact Warren Lomax on:

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Tracey Arnaud on:

07957 212 062 www.marinab.co.uk mar in a@ m a rinab. co.u k Agents wanted

M

ad

or email on traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

K

Te T el 01235 465489 Fax 01235 532118 www.listanpublications.co.uk sales@listanpublications.co.uk

All our cards are supplied on consignment, so you only pay for what you sell.

e in the U

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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

or email on warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud on:

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p p paperlink... the home of fabulous cards!

Tel:: +44 (0)115 986 0115 Te customer ser vices@paperrose .co.uk www.paperrose .co.uk www.ar tgroupcards.co.uk

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

LUXURY GIFT PACKAGING

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.

356 Kennington Rd London SE11 4LD T 020 7582 8244 info@paperlink.co.uk k www.paperlink.co.uk Paperlinkcards

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.

@ @paperlinkcards

Send Love e ( all year round )

METHOD OF SALE: SENSATIONS – Direct to retail XPRESS YOURSELF – Now one of the leading wholesale publisher suppliers in the UK

ICONIC LICENCED BRANDS

01892 838 574 www.pennykennedy.co.uk

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Uk publisher of Greetings Cards with an extensive range of quality Birthday, Relations, Occasions and Seasonal product... available from

LING DESIGN

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t: 0208 6138 085 paperbirdpublishing.co.uk u

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07957 212 062

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Our Brands: Laughter with Animals, Sporting Fun The Funny Side of Life.

Method of sale: Direct to Retail 14-20 Eldon Way, Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6BE Tel: 01892 838574 enquiries@lingdesign.co.uk www.lingdesign.co.uk

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The UK’s leading publisher of highest quality handmade Greetings Cards.

Products: Greetings cards for all occasions, Christmas and Spring Seasons. Spinners and other retail displays available.

Talking Pictures Cards Ltd 14-20 Eldon Way, Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6BE

or email on

Tel: 01892 838574 enquiries@talkingpics.co.uk www.talking-pictures.co.uk

warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud on:

07957 212 062 or email on traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

7RPFDW &DUGV

www.tomcat.cards info@tomcat.cards

DIRECT TO RETAIL & EXPORT

Products: Greetings Cards, Gift Wrap, Gift Bags, Social Stationery, Partyware

Brands: 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 Wooburn Industrial Park, Wooburn Green, Bucks HP10 0PE Tel: 01628 526711 Fax: 01628 531483 www.simonelvin.com mail@simonelvin.com

To appear in the Product Directories simply contact Warren Lomax on:

020 7700 6740 or email on warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact on:

TEL: 01480 435562 FAX: 01480 450599

07957 212 062

www.tracksltd.com

Tracey Arnaud

or email on traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

UNIT 2, 12 BLACKSTONE RD, STUKELEY MEADOWS IND EST, HUNTINGDON, CAMBS, PE29 6EF

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

WHOLESALE

To appear in the Product Directories simply contact Warren Lomax on:

020 7700 6740 or email on

We offffer a We COMPREHEN

warren@max-publishing.co.uk

range of high

or contact

Greeting Cards f ALL Occasions,

Tracey Arnaud

CHRISTMAS an

on:

Season

07957 212 062

f Sale:

or email on traceya@max-publishing.co.uk mail: inffo o@words-nWeb: www We w..words-n-wishes.co.uk

Tel: 01942 233201

Market Leaders in

Verse

& entimen

an extensive range of superior quality,

design-led Greeting Cards for all occasions, Spring Seasons & Christmas.

To appear in the Product Directories simply contact Warren Lomax

EUROPE’S LEADING GREETINGS CARDS, PARTY PRODUCTS, GIFTS, CANDLES, TOYS, STATIONERY AND FLORIST SUNDRIES DISTRIBUTION CENTRE 75000 SQ FT

on:

BESCOT CRESCENT, WALSALL, WEST MIDLANDS. WS1 4NG 01922-646666

020 7700 6740

www.greetingshouse.co.uk info@greetingshouse.co.uk

or email on

MON,WED,FRI 8.00am-4.45pm TUES,THURS 8.00am-7.45pm SAT,SUN 8.00am-1.45pm

warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud on:

07957 212 062 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

62

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

or email on traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

To appear in the Product Directories email Warren Lomax warren@max-publishing.co.uk or Tracey Arnaud traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

Classified Complete 2021.qxp 11/06/2021 11:01 Page 63

DIRECTORY OF WHOLESALE

CLASSIFIED

l CLASSIFIED BAGS

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

BAGS We’ve been producing p bags of high clarity and high quality q for over 30 years.

01274 220 220 www w.wrapid.co.uk sales@wrapid.co.uk

BAGS

GIVE E YOUR

Manuffacturers of high quality fllexible packaging 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE - QUA UALITTY Y SERVICE EXTENSIVE STOCK RANGE - QUICK DE ELIVERY ASSURED

- HEADER BAGS - WA WALLET BAGS - ZIPPER BAGS - FLEXOGRAPHIC, HOTFOIL & THEERMAL PRINTING www.transrappackagin ng.co.uk sales@transrap.co o.uk

CALL US TODA AY

01773 5378 810

V VIP

TREA AT A TMENT HIGH CLARITY L TY Y BA AGS FOR R GREETING G ET T NG CARD DS, CALEND EN N ARS ARS AND AND D ARTW TWORK WORK ŏ ŏđŏ

ŏ

FOIL LB BLOCKING NG G 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 AT TED D WRAPPING SERVICE NEW AUTOMA

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

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

63

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PRINTERS

ENVELOPES

FOR ALL YOUR ENVELOPE NEEDS! Largest range of in-stock colours Over 400 Bespoke Envelope Sizes 8 Sizes Permanently in Stock RECYCLED

PAPER

100% Recycled Paper Available Stock & Bespoke Cello Bags Peel & Stick Envelopes Bespoke Service on Request

ORDER ON LINE AT:

W W W. EN VE CO .CO .U K

01 90 83 78 86 6

www.regentenvelopes.com 01274 583000 sales@regentenvelopes.com

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

SPECIALISTS IN SHORT RUN MULTI IMAGE PRINT s Foiling Services without the need for dies s Wiro bound notebooks, no minimum quantity s In House Fulfilmment Services

T 01274 305832 E info@hellocards.co.uk www.hellocards.co.uk

The simplest way to order your greetings cards

FLITTERING FOR ALL YOUR FLITTER REQUIREMENTS

ABL Foil Ltd Unit 1, Industrial Estate East Hanningfield Chelmsford Essex, CM3 8AB 64

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Contact DAVID JIGGINS Tel: 01245 400104 Email: david@abl-ltd.co.uk

Powered by

Unit 8, Archers Park, Branbridges Road, East Peckham, Kent TN12 5HP www.theimagingcentre.co.uk Email: info@theimagingcentre.co.uk Tel: 01622 871449

we print

we finish

we pack

we deliver

Classified Complete 2021.qxp 11/06/2021 11:01 Page 65

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PJ PRINT Celebrating 166 years of service to the printing industry...

LONDON The Capitals Only Specialist Greeting Card Printer All Industry Finishes Available In-House Including Laser Cutting

Over a century and a half of expert printing knowledge, Loxleys are the home of specialist lithographic and digital greeting card production

The Print Works Colville Road, Acton, London, W3 8BL E-mail: sales@pj-print.co.uk Tel: 020 8993 5160 www.pj-print.co.uk

Your saf ep ai

cturing ufa an m

ds for Far E as han f t ro

Outstanding, cost effective and efficient production of Greeting cards, Packaging and Social stationery, ideal for intricate and hand finished products.

• Over 15 years experience providing high-quality printed products direct from the Far East • Trusted and financially stable, UK owned by The Sherwood Group • Socially responsible manufacturing: SMETA, ISO9001, ISO14001, FSC certification • Full product prototyping in the UK for competitive speed to market requirements

ORYH GLJ LWDO ORYH OLW KR ORYH FDU GV

To find out how we can benefit your business, contact Derek Lam +00 (852) 3527 3471 / derek@sherwood-press.com or The Sherwood Group Head Office Hong Kong Office: 13/F, Kam Chung Commercial Building, 19-21 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong

www w..sherwoodgroupuk.com

000510

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Social Sta tationerry Printer of the Year

Award winning U UK & Global specialist manufacturer ffor the greeting card industry fo or over 40 years To discuss how we can worrk together, contact Richard Bacon: Tel 0115 928 7766 Email ric chard.bacon@sherwoodgroupuk.com

www.sherrwoodgroupuk.com Hadden Court, Glaisdale e Parkway, Glaisdale Drive West, Nottin ngham NG8 4GP

WAREHOUSING & DISTRIBUTION

Same day order turna around Accurate fulfilment Value added only as you sell the product

THE SPECIALIST GREE ETINGS CARD PRINTE ER

Exclusively Greeting Cards Dedicated Account Managers

Litho Print

Die-cutting

Digital Print

Flittering

Foiling

Packing

Embossing

Distribution

With an excellent reputation we work as an integral part of yourr team bringing QYGL QSVI XLER JYPǻPQIRX 4YV GSWXMRK WXVYGXYVI MW WMQTPI ERH XVERWTEVIRX ;I ; I GEVV] SYX EPP EWTIGXW SJ LERH ǻRMWLMRK ERH EWWIQFP] ERH TVSZMHI [LEXIZIV EHHMXMSREP WIVZMGIW ]SY RIIH 4YV WIPIGX XIEQ SJ SYX[SVOIVW GEVIJYPP] LERH [VET ER] WM^I SV JSVQEX SJ GEVHW YVKIRXP] 4ZIVRMKLX ;I GEVI EFSYX ]SYV TVSHYGX EW QYGL EW ]SY HS &XXIRXMSR XS HIXEMP 6( .WWYIW ;I

Tel:0127 e 4 4531828 Email: info@herbertw o alkers.co.uk

www.herbertwalkers.co.u uk

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Contact our Customer Service team hello@secondnature .co.uk | +44 (0) 1983 209 590 Or call your local Sales Consultant

REGISTER AT SECONDNATURE.CO.UK TO ORDER ONLINE OBC_PG_June 2021.indd 1

08/06/2021 14:39