29_31_33_Viewpoints.qxp_Grid 20/05/2025 18:53 Page 25
VIEWPOINTS
Giddy Up!
There were plenty ‘yee-haws’ of joy heard the length and breadth of the UK as greeting card retailers rejoiced having made it into the finals of The Retas 2025 awards. With the fast gallop now on to the country and western-themed awards event on July 3 at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, PG rounded-up some initial reactions from the rootin’ tootin’ finalists.
Sally Matson, owner of Red Card and Little Red, Petworth “Hurrah! Karen [West, store manager] and I toasted our Retas nomination with a glass of (bloody expensive) champagne at the Top of the Rock 70th floor of the Rockefeller Centre in New York Above: Red Card’s owner Sally Matson (right) and store manager City - with the Karen West are on top of the world. Right: Sally’s new boots that are set Empire State for The Retas awards event. Building in the background! The perfect way to celebrate; we are so pleased and very proud. We went to Macy’s and the shoe department had a big sale and my husband Bob made me buy cowboy boots for The Retas!”
owner of Cards & Gifts, Dronfield “Reaching The Retas finals for 2025 is a dream come true, and I couldn’t be happier! We’ve been working tirelessly to source new suppliers, styles and the best quality designs. It was a big Above: Carl Dunne is thrilled at Cards & challenge, but we have extended Gifts reaching The Retas’ finals. our range and enhance our offerings. I’m also thrilled about The Retas’ country and western theme – whether I go as Dolly Parton or Kenny Rogers, I’m excited to embrace the theme and celebrate with everyone! It’s truly an honour to be part of this community.”
Sally Davies, owner of Flippin’eck, Guiseley
Aga Marsden, owner of The Highworth Emporium, Highworth “Absolutely amazing news which lifted our VE Day celebrations to a whole new level We are totally thrilled and honoured to be finalists again – it means the world to us and our whole team is buzzing with excitement.” Above: VE Day celebrations and a Retas nomination for Aga Marsden (centre) and the Highworth Emporium team.
Rebekah Mudie, co-owner of Daisy Daisy, Llanishen
Above: Daisy Daisy’s Rebekah Mudie is open-mouthed with joy.
Carl Dunne,
“We’re over the moon to be in with a chance of winning this accolade. I’ll be off to the fantastic Retas awards ceremony to celebrate all that is the greeting card industry. Many thanks to our wonderful team, suppliers and brilliant customers – we feel like winners already!”
“What a surprise, but I feel really proud that my shop has been considered to be one of the best independent greeting card shops in the North East along with other great shops. Above: A sweet thank you from Sally Davies. What makes my shop stand out? Well, the name helps, but we also try to be unique and aim to have cards and gifts for almost all occasions, and if we don’t I always try to get in whatever the customer needs. It’s always lovely to hear customers say my shop is lovely or that Guiseley needs my shop to stick around, especially when retail is going through a tough time.”
Cathy Frost, owner of Loveone, Ipswich “What a wonderful surprise, I’m thrilled to have been nominated and proud to be part of a wonderful industry – and I’ve just received a well-timed delivery of straw cowboy hats!” Above: Cathy Frost in one of the cowboy hats stocked by Loveone. PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 29