Progressive Greetings Worldwide - March 2018

March

2018

03_PG_March 2018.indd 3

23/02/2018 14:27

Feb Ad 2018 Seriously.indd 1 04_PG_March 2018.indd 1

26/02/2018 10:14 26/02/2018 16:04

05_07.qxp_Grid 05/03/2018 09:08 Page 5

Leader

On The Cards The UK is incredibly well blessed with some fabulous greeting card retail stockists, who know their customers’ buying tastes inside and out; have created welcoming store environments; dreamt up innovative marketing initiatives to engage with consumers and their local communities alike, and held their own in an increasingly tough retail landscape.

Then, at a time when we are encouraging these savvy retailers to enter The Retas (closing date is March 23!!!), something beyond all our control strikes. Just why did ‘The Beast from the East’ clench its icy fingers round the UK only a week or so before one of the industry’s most lucrative occasions.

As I write this, many of the UK’s greeting card retailers have found themselves with no option but to close their stores due to the weather. As Paul Taylor, md of Cardzone told me, almost half of his 111 shops were shut and the other stores were pretty empty as customers have stayed away from the high streets snuggling in the safety and warmth of their homes.

For once, I’m glad that the card buying for seasons is so last minute and I have my fingers crossed for a Mother’s Day card buying frenzy in the final run up!

It was great that six million people received such a positive nudge about Mother’s Day and card sending in general, thanks to BBC Radio 2 DJ Simon Mayo’s Drivetime programme recently. My lovely colleague Sharon Little, ceo of the GCA, jumped at the chance of appearing on the hugely popular peak time radio programme to ram home the upsides of sending cards. It all came about following the previous day’s ‘Confessions’ slot on the programme that centred around a chap looking for ‘forgiveness’ for he and his wife not noticing that while they were in a card shop

www.max-publishing.co.uk THE HOME OF MARKET LEADING TRADE MAGAZINES

EXHIBITIONS

@Prog_Greetings Left: Cardzone’s Paul Taylor and Sally Booth (right) with PG’s Jakki Brown at Spring Fair.

Below: The ever witty Emotional Rescue gang didn’t waste an opportunity to rib PG’s editor about her pants fiasco!

Below left: PG’s Warren Lomax (centre) with CBG’s founder Stephen Haines and trade marketing manager Julia Andrews with some of its new All Creatures plush at the Spring Fair.

selecting four cards to buy, their four year old daughter went through the card racks she could reach and licked every single envelope and closed them. Showing his greeting card credentials, Simon Mayo mentioned that this wouldn’t happen today with most cards being cellowrapped. (Though I sense we may see some unwrapping on the card front soon on environmental grounds).

Talking about ‘derobe-ing’ and things happening unexpectantly, I have a ‘confession’ to make that I will not be sharing on the Simon Mayo programme. There I was at the Spring Fair, standing in the aisle near the PG stand finishing off a meeting with three of the leading lights from the German and Swiss greeting card scene, when I sensed something was awry with my attire. I looked down at my feet and there to my horror, round my ankles were my bright turquoise knickers that had fallen down! “They’re my knickers,” I exclaimed. “Yes, they are,” came the confirmation from Mathias Janssen of Verlag Dominique. We might not be able to control the weather, but rest assured I have since paid a visit to M&S to ensure there will be no more draughts from my drawers!

THE HOME OF MARKET LEADING TRADE AWARDS

Max Publishing Ltd, United House, North Road, London N7 9DP Tel: 020 7700 6740 Fax: 020 7607 6411 www.progressivegreetings.co.uk PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

5

Lovingly handmade by fluffy people in the UK

OU R H U GE LY P O P U L A R F LUFF RAN G E N OW IN CLUDE S AG E C A RD S!

AL L C AR D S A RE P RI N TED A N D H A N D M A D E IN THE UK . ALL F LUF F C ARDS C O M E WITH A S UP ER NEON E N V E LOPE .

Telephone: 01480 435562 / Fa x: 01480 450599 Em ail: info@tr ack sltd.com / sales@tr ack sltd.com

W W W. T R A C K S LT D . C O M FLUFFt advert ADVERT1.indd 1 06_PG_March 2018.indd 1

26/02/2018 11:01:14 28/02/2018 11:31

05_07.qxp_Grid 05/03/2018 09:09 Page 7

Contents

What’s Inside?

Within This Issue: FOCUS ON GIFTWRAP

57-59

29

55

11-23

36-37

64-65

News

Retailer Face to Face

Jeremy’s Journal

Zone-ing Up

New Habits

Paul Taylor, md of Cardzone shares his plans for the retail multiple.

Jeremy Corner of publisher Blue Eyed Sun discusses changing bad habits in business.

24-25 Over The Counter

A Social Revolution Independent card and gift retailer, David Robertson, co-owner of JP Pozzi in Scotland, talks about the changing state of retail.

26-27 Cardsharp

Weiss To The Event Cardsharp muses over the Weiss family’s decision to sell 60% of their shareholding in American Greetings (parent of UKG).

39-45 67-69

Innovations

Art Source 47-55

Focus On Giftwrappings

70-71

The news, views, trends and freshly launched collections – a spotlight on the giftwrappings market.

What’s Hot?

57-59

72-86

The Happy News

Classified

Spreading The Smiles With a new book and a raft of licensed products, Emily Coxhead, creator of The Happy News is naturally ecstatic!

29-31 Viewpoints

Retailers reveal what's selling in their shops.

87

Appointments

Shopping By Catalogue Retailers share their view of tangible catalogues v online ordering.

61-63

67

Environmental Issue

A Straw Poll

33-35 Trends & Inspirations

Daydream Believer PG delves and discovers some current greeting card design trends.

Advancements on biodegradable flitter, trials on different ways of attaching cards to envelopes…PG looks at the ongoing environmental developments in the trade.

Progressive Greetings is a monthly business magazine.

SUBSCRIPTIONS:

UK subscription:

One year £50 Two year £85 Three year £110 Overseas subscription: One year £75 Jakki Brown

Warren Lomax

Gale Astley

Michelle Board

Editor

Advertisement Director

Deputy Editor

News Editor

jw@max-publishing.co.uk

warren@max-publishing.co.uk

galea@max-publishing.co.uk

michelleb@max-publishing.co.uk

Copyright© 2018. 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.

SUBSCRIPTIONS ENQUIRES: maxsubscriptions@marketingreinforcements.co.uk Tel: 020 8943 9541

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

PG is the official magazine for the Greeting Card Association GCA: Sharon Little 020 7619 0396 Email: gca@max-publishing.co.uk www.greetingcardassociation.org.uk PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

7

08-09_PG_March 2018.indd 8

21/02/2018 15:58

08-09_PG_March 2018.indd 9

21/02/2018 15:58

10_PG_March 2018.indd 1

23/02/2018 09:23

11_13_15_17_19_21_23_muk.qxp_9/11/13/15/19/23/25 05/03/2018 09:37 Page 11

NEWS Making it a date

TOP STORY

Love Actually?

Erratic heartbeat for Valentine’s Day sales Love wasn’t in the air for Valentine’s Day for all card retailers, and although some had cracking sales, others experienced a decline. And following the pattern of Christmas, sales came later than ever before. “Our till was nearly on fire on Tuesday!” exclaimed Rachael Barnes, co-owner of Dragonfly Cards and Gifts in Knaresborough. “Valentine’s is always a case of holding your nerve waiting for the sales to come but this year more so than ever! There are always some customers that like to choose early, mainly for husband cards, but almost three quarters of our sales came either the day before or on the day itself.”

Over at Doodlebug in South Wales, owner Charlotte Little said although sales were up a very small percentage on 2017, “Valentine’s Day feels like a season that is in decline. Customers seem disinterested in the occasion and are definitely spending less on it. Female customers tend to make up the most of our advance sales whereas male customers tend to do most of their buying for the occasion on the actual day.”

For David Robertson, managing director of the JP Pozzi and Bijou shops in Buckie and Elgin in Moray, Scotland, Valentine’s Day has become a two-day sales affair, with a good February 13th and reasonable 14th. “I was and am really encouraged by what I see in terms of the designs and the bigger publishers also tried to do something different even though this

Below: Valentine’s display in Dragonfly Cards and Gifts.

event is traditionally hard for them to make any money on. In truth and to put it bluntly, card sales were disappointing.”

He also laments a drop in gifting, with David saying: “I heard a survey on Radio 2 asking men and women what they wanted for Valentine’s and the traditional teddy or card were never mentioned. It was all experienced-based spa days, tickets, a meal out or in the case of ladies, flowers - even chocolate didn’t really get a mention.”

Miles Robertson, co-owner of the House of Cards mini-group stores said: “It wasn’t a particularly memorable Valentine’s Day, but not surprising as the event is going through a significant period decline in our opinion. Our sales for the week were on a par with last year but actual Valentine’s Day card sales were 7% down. Are we becoming less romantic or using other forms to communicate? For us it’s not showing any signs of evolving into a friend-sending event like it has done in the USA.”

Multiples mixed bag Like-for-like sales for Valentine’s were on a par with 2017 for Scribbler though an upturn in its own brand designs means it was a more profitable event for the retailer.

Sales were also on par with the previous year for Cards Galore stores too, with Rumit Shah, director echoing other retailers’ views that sales were “all very last minute. There was no particular trend and we sold well through traditional, contemporary and humour.”

However, for Paperchase, the event is still a winner with Hazel Walker, senior buyer for cards and wrap saying “We had a really positive Valentine’s which was a great start to the year - it’s nice to see that people are still feeling the love! We saw lots of last minute purchases on the day itself, particularly in our station and city stores where.”

John Lewis also had a good one, with 40% of the retailer’s sales happening in the last three days. “It was a slow start, as we expected,” said Lizzie Batchelar, assistant buyer for giftwrap, cards and seasonal events. “But we ended with a very successful Valentine’s week and sold through a high percentage of our stock.”

Above: Avocuddle card from Woodmansterne was one of JLP’s top sellers for Valentine’s Day.

Scribbler co-hosted a sell-out Valentine’s event on Saturday 10 February at SAMA, a bar on London’s Southbank in conjunction with dating service Playdate London, who are known for their activity-based speed dating events. People who came to the event played a number of games including completing the puns on Scribbler cards. At the event Scribbler showcased its latest Valentine’s collection and offered all daters an exclusive Scribbler Valentine’s goody bag - which included a Valentine’s mug, card and confectionery.

Right: At the Scribbler PlayDate event, daters were asked to complete captions on Scribbler cards.

Donne and dusted Royal Mail helped raise awareness of the event with a Valentine’s-themed stamp cancellation mark being a line from a poem by John Donne - ‘More than kisses, letters mingle souls.’ It also produced a little video for social media encouraging people to send a love letter, not a text message or message on social media. The video was viewed more than 214,000 times.

Valentine’s for your gal pals There was a more social activity around promotion of Galentine’s Day this year in the UK, the ‘ladies celebrating ladies’ event on 13 February.

The phrase was first coined in in 2010 on the sitcom Parks and Recreation. Fast forward eight years and the concept has moved to pop culture, with the term trending on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram among bloggers and brands, especially in the US. Galentine’s Day may not have the profile of Valentine’s Day in the UK, but there has been a nod by Moonpig and Etsy to this trend, with both offering Galentine’s Day cards and gifts this year. Jill Alexander, marketing communications director for UK Greetings comments: “We definitely think there is something in it. We have seen lots of activity on social media, online retailers are offering discounts and even radio stations promoting and suggesting cinema visits with friends.”

Above: Personalised cards from Moonpig celebrating Galentine’s Day.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

11

every picture

the award winning contemporary quotation cards designed by

see the entire collection at www.icon-art.com

12_PG_March 2018.indd 1

22/02/2018 16:24

11_13_15_17_19_21_23_muk.qxp_9/11/13/15/19/23/25 05/03/2018 09:37 Page 13

NEWS TOP STORY

Spring Fair: News In Brief

American Greetings’ Sell Off Clintons was not included in the deal In what constitutes the biggest news in the global greeting card world for decades, the majority shareholding in American Greetings, the parent company of UK Greetings, was sold to US investment company, Clayton Dubilier & Rice last month.

American Greetings, the second largest greeting card company in the world (with a turnover of $1.8 billion) was taken back into private ownership by the Weiss family in August 2013, having been quoted on the US stock exchange for many years previously. The Weiss Family descendants of Jacob Sapirstein, who founded the company in 1906 - retain a 40% stake in the business.

The Weiss family will still hold positions on the Board, with Zev Weiss and Jeffrey Weiss, current co-ceos and Morry Weiss, current chairman taking up roles on the Board. John Beeder, the current president and chief operating officer, will become chief executive officer. David Scheible, an operating

Left: The UK Greetings will become part of the investment company.

advisor to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice funds and former chairman and ceo of Graphic Packaging, will assume the role of chairman of American Greetings.

The deal sees UK Greetings become mainly owned by the investment company.

However, Clintons, the UK retail chain that AG acquired in June 2012, is not included in the CD&R deal and ownership will remain with the Weiss family.

Eddie Shepherd, ceo of Clintons, said: “The Clintons team are delighted that we will continue to benefit from the Weiss family’s knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for real-world personal greetings. Clintons has gone through a period of positive change in recent years, with a rebranded store portfolio, an optimised network of stores, and significant enhancements to the customer proposition. We look forward to many years of positive performance ahead.”

Gary Rowley retires as UKG CEO, James Conn takes over After 44 years of working with the company, Gary Rowley, ceo of UK Greetings retired on March 1, handing over the baton to his longtime colleague, James Conn.

Gary joined the forerunner of UKG straight from school in 1973, starting out as a humble trainee cost accountant, but rose through the ranks, amassing knowledge, gaining respect and never losing the passion for this business. Having been appointed into various top sales positions, Gary became ceo of the company in 2010.

Above: Gary Rowley has retired Indicative of his grounded thinking, Gary told PG: “I work with a talented bunch of individuals, but as I tell them, we need after a 44 year career with UKG. Pictured here (second left) with the to be careful that we don’t get carried away. The success of the Mayor of Dewsbury. business stands and falls by its product and its service.”

Gary, who received The Henries, Honorary Achievement Award in 2016, has handed the ceo baton to James Conn, who is also a UKG stalwart, having been with the company since 1985, joining as a trainee sales executive for Andrew Valentine (which was later absorbed into UKG). His talent for business and innate people skills were quickly spotted and promotions came thick and fast thereafter. He became group sales director in 2010 and then took another step up in 2012 when he became sales and marketing director.

l An impressive £20,000 cheque was presented to the Guide Dogs charity by Cardgains as a result of monies raised by the buying group, which is being put to good use already, including training Cyril, a guide dog named after the company’s mascot.

Above: Cardgains’ Penny Shaw and Chris Dyson hand over a cheque for £20,000 to a representative from Guide Dogs.

l Having spent the past four years in Dubai, creative director of YTR Studios, Yasmin Jones relaunched the brand at Spring Fair with plans to focus on the UK market and build up the brand here. Having been a finalist in The Henries two years running, Yasmin showed two new ranges - Cutiekins and Hip Hip which have complementary products such as milestone cards, personalised frames, door signs and tooth fairy pillows.

Above: YTR Studios at Spring Fair.

l Family pet of the company founders, Claude, an adorable toy poodle was on the Wrendale stand to help launch the publisher’s pet-related collection. The new range, which includes dog coats and beds, which was ‘modeled’ by Claude, features Hannah Dale’s distinctive artwork of a menagerie of dog breeds.

Above: (left-right) Waitrose buyer Kirsty Hicks with Wrendale’s Lisa Marcuccio, Hannah Dale and Claude, the Dales’ toy poodle pet.

l “One in four people in the UK will suffer mental illness over the course of their life,” explains Charlotte Reed, the creator of the May the Thoughts Be With You brand, which just launched onto a range of cards and calendars by Danilo under licence at Spring Fair. “I am genuinely so happy that the cards and calendars are launching, so that they can help people to think more positively and spread awareness of mindfulness,” adds Charlotte.

Dan Grant, licensing director of Danilo who signed the brand said: “Charlotte’s work will strike a chord with so many people and will help to lift the spirits. The sending of cards is very positive anyway, but with her messages they can be even more so.”

Above: Charlotte Reed on the Danilo stand at the Spring Fair with the publisher’s licensing director Dan Grant holding the wall calendar that is being published for 2019.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

13

Kooks

Quality blank greetings cards embossed with gold foil - supplied with white envelopes

13 kooky animals looking to Moo-ve into your store

BUG ART Quality Greeting Cards www.bugart.co.uk The sales, warehousing and distribution of our products is undertaken by A La Carte Business Services Ltd

Tel: 0115 929 4776 enquiries@bugart.co.uk

14_PG_March 2018.indd 1

27/02/2018 10:40

11_13_15_17_19_21_23_muk.qxp_9/11/13/15/19/23/25 05/03/2018 09:37 Page 15

NEWS New era for WPL

TOP STORY

Drivetime Card Push BBC Radio 2’s Simon Mayo 6Million listeners are all ears Greeting cards received some really positive PR when Sharon Little, ceo of the Greeting Card Association (GCA) appeared at peak time on Simon Mayo’s Drivetime show on Radio 2 on Wednesday 28 February. Sharon was invited as the ‘greeting card expert’ after a discussion arose on Simon’s show the previous day around whether people still send greeting cards.

She left Simon Mayo’s millions of fans in no doubt that they do - and reminded them of the merit of sending Mother’s Day cards.

The interview came about after a ‘confession’ segment in Simon’s show in which listeners tell their stories about something they have done in the past that they now want forgiveness for. The confession, which aired on Tuesday (27 February) concerned a father and mother who took their 4 year old daughter into a card shop a few years ago and while they spent 45 minutes choosing four cards, the daughter licked closed every envelope in the shop! After the confession, Simon and team debated whether this would happen now and whether the same number of greeting cards are still sent.

And then cue Sharon!

Sharon went on air to tell Simon’s 5.82 million listeners that we send more greeting cards per person than any other country in the world. Sharon told an incredulous Simon that: “We buy two

Above: Radio 2 DJ Simon Mayo.

billion greeting cards every year in the UK and that hasn’t been affected by digital communications or any social media.”

Simon was surprised at the statistics and asked whether youngsters don’t prefer sending digital messages. Sharon told Simon that while young people are digitally engaged they also like to receive cards.

“They want it all. They need Snapchat, they need Facebook, they need their social media, but they also need their birthday cards. Birthday cards, or any sort of card provide something that digital can’t. And that is something that is real, something that is tactile.”

Simon asked Sharon whether the UK was the centre of the greeting card universe, and she said “absolutely” and went on to fanfare the amazing creative talent among card publishers in the UK. Sharon didn’t waste an opportunity to plug Mother’s Day, ribbing Simon when he asked if he could just send his mother a Mother’s Day text message!

On air and online Humour company Go La La not only nipped in with a well-wishing message that Simon Mayo relayed on Radio 2 following GCA Sharon Little’s appearance, but it has also launched a brand new trade order website into which retail customers can login in to and make their orders online. Laura Kavanagh, coowner of Go La La said: “We’re really pleased to be able to offer this facility which we know will help our busy retail friends place new and top-up orders quickly and efficiently. Once they’ve registered, they’ll be able to access the online shop and add orders which will go straight to 30 day invoicing.”

It is end of an era at WPL as Andrew Whiteway, the sole shareholder of the business he started back in 1981 has taken the decision to leave the company to focus on his other business interests (notably with Far Eastern sourcing and manufacturing company, Winner Star Asia). However it is the start of a new ‘WPL chapter’ as Mark Mostyn, who has been sales director of WPL for over 30 years, together with gift industry stalwart, Chris Noble (a former director of Xpressions for 16 years and consultant to WPL for the last five years) have formed a new company, WPL Gifts, that they jointly own and will run as joint managing directors. All existing WPL products will now be sold and distributed by WPL Gifts, alongside other products that will be launched in the coming months. While the new company will focus on gifts it will also publish card ranges as well as calendars.

Below: Andrew Whiteway (left) and Chris Noble.

The Retas’ deadline approaches The search is on in earnest to find the best retailers of greeting cards in the UK. The entries to The Retas 2018, the only awards dedicated to greeting card retail stockists, are arriving at PG’s offices (organisers and owners of the awards), in advance of the deadline of March 23. (An entry form is downloadable from www.theretasawards.co.uk) Card publishers, agents and reps are also being canvassed for their nominations as to which retailers they feel have really stood out in the last year. (Email nominations to jakkib@maxpublishing.co.uk) The winners will be unveiled at a lavish awards event at The Dorchester Hotel at lunchtime on July 11, that this year will take on an Oceanic theme!

Celebrating milestone birthdays

Above: Poster made to publicise the event at Dragonfly Cards and Gifts.

Yorkshire-based retailer Dragonfly Cards and Gifts has launched a fun competition to help celebrate milestone birthdays. The retailer mother and daughter duo - Rita Knibbs and Rachael Barnes - are celebrating big birthdays (65 and 40 respectively) so thought they would run a competition for customers in the shop over the year.

“Anyone that is celebrating a milestone this year can enter into our prize draw,” explains Rachael. “We'll pick one winner out each month and there's a range of prizes from mugs, to our famous goody bags full of cards, to an experience day voucher.”

Suppliers, including Cherry Orchard, Noel Tatt, Carte Blanche and Woodmansterne are among those to have donated prizes.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

15

+

S N G I S E D E D A 25 HAND-M

ar m , h c e k a s p kee

TH A I W D E N R O D A H C EA foil, & r e t t i l f zingy

age p u o c é d bold

nd a s t u c e i d d varie 180mm x 210mm

£3.99 RRP

T 01227 811600 16_PG_March 2018.indd 16

F 01227 811601

25 pocket spinner

E sales@noeltatt.co.uk

W www.noeltatt.co.uk

@NoelTattGroup

23/02/2018 14:19

11_13_15_17_19_21_23_muk.qxp_9/11/13/15/19/23/25 05/03/2018 09:38 Page 17

NEWS Stamp prices rise

TOP STORY

The Snow Must Go On

Below: Some Mother’s Day cards from Paperchase.

Card retailers forced to hold their nerve over Mother’s Day As PG went to press with just over a week before Mother’s Day, retailers were nervously rubbing their hands – due to both the freezing temperatures and the worry.

As extreme weather conditions hit the length and breadth of the UK causing shops to close and shoppers to stay away from the high streets, coupled with the early date of the event, retailers’ concerns were on ‘red alert’ for what is such a lucrative card sending event.

As Paul Taylor, managing director of Cardzone told PG: “It’s just over a week until Mother’s Day and we had nearly half of our shops closed yesterday and those that were open were empty!!

This is the worst snow we have seen for decades and unfortunately it will have a massive impact on people's businesses.

This week has been a write off. Let's all hope it clears up for next week, which is a massive trading period for the industry.”

While less affected than Cardzone, due to the city centre locations of its stores, Scribbler was forced to close six of its stores in the crucial Mother’s Day run up due to the weather. “Our Scottish

stores have been the most badly affected. There is just no one around!” said John Procter, md of the 36-store strong chain.

With Mother’s Day falling so early this year (11 March), retailers have had to be on the ball with getting stock out as soon as Valentine’s Day was over and before the ‘Beast from the East’ hit, cardies were fostering high hopes for event, with early sales looking promising.

“Mother’s Day is without doubt the second biggest event behind Christmas,” says David Robertson, managing director of the JP Pozzi and Bijou shops in Buckie and Elgin in Moray, Scotland. “We put out all our Mother’s Day cards as soon as we could on 15 February as in effect we only have three weeks until Mothering Sunday.”

For Paperchase, Mother’s Day sales started well, but with the occasion fighting with Valentine’s Day early on Hazel Walker, senior buyer for cards and wrap, was expecting “a sales lift as it gains more space and momentum.”

Flying the flag at NSS When the National Stationery Show (NSS) opens its doors to the public on May 20 in New York, Britain will be well-represented with 14 publishers/stationery companies making the trip across the pond this year to exhibit.

Exhibitors this year include: Alison Gardiner Designs, Chau Art, Hunter Paper Co, JA Maroon, Jade Fisher, Katie Leamon, Ohh Deer, Old English Company, Portico Designs, Talking Tables, Thinking Gifts Company, Vivid Wrap, Wild & Wolf and Wrap.

The National Stationery Show attracts over 10,000 buyers from 70 countries around the world visiting the 750 exhibitors over the three days. For more than 70 years, the NSS has been the place for all things paper - from greeting cards, custom invitations, gift wrap and journals, to lifestyle gifts - and everything in between.

Kelly P. Bristol, show director for the National Stationery Show says: “American and British design sensibilities are more closely aligned than ever before. The British companies participating in the National Stationery Show are very well received and find the experience as a whole very profitable. Last year we had 21 Britishbased companies in the NSS and some even received funding from the UK government to participate in the NSS.” Above: Old English Co’s Ben Treanor, exhibited for the first time in 2017 and is back again for 2018.

Left: Kelly P. Bristol (left), Warren Lomax and Louise Tiler at the PG drinks reception at Spring Fair.

Following Royal Mail’s recent announcement that the price for first and second class stamps are to rise at the end of this month, card retailers especially are concerned about the negative impact this will have on Christmas card sending – echoing the findings from the latest PG/Cardgains Retail Barometer in which 63% of respondents state that stamp prices going up impact negatively on card sending.

As of March 26, the price of a first class stamp will rise 2p to 67p, with a second class stamp also rising 2p to 58p. In its official press statement the Royal Mail stressed that: “Royal Mail’s stamp prices rate among the best value in Europe. The UK also has one of the highest quality of service specifications of any major European country.”

Mark Janson-Smith, managing director of the Postmark shops in London worries about the possible impact on bulk Christmas sending. “The steady rise of the stamp price is always a concern, especially for the bulk Christmas sending. On the other hand the UK postal service is world class and very few countries can offer the service that we do. Customers often gasp at the price of a stamp but I do point out that 67p to get a letter across the country in a day is pretty good value. It is a tough call; the Royal Mail are faced with continuous falls in volume, but customers will now be faced with a charge of over £4 for a book of six stamps.”

Above: A first class stamp will cost 67p and a second class stamp 58p.

Brits in US Louie awards UK publishers, Ohh Deer, Santoro, Paper D’art, Louise Tiler, Mia Hague and Laura Darrington have reached the finals of The Louies, the US greeting card awards, run by the American Greeting Card Association. The winners will be announced at a Louies’ black tie awards event that takes place in New York on May 20, during the National Stationery Show.

Mark Callaby, Ohh Deer md commented: “We’re obviously very happy with the nod, especially after we won two awards last year - it would be great to try and win three this year!”

Different from their UK counterparts The Henries, (organised by Max Publishing, owners of Progressive Greetings), The Louies celebrate individual card designs rather than ranges.

Above: Ohh Deer reached the finals in three categories, including Most Humorous (including with the above design).

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

17

00_PG_March 2018.indd 1

21/02/2018 15:55

11_13_15_17_19_21_23_muk.qxp_9/11/13/15/19/23/25 05/03/2018 09:38 Page 19

NEWS TOP STORY

NEWS IN BRIEF

A Gold Crown Polish Hallmark gears up to push on the indies front “We all know the UK and Irish indies marketplace is particularly tough at the moment, the vision for us is to put Hallmark back on the indies map,” states Ciaran Leonard, Hallmark’s head of sales for UK and Ireland (responsible for indies, Gold Crown and non-grocery nationals).

Revealing how the publisher is gearing up for a big push on the independent retailer front, Ciaran admitted: “For a while now we have been a sleeping giant in this channel”, but believes “with the right approach and with the right partners we can really grow, despite the market challenges.”

He sees the “key to success” for Hallmark as being built around “rejuvenating our Gold Crown programme, continuing to lead the way on product - with a real focus on relevant ranges for our Indies customers - and improved customer service via our field and internal teams.”

Trials are underway with a new Gold Crown store concept – which has been installed in Philip and Maxine Neild’s Hallmark Reflections store in Nantwich and in the Hallmark Something Special store in Widnes, co-owned by Helen Nixon and Claire Lenton.

“The sales data and customer feedback from both the store trials are very positive,” Graeme Francis, head of the Hallmark UK Gold Crown programme told PG. “We have not revamped Gold Crown for a couple of years, but felt the time was right to develop a store concept which offers more flexible options through innovative fixturing which enables retailers to easily change the look and layout throughout the year, facilitating more cross-category promotion of both cards and gifts,” adds Graeme.

The plan is to launch the reinvigorated Gold Crown programme in June and grow the network of Crownies to 200 UK stores by the end of 2019. It currently has 120 Gold Crown stores in the programme in the UK. Above: Helen Nixon and Claire Lenton outside their new look Gold Crown store in Widnes Left: Reflections, Nantwich is experiencing a positive response to the new Gold Crown approach.

GOTY awards for cardies Greeting card and giftwrap companies, I Drew This, Peace & Blessings and Paper Mirchi were among the winners of the GA’s Gift of the Year awards, which were announced at Spring Fair.

Ilona Drew, founder of card publisher and gift brand, I Drew This won the Home Product award for her limited edition Brighton Royal Pavilion print, part of her Landmarks range. “The Brighton Pavilion design was the first ever design I did in the range, on the back of which my life has changed,” Ilona told PG, with reference to the fact that the range has won a Henries award plus also led to several bespoke commissions.

The Greetings and Stationery Award was won by Peace & Blessings, a newbie card publishing business, owned by Zakera Kali, for her Mono and Pastel range. Although Peace & Blessings only launched last May, it is the culmination of an idea that Zakera has been nurturing for the last 20 years.

It was also a night to remember for Rani Moochhala, owner of giftwrap company Paper Mirchi, which won the Shirley Frost Award (for designer makers). Former textile designer Rani, only started Paper Mirchi last summer. She creates handmade paper decorated using a variety of techniques such as marbling.

Other winners included Talking Tables, which scooped the Novelty Gift award for its Prosecco Pong drinking game that taps into the current penchant for the Italian sparkling libation, while Sara Miller’s distinctive artwork that first debuted on greeting cards and wrap (with The Art File, Penny Kennedy) won the Fashion Accessory category with the silk accessories collection from My Gifts Trade.

Left: A trio of winners (right-left) Ilona Drew of I Drew This, Rani Moochhala of Paper Mirchi and Zakera Kali of Peace & Blessings.

l Julie Livesley (right) has joined gift and book company Boxer, as sales director.

Previously, Julie worked with Talking Tables and prior to that was part of the NPW sales team. l Widdop and Co has extended its commitment to greeting cards by launching new collections in its Musicology and Hero men’s ranges. The new cards join the already successful Amore (wedding) and Bambino (baby) greeting cards.

Right: One of the new cards from Widdop and Co in the Hero men’s range.

l Nottingham-based print company, the Sherwood Group has launched an innovative sustainable new plastic packaging. The new Puracoat is a sustainable barrier protection for food packaging, developed in response to a growing problem of plastic waste. And although it won’t be used in greeting card packaging, it does show the company’s commitment to sustainable solutions for all parts of its business. l Pioneer Europe is launching an exciting new range of Qualatex balloons. The patentpending Chrome balloons are latex balloons created using breakthrough technology, achieving ‘A New Kind of Shine’, that is rich, reflective and radiant.

Chrome Balloons are available in a range of six different colours, mauve, green, blue, purple, silver and gold.

Above: The new Qualatex balloons are rich in colour.

l Hallmark is to create 100 new permanent roles, increasing its UK workforce to over 2,000 employees. The roles will cover functions within both distribution centres at Dawson Lane, Bradford and River Street, Brighouse where all Hallmark products are stored and distributed within the UK, Republic of Ireland and Channel Islands. l A recent edition of Craft Business magazine (the largest circulated trade magazine for the craft industry) Sharon Little, ceo of the GCA featured in a ‘Trends’ piece. Sharon was quoted saying: “Greeting cards are, in many ways, a fashion item that you cannot wear, but that personally connect one person with another. They continue to reflect society in the words/captions/colours/motifs/patterns used.” She went on to talk about the trends of tropical brights as well as mythical and mystical creatures.

Above: Sharon Little was quoted in the Trends section of Crafts Business.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

19

Presents...

www.icgcards.com

Lovely new juvenile cards in relation captions, open and ages 1-10!

Eye-catching rainbow holographic & coloured foiling.

Magical!

New Wedding!

New Graduation! progressive greetings awards

E: customerservice@icgcards.com

20_PG_March 2018.indd 1

T: 01202 897494

Gold winner 2017 23/02/2018 13:20

11_13_15_17_19_21_23_muk.qxp_9/11/13/15/19/23/25 06/03/2018 12:34 Page 21

NEWS TOP STORY

Doubling Cardzone

Below: One of the 111 stores in the Cardzone estate.

Former Card Factory chairman and indie David Robertson join “I want to double our business over the next three years and bringing high calibre people into the team will help us to achieve that,” states Paul Taylor, founder and managing director of Cardzone, about the plans to grow the specialist card chain to 220+ stores by the end of 2020.

Keith Pacey, former chairman of Card Factory, has become a non-executive director of Cardzone, Kevin Hart has joined from Thorntons as acquisitions manager, Paul’s son James has recently joined the board as trading director and a ‘working alliance’ has been forged with independent retailer, David Robertson, owner of JP Pozzi, which has four shops in Scotland.

The new arrangement sees David (also a PG columnist) take on a newly created role of business development director of Cardzone. David has been tasked with expanding Cardzone’s presence in Scotland (taking it from three stores to 20 by the end of the year) and Northern Ireland as well as

Paperchase pledges its support to On the Cards

further developing the greeting card and gift selection stocked by the multiple.

As well as under the Cardzone banner, the retailer also has stores that trade as Card Centre, Home and Fragrance as well as the Hallmark factory outlet stores it also owns.

Paul believes that Cardzone’s expansion could be welcome news for those independents looking to sell their shops. “Good independents are and have been the lifeblood of the card world, but we understand that many are now looking for a way out due to the rising costs and increasingly tough trading times.”

(See pages 36-37 for more details)

Vets implore publishers to stop featuring pugs on cards The British Veterinary Association (BVA) is urging card publishers to stop producing cards featuring images of brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds, such as pugs, French bulldogs and Persian cats on their products as part of its #BreedtoBreathe campaign.

The BVA (the national representative body for the veterinary profession in the UK with 16,000 members) made contact with the Greeting Card Association (GCA) asking for the association’s help in informing Above: Pugs may be cute, but can develop members of the campaign. many problems due to short muzzles.

In a letter to the GCA explaining more about issue, John Fishwick, president of the BVA, said that the popularity of Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as pugs, French bulldogs and Persian cats have boomed in popularity over recent years, fuelled by the media, celebrities and the use of images of these animals on products and in advertising.

“These are breeds that struggle with serious and often life-limiting health problems. While many people perceive the squashed wrinkly faces of these breeds as appealing, in reality dogs and cats with short muzzles can struggle to breathe. They can also suffer from a range of other problems including eye ulcers, skin infections and spinal abnormalities,” John explained.

In its quest for animal welfare the BVA contacted the Greeting Card Association to encourage publishers to use appropriate healthy animals (real or CGI/cartoon) responsibly in or on their products. Taking this request on board, Sharon Little, ceo of the GCA agreed and has emailed all members about the campaign.

Sharon informed the GCA membership that, “While the GCA would never attempt to tell our members what they should or should not publish, it is in our remit to let members know about this campaign and the attendant media attention it is likely to receive.”

Paperchase has pledged its support to the On The Cards initiative once again for 2018. The initiative not only highlights the potential of the greeting card industry to creative graduates, but is also likely to result in the winning designs being produced and put on sale in Paperchase stores.

The On The Cards greeting card design competition is the brainchild of Reggie Pugh, creative director of Paper Rose and GF Smith’s Mark Jessett, conceived out of a shared frustration of “how most art tutors and therefore students were just not aware of the vibrancy of greeting card industry and how greeting cards offer a real opportunity to see their creativity reach the consumer,” said Reggie.

This year five leading universities and art colleges are participating in On The Cards Staffordshire University, Falmouth School of Art, Nottingham Trent University, Leeds Arts University and Swansea College of Art. Above: Paperchase buyers Hazel Walker (centre) and Emma Clooney with Joe Cox, winner of last year’s On The Cards design and illustration category, at PG Live where the designs were on show.

David Hicks spearheads major design competition David Hicks (right), the founder of greeting card and gift brands Really Good and Soul is on the verge of launching a nationwide design competition, appointing well-connected PR maestro and author, Jessica Huie to raise awareness and drive engagement for the initiative.

With Really Good having just celebrated its 30th anniversary and Soul, its 20th, David wanted to do something significant to support aspiring designers to break into the gift sector.

“This industry has been very good to me, now I would like to give something back to young designers out there,” David said.

Launching in April, the competition will invite unpublished design talent to enter their product ideas with one of the prizes planned being to take the winning designs to market.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

21

Wedding Collection

THE

2018

Available Now From

GRASS ROOTS INTERNATIONAL

Code 125/MM R.S.P. £2.99

Code 75/JJ R.S.P. £1.99

A beautiful collection of traditional and contemporary wedding designs.

Tel: 0151 541 0448 E-mail: sales@writefromtheheart.co.uk Web: www.writefromtheheart.co.uk

22_PG_March 2018.indd 22

26/02/2018 15:59

11_13_15_17_19_21_23_muk.qxp_9/11/13/15/19/23/25 05/03/2018 09:38 Page 23

NEWS Scribbler-ing profanities

TOP STORY

CBG’s Full Service CBG moving towards offering planning and stock control Carte Blanche Group is gearing up to offer independent retailers a full planning and stock control service, integrating other publishers’ designs.

The publishing group’s stand at this year’s Spring Fair signalled its intention on this front, fanfaring its new tagline ‘Home to the best range of brands in the industry’. The stand featured a 32’ everyday display and 16’ Christmas card display, which included designs from Danilo, Emotional Rescue, Gemma (distributed to indies by its Is It Art business) as well as those from Carte Blanche and its sibling company, Hotchpotch.

“We are 60% of the way there on our plans to offer a real alternative to independent retailers,” CBG’s ceo Alister Marchant told Progressive Greetings.

This comes eight months after CBG acquired Is It Art, the sales and distribution business which supplies the independent retail channel.

Alister said that CBG has no intention of introducing a full brokerage service “or

be seen as a competitor to the existing brokers”, but is planning to forge links with other publishers, looking to join forces with an aim of offering “a real point of difference” to independent retailers through an integrated planned display.

In addition to established greeting card brands, Alister also anticipates working with newer start-up card companies who are keen to gain retail distribution without getting involved with brokerage.

Above: CBG’s Alister Marchant on the stand at Spring Fair with signage featuring the new tagline, ‘Home to the best range of brands in the industry’.

Amplifying the important role greeting cards play in our lives, at the start of the month, the Daily Mail dedicated an entire page to them.

The article by Robert Hartman, entitled ‘The father who took on the filth peddlers’ centred around taking his 9-year-old daughter in to buy a birthday card in Scribbler, concerned that some of the fruity language featured could prompt awkward questions from children!

The journalist contacted Scribbler who pointed out that cards featuring ruder words are positioned on higher racks out of children’s eyeview, plus the shop does display a ‘Parental Guidance’ sign advising parents that some of the cards and gifts are of an adult nature.

Hartman conceded that he realises millennials don’t necessarily want pretty landscapes and crony cartoons on their cards, but that parents shouldn’t have to blindfold their child or explain foul language just because they popped out to buy a birthday card!

Above: The full page opinion piece in the Daily Mail.

Ladder Club seminar dates set The dates have been set for this year’s Ladder Club seminars as Tuesday 6 November and Wednesday 7 November. Once again, the two one day seminars, which are aimed at helping both newbie and emerging publishers climb up the ‘greeting card ladder’, will take place in The Ladder Club’s ‘spiritual home’ in the Cliffs Pavilion in Westcliff on Sea in Essex.

The Ladder Club was the brainchild of Lynn Tait, who 20 years ago joined forces with PG’s Jakki Brown to organise one day seminars for card publishers with the support of key trade suppliers, experienced card publishers, retailers, the GCA and other industry experts who give their time to speak at the seminars and offer support through a closed Facebook group.

“Though lovely Lynn so sadly died last June, I feel privileged to be ensuring her legacy lives on in The Ladder Club and am working on the agendas for this year’s seminars that will do Lynn proud and continue the essence of this wonderful initiative,” commented PG’s co-owner Jakki Brown.

To attend a Ladder Club seminar costs £85 (including VAT) (and includes lunch and refreshments).

Each seminar fills up quickly and spaces are limited.

To book a place at The Ladder Club seminars and for a list of local accommodation options email Clare Davies at clare@createvents.co.uk or call 01183 340085.

Above: Last year’s Day Two Seminar attendees, which included a talk by John Procter, co-owner of Scribbler.

UKG wins Asda award UKG has won Asda's General Merchandise Supplier of the Year award for 2017, for the successful delivery of the new Celebrations department. There were over 1000 non-food suppliers in the running for the award.

The project was a huge collaboration between UKG and Asda, bringing cards, wrap and party together in an innovative and Above: Celebrations display in Asda. exciting way, resulting in a whole new look and feel for the product and the card department.

Chris Barr, Asda national account manager said "We are absolutely delighted to be Asda’s supply chain manager of choice. everyone across our entire business played a huge part in delivering this project which makes receiving this award even more special. We are extremely proud to receive this award which reflects everything UKG stand for from product leadership, creative thinking and working collaboratively to exceptional service and delivery in store".

Lucy Ledger’s busy diary Greeting card publisher Lucy Ledger has been busy flying the flag for the industry, firstly on the Department of International Trade’s (DIT) stand at Spring Fair, and then by hosting a creative masterclass for newbie cardies at the V&A. Lucy was the only greeting card publisher on the DIT stand and said, “it was a fantastic opportunity to promote the UK greeting card industry as a whole.”

A couple of weeks after Spring Fair, Lucy hosted a sell-out creative masterclass at the V&A Museum. The aim of the course was to help new creative businesses stand out with a special focus on greeting cards. Demand for places on the course was so high that the 16 places available sold out within a week of being announced! Lucy gave practical advice on getting started and also had speakers from Paper Salad, G.F Smith, the GCA, Rachael Taylor Designs and Rose Hill Designs.

Above: Speakers from the masterclass outside the V&A: Jill White (Rocket 68), Sharon Little (GCA), Claire Williams (Paper Salad), Karen Wilson (Paper Salad), Lucy Ledger and Rachael Taylor.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

23

24-25.qxp_Grid 01/03/2018 11:42 Page 24

OVER THE COUNTER

A Social Revolution Independent card and gift retailer, David Robertson, co-owner of JP Pozzi in Scotland, takes a look at the changing face of retail.

Think about life in 2018. Our core functions have changed. The way we eat (ingredients delivered ready to cook - ready meals are frowned on), the way we sleep (short bursts), the way we interact (social media), the way we consume TV and media (on demand - on the go).

Everything is being reimagined and redefined and what we thought is now looked on differently. News is instant and the technology just seems to be moving at a pace that we can’t keep up. Yet the predictions of flying cars and hover boards happening by 2015 in the movie Back to the Future have come and gone!

Social media is a well-worn topic and has without doubt revolutionised the way small, indie businesses can advertise and infiltrate the general public. I can’t think of any business that does not use social media in some way or another and in truth we all need to use whatever vehicle we can to tell the stories of our products, and more importantly the ethos of our business.

Facebook, the most popular form of social media marketing, was founded in February 2004 so it’s just celebrated its 14th birthday. As with all teenagers it is going 24

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Right: A retail revolution has begun.

Below: A thing of the past - Back To The Future 2 and the infamous hover board.

Below right: Ecoffee Cup is the natural reusable coffee cup made with naturally organic, biodegradable bamboo fibre.

through some growing pains and has been a victim off its own success. It bought its little brother Instagram in 2012 after it had only been born for two years and in my opinion Insta (that’s what the millennials call it) is without doubt the new Facebook, in fact Facebook is for old people as some of my younger staff informed me!

So yes social media is changing too.

Listening to a Joe Rogan (a US comedian) discussing social media recently, he pointed out that we are literally reducing our online interaction from messages, to posts, to tweets and now we can’t even be bothered with a few words so a picture will do.

A picture tells a thousand words they say, but I believe there still needs to be a connection with text. The two go hand in hand, delivering a really powerful message.

Tonight as I flick through Instagram a number of phrases jumped out at me - with flashy pictures in the background.

“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” Gandi “We don’t grow when things are easy, we grow when we are challenged.”

Retail, like TV, and life in general, is transforming too.

I know I think about it more than I ever did. I worry now, where I never did before, just what the future holds for the high street store. Retail is challenging and requires

strength to continue and make it work. The challenges are growing and mounting and are coming from all sides - I lost count of the amount of conversations I had like this at Spring Fair. Good retailers are realising that they have to wake up and change. Whether it’s the way they sell, what they buy, the ethos of how they source or simply how they go about their day to day tasks.

Taking ethics as an example, plastic, rubbish and packaging are becoming big news again, and the gift industry, and especially those that sell online, are having to find new ways to deliver successfully and safely without excessive cost and packaging.

Indeed our coffee business is changing too. Straws and packaging must be biodegradable and our take away coffee cups and plastic water bottles are being frowned upon. This was in fact one of the first things I wanted to source at the recent Spring Fair - a reusable bamboo coffee cup that if customers bought and refilled in my stores they receive a discount. I found some with great sayings on them as well!

Cards too have come under pressure as glitter/flitter are perceived to stop making them recyclable and they end up in landfill the good old Daily Mail (never one to make a crisis out of a drama!) highlighted this.

24-25.qxp_Grid 01/03/2018 11:42 Page 25

OVER THE COUNTER The ethos of thinking more about the planet allows you to tell your customers that your business is changing and becoming better. It’s telling the story of how we are learning and contributing to the greater good. So we need to reinvent and tell people our story and what makes us different.

The story of your store is a key part of how you fit in today’s retail landscape and that is where social media is crucial. I think that the storytelling will be the single most important promotional part of business in 2018. You need to create, embrace and build a tribe of followers through your stores and social media posts. Do your customers really know who you are?

There will of course be other considerations. Reducing costs and increasing efficiency will be key as the high street is currently a tough gig with falling footfall. It is also a challenging market where consumer spending is being squeezed and retailers’ core costs are rising. This is a problem we are all facing and there are no easy answers.

We are all looking for product that returns better margins and allows us to absorb the wage, rent and rate increases that are inevitable.

Inflation too is set to reduce, and wages may start to rise as again as there is a Living Wage increase in April. Less of a squeeze on consumers and more money in their pockets they say, so it should be good news for retailers, but we have to tempt them in store and manage our costs better to even have a chance of benefitting.

The experts keep speaking about retailers needing a dual strategy. Now that is a short sentence but has ramifications way beyond the majority of indie card and gift stores’ budgets. Everyone can be online these days they say - yes that is true, with a presence of a website which you can build yourself and social media marketing to spread the word, but that does not mean that you can successfully retail from it.

Look at our industry on the whole. We are all selling very similar product and unless you are manufacturing the product or have a unique offering it is almost impossible to get noticed without your core local market. I know many, many shops that have tried a website and then pulled the plug. Indeed, I have rethought our website strategy and we are now working on a website that offers a snapshot of what we do, allows us to highlight key new products, get bookings for our food places but does not retail apart from selling gift vouchers for the store. I

simply could not see a return on my investment in terms of sales online and all the costs and difficulties of returns, packaging, deliveries that came with it. In truth, the big boys of Amazon, and many others out there, are Marty McFly light years ahead of where we are.

2018 they say will see a further acceleration in store closures, with big retailers transforming their real estate portfolios to fit alongside their online offering. We need to hope that the card and

Above: Oklahoma in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, is an indie gift shop with a strong identity.

Below: Cashierless – the new Amazon Go in Seattle.

gift industry is still one of the last few markets where consumers like a handson experience.

I believe ‘the store’ still has a key role to play, but there will be fewer of them, which may help us as indies. Clintons are quietly closing stores that are not working so that no-one really notices. The interesting thing is that in 2017 more indie stores opened than closed as fleetfooted enthusiastic first-time retailers identified opportu nities and made it work where some of these larger stores couldn’t. They filled the niches missed by the big boys and in some instances created niches that we didn't even know we needed.

Another interesting trend, which kind of contradicts this, is of the larger high street brands taking stores to get their message across to consumers. These retail experience stores don’t actually sell anything but let the customer see and experience the product with someone who knows it inside out. This customer experience thing is something I have been on about for years, and in truth our version of it is still indies’ main weapon against the internet: Service, product knowledge and a personal touch will go a long way.

If you don’t believe me, how about taking the word of a company with 310 million active customers - Amazon. The retailing giant has been trialing a store in its home city of Seattle called Amazon Go. This store has started to make headlines as there are no checkouts or cashiers. The store is covered entirely by cameras and allows this year’s hottest phrase ‘just walk out’ technology. You pick up what you want and simply walk out with Amazon then charging your Prime account.

Great! Little or no staff costs – wrong! Amazon has increased staff and their product knowledge so that the customer gets a better more indepth shopping experience. Retail Newsagent magazine sent some key indie convenience store retailers to see it last January and they all came back glowing with praise for what they believe will be the next big thing to shake retail.

So if we look at what’s happening can we as indie retailers really do what is needed to keep up? Or do we have to just do what works for us and our community?

The points were covered in a research paper Deloitte published detailing what it thought would affect retail this year.

However, we as indies simply don’t have the resources or budget of Amazon or many of

the UK’s big retailers so we have to create a watered down version… and do our best.

I believe that ‘the store’ has a great future but as with all successful evolving things it will be very different to its past. As The Beatles said 50 years ago…

You say you want a revolution Well you know We all want to change the world You tell me that it's evolution Well you know We all want to change the world To contact David email: jppozzi@btconnect.com PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

25

26-27.qxp_Layout 1 01/03/2018 11:52 Page 26

CARDSHARP

Weiss To The Event

Above: The American Greetings HQ in Ohio.

Below: American Greetings’ chairman Morry Weiss (far right) and joint ceo Jeff Weiss (far left) along with UKG’s Gary Rowley (2nd right) James Conn and PG’s Jakki Brown at PG Live.

Cardsharp was recently at Spring Fair bemoaning with an industry colleague that there had been little in the way of big industry breaking news recently. Then, only days later, it was announced that effectively American Greetings (AG) had been sold. This was certainly massive news for the global greeting card Industry and, indeed, for the UK greeting card industry, reflected Cardsharp.

For those readers that missed it, the Weiss family, owners of American Greetings, and, of course, their British subsidiary UK Greetings have sold 60% of their shares to investment firm Clayton, Dubilier and Rice. (CD&R). AG, with its historic rival Hallmark, have dominated the world greeting card industry globally for over 100 years.

In fact, it was in 1906 that a poor Jewish immigrant, Jacob Sapirstein started the business selling greeting cards from a horse drawn cart in Ohio. His son, Irving Stone (by this time the family had changed their surname to Stone) took over from his father as chairman and continued in this role until his death in his very late 90’s in 2000. Irving’s son in law Morry Weiss then took over as chairman, a position he holds to this day.

The family tradition continued right up to this year with three Weiss’s, Zev, Erwin and Jeff, all holding senior director positions.

Yet this sale is not the first time the family

26

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

have given away a portion of their equity.

For many a year AG was listed on the US stock exchange as a plc, but five years ago, the Weiss family bought all the shares back and by all accounts have performed very well financially in the fiercely competitive US greeting card market as a privately owned company.

By contrast, Hallmark, AG’s nemesis, has never relinquished any equity in its card business and is wholly owned by the Hall family. It was Joyce Hall that started Hallmark in Kansas in 1910. It was he who coined the famous marketing catchphrase, “When you care enough to send the very best” back in 1944. And It was Joyce who came up with the idea of an ongoing ambitious television sponsorship programme which helped establish the Hallmark brand in the US as almost synonymous with greeting cards. His descendants, Donald Hall senior, Donald Hall Junior and David Hall, are all board directors.

Cardsharp has always been fascinated by the rivalry between these two giants of the global greeting card, in some ways so similar and yet in many ways so different.

Both originate and are still based in the vast mid-west of America. Hallmark in the west mid-west (if that is not a contradiction in terms) in Kansas, and AG in the east mid– west in Cleveland, Ohio. The Hall family is a

26-27.qxp_Layout 1 01/03/2018 11:52 Page 27

CARDSHARP religious Christian family, while the Weiss family is of Jewish immigrant stock. AG has always produced the Christmas card for democratic Presidents and Hallmark for republican ones, or is it vice versa?

Cardsharp always gets it confused.

But there is no doubt, reflects Cardsharp, that these two titans have a share of the market that would be near impossible in the UK market. It is estimated by many that between them they have around 90% share of the US greeting card market, and the differing laws regarding consumer protection in the US means that this near monopoly position is not subject to government scrutiny as it would be in the UK.

And the Hallmark/AG rivalry has not just been confined to the US, reflected Cardsharp. It has been a global greeting card cold war.

And given that the UK is by far the second largest greeting card market in the world, the proxy battle has been particularly intense. Both made their real expansion into the UK in the 1970’s. Both became heavily involved in the retail scene in the 1980’s. Both went on a large acquisition spree of UK publishers in the 1980’s and 1990’s (the largest being the estimated near £200 million deal when Hallmark bought Andrew Brownsword of Forever Friends fame.) And both have competed aggressively in the last 20 years for the huge supermarket card sales business in the UK. So, what of the CD&R /AG deal? Well, from what Cardsharp can glean, although a private equity company, CD&R are no ‘slash and burn’ short term cost cutting merchants. It has an impeccable record of providing long term investment in quality businesses and has a reputation, unusual in private equity circles, as being a rebuilder of businesses. The company is, in fact, rated as the 25th largest private equity company in the US. And it looks as if there will be a

Above: A Hallmark store from the 1950’s.

Left: Joyce Hall, founder of Hallmark, was a true greeting card pioneer.

great degree of continuity in the running of the business, with John Beeder, an AG insider and present CEO staying on as chief executive. It could be that like many third and fourth generation businesses, there is no one in the next generation of the family with the desire or maybe the ability to take the business on in a decade or so’s time.

Certainly though, with the Weiss family still owning 40% of the business, Cardsharp thinks it will be very much business as usual out west in Cleveland. But with long serving UK ceo Gary Rowley retiring after over 40 years in the business, Cardsharp feels, if not the end of an era, this is a watershed moment.

But What About Clintons?

Interestingly to Cardsharp, Clintons, which was acquired by AG to protect its position after the business failure of the Lewin regime in 2012, was not included in the CD&R deal, and remains owned by the Weiss family. The reason for Clintons not being included in the sale is open to conjecture.

Although figures regarding Clintons’ financial performance in recent years have been hard to make sense of, due to its position as a subsidiary of AG and because of inter-company trading, there has been a feeling in the trade that it has been struggling in the fiercely competitive UK retail market. And, indeed, Clintons has been quietly reducing its store portfolio as leases have run out.

Perhaps CD&R didn’t fancy the cut and thrust of UK retail, or perhaps the Weiss family was reluctant to let it go and have other plans for Clintons.

However, Cardsharp was intrigued to discover that CD&R, would you believe it, already has a bit of experience in UK retail. And very successful it was too! Back in 2013, CD&R bought a controlling interest in a hitherto family-owned North of England value retailer, B&M Bargains. After a couple of years of great success, where B&M was probably the fastest growing retail chain in the UK, CD&R took it public in a flotation, making a substantial profit for both them and the Aurora family who still held nearly half the shares, although subsequently it has now sold the last slice of its shares. Given this track record, it would have been surprising if CD&R did not have a very serious look at Clintons, if indeed a deal for it was ever on the table.

Cardsharp has a hunch that Clintons will not hang around in the Weiss family pockets for long, but it will be interesting to see who comes shopping for it.

Above: Clintons remains owned by the Weiss family.

Left: CD&R made money when it had shares in B&M.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

27

Incada_advert.pdf

1

14/12/2017

13:35

A board that helps save the world, by not travelling around it.

Incada at Windles

MINIMAL GLOBAL IMPACT

OPTIMUM PRINTING

PROUD TO BE BRITISH

Transport via shipping costs our environment dearly owing to the CO2 created, and highly polluting sulphur from ship fuel.

Incada is made locally at the Iggesund mill in Workington, which has its own self-generating Bio-mass plant. Willow is grown to fuel the plant which also brings prosperity to local hill farmers. The British paper and board industry is making a huge difference to increasing forestry in the UK. Incada as your preferred one sided coated board will have positive impact on carbon footprint and the environment.

Incada Silk is one of the premium one sided coated boards.

It is considered one of the whitest in the market, with the smoothest surface, and with the recent development work at the mill, it’s rigidity is like no other. A designer’s dream, where compensating for yellow shades of board will no longer be an issue. Incada brings high quality and consistency of product which is on the doorstep.

There are huge benefits to using a UK manufactured board. British publishers pride themselves on knowing their product inside out, from start to finish, something simply not possible when made in another country.

Uptake of Incada will enable you to proudly brand your product Made In Britain.

28_PG_March 2018.indd 1

www.windlesgroup.co.uk

23/02/2018 15:09

29-30-31_muk.qxp_Grid 05/03/2018 09:14 Page 29

VIEWPOINTS

Real Page

Turners

Even the tiniest card publisher now has website, and agents’ and reps’ iPads are fired up with the technology that enables them to check stock levels and send a customer’s order digitally in a flash.

So, what about trade catalogues and brochures?

PG asks about the relative merits of these tangible tools of the trade.

Given the considerable costs and efforts involved in creating trade catalogues and brochures that are out of date almost as soon as they are published, there are some card publishers who have pulled away from producing them. Meanwhile, other players have gone the opposite direction, placing ever greater emphasis on the design of their marketing tomes, by including lifestyle photography, enlightening editorial, trialling innovative formats, unexpected finishes, delivered to retailers wrapped as a ‘gift’.

While not denying that online ordering has increased for greeting card retailers, the findings of the recent PG/Cardgains Retail Barometer (involving 1,000 The Woodmansterne current catalogue independent rooftops) leave no doubt as to the Above: starts with a poignant message from Paul continued relevance of actual catalogues for Woodmansterne, md about the importance of indies, with not one of the respondents saying the ‘humble greeting card’. theiy are ‘unimportant’, and 58% going as far as gauging these marketing tools as ‘very important’ and the remaining 42% describing them as ‘important’.

It would suggest, that publishers looking to save money by not producing catalogues or marketing material do so at their peril!

Publisher Feedback Ged Mace, managing director of The Art File: “Catalogues remain a vital part of our marketing mix. We are an industry producing a product that people like to hold in their hands, so a catalogue seems wholly appropriate.

We produce a new everyday catalogue every six months (December and June) and mail them to 1,500 retailers as well as a Christmas catalogue which goes out this month (March). It is great to receive the compliments from our retail customers and overseas distributors, which makes it worthwhile!”

Left: As well as its everyday catalogues, this month sees the launch of The Art File’s

Publisher Feedback Steve Baker, sales and marketing director of Pigment “The trouble with us publishing a catalogue is that it will be out of date within a month. So this year we have taken a different tack to provide a ‘lookbook’ which gives a taster of our ranges, but also is something retailers can use as a notebook too as we have left pages for retailers to write in. Plus, we have a online catalogue that is kept up to date and we are very willing to print off pages for retailers and reps as and when they are needed.”

Above: The new Blah blah blah Pigment ‘lookbook’ features a taster of the ranges as well as leaves lots of pages with areas for retailers to use for notes.

Irene Baylis Harriet and Dee, Didsbury and Chester “Catalogues/brochures/print outs for greeting card publishers are absolutely invaluable to us. I always prefer seeing an agent, which means that we can share a morning pastry and a cup of tea - result!

However, catalogues or some kind of tangible print out is the next best thing.

Once you know the quality of the cards you can reorder by Above: Jellycat is one of catalogue, but with gifts, the company’s whos unless you really know the catalogues Harriet & Dee’s Irene Baylis rates. company’s product (Jellycat being one exception) I think you need to see them in the flesh at a trade show.

As to which companies stand out on the catalogue front, Wendy Jones-Blackett is always on the ball while The Art File produces one of the most comprehensive catalogues on the card

Christmas catalogue.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

29

29-30-31_muk.qxp_Grid 05/03/2018 09:14 Page 30

VIEWPOINTS market, and Jellycat’s is one of the best designed on the gift front.

However, while a catalogue does say something about a company’s personality it does not have to look like a work of art, it is a tool.

Some of our card suppliers send supplements as soon as they have them, which means we’re always up to date and they don’t miss out on orders, which is important for them and us. Five Dollar Shake, for example sends us ‘sheets’ featuring the updated designs and that works perfectly fine for us.

As we have two shops, and the team in our Chester store have a lot of input, having catalogues means they can make a ‘wishlist’ of what they want/need.”

Online viewing/ordering v catalogues: “I think some suppliers envisage us sat in a grand office looking at screens, but as with many independents it’s all done from the shop floor – and catalogues can be flicked through in between serving customers, very easily. Plus everyone knows how to turn a page while some websites are rather trickier to manoeuvre. Keep it real, I say!”

Yasmin Twist buyer of Gee Tee’s: “I thoroughly enjoy reading and looking through suppliers’ catalogues and brochures as they give me an overview of products and ranges, plus enable me to see what is on trend.

However nothing compares to seeing the product first hand – hence the reason we prefer our buyers to visit suppliers’ showrooms, trade shows or seeing reps/agents. I receive full sets of samples from all card companies as I line buy every card.

On the noncard front, we are lucky that we have Eurowrap, Widdop and Co, and Partisan on our doorstep, but we also make a point of visiting the Above: Gee Tee’s Yasmin Lesser and Pavey, Twist at PG Live.

Sifcom, Kaemingk showrooms in person throughout the year.

UKG is our largest card supplier and while we can buy from the publisher’s web shop, I do prefer the sales person to visit the stores to touch base with our card room staff, placing orders while there.

Most companies I deal with are excellent on the catalogue front, with the likes of IC&G and Words ‘n’ Wishes, regularly updating us when additional designs and ranges are released.”

30

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Right: Publishers large and small are being more inventive with their catalogues as evidenced by Alison Hardcastle’s (right) and The Art File (far right).

Sonya Haandrikman-Sibbald co-owner of Celebrations, Carlisle:

Below: Sonya Haandrikman-Sibbard

“I have an ever increasing mound of supplier catalogues on my desk which have arrived in the post!

As we have such lovely reps and receive such good service from our existing greeting card suppliers that we have little need for brochures and catalogues from them. When these suppliers update their product ranges they come to the store with samples and there’s no substitute for the real thing.

Any new suppliers sending us a catalogue in the post can often be to no avail unless it’s accompanied by a sample; we really need to see the product and feel the quality of the board and any attachments.

As we deal with such a vast array of suppliers, it’s more likely to be a small publisher or newbie to the industry that is trying to get into store that sends us a brochure. It’s so hard for those guys and I really feel the place for them to showcase their product is at the PG Live exhibition as this is where we can meet the person who created the product, learn more about them and the story behind their company, rather than just getting something through the post.

Having said that I have received some lovely handwritten messages in cards which have accompanied some brochures, which is a lovely touch and increases the likelihood of attracting our attention from a buyer’s perspective.

The amount of money some suppliers must waste on catalogues is unthinkable, not to mention the environmental impact. Some are incredibly beautiful brochures and do grab our attention, but if their products are something I just wouldn’t stock the brochure/catalogue just gets thrown in the recycling. Some suppliers’ catalogues don’t even include details of what appears inside the card rendering it impossible to judge the saleability of a card. Also, often with a brochure, you can’t see if there is any insert or how the card opens.

From a gift perspective I do keep a vast majority of the catalogues and use them not only for re-ordering but also to remind me of a particular supplier’s product range. I do think it’s incredibly important for suppliers to have a catalogue available at the trade shows. It amazes me how many don’t, they simply give you a business card and suggest we look online.”

Online viewing/ordering v catalogues: “Maybe I’m a bit old fashioned, but I still prefer a catalogue over online ordering.

It’s a bit like receiving a greeting card; there’s just something about receiving a lovely paper version in the post that an online form will never be able to substitute!”

Rohit Patel owner of Paper Art, East Finchley: “Catalogues is a really good subject for PG to take up and air in the magazine.

For me personally, paper catalogues are invariably a very convenient medium of ordering cards. While it is very important for retailers to see reps and agents from time to time, as they keep us abreast of happenings in the industry, and provide the opportunity to see any new product releases the flesh, a catalogue makes it very easy when all you want to do are quick subsequent orders.

Although I do occasionally order online, I find it so tedious and unappealing. It is always better to view products from a paper catalogue compared to an online one.”

29-30-31_muk.qxp_Grid 05/03/2018 09:14 Page 31

VIEWPOINTS

Michelle Ellingham owner of Box of Delights, Flitwick: “I still get excited when companies launch their new products and as part of this I always look forward to receiving brochures and catalogues. I appreciate the publishers’ costs involved in their production, printing and sending by mail etc, but it is worth it - a bit like receiving a greeting card!

And it works, as I do think of these companies first when ordering as the brochures/catalogues prompt me, plus I keep them for future reference.

I look at brochures in the shop, but also in the evening or even early mornings in bed!

Among the companies whose catalogues I really rate are Woodmansterne, Belly Button Designs, Rachel Ellen Designs, Caroline Gardner, Wendy Jones-Blackett, Five Dollar Shake, East Of India, Portmeirion, Jellycat, Heathcote and Ivory, Katie Loxton and Parlane International.

These companies’ brochures and catalogues stand out from the rest as they are always so well produced, the products are photographed beautifully and they make it easy to order.”

Brochures v Online “Catalogues are there in front of you. Visiting websites looking for new products is time consuming. I accept that online ordering and websites have reduced the need for catalogues and brochures, but it is still so much nicer to receive a tangible brochure or catalogue through the post. It is more personal, you feel your business is valued and appreciated, plus it prompts you to order!”

Top: Rachel Ellen Designs produces two catalogues a year, in January and July. The most recent version includes more lifestyle photography which depicts the gift product collections.

Above: Box of Delights’ Michelle Ellingham with Hammond Gower’s Nicci Gower at PG Live.

Publisher Feedback Rachel Hare, managing director of Belly Button Designs “Catalogues continue to be important for retailers. We did try just creating a PDF of our Christmas range instead of an actual catalogue last year, but have returned to an actual printed version this year.

If anything we have gone to more effort with our catalogues, for both Belly Button and Bubble, introducing more lifestyle shots that before.”

Above and left: The Belly Button catalogue not only is a useable ‘tool’, but also inspires with its lifestyle photography.

Publisher Feedback Matt Genower, md of Five Dollar Shake: “It would be difficult to wish for a paperless office/marketing strategy... considering the product we promote! Yes producing catalogues and brochures is a pain in the butt, but there are very few customers that will say they don’t need/use them. We have digital versions and of course websites, but catalogues/brochures appear almost as valuable a tool as they were (when we started) 20 years ago which was pre e-commerce!

For us, one of the greatest challenges is photographing our cards and doing them justice. An impossible task!”

Above: Five Dollar Shake is committed to producing catalogues.

Lucy Sticka and Heidi Richardson co-owners of Little Paperie, Ashbourne: “We think it’s important to have ‘hard copy’ catalogues as sometimes it’s easier to sit and look through and mark off what we like before we place orders. It’s always good if there are some styled images too so you can see how they might fit into your own shop.

We think The Art File produces one of the best catalogues in our industry as it has a really great layout.

We also really loved the Hearts Designs 2017 catalogue too as it was distinctive, reflects the brand, is very easy to look through and also a strong reminder of how lovely the cards are.

We do get sent A LOT of catalogues!! And it is difficult to look through them all so first impressions do say a lot to us. We know instantly if we are likely to stock designs or not.

We tend to sit together at the shop (or even in a hotel room after a day at the show or on the train home!) after trade fairs and go through which ranges we would like to stock. We never really ask for Above: Little Paperie owners a brochure at a trade show unless we are says catalogues make a good first impression. interested in stocking the designs at some point in the future. We keep all the brochures of products that fit into our shop and that we like and often go back through them to see what we can order if we are looking for something new.”

Online viewing/ordering v catalogues: “It’s hard to say. We do like the convenience of ordering online so I think it’s a good idea to offer this too and to have an online brochure to look through even if the company doesn’t have a printed version so you can see collections together easily. Sometimes when we have visited stands at trade fairs the companies tell us to look at them online, but we have often had difficulty in doing this which shows how you can lose business by not physically providing a brochure.”

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

31

01924 950500 The perfect solution for all of your Greeting Card Software requirements Enquiry Hotline

CARD manager

Ready-made WEBSHOP

for Customer and Salesforce Orders

Salesforce MOBILE Ordering

using iPhone, iPad, Tablet, etc. incl. Consignment and Van Sales Email us at enquiries@exponential.co.uk or visit our website at www.card-manager.com

UK- 01924 950500 / USA- (617) 8618-517 / Australia- (0432) 846546 Exponential Limited Suite 37 Charles Roberts House Charles Street Horbury Wakefield West Yorkshire WF4 5FH

Polypropylene & biodegradable bag specialists Over 40 years quality service to the trade Hotfoiling also available

GREETING CARD

FRIENDLY, EXPERT ADVICE DEDICATED AND KNOWLEDGEABLE TEAM FAST AND EFFICIENT SERVICE HIGH QUALITY FILM BAGS

T 01206 396209 E sales@badgerconverters.co.uk www.badgerconverters.co.uk

32_PG_February 2018.indd 32

26/02/2018 16:02

33-35.qxp_Grid 28/02/2018 14:56 Page 1

Trends & Inspirations

Daydream Believer Escapism is a key trend this season on cards. Visual coping mechanisms in an uncertain world, 2018 designs look back to 80s nostalgia, upward to cosmic transcending and deep to an inky blue, violet and gold ethereal dreamscape. An underwater reverie of shimmering mythological mermaids, sea creatures and shells ensure that holographic and gold embossed foiling shines on an ‘ocean’ of designs, from foiled typefaces on clean white board to tiny touches that glint in the light on the bubbles of a gin design - a tipple that is fizzing on cards.

PG dives deep into the sparkle to take a look at some design trends and inspirations bubbling up on greeting cards in 2018.

Below left: A sweet, mythological mermaid from Duke & Rabbit.

Right: A purrmaid on a design from The Art File.

Above far left: Beautiful sea creatures feature in the new Coco

by Rachel Hare brand from Belly Button.

Above middle: A Prancing Myth mermare from Deckled Edge with hot metallic holographic foil.

Above right: A design from Lou Mill’s Nautical but Nice range.

Below: ‘Mer-maid for each other’ – by Jade Fisher.

A siren’s call Purr-maids (cats), mermen, mermares (ponies), and of course mermaids, are beckoning to us from an ocean of homewares, gifts and greeting cards in 2018. In iridescent sheens and metallic sheer, holographic finishes seashell like in their hues, the mermaid icons are another mythological ‘rock’, in the current dark seas of political and social uncertainty, to fill a craving for rainbow colours and sparkle.

Echoing the siren’s call, aquamarine and green hued hair was added to Fendi’s models at its Spring 2018 show, while current Oscar-laden movie The Shape of Water is an other-worldly love story between a woman and an amphibious creature. And then, last autumn, we shared a mermaid’s eye view of our glorious but precious ‘Blue Planet’.

Surfing with dolphins and swimming with gentle whales, mermaids are luring us to into a mystical watery world and an escape into a state of technicolour dreams.

Ultra marine Nicola Hutchinson, founder of Hutch Cassidy:

Above left: A magical mermaid on a Hutch Cassidy design.

Above middle: Alexandra Snowdon’s life affirming merman design.

Above right: Cute with a 50s vibe, a design from Hello Lucky (available from Ohh Deer).

Right: Another ’legendary’ design from Gemma Correll from Ohh Deer.

“We feel we can relate to this current trend as we love to design whimsical, magical illustrations for all ages. Mermaids are beautiful creatures to research and most wonderful to illustrate. The under the sea colours are truly magnificent and we love to play around with these to create the true sense of the under the sea magical world.

We always take inspiration from our beautiful planet, and its wonderful creatures, including those that are fictional! We love playful mythological creatures, and mermaids evoke a sense of nostalgia whilst offering a wonderful colour palette. There is so much excitement, colour and magic to be explored.”

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

33

33-35.qxp_Grid 28/02/2018 14:56 Page 2

Trends & Inspirations

Memphis calling Loud clashing colours, zany patterns, worm-like squiggles, terrazzo and a mishmash of imperfect geometric shapes - in a flashback to the 80s and 90s, card designs are embracing the post-modernist style made popular in the 1980s by the Milanbased Memphis Movement.

Playful, bizarre and fun, Memphis design has been described as ‘a shotgun wedding between Bauhaus and Fisher Price’, but it is hitting the mark with millennials with its saturated mint and coral, pastel pink and cobalt blue colour combinations and uplifting, rebellious and outlandish aesthetic.

Above: Crazy fruit with a Memphis twist from East End Prints’ Wacka collection.

Right: A ‘lovesick’ 80s style design from The Completist.

An 80s vibe Lydia French, founder of The Brighter Times and creator of the More Good Vibes range for Papagrazi:

Above: The Memphis squiggle on an A-laise design.

Right: Alison Hardcastle’s design is a contemporary take on the Memphis style.

Far right: A geometric party on a The Havana Collection card from Sadler Jones.

“Love or hate the 80s, it was definitely iconic – and not only for its unforgettable aesthetic. It was a time of excitement, of reinvention and in many ways hope in the backdrop of the Cold War. I feel the 'attitude' of the 80s is also reflective of today's socio-political climate. Despite a time of war mongering, political anxiety and environmental issues, there seems to be a strong Top: Positive inspiration on a ‘More Good Vibes’ design from Papagrazi. underlying sense of optimism and Above: Simple geometrics and slashes of pink on a Kate and the Ink card. ambition too.

The Brighter Times is a mission to make people feel good, and 'More Good Vibes' greeting cards are a perfect way to remind people how incredible they are, so the 80s naturally felt like the era to pull design influences from. Using loud typography, pops of colour, geometric shapes and fun patterns, I wanted to create designs that made this point.”

Reach for the stars Clouds of stars and constellations, geometrics and tessellations and inky deep blue and purple hues, the ethereal, galactic aesthetic on cards continues.

Reflecting the reach for the stars is ‘Ultra Violet’, Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2018. Embodying celestial and spiritual meaning, it’s also a colour that symbolises mystery, the otherworldly and mystical, and exploration, as we look to the cosmic skies for a higher plane of existence and self-discovery.

Orbiting the ‘spiritual big bang’, card designs are starry and dreamlike, in midnight blue and violet jewel washes, enhanced by metallic tones and finishes. This beautiful contrast of dark ethereal shades and light-catching metallics are perfect for Christmas card designs, capturing the magical enchantment and fairytale of the season.

Dreamy luxe Kate Van Spall, art director for Hallmark: “We noted predictions that consumers would be seeking fantasy escapism from the turbulent world they live in, whether that is in the form of cosy comfort or otherworldly aesthetics. From our AW17/18 trend Galactica, this look draws on the magical properties of light, a galactic daydream of sparkling stratospheres swimming in shadowed darks.

For this particular look we played with sophisticated inky blue washes, creating the depth needed to scatter gold foiled stars, gems and sparkle - all essential to create this contemporary luxe effect.”

34

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Top left: With tiny gold foiled stars, a Zodiac design from Blank Inside.

Top middle: There’s an ethereal feel to Cath Tate’s Northern Lights range by Elisabeth Fredriksson.

Top right: ‘Three friends under the stars’ from Sarah Lovell Art. Above: ‘Moonlight’ is a beautiful new range from Real & Exciting Designs (Mint).

Above right: Hallmark’s Christmas 2018 collection is reaching for the stars!

Far left: Open to discover a full moon, on a design from Images Illustrated.

33-35.qxp_Grid 28/02/2018 14:56 Page 3

Trends & Inspirations

Dress with flair The original rebel accessory is back. Traditionally political, satirical and even anti-establishment, the pin badge has a long history, from the Black Panthers to punks, as a symbol and statement of the wearer’s identity, beliefs and allegiances.

Pins have always been a way of dealing with the current political climate, and the present resurgence of pins designed by card publishers is a form of light-hearted escapism from the gloomy climate of global uncertainty. Designers have turned to adding ‘flair’- old-school style enamel pins (and iron-on patches) with a new cute contemporary twist - to decorate and accessorise bags, lapels or denim jackets.

Pinterest, as a part of its look at 2017 trends, found that searches for flair have increased 800%, and these retro, pop culture pins are like attachable ‘real-life’ emojis. Playful and nostalgic, you can declare to the world that you love pugs, Marmite or gin, whilst also proclaiming ‘don't take life too seriously!’

Pin code Emma Pearce, designer for Hotchpotch:

Top: Fabulous new additions have been added to the award-winning Flair range from Hotchpotch.

Above: A cheese plant pin on a gorgeous Caroline Gardner design.

Right: The Old English Company has an amazing array of bespoke pins that reflect its cards.

“Embellishing denim and leather jackets with enamel pins and iron-on patches is so popular at the moment.

We’ve seen flair all over high street and high-end fashion Top left: A Pinata design new from brands and it follows that enamel pins would be popular on Redback Cards.

Top right: Totally fresh and unique, a cards. We launched our Flair range in January 2017 and the Ted & Kip enamel pin and card. designs have consistently been our best sellers ever since.

Above: A bespoke The Little Posy Print Co pin.

Not only are enamel pins on-trend, it also feels quite nostalgic to send or receive a card with a badge on - remember how thrilled you were with a badge at age 5? It felt like a really fresh update to a traditional badge. I create all the pins bespoke for Hotchpotch and the themes are always based on the hottest trends; our newest pins feature gin, a mermaid and a cacti.”

Popping candy Within the realm of graphic design simplicity through the use of flat artwork has become so mainstream that it’s hardly noticed, but today it can be seen across all genres of design, including packaging, websites, app icons and greeting cards.

Triggered by Apple’s change on its iOS7 user interface from skeuomorphic design - that has three-dimensional detailing, highlights and shadow - to flat in 2013, the resulting simple imagery has lit the touch paper for a new wave in graphic design. Bold imagery is juxtaposed with a Above: Simple 80s computer style designs vibrant background colour to create a fresh, clean and from Memelou. striking effect that pops!

Above right: Eye-popping colours on a Kendra Dandy design from Pigment.

The contemporary flat design trend is a homage to several 20th century design movements, but its greatest influence currently on cards seems to be a blend of Pop Art and retro 80s computer graphics, with flat artwork depicting popular and fun everyday icons of today, such as luscious lashes and lips, unicorns, treacle tins and lots and lots of fruit and gin.

Above: Bold and striking, a Good Times design from Unknown Ink. Below: Paired down artwork on a Basil & Ford design.

Right: A delicious design from Sadler Jones’ The Havana Collection.

The bold & the beautiful

Above: Alison Hardcastle’s tie-up with Tatty Devine has produced some stunning ‘spectacles’ on cards.

Alison Hardcastle, director of Alison Hardcastle: “The current trend for flat artwork and flat colour stems from a love of bold, simple and concise design in general which is trending right now. A lot of graphics and surface pattern at the moment is flat and quite stylised and you can really push some brilliant colours without it becoming too confusing and cluttered. It’s also a style that lends itself well to combining with some hand-drawn type.

I’m an illustrator and printmaker and I initially screen-printed all my cards and stationery as I was printing small numbers when starting out. This meant that the artwork was always produced as flat layers in Photoshop. Consequently, this cemented a style of working that I carried on when I switched to digital printing.”

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

35

36-37.qxp_Grid 02/03/2018 10:28 Page 36

Retailer Face To Face

Zone-ing Up “I want to double our business over the next three years,” Paul Taylor, managing director of specialist multiple Cardzone stated last month.“Bringing high calibre people into the team will help us to achieve that,” he added, a strategy evidenced by the recent appointments of Scottish indie retailer, David Robertson as business development director, and former Card Factory chairman Kevin Pacey as non-executive director.

PG finds out more about Cardzone’s ambitious plans and how actively courting independent retailers forms part of this.

Above: Cardzone’s md Paul Taylor with his assistant Sally Booth (right) and PG’s Jakki Brown at the recent Spring Fair.

Left: The plan is to double the Cardzone business over the next two years.

As well as Cardzone its card retail business also has shops that trade under Card Centre.

Below: David Robertson will help to tweak the greeting card and gift selection in Cardzone stores.

Paul Taylor has been a prominent figure in the greeting card industry for a long time but last month his profile with card publishers, gift suppliers and independent retailers was raised considerably. With its current 111 stores, the Cardzone group is already a sizeable retail player in the market, trading under the Cardzone, Card Centre, Home & Fragrance brands, as well as the Hallmark factory outlet stores that it took over a couple of years ago.

But take that to over 200 stores, the goal Paul has set his sights in reaching by 2020, and it takes the Midlands-based business into a different league.

However it was not just the growth projection for the number of stores in the estate that attracted the attention of the trade, but the appointment of some key personnel to its senior management team, as well as the open admission that Cardzone is 36

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

courting independents to see if they are interested in selling their businesses that caused the ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’.

At a time when retailing generally is taking something of a battering and the greeting card market is, at best, being seen as mature, are Cardzone’s ambitions foolhardy or wonderfully opportunistic?

Certainly, Paul Taylor is no fool, with a career heritage in both card publishing (starting out on the sales side for UKG’s forerunner) and retailing (including as a director of Greetings Store Group and then part of B&M) that has stood him in good stead to date. If greeting cards are his ‘right arm’ then retailing is his left one. And the latest additions to the Cardzone’s management team adds some real ‘legs’.

“Retailing is tough, but then, to a certain extent, it always has been, but that doesn’t mean it is impossible,” says Paul Taylor. “We have a big picture of where we want to be, and we are on our way to achieving that now.

Investing in the right people is very much part of that,” he assured.

While Paul will continue very much as the front man of the business, the appointment of independent Scottish retailer (and PG columnist) David Robertson two days a week as business development director;

36-37.qxp_Grid 02/03/2018 10:28 Page 37

Retailer Face To Face

former Card Factory chairman Kevin Pacey, now a non-executive director; Kevin Hart, formerly sales director at Thorntons, now Cardzone’s acquisitions manager and James Taylor (Paul’s son) who has recently joined the board as trading director, all on top of the company’s existing rock solid team, broadens its base of expertise.

Being able to draw on Kevin Pacey’s experience with Card Factory - he was its chairman in the run up to its flotation - gives Cardzone extra credibility should it be needed with major landlords, banks or investors.

Meanwhile, what David Robertson brings is a sensitivity towards product selection (especially higher end cards and gifts) that is so apparent in his JP Pozzi/Bijou mini-group of shops in Buckie and Elgin. And, being located in Scotland, a targeted growth area for Cardzone, David is well placed to help grow the multiple’s footprint there, both organically and acquisitively.

“Scotland and Ireland are two key growth areas for us,” reveals Paul. “David

being based in Scotland will be a big help.

We currently only have two stores in Scotland, in Greta and Livingston, both of whom are our Hallmark factory outlets,” Paul elaborates.

In readiness for an expansion to 20 stores by the end of the year, Evelyn Morrisson, formerly of Xpressions 4U and Hallmark, joined the company at the start of this month as its first territory manager for Scotland.

Northern Ireland is another key target area. “We only have three stores there – one Hallmark factory outlet and two that trade under Card Centre,” says Paul.

In tandem with pursuing new store unit opportunities on the Above: Home & Fragrance is another retailing brand which is part of the Cardzone family.

Left: Taking over Hallmark’s factory outlet stores not only has enabled Cardzone to expand into outlet malls, but also took it into Scotland, an area of potential.

open market (it took on two iCandy store units following the retailer going into receivership, for example) Paul truly believes that Cardzone’s expansion aspirations could be welcome news for independent retailers who are currently considering selling their shops.

“Good independents are and have been the lifeblood of the card world, but we understand that many are now looking for a way out due to the rising costs and increasingly tough trading times,” he says.

Elaborating, he says that if it is the right fit (a basic qualifier being that a store’s annual sales should be £200K or above) an indie could sell their shop to Cardzone as a going concern.

“We will offer a fair deal, a good price will be paid, existing staff can retain their jobs and the current owners can stay on too if that is what they want,” adds Paul, offering a ‘Taylor-ed’ approach that is likely to ‘suit’ both indies looking to sell and the specialist multiple’s plan to expand its girth!

Ambidextrous Robertson At first, the arrangement between Cardzone and David Robertson may sound a bit like running with the hare and hunting with the hounds. Someone who is a staunch independent retailer who is now dedicating two days a week to helping a multiple to grow.

Under the new arrangement, David has taken on a newly created role of business development director for Cardzone, while still continuing to run his JP Pozzi/Bijou retail business.

As well as tasked with expanding Cardzone’s presence in Scotland and Northern Ireland, David will further develop the greeting card and gift selection stocked by the multiple.

“This is a very exciting opportunity for me, to make a difference and test myself. I have known Paul Taylor for many years. He only had 16 stores when I first met him so I have witnessed how he has grown the Cardzone business. I truly believe that Paul Taylor will be the second biggest player in our industry and I want to help him achieve that,” said David. He has resigned from many of his other commitments, so that he can focus on his own business and new role with Cardzone.

“The only commitment I have kept is the column in Progressive Greetings and in time I can see Above: David Robertson in his own Bijou store in Elgin. this new position allowing me to bring a different perspective to what I write about each month,” says David.

Conversations are already underway to take more upmarket card brands and gift lines into the appropriate stores within the Cardzone estate, with LSA glassware and Gaeltag angels being instore for the first time, in readiness for Mother’s Day. David has ready visited a few indies who are interested to learn know more about the opportunities of selling to Cardzone. “It has been good to visit stores that are currently struggling and knowing that if they come under the Cardzone banner we can really make a difference to the store and staff and turn around what are currently failing stores,” reveals David.

Having run his own businesses for many years, David is no “yes man”. Although he has a huge respect for Paul Taylor and his business model, David says that the relationship between the two has flourished through years of challenging each other’s business approaches, very much like a ‘younger brother’ challenges a more experienced older sibling. “We agree on some and agree to disagree on others. All healthy banter and good for both our businesses!” said David.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

37

• Beautiful rainbow lustre effect. • Delicately finished with gemstones.

38_PG_March 2018.indd 38

23/02/2018 14:41

39_41_43_45_PG Innovations March.qxp_38-39/40-41 23/02/2018 08:36 Page 39

PG showcases a selection of new product launches

More Russell-ing Inspired by her popular homewares collections, illustrator Helen Russell has launched a range of greeting cards with Natural Partners Art. Blob Birds, Little Bean Critters and Puffin Cove Colony are some of the cute creatures that have found their way onto Helen’s ceramic tableware, kitchen textiles, illustrations and sculptures… and now they appear in an initial range of 30 greeting cards.

Natural Partners 07714 768956 www.naturalpartnersart.co.uk

Star Gazing

South Westerly Direction

New publisher Family Designs is debuting with Baby Zodiac, a greeting card range the designs of which depict signs of zodiac as little babies. Covering all the signs of the zodiac, the cards are 135mm square, printed on a white 280gsm board and cellowrapped with white envelopes. They are designed and printed in the UK, FSC-certified, recycle-friendly and suitable for children under 3 as they contain no foiling, flitter or small parts.

Lanternfish Publishing has launched 45 new designs into its Coastline Cornwall range of art cards. Taken from paintings by artist Michael Sanders, the atmospheric, colourful and beautifully painted designs feature well-known views of Cornwall and generic beach scenes with dog walkers and families on holiday.

Family Designs 07967776635 www.familydesigns.co.uk

Lanternfish Publishing 01263 825280 www.lanternfishpublishing.co.uk

Packing A Punch U Studio Design’s new Irreverence range delivers a big hit of neon with punchy and relevant quotes. Designed by Tony Cresswell, the range comprises 16 card designs and 12 postcard designs. The on-trend range of matte cards can be used for any occasion.

U Studio Design 0117 944 5050 www.ustudio.design

Animal Instincts Etched In The Memory Following its success in open captions, Pigment has extended its Etched collection by adding 22 designs covering all the main relations and occasions! Witty one-liners and puns galore combine with funny little etchings which incorporate eye-catching spot UV and embossing.

The range is available in a mixture of euro and off-square sizes with a kraft envelope.

Pigment 01423 520098 www.pigmentproductions.com

The winning combination of animals and humour has been done proud by Ezen Design. The publisher has added another 22 new designs to the range covering birthdays, occasions and general sends, taking it up to a total of 130 designs.

Continuing a popular element of the range, each design includes a trivia write-up on the back of the cards. A6 in size, the cards are produced on 300gsm pearlescent paper, with a foiled embossed envelope.

Ezen Designs 020 7354 5000 www.ezen.co.uk PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

39

Birthday, blank & occasion cards!

(t) 0116 230 4197 (f) 01536 401 031 (w) mint-publishing.co.uk

40_PG_March 2018.indd 1

27/02/2018 10:41

39_41_43_45_PG Innovations March.qxp_38-39/40-41 23/02/2018 08:36 Page 41

PG showcases a selection of new product launches

Caught On Camera Respected wildlife photographer, Mark Blake has taken the plunge and launched his own greeting card company, Wild in Print. The company debuts with 70 blank and 30 birthday designs, all of which depict British wildlife captured on camera in their natural habitat.

Wild in Print 07900 273121 www.wildinprint.com

Positive Thinking

Barking Up More Trees

Happy Thoughts is a new range of 72 mini cards from Card Nest. The designs feature hand-lettering, floral illustrations, painted brushstrokes and cover diverse sending occasions, with a consistent colour palette running through the collection. Each card is printed onto a premium uncoated card stock, features luxe gold foil and is paired with a luxurious envelope.

The Jenkins & Friends collection began with one card based on publisher Lorna Syson’s dog, Jenkins. But this was just the start – as more cards have followed, based on Lorna’s friends’ and customers’ pets. Some 15 new designs have just been added to the collection, each capturing the animal’s personalities with their favourite toys! The cards are accompanied by a brown envelope.

Card Nest 01173250369 www.wholesale.cardnest.com

Lorna Syson 02084659819 www.lornasyson.co.uk

It’s Party Time Tony Fernandes has been at it again! The talented cartoonist has turned his skill to creating a range featuring ‘faberge chicks’ which will go down well with party girls and shopaholics alike. The 12 ‘daft chickens’ designs (all 5” x7”) were created in pen, ink, watercolour and a splosh of champagne, apparently!

Tony Fernandes Design 01142 620899 www.tonyfernandesdesign.com

Touching Words Light Up Your Life Perfect as a gift or self-purchase, the Nordic Lights range by Xpressions is a collection of elegantly designed tealight candle shades, candle holders and burners. The intricacy of the fine porcelain designs really come to life when a lit candle is placed within any of the products in the range.

Words of Wisdom is the first sentiment range Wrendale Designs has ever produced. Each of the 12cm square designs feature an illustration (by company founder Hannah Dale), coupled with a motivating message, finished in gold foil. The cards are supplied wrapped with a kraft recycled envelope.

The card range sits within a collection of beautifully illustrated journals.

Xpressions 020 8756 7793 www.xpressionsgifts.co.uk

Wrendale Designs 01652 680253 www.wrendaledesigns.co.uk

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

41

london transport museum

24-25 APRIL 2018

Inspire your customers by browsing fabulously fashionable stationery and gifts at this year’s London Stationery Show.

Fill your shelves with great gifts, irresistible treats and smart essentials that will add style, colour and plenty of reasons for customers to visit again.

London Transport Museum’s archives transcend the story of the world’s greatest capital city. Celebrating the iconic art and design of the Underground and unique pictures of London, leisure, travel and nature — all life is here.

This exciting new range of greetings cards, notecards and gift stationery is available to order from Museums & Galleries now!

Contact your local agent, register online or call our sales team for more information about our collections.

Make it a date and register now stationeryshow.co.uk @StationeryBytes museumsgalleries.co.uk

@stationeryshowsUK

E: sales@mgml.co.uk

@stationeryshowsUK

Home of the finest arts brands Progressive_Greetings_HPage_Ad_AW_March_Issue.indd 1

42_PG_March 2018.indd 1

T: 01373 462165

27/02/2018 10:41

28/02/2018 11:28

39_41_43_45_PG Innovations March.qxp_38-39/40-41 23/02/2018 08:36 Page 43

PG showcases a selection of new product launches

Wood From The Tree The designs in Laura Sherratt Designs’ new handmade Christmas range, WoodCraft, are each embellished with a bespoke wooden Christmas tree, handpainted with silver glitter. Each design features a wood backdrop, which has been illustrated with Laura's signature small scale line drawings. The range includes general, open, relations and friendship titles. The 120mm x 170mm Christmas cards are printed in the UK on board sourced from The Lake District and come with a red envelope.

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

An Extended Family

An Occasional Kiss

Tracks has bolstered its relations card collection with the addition of 26 new designs across a number of different styles. The Sparkle cards designs are finished with embossing, flitter and a vibrant hot foil, while the Gogglies designs feature strong photographic imagery and ‘gogglie eyes’. All cards are sized 159mm square with curved edges and are individually cellowrapped. The Sparkle designs come with grey envelopes, while the Gogglies cards come with a white envelope.

Punchy in look and message, kissmekwik has just extended its portfolio with some fresh new everyday and occasions designs, including get well. The 10 new funny, cheerful and eyecatching designs feature the publisher’s trademark bright colour palette. kissmekwik 01273 571757 www.kissmekwik.co.uk

Tracks Publishing 01480 435562 www.tracksltd.com

It’s Fiesta Time The Future Is Bright You can’t miss Laura Darrington Design’s new Rio Brights Collection. The 18 vibrant designs feature bold colours, high gloss and embossing and come with a bespoke printed envelope.

Laura Darrington Design 0116 2849660 www.lauradarrington.co.uk

The rainbow colour palette adds to the uplifting feel of Juniper Tree Co’s new contemporary range Fiesta. The range spans 90 designs, covering occasions, ages (18-100) as well as general birthdays.

Based on original abstract artwork by Tanya Palmer, the collection has a fresh design-led feel with on-trend geometrics.

The cards (150mm square) are printed on FSC textured board and come cellowrapped with a recycled envelope.

Juniper Tree Cards 07854 247 554 www.junipertreecards.com

A Feminine Touch Hand-finished with sparkling crystals, The Handcrafted Card Company’s new feminine range Callista comprises 48 designs covering ages, occasions and female relations. Printed on high quality board stock, the designs’ soft colour palette is brought to life with embossing and foiled elements. Handmade in the Potteries in Stoke on Trent, the cards are supplied with an ivory 155mm square envelope.

The Handcrafted Card Company 01782 639733 www.thehandcraftedcardcompany.co.uk PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

43

SE Concepts range A4 ads AW 2.18.pdf

1

14/02/2018

14:41

Great Gift Wra Wrap rp ra

Great Gift Bags

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Great Prices!!

P SIMON ELVIN LTD • SPECIALIST PUBLISHER

For copies of our 2018 brochures containing our complete product ranges CALL US ON: (01628) 526711 EMAIL US AT: sales@simonelvin.com

44_PG_March 2018.indd 44

15/02/2018 12:14

39_41_43_45_PG Innovations March.qxp_38-39/40-41 23/02/2018 08:36 Page 45

PG showcases a selection of new product launches

Christmas Jumpers The natural world combines with the fun of Christmas in Deckled Edge’s Festive Frolics collection. The 14 Christmas card designs, by artist Janna Cossettini, feature horses and farm animals in wintery Christmas scenes wearing fun festive jumpers. The cards measure 150mm x 150mm are printed on thick tactile FSC 350gsm Callisto board and are cellowrapped with a natural eco-kraft fleck envelope.

Deckled Edge 0800 771 07710 or 7736441749 www.decklededge.co.uk

London Life Gender Neutral

Jessica Hogarth has tapped into London life launching a collection of eight gold foiled Christmas designs featuring some of the city’s most famous landmarks, such as St Paul’s Cathedral, Somerset House and Liberty of London. Printed on high quality matte board, the cards measure 120mm x 170mm and come with a coordinating red envelope.

Lizzie Chancellor’s new Cut Out Collection comprises 16 unisex children's cards. The bold cards have being purposefully designed to be non-gender specific. Each card is 150mm in size, printed on lovely paper from the Lake District and accompanied by a kraft fleck envelope.

Jessica Hogarth 07786906648 www.jessicahogarth.com

Lizzie Chancellor 07913921282 www.lizziechancellor.com

Fashion Sense Bexy Boo founder, Bex Hassett has delved back into her days as a fashion design graduate to come up with the new Trendy Wendys range. There are 14 designs in the everyday/occasions range, which all depict fashionistas full of sass and attitude. Each card is foiled and hand-finished with Preciosa crystals and accompanied by a soft peach envelope.

Bexy Boo 01565 830 546 www.bexyboo.co.uk

Cute Move

Heartfelt Funnies

Pink Pig has gone into cuteness overload. There are 26 adorable designs in the new Cutie Crew range.

Illustrations of Westies and Pugs feature along with pink pigs featuring in a diversity of settings covering birthdays and occasions. All cards are printed on crisp white FSC-accredited board, cellowrapped with a textured kraft envelope.

How Funny’s new Love range of 15 designs celebrates all things ‘love’, be it an anniversary, special occasion, birthday, Valentine’s Day or just to say a saucy ‘hello’! All cards are blank inside, 105mm x 150mm in size, printed on premium 324gsm board and come cellowrapped with striking red/fuchsia pink coloured envelopes.

Pink Pig 07583 088596 www.pinkpigcards.co.uk

How Funny 07961 093202 www.how-funny.co.uk PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

45

Inspired luxury gift packaging

HELLO@PENNYKENNEDY.CO.UK

WWW.PENNYKENNEDY.CO.UK

@PENNYKENNEDYUK

TEL: 01892 838 574

46_PG_March 2018.indd 1

28/02/2018 10:52

47.qxp_Grid 01/03/2018 13:32 Page 47

Focus On Giftwrappings - News

Wrap With Love This year, to celebrate the 100th anniversary since Hallmark ‘invented’ giftwrap as we know it, the publisher developed a gorgeous new giftwrappings collection designed to meet the needs of the ‘Three Cs’ - the Convenience, Coordinated or Confident Wrappers - identified from Hallmark’s recent UK consumer giftwrappings research.

The giftwrap industry has come a long way since 1918. A century on, and the beautiful array of trend-led giftwrap designs and finishes now help millions wrap with love their gift giving.

Focus On Giftwrappings shares the current news, views and fresh launches of 2018.

Paper Tiger Launched at Spring Fair, Museums & Galleries has added a whopping 32 new giftwraps into its already substantial collection for 2018, to reflect the diversity and strength of its expanded portfolio of licences. These cover everything from bold colour and graphic repeats (Transport for London, Cressida Bell) to contemporary designs (Matthew Williamson, Dee Hardwicke) to stylish and heritage looks (British Museum, Natural History Museum, V&A). In addition, its Character wrap offering has gained a new ‘bear’ signing too a great Paddington repeat design featuring artwork from Peggy Fortnum, the original artist for Michael Bond’s books.

Museum & Galleries’ creative director, Ben Dorney expands: “All in all we now offer over 60 giftwrap designs across single-sided, double-sided, and foiled giftwrap, so it’s quite a compelling range for any retailer.”

Above: Museums & Galleries’ stand at Spring Fair displayed the 60+ giftwrap designs it now offers.

Left: Get your paws on some Paddington Bear giftwrap from Museums & Galleries.

Taking the wrap The recent success of Danilo's greeting card ranges which broaden its portfolio, including licences such as Ladybird, Enid Blyton and Action Man has prompted the publisher to extend the offering with a range of single sheet flat wrap (subject to licensor approval).

“A small selection of the flat wraps were launched at Spring Fair and the reaction so far has been extremely positive”, states Danilo’s creative director, Martin Carter.

Right: Danilo’s selection of licenced flat wraps displayed at Spring Fair.

A new squeeze Eurowrap’s 25th anniversary This year marks the 25th anniversary of Eurowrap - a milestone that Martin Bramley, md of the giftwrappings company finds it hard to believe. “It seems like yesterday that we started Eurowrap, out of a dingy warehouse in Liverpool, with Superdrug and Matalan among our first customers.”

It all came about as Martin was initially asked to become a UK sales agent for a Danish giftwrap company. “I thought it might be a good idea - and it was!” says Martin, reflecting on how Eurowrap has gone to become the force it is in the giftwrap scene.

The optimistic proverbial phrase "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade" is ringing true for a creative tie-up between Deva Designs and card publisher, Stop the Clock Designs.

“Who would have thought a repeat pattern of lemons would go straight into number one position!” declares Andrew Maddock, md of Deva. Named 'Citrus' and part of a complete giftwrappings collection from Stop the Clock, the strong, fresh, tight repeat lemons design has paved the way to give retailers a bright new look for spring.

Fresh fields Reuben Duffy is one of two experienced designers joining the Deva team. He says of his new role: “I’m thrilled to working for such a well-know brand within the giftwrappings industry, and with fresh eyes I bring my skills as a greeting card illustrator and apply this to surface pattern design and gifting product.”

A crafted composure Above: Martin Bramley (left) on the Eurowrap stand at Frankfurt’s Paperworld show with Australian customer Craig Harris of Expressions Plus.

Above right: The future is bright, the future is lemons! – a Stop the Clock giftbag from Deva Designs.

Right: Photowrap’s ‘Make it Medley’ is a complex 1,000 piece jigsaw by Ravensburger.

For the past five years Greg Shepherd of giftwrap publisher Photowrap has been creating still-life photographs for Ravensburger jigsaws. And Greg’s ‘Make it Medley’, number 11 in Ravensburger’s 1000 piece ‘Perplexing Puzzle’ range, has just gone into retail in the UK. Prior to launch, word had got through the Ravensburger grapevine, and its Australia branch wants a piece of the action too.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

47

Our brand new stunning Christmas collection is now available!

Order before May to guarantee your chosen designs.

01274 655980 sales@glick.co.uk www.glick.co.uk Unit 1 Allenby House, European Ind. Park, Knowles Lane, Bradford BD4 9AB

Glick PG_March 2018 Ad_FINAL.indd 1 48_PG_March 2018.indd 48

@glickgiftwrap

19/02/2018 13:45 19/02/2018 14:10

49_51.qxp_Grid 28/02/2018 15:17 Page 1

Giftwrap Trends

Paper Moon While still feeling a glow for the gorgeousness of gold metallic finishes, and with many remaining steady on the quest to join the green potted plant party, giftwrap designs for 2018 are still encapsulating elements of these on-going trends, along with some designs of kooki jumper and hat wearing unicorn brethren. But not so much waiting in the wings as about to step into the floodlights are this year’s retranslated 80s floral chintz designs, exotic travel and cityscape iconography, triggering thoughts of far flung places, and, even further afield, starry states of the ethereal and dreams.

A twinkling burst of giftwrap experts form their cosmic skyline of this year’s wrap design trends.

Kelly Hyatt, director of Lagom Design: “The trend for high-end paper, made with as much attention to design and quality as the card and gift themselves, is something we’ve always done. And perhaps now environmental issues are leading people to see wrap not simply as a by-product of gift giving but an integral part of the gift itself; something to be carefully unwrapped and re used or kept.”

House style Ikigai (Ee-kee-gah-ee) - is a Japanese philosophy that happiness comes from having a purpose in life. We’ve always been inspired by the care taken in Japanese culture to do things right, especially when it comes to wrapping gifts and products. Our Ikigai range is printed in full colour and foil with colours ranging from blossom pink to indigo.

So far this year we’ve really turned up the colour in our collections, and echoes of the Memphis group with graphic shapes and unabashed colours peppered with sweet, pale pink.”

Below: Memphis Group inspired wrap from Lagom.

Tim Solnick, director for Roger la Borde: “The cacti and succulent trend is still going strong, as reflected by our popular Joshua Tree and Hot House collections. These plants are the (literal) backdrop to outdoor music festivals in the USA. As these events have gained Instagram popularity, cacti and succulents have become synonymous with summery freedoms and fun - it’s no surprise that this trend persists! The trend goes hand-in-hand with the indoor gardening revival. Green may be so-last-year according to Pantone, but you’ll still find a #jungalow in a well-styled home.

Another trend we’ve spotted is floral 80s chintz. Once kitschy, overdone and frankly undesirable, it seems we are ready for it again after years of minimalist Scandi-chic. The new chintz comes in updated, fresh colourways and has popped up on the catwalk and beyond. We’ve worked with iconic British design house Sanderson to update one of its gorgeous exuberant florals, creating vibrant gift wrap with a nostalgic edge.”

House style “Our signature style of wrap is all about luxurious use of colour, bold prints and a dash of playfulness. Our 2018 collection features 12 double-sided designs, adding an extra dimension of fun. Our newest Top: Stunning double-sided cacti designs

by Sanderson, Katie Vernon and Kate giftwrap from Roger la Borde.

Pugsley centre on blooms, birds and Above: Reborn floral chintz Sanderson wrap from Roger la Borde. botanicals, with an element of fairytale magic: mysterious moody-coloured forests, swans and ethereal pink skies, plus cacti and deliciously OTT florals.”

Hannah Greenwood, creative manager for Gift Presentation for Hallmark: “Art as a means of expression and escape has featured heavily across the catwalks and social media recently. From bright florals and bold palm leaf imagery - giving us an escape to a tropical paradise - to more ethereal, spiritual and fantasy themes, with colour palettes taken from crystals and featuring unicorns and mermaids. We also see vintage styling across male trends, the hint of nostalgia providing an escape to a more comforting/safe era when things were less complicated.”

House style “The trend for surface pattern derived from mark-making has been around for a couple of years now but in 2018 we really see it become bold and expressive with much brighter colours overlaid with striking black contrasts.

You can see this trend in our contemporary female GP look.

Our male contemporary look is a good example of the trend for vintage styling, with the muted mid-century colour palette and nostalgic New York cityscape.”

Above: Expressionist mark-making continues to be a strong look - from Hallmark.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

49

Gift Bags

Note Book

Address Book

Gift Tag

Gift Boxes

Gift Wrap Stationery

L E A DI NG SU PPLIER O F GIFT PACK AGI N G & STAT IONE RY. Partisan products is a high quality supplier of gift packaging and stationery products to the wholesale trade, we offer matching ranges of: • GIFT BAGS • GIFT WRAP • GIFT TAGS

• GIFT BOXES • TISSUE PAPER • GIFT STATIONERY

Please contact our sales office for your nearest stockist.

50_PG_March 2018.indd 1

To order a brochure or talk to us directly please contact: Tel: 01942 405222 E-mail: sales@partisanproducts.co.uk

28/02/2018 10:51

49_51.qxp_Grid 01/03/2018 11:59 Page 51

Giftwrap Trends

Amelia Strawson, marketing manager for Penny Kennedy: “Travel is a trend that we predict will continue to grow. But it’s not just about leafy rainforests, think large scale leaf prints in deep, rich colours, safari wildlife and exotic birds. You can see this trend across Sara Miller’s latest designs, which are inspired by her love for exploring the world and have a really luxurious finish that suits the tropical colours and patterns.

As with interiors and fashion, colour palettes for 2018 will continue the trend for ice-cream colours, which are fresh, bright and perfect for any celebration. You can really see this trend stand out in Louise Tiler’s designs, complemented by fresh, spring florals and stripes with foil finishing.

In 2018 we will also see lots of bright colours that pop, which makes perfect sense, because consumers want their gift to stand out, and a striking colour is one of the best ways to catch the eye. This season, we’ve incorporated neon into our Happy Jackson range. There’s no way it can fail to raise a smile!”

Above: Louise Tiler giftwrap is gold and glorious - from Penny Kennedy Right: On safari - a Sara Miller London design from Penny Kennedy.

Luca Bridges, senior sales & marketing coordinator for Caroline Gardner: “We are finding that with our giftwrapping finishes are hugely popular. We now have three glittered wraps that are among our best sellers, plus a beautiful craft paper wrap with a white screen print heart design. We also find prints and patterns really work for wrapping paper, as they can translate to multiple occasions.”

Andrew Maddock, managing director for Deva Designs:

“So what of the trends for this year?... a bit of a mixed bag to be honest, and life has to move on from cacti, llamas and unicorns! Saying that, I did see quite a few gents' dickie bows at the Spring Fair. I designed one for our latest collection thinking I was a bit 'out there' with the hipster trend look, and so did others. We actually always Right: Glittered spots on a Caroline Gardner design. do really well with wraps designed for Below: Caroline Gardner popular palm print wrap. men. We don't all like football, boats and beer.

Above: Vintage dickie bows wrap Travel seems to be filtering from Deva Designs. through to. We have worked Left: Jessica Hogarth’s Parisian icons House style and cityscape from Deva Designs. with Jessica Hogarth for a “We saw a lot of green coming number of years and she encouraged me to through on the SS18 catwalks build wrap and bags around her Paris icons and we have incorporated this collection - and she was bang on. There are into our gift ranges as well as lots of London icons and cityscapes out there so the wrap. The gorgeous rich watch this space for Christmas.” green palm print with white House style detailing really stands out and “The beauty of working with Designers Guild has been a big hit!” is that it sets the trends rather than follow them. And when we go down to see the launch of the latest Becky Dobson, director for Glick: collection from Trisha Guild there “Metallic finishes, especially gold. Most of our new ranges for SS18 have is always a giddy excitement in beautiful gold foiling. Stephanie Dyment, our Henries Award winning the room. range from 2017, has beautiful florals with delicate gold foil detail.

Launching this month is The tropical trend is strong - lots of bold colours and tropical 'Sibylla' - the Guild describes it as 'a subjects are around for Spring 18. beautifully drawn evocation of Colour pops - we still have lots of neon in our range but now in summer cottage garden with a smaller surprises, which has moved this much loved trend into 2018. plethora of flowers and the Unicorns - who doesn’t love a unicorn? It’s THE design of the occasional butterfly'. It’s stunning, moment and bought by and for people of all ages. Our I Drew This fresh and exciting. unicorn design has been a huge hit since Finally, a new move is the its launch a year ago, and a slightly more colour blocking of roll wraps. Deva grown up version from Paper Salad has has always sold solid colour roll recently joined our wraps in our Essential collection, collection and we love it. but our 'New Essential Additions' Hummingbirds - this trend is coming through on expands on the concept with clothing, interiors, you name it!” simple broad appeal patterns in Above right: Gin has taken off in a big way. The new Stephanie Dyment collection from Glick solid colours, which allows stores enhances the design with metallic foiling. to create a real impact with their Left: The colour pops in the new Think Of Me range from Glick would brighten up anyone’s day. roll wrap.”

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

51

SINGLE SHEET WRAP

www.danilo.com tel: 01992 702 900 sales@danilo.com

DESIGNS SUBJECT TO APPROVAL

Published by

56996_DANILO_PG_SingleSheet_Advert.indd 1 52_PG_March 2018.indd 1

© 2018 & TM Julia Donaldson/Axel Scheffler. Artworks and concept by Amit Shimoni. © RDNL/QB 2018 | © 2018 Hasbro | A Beano Studios Product © DC Thomson Ltd (2018) © 2018 Hasbro. Copyright | © 2018, Hodder & Stoughton Limited. All rights reserved.

26/02/2018 17:06 27/02/2018 10:42

53_55.qxp_Grid 28/02/2018 15:23 Page 1

New Giftwrap Launches

Paper Cuts

With a rainbow of beautiful giftwrapping designs making their initial (paper) cut into the market, PG discovers more about these new collections. l Cinnamon Aitch is presenting four lovely gift bags designs using the very pretty artwork from the publisher’s Cherry Blossom range. Contemporary florals and ditsy heart patterns come with co-ordinating gift tags, brightly coloured grosgrain ribbon handles and nickel eyelet details. Each design comes in four different sizes with the addition of two bottle bag designs in two of the patterns: The perfect finishing touch for beautiful gift giving.

l Everyone loves a unicorn, and Kali Stileman Publishing’s spring wrap celebrates these prancing beauties in pink and white with polka dots, surrounded by leafy wreaths, berries and flowers. The backdrop creates magical soft green fields as a refreshing contrast to the typical sugary pinks. Additionally, its ‘Best Wishes’ birdy wrap is adorned with love hearts, circles of multi-colour pebbles and delicate white swirls, and features distinct rainbow-birdies collecting purple and yellow blossoms in their beaks.

l Clear Creations’ giftwrap range began as an addition to its handfinished greeting cards. The latest wrap additions are called Elly Jane, and are inspired by woodland and animal themes. The beautiful designs feature pastel colours, including lemon, mint green and baby blue, and a range of small creatures such as butterflies, bunnies and ducklings.

Each sheet is 50cm x 70cm.

l New for Spring/Summer 2018, Lagom has some lively new florals by Monika Forsberg and its Zoo portraits have had a colourful makeover. Its Ikigai collection comes in colours ranging from blossom pink to indigo and is highlighted with metallic foil. Director Kelly Hyatt, has also produced some dramatic, graphic wrap with a daring mix of black and playful colours, inspired by his love of the iconic 1980s Memphis Group.

l Earlybird has launched a wrapping paper collaboration with contemporary artist Eloise Renouf. Her emotive screen prints, which capture the beauty of the organic world, have been beautifully recreated into six giftwrap designs.

Printed onto quality matt 110gsm paper, the wrap complements her existing card range with Earlybird.

l The Art File’s award winning giftwraps are full of theatre, originality and colour, specifically designed to turn heads in store for its customers. The publisher now has a design in its extensive collection for every occasion and everybody. It has added over 10 brand new flat wrap and roll wrap designs for 2018.

l For 2018 Eurowrap has introduced 14 new everyday roll wrap designs and eight new Christmas roll wrap designs that fully coordinate with tags, bags, boxes and tissue so retailers can show off a comprehensive matching collection.

For Christmas, there is glitter wrap as well as a hot stamp foil kraft collection and of course, the tartan and stag look is still on trend.

l Ginger Hare giftwrap is a bold, bright and beautiful range that features everything from florals to fancy alpacas. The company is always hard at work coming up with new and exciting prints to suit every wrapping occasion. Watch out for its soon to launch summer berry and tropical fruit prints.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

53

54_PG_March 2018.indd 1

26/02/2018 16:06

53_55.qxp_Grid 01/03/2018 12:17 Page 55

New Giftwrap Launches

l Featuring the distinctive and popular emoji®, Gemma has recently added new designs to its giftwrap range, including the on-trend and hugely appealing emoji® Unicorn. Bringing a fresh, bold, funky look and the most recognisable smiling face emoticons, the new range includes two sheet two tag gift packs, large gift bags and roll wrap. l Globe Enterprise has been specialising in luxurious handmade giftwrap papers for nearly 25 years and in that time it has earned a stellar reputation for its striking designs and vibrant colours. Its giftwrap papers are handmade from recycled cotton and hand screen-printed to a fine finish. For Spring 2018, it is presenting its new designs in bright, bold colours, with matching gift bags and gift boxes.

l With colours inspired by a holiday in Majorca (or any preferred location ha ha!) Judy Lumley Print has 10 brand new wrapping paper designs on beautiful 100gms matt paper.

Focusing on hand-printed and painting techniques, the range includes pretty botanicals, soft watery patterns and bold splashy abstracts. From pistachio, lilac and lemon through to vibrant lime, pink and turquoise, there will be just the paper to make gifts look extra special. l Jonathan Glick has announced the launch of 10 new giftwrap designs for spring. These are added to the successful ranges of metallics and chic styles using natural images. Printed on matt 100gsm paper, there are also accompanying new gift bags with simple designs that can be used for many different occasions.

l Belly Button’s Bubble giftwrap brand is adopting a new approach to Christmas by introducing a collection that can extend beyond one season. The colours and captions have been carefully selected to work concurrently for everyday too (available for delivery August 2018). Additionally, its new Noir range is based on opulent textures and materials, innovatively paired with foil finish - shiny copper and satin gold - to create a sophisticated look. l Madrid-based Spanish designer and illustrator Blanca Gomez has designed four new giftwraps for U Studio, to go along with the publisher’s ever-expanding range of her products. The quirky patterns made them extremely well received among customers, who already love her card collection by U Studio. The most popular design is Little Plants, a collection of succulents with muted hues. l Artist Janna of Deckled Edge has launched new Christmas giftwrap designs featuring stunning unicorns, some with Santa hats; sweet robins and field mice with woodland pinecones and holly berries; a snowy mare and foal scene; and the final design is of gingerbread men, citrus, cinnamon sticks and star anise. The wrap measure 50cm x 70cm, is printed on lovely uncoated FSC 100gsm paper, and is entirely British made. l Following the success of its Matthew Williamson foiled wrap, Museums & Galleries launched V&A foiled wrap at Spring Fair 2018, which looks set to be equally popular, while offering a more heritageinspired angle. For both brand styles, as well as Cressida Bell and Transport for London, MGML has also launched new doublesided giftwrap this year, featuring rich solid colours on the reverse to complement each front design. Interestingly, its new Natural History Museum range is sourced from classic archive material, but the kaleidoscopic/geometric style is utterly fresh and trend-led.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

55

BOTANICAL

ARGENTO

DECO

JUICE

INDIGO

BROCADE

DOODLES XMAS

Tel 01206 242483 Fax 01206 241180

sales@theuniquepapercompany.co.uk

www.theuniquepapercompany.co.uk

UPC MGW Advert Feb 2018 v2.indd 1 56_PG_March 2018.indd 56

20/02/2018 10:54 21/02/2018 15:53

57_59.qxp_Grid 05/03/2018 09:29 Page 57

In Profile... The Happy News

SPREADING THE

Below: Emily Coxhead, creator of The Happy News with the tuk tuk Widdop and Co had on its stand at Spring Fair to showcase its new gift and accessories licensed range.

So many people have turned away from reading newspapers or tuning in to watch the news on TV because they find it too depressing; the online world is littered with fake news, and blame culture has made social media increasingly super cynical.

But there is another way... with Emily Coxhead, the creator behind The Happy News a front runner in leading a positive charge. Hot on the heels of major Happy News launches from Widdop and Co, Blueprint Collections, Portico and Pigment being unveiled, PG caught up with the infectiously joyful thinker.

Retailers couldn’t stop themselves smiling at the sunshine yellow tuk tuk festooned with colourful products on the Widdop and Co stand at Spring Fair and surrendered to the positive waves emanating from the front of the Blueprint Collections’ stand - both companies showcasing their respective range debuts of The Happy News, which will make their way into retail in a few months.

Meanwhile the Pigment stand at the show was a decidedly happy place, sharing sneak peeks of a whole new look for its next Happy News card collection, which will officially launch at PG Live in June.

Add to that the unveiling of The Happy News calendar and diaries collection from Portico, the ongoing development of personalised products from Moonpig, Richard

Branson giving a very big public thumbs-up for Emily’s recently published Make Someone Happy book from Penguin Random House, not to mention a bumper edition of The Happy News free newspaper (that kicked off the whole caboodle) now doing its good work out in the world and Ms Coxhead has heaps of reasons to be even more cheerful than she is normally, if that is possible.

Above: A sneak peek of the new look for The Happy News card range from Pigment that will launch officially at PG Live in June.

Left: A new edition of The Happy News newspaper was published last month.

Right: The Blueprint Collections’ stand fanfared its Happy News collection at the Spring Fair.

Emily’s smiley demeanor, genuine urge to spread happiness and celebrate all that is good in the world, isn’t just a front. No one could sustain it for that long, especially given the crazy hours she works and the commitments she takes on, were it not innate.

As Pigment’s creative director Martin Powderly (who first met Emily in 2016), sums up: “She has an unflinching happiness that you cannot help but gravitate towards, which is what gives Happy News its authenticity - and that’s me saying it as a sometimes cynical bloke from Northern Ireland!”

Back then Emily was already writing and publishing Happy News, a free newspaper crammed full of positive news stories, all of which true, about world events or outstanding people.

Emily distributed the Happy News newspapers in hospitals, its print run limited by whatever ‘sponsorship support’ she had secured for that edition.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

57

BUILDING BUSINESS. C U LT I VAT I N G CO N N E C T I O N S .

The NSS is the only North American trade show for global buyers and sellers of greeting cards, stationery and lifestyle products. Come for the incredible business opportunities.

Leave with an experience like no other.

MAY 20 - 23, 2018

#NSS2018 58_PG_March 2018.indd 58

23/02/2018 09:19

57_59.qxp_Grid 05/03/2018 09:29 Page 59

In Profile... The Happy News

WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY…? “…Tea, sunshine, the seaside, cookies and my family (not necessarily in that order!)”

Emily Coxhead, creator of The Happy News

“…Being able to walk to work through Harrogate on a crisp, sunny winter morning, smelling the coffee and warm croissants coming out of the cafes that I pass.”

Martin Powderly, creative director of Pigment Martin immediately spotted how this uplifting philosophy, combined with Emily’s quirky illustrations and engaging messages would work so well if its essence was translated onto greeting cards, becoming a reality last January.

And with Pigment leading the way, a licensing programme - crafted

by Alicia Davenport, director of licensing agency DRi - has followed, evidenced in the signings with Moonpig, Portico, Blueprint and Widdop and Co, with more to follow.

“Happy News clicks into the public groundswell for wellbeing and mindfulness, but also has its roots in traditional sentiment, yet delivered in a contemporary way,” suggests Pigment’s Martin Powderly. He goes so far as to suggest that Emily is ‘a key figure in this trend,” a status she has earned through “being tuned-in and genuine in her message.”

When asked how Emily feels about Martin’s elevation of her to ‘leader of the happy world’, she is typically buoyant. “That’s a big statement, but I guess if there’s any world I’d like to be the leading voice in, it would be the happy world. In all seriousness though, the fact that I can make people smile for a living itself is pretty incredible and being able to reach more people and do that on a much larger scale is amazing and overwhelming, but mostly wonderful.”

While the next wave of Happy News cards from Pigment are waiting in the wings until PG Live (expect a sophisticated new colour palette and square format), the broad gift and accessories collection from Widdop and Co, stationery range from Blueprint and dated products from Portico brings the brand alive in other product sectors.

Emily, of course, has been heavily involved in all the product development, admitting it has been a bit of a step change from greeting card design.

“With greeting cards you’re considering exactly what occasion or relation that card is

Above: Emily Coxhead used to make her ‘Happiness Jars’ personally, filled with handwritten uplifting messages, now Widdop and Co is manufacturing a version under licence.

Left: Richard Branson wrote a blog championing Emily and her new book, Make Someone Happy, published

by Penguin Random House.

Below: In the immediate watershed after the Manchester bombings last year, Emily initiated a Wonderwall of supportive messages.

going to be sent to, whereas with non-card product it’s much more open, but you still have to consider who’s going to buy it and why/for who,” she explains, though has enjoyed the process. “I love thinking up new ideas and designs, I used to make ‘happy boxes’ and ‘happy jars’ in my bedroom back in 2015 and sold them on stalls and online and seeing the joy on people’s faces when they looked at them was like pure magic,” adds Emily, citing

the ‘Happy Jars’ that Widdop and Co is producing based on her ‘homegrown’ jars that she created filled with colourful strips of paper featuring uplifting thoughts.

As to the reasons for Happy News and, indeed other uplifting, mindful philosophies are being so well received, Emily senses that they are a backlash against “being constantly surrounded by negativity in the news and media. When we’re going through our own struggles it doesn’t take much for us to feel the rest of the world’s weight and that can be hard

to process when we’re bombarded daily with heart-breaking news and adverts telling us we’re not good enough.”

With a book now published by Penguin Random House featuring her beliefs and all the Happy News products coming onto the market, is this a fruition of a carefully crafted masterplan to launch a monster brand?

“Definitely not, I never envisaged it would grow like this,” admits Emily. “It is daunting at times, I’m making this whole thing up as I go and it seems to be working, but some days I think I have absolutely no clue what I’m doing, and other days I think ‘oh wow I’m the managing/creative/all-round director of my very own brand’ and that’s a pretty big deal when you say it out loud (I don’t say it very often!). I wouldn’t have changed it for the world, as cheesy as it sounds, I found that adding a bit of happiness to other people’s worlds helped me on the not-sogreat days and it’s made even more people smile in the process… I hope that continues!”

When asked where she feels the nation is now on the happiness scorecard Emily admits that we still have some way to go. “I think we’re slowly getting better, but it’s tough to be happy in a world that doesn’t profit from our happiness, we’re often made to feel like we’re missing out, whether that’s the latest gadget or scrolling through social media… we’re all very easily sucked in.”

As to what advice she would give of how we can all get on that sunshine yellow tuk tuk of life, Emily adds: “I think it’s important for us to step back and remember what actually makes us happy and do more of that.”

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

59

52_PG_March 2018.indd 52

21/02/2018 16:50

61_63.qxp_Grid 01/03/2018 11:25 Page 61

Environmental Issue

A Straw

Poll

It started with disposable coffee cups, the focus then shifted to water bottles and then onto plastic straws - everyday items that have been singled out as costing the earth, environmentally.

How are greeting cards faring in the eco front? With sparkly biodegradable flitter expected to be only months away, trials underway on different ways of attaching cards to envelopes, and improved consumer communication on the recyclability of cellobags, a ‘straw poll’ of the latest developments suggests the industry is turning a few shades brighter green.

“Why are we putting greeting cards into individual bags? Is it for protection? Is it for branding? What do consumers really want?

What do retailers really need?” asks Richard Bacon, managing director of Loxleys, the Sheffield-based greeting card printer that is part of the Sherwood Group, highlighting a debate that is ongoing in publishers’ offices and retailers’ stores up and down the UK. Ged Mace, managing director of The Art File, revealed that the publisher is in dialogue with a couple of retailers to trial unwrapped cards to see the effect on sales and the logistics.

“I remember the days when very few publishers, other than those on the wholesale side, used to sell wrapped cards. The belief was that the consumer liked to feel the quality and texture of the card before they bought it. That has all changed, but it could change again,” says Ged. “What have we to lose?”

Meanwhile, greeting card printer Windles feels that there is much ground to be gained in the industry pulling together to educate the consumer and inform the retailer on the recyclability of cellobags – whether they are made from compostable film, PLA (Poly Lactic Acid made from corn starch), biodegradable film made from

Top: There is a groundswell of support to massively reduce the use of plastic straws.

Above: Although environmental issues have been taken seriously by the greeting card industry for years, BBC’s Blue Planet, fronted by David Attenborough, brought it to the fore of the nation.

Left: Loxleys’ Alice Buck with a reel of corn starch film that is now being machine made by the printer as part of trials with publishers.

cellulose (a main substance of plant cell wall) or OPP (Orientated Polypropylene) film, the latter be the most widely used for greeting cards.

Michelle Mills, marketing manager of Windles, feels that there is still a great deal of confusion surrounding the OPP bags (most commonly used in the industry). “It is one of the most recyclable of plastics. When it is recycled it is used to produce film again, or may go to a specialist facility to make garden hoses or furniture for example. Unfortunately, the consumer does not know this, but we are looking at ways of improving on this front.”

Card publisher Pigment totally agrees with Michelle, and is taking steps to do something about it.

“There is no doubt that the consumer is unsure of what is recyclable and what PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

61

PG adverts march.pdf

1

16/02/2017

15:20

What ever sheet size you require, we can print.

DIGITAL

FLEXI

B2

B1

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

windles.co.uk hello@windles.co.uk 01844 201 683 windlesgroup

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...

07952 404586

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

●

Twice weekly newsflash delivered to over 9000 inboxes

●

Regularly updated jobs-board

●

The very latest news, views, articles and analysis

●

Digital issues of Progressive Greetings Worldwide

●

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

4_PG_June 2017.indd 1 62_PG_March 2018.indd 1

News, Editorial and Content Opportunities:

30/06/2017 16:3 27/02/2018 10:44

61_63.qxp_Grid 01/03/2018 11:27 Page 63

Environmental Issue

“

The whole industry is keen to further improve its environmental credentials, but we need to tread carefully to ensure that real solutions are found and can be adopted for the long term.”

A Touch Of Sparkle

Above: Windles’ Michelle Mills quite rightly points out that telling the consumer that cellobags are recyclable is key for the industry.

isn’t, irrespective of what film the cards are wrapped in,” explains Steve. “Any recycling or compostable instruction needs to be on the bag, not the card, as it is an issue for the purchaser not the recipient,” he highlights. Pigment is currently trialling printing the recyclable logo on its bags, using a vegetable-based ink. “We also need to ensure that the printed logo won’t smudge or rub off,” Steve adds.

A trained tree surgeon himself, Steve is well aware of the importance of protecting

At the start of the year, the industry was all aflutter about flitter as tests got underway at industry printers Windles and Loxleys running respective trials for biodegradable options for the sparkly stuff on a few colour options.

Although there have been no traces of any glitter particles from greeting cards making their way into the oceans, the industry is embracing the chance of an effective cellulose-based option.

The encouraging results of these early trials, both of which anchored by Above: Caslon Group, which includes Powder Arts, is hoping St Albans-based thermography experts Powder Arts, to be able to bring a sparkly Christalina biodegradable flitter (part of the Caslon Group), have raised the hopes of to the UK in the next couple of months. eco-glittery alternatives under the brand, which is known for its super sparkly colour combination flitter that is used widely on greeting cards.

“This project has taken over our lives here at Caslon,” states Powder Arts’ thermography specialist Steve Davis. “We have chemists, professors and other technical experts working on this every day. We are probably now a couple of months away from having a biodegradable alternative,” believes Steve. the environment. “The whole industry is keen to further improve its environmental credentials, but we need to tread carefully to ensure that real solutions are found and can be adopted for the long term.”

As well as pressing the button on trials for a new biodegradable compostable film (made from corn starch) that can wrap

The Board Walk As the industry body, the GCA sees part of its role to provide the industry with the wherewithal to protect itself against any unfair criticism, as well as to arm publishers, retailers and trade suppliers with information and developments on issues affecting the sector. As Above: As part of its commitment to improving clarity on environmental issues, the GCA has worked with FSC to update part of this, it has recently updated the fact a fact sheet to make it easier and clearer for publishers using sheet concerning FSC-accredited board which FSC board, which is used by the vast majority. gives the assurance that it comes from a fully sustainable and managed source with a full chain of custody.

Recognising that there are myths and misconceptions surrounding the complexities of different substrates and processes, the GCA is looking to bolster the information hosted on the association’s website that covers environmental aspects.

As part of this an updated factsheet for greeting card publishers developed in conjunction with the Forest Stewardship Council has just been uploaded onto the website, (www.greetingcardassociation.org.uk).

The factsheet covers what constitutes FSC board, all about using an FSC-certified printer, use of the FSC logos as well as other frequently asked questions.

cards ‘in line’ (ie by machine), greeting card printer Loxleys has also been coming at the issue of individually cellowrapping from another angle.

A dedicated team has been working both in Loxley’s Sheffield facility as well as in the Innovation Hub, based at sister company Sherwood’s Nottingham HQ to come up with different attachment options, which would forgo the need for individual bags.

“We are underway with tests using a peelable biodegradable adhesive disk that can affix the card to the envelope to enable them to stay together in the rack, but will not damage either component,” reveals Richard.

Another option being investigated uses ‘bands’ of transparent material (rather than bags) that are snug enough to avoid slippage, but not too tight as to cause any creasing to the card or the envelope.

As Richard points out, “The greeting card industry has been on its environmental journey for years, but there is still plenty more that can be investigated, especially as other industries, such as the food and cosmetic sectors, are also making progress on this front from which we can all benefit.”

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

63

64-65.qxp_Grid 01/03/2018 13:33 Page 64

JEREMY’S JOURNAL Business blogging by publisher Jeremy Corner of Blue Eyed Sun.

New

Habits Jeremy Corner, owner of greeting card publisher Blue Eyed Sun, on changing bad habits.

Are you choosing habits that best serve your interests, the goals of your businesses and your community at large? Choices we might feel considered, often are not. They are habits. A 2006 study found that 40% of the actions we take every day aren’t decisions, they are habitual. These routines can have significant impact on our health, wealth and happiness.

We are the results of our routine behaviour. For example, someone with a muscled physique will regularly exercise and eat well. Someone calm and centred, like the Dalai Lama, will practice daily meditation, prayer, mindfulness.

We all know we should change some habits which are no good for us and yet we often persist in doing them. Why?

then become linked with the cues and rewards in particular.

Habits are powerful because they create neurological cravings that pre-empt the actual receiving of our reward in the three-step loop. For example, supermarkets use smells of freshly baked bread and roasted chicken to trigger cravings before we even arrive in the bakery or deli sections.

We feel the craving prior to even seeing, purchasing or eating the food.

The good news is that habits aren’t set in stone. They can be altered, substituted and ignored. What’s so important about the

How habits work Scientists believe that habits emerge because our brains are constantly looking for ways to save effort and energy. The brain will turn any routine behaviour into a habit if you let it. To do this, our brains go through a three-step loop to trigger ‘habit mode’ (thereby conserving effort) instead of a different mode.

The first step is a cue that triggers our brain to go into automatic mode and which habit to use. Second is the routine, which can be physical, mental or emotional. The third step is the reward, which helps your brain to assess if this particular loop is worth remembering for the future.

This three-step loop of ‘cue - routine reward’ becomes automatic over time.

Powerful senses of anticipation and craving 64

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

three-step loop is that because your brain is working less hard when in ‘habit mode’ you have to choose to fight the habit and introduce new routines in order to change it.

How to create new habits To successfully change our habits we first have to recognise which craving is driving our behaviour. For instance, if you want to send more greeting cards it’s essential that you choose a simple cue (a birthday calendar

Above: We are a result of routine behaviour - A 1000 Words design from U Studio.

Left: Cravings are linked to a reward, such as a delicious ice-cream, as seen on a Scribble & Daub design.

Below: The aroma of freshly baked bread preempts the taste.

on your fridge door) and you need a clear reward (the sense of accomplishment when posting the card).

These are not enough on their own though, because your brain has to start expecting the reward in order for it to become a habit. To do this companies create cravings. Cravings are the reason toothpaste tastes minty instead of sugary, and Febreze is fragrant rather than odourless. Having these qualities makes us crave tingling teeth and fresh smelling homes.

Does this happen with cards? Do textures and fine boards help foster cravings because we have such a tactile relationship with wood and paper? Or do elements like characters, humour and sentiment cause cravings instead?

Before the advent of social media we might have said that the craving behind greeting cards was to feel that sense of love and connection with friends and loved ones. Now we all get these feelings on a daily basis via our mobile devices.

The notifications on our phones cause cravings. The ping, ping, ping sounds and even the red circles with numbers on them on our social media icons all trigger surges of serotonin (the happy hormone) in our brains before we’ve even opened the apps; before we’ve engaged and received our rewards of instant connection to our loved ones.

64-65.qxp_Grid 01/03/2018 13:33 Page 65

JEREMY’S JOURNAL Once you’ve identified the craving that drives your behaviour you need to adapt a new strategy to affect a change in your routine.

The secret to habit change The truth is you can’t get rid of a bad habit, you can only change it. To do this you keep the old cues and rewards and substitute a new alternative routine. Almost any behaviour can be changed in this way. Over time the cravings then reset with positive habits that add more benefit to your life than the old ones. In other words, the brain can be programmed, as long as you are deliberate about it.

For example, recently I noticed that I’d gotten into the habit of spending an hour on social media and reading news before getting up each morning. This habit doesn’t benefit me at all because it allows other people and events to occupy my mind, which affects my cortisol levels (stress hormones) before I’m even out of bed.

In order to change I identified that I had a craving to get things done as soon as I woke up. The trouble is I was confusing being busy with being effective. Having my phone by my bed was my cue. I

switched this cue for my journal, which is now the first thing I grab every day upon waking. I write down five things I’d grateful for, how my life would be without them and how I came to have them in my life (try this, it will change your life. I picked it up from my good friend and life coach Janet Mohapi-Banks). Then I write three pages of my journal to uncage my monkey mind, before meditating for ten minutes and then going for a short run. Upon return I have the reward of having accomplished things that benefit me and prime me for my day ahead.

To change effectively, I also rely on the help of a new group I joined.

Group power Change happens when we believe that it is feasible. You must believe that you can alter your behaviour. If you don’t, it’s difficult to make any progress.

All change happens in an instant.

Snap. You make a decision that you will not suffer another day like this, you cannot carry on, you need to focus on a new direction. The first trick with these moments is to not hesitate. Take an action within five seconds that moves you towards attaining your new goal. Enroll at that gym and schedule the training time in, empty your booze down the sink, book that hypnotherapy session to quit smoking.

It’s key that you believe in your new direction. More often than not, that belief emerges with the help of a group. If you want to raise your standards, figure out a new, more powerful routine that will satisfy the cravings produced by your current modus operandi and then find a group of people that perform at this higher standard. Enlist their support when needed.

Above: Say goodbye to bad habits with group help - a design from Laura Skilbeck.

Below left: UK adults check their phones more than 33 times a day.

Bottom: A Life is Sweet design from Icon.

I joined a personal development group online to build in my new morning habits.

Joining the group has enabled me to conquer my fears, grow my confidence levels and reach my goals faster and more effectively. Groups alter our environment and our state. Over time we adjust to new ways of being through the support of the group and supporting others within the group.

What’s most important to changing our habits is to notice them in the first place.

Noticing our habits Most of us don’t notice the effects of our bad habits. We are acclimatised to them. For example, smoking cigarettes damages our olfactory capacities so much that smokers don’t notice that the effects of smoke on their homes, clothes and breath.

Even if we don’t smoke, we will have habitual behaviours that might stink without us realising. How we speak to ourselves, treat our loved ones, our staff, our customers, whether we slump in front of the TV every night or snack on rubbish, are all habitual behaviours. Are they good habits or bad habits for you and others?

I recently read an online quote that said: ‘We are the sum of the five people we spend the most time with’. Perhaps we are also the sum of our five most common daily habits?

You don’t have to fix all your bad habits. Often there is a keystone habit that if unlocked and altered can have a cascading effect of positivity on our lives and businesses, helping us to grow and prosper.

Read more on Jeremy’s blog at www.blueeyedsun.co.uk/blog Watch The Greeting Card Project weekly videos at www.YouTube.com/TheGreetingCardProject Read more on this subject in The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

65

ART SOURCE

TO APPEAR REGULARLY IN THE

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

66_68_PG_March 2018.indd 1

28/02/2018 11:38

67_69.qxp_49/51 02/03/2018 10:47 Page 67

Art Source PG helps to paint a pretty picture of freelance artists, designers, verse writers and photographers’ worlds in order to promote their talents to publishers and, conversely, make it easier for publishers seeking artists.

ARTIST IN FOCUS

Kerry Bethell I’m a scribbler of words, and a doodler. I adore both fine art and commercial design, and over the years I’ve loved studying and working with both. After graduating in Fine Art quite a few years ago, my urge for adventure took me around the world, and to Japan where I lived for eight years. I worked as an art dealer for a London gallery, and more recently in marketing and PR. I’m completely self-taught in surface pattern design which is where I’m at right now, working on my own creative ideas.

My base is in the UK and I spend some months in the beautiful mountains of Bulgaria, and the island of Koh Samui to feed my passion for adventure.

The challenge of finding balance between self-expression and commercial design drives me. I love creating

WANT TO BE FEATURED?

collections, finding colour combinations, symmetry, surface pattern and typography that works together, with simplicity and strong elements of identity. I draw in ink and much of my design work is done directly in Illustrator and Photoshop.

When approaching a design, I think of the potential final product and how it might be given and received, such as luxury giftwrap, bags, stationery, ceramics and gifts. My inspiration comes from my vision of who would buy these products and their intention… the sentiment is important, and so is style and fun!

Challenges come in stripping back ideas, being aware of, but not completely driven by trends, and often, it’s what I take away rather than what I add that is key to a design. I’m looking for licencing opportunities and partnership. l Email: hello@giftofmuse.com l Web: www.giftofmuse.com l Tel: 07592 831 886

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

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

67

ART SOURCE

TO APPEAR REGULARLY IN THE

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

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

IC Advert Panel A5 Landscape.indd 1 66_68_PG_March 2018.indd 2

09/06/2017 12:01 28/02/2018 11:38

67_69.qxp_49/51 02/03/2018 10:48 Page 69

Art Source

Anisa Makhoul

My name is Anisa Makhoul (pronounced like ‘McCool’ - how cool is that?) and this is the story, in brief, of my journey into art and design, and how it brought me to where I am today.

The daughter of a Lebanese beekeeper, I love to travel. After graduating from Minneapolis College of Art and Design with a degree in Printmaking, I launched my own clothing label, Makool. I designed and screen-printed clothing and fabric at Makool for 10 years at my own shop in Portland, Oregon. I designed for multiple celebrities and received accolades from major publications like Design Sponge, Nylon and Lucky Magazine.

After my son was born, my husband and I decided to pursue our dream of living abroad and so we moved to Amsterdam. It was the canal houses and the old-world beauty of Europe that sent me peddling on my bike to the art supply store to purchase my very first set of gouache paints. Soon after, I started a blog, and in 2014, had my very first solo show in Amsterdam. Things started to snowball for me and I began doing editorial work and licensing my art.

Today, my family and I live in sunny Portland, Oregon - but Europe will always have my heart and I return frequently. My art communicates my journey visually, because visual communication is my mother tongue. l Email: jennifer@jennifer-nelson-artists.com l Web: www.jennifer-nelson-artists.com l Tel: 781-643-2002

Aditi Doiphode I am an artist by passion, based in Inverness, with no prior experience in art education. My enthusiasm in art comes from my childhood fascination for the love of colour and composition that reflects heritage and vibrant culture of native India.

I always believe in improving myself, learning from every stage in life and from nature. I love adding several mediums into my art, and I especially love Indian folk art.

Overall, my work is a modern adaptation of the traditional Indian folk art with intricate details, to the extent that often is perceived as pen and ink work instead of gouache.

My selected subjects carry many different styles of Indian painting that vary from state to state that are based on emotions, thoughts and experience. It is very intriguing to know that, even though they vary from state to state, they still belong to one country.

I often create three types of style in my Indian folk art such as Madhubani from the Madhubani district, Kalamkari from Andhra Pradesh and Warli from Maharashtra.

Warli paintings originated in Maharashtra outside the city of Mumbai, and having been brought up in Mumbai, I was already surrounded by the essence of this rudimentary style of painting. Its culture is centred around the concept of Mother Nature and shows a very basic graphic vocabulary like a circle, a triangle and a square. I use Kalamakari style to express my feelings through my paintings. This style of painting can be very decorative in style, as it has a limited color palette that includes red, black and one additional color. It is a great deal of work, using a limited palette, which is challenging.

Madhubani style is one of the most colorful styles of folk art that I use. I enjoy this style of folk art for portraying animals and birds as it gives me the freedom to use a dynamic palette. l Email: aditi_doiphode@outlook.com PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

69

70-71.qxp_46-47 28/02/2018 15:35 Page 46

PG asked a selection of card retailers for their ‘hot’ card sellers.

Kate Queenborough, shop manager, and Sam Gibbs, owner, of Nest, Leicester A small shop in a high-end urban boutique city area with a very loyal locals and online customer base.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

Think Of Me

Across The Board

Humour

Rosie Made A Thing

Across The Board

Contemporary

Jessica Hogarth Hotchpotch

General Flair

Children’s

Laura Skilbeck

General

Giftwrappings

Hotchpotch

General

Ancillary

Tiny Wishes

Wish Bracelets

Always a great seller for us because the cards cover so many categories, especially those hard to find men’s ranges. The Sasparilla range is particularly loved for ticking the men’s birthday box.

We always know when customers are looking at Rosie’s range as you hear a chuckle. And as she is local to us it is great to support her and see her business grow.

Lovely designs with striking colours.

Cards with a sweet and on-trend enamel brooch - great for something a little different.

Beautiful cards and lovely giftwrap – Laura’s hand-drawn images have a real innocence that are very much her style but loved for their simplicity.

Neon giftwrap - a perfect eyepopping way to finish any gift.

A great pick up/add on gift - perfect for popping in a card to show that you have thought of the recipient.

Top: Ticking the box for male cards, Think Of Me’s Sasparilla range.

Above: Innocent characters on beautifully gold foiled designs from Laura Skilbeck.

Amy Symons and John Parry, owners of Moda, Folkestone, Kent A medium shop selling an eclectic mix of gifts, in an up and coming seaside town, with a locals, tourists and varied customer base.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

The Art File

Call Me Frank

The Art File

Sara Miller London

Sally Scaffardi

Across The Board

Humour

Lip International Pigment

Zap and Bikini Nutty Neon

Contemporary

Pigment

Alice Scott

The Typecast Gallery

On The Shelf

Something Different

Retro Metal Signs

Cute and colourful animal themed designs, these are popular for all occasions. Our customers just can't get enough sausage dogs!

Great quality cards and designs with a traditional yet modern feel - perfect for mums and aunties etc.

We love the fact that the illustrations incorporate areas of floral and graphic prints. It’s a great range featuring animals, humour and art.

Very quirky, retro, completely mad and always popular.

Neon and glitter combined with original retro photos and humorous sentiments, you certainly can't miss them!

Quality letterpress style cards, humorous but classy. The drinking themed designs go down very well!

Bright and design-led cards with fantastic artwork and a retro, humorous twist - (our bestseller is the Baked Beans themed 'I got wind it's your Birthday'!). Each one is like a mini art print.

These humorous signs really make people laugh and they sell and sell!

Right: The On The Shelf range from The Typecast Gallery is full of beans.

Ancillary

70

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

70-71.qxp_46-47 28/02/2018 15:35 Page 47

Liz Doone, manager of Scatter Box, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex A medium shop in a coastal town with a lovely loyal locals customer base.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Cute

Lagom

Cherished Mini Cards

Humour

Rosie Made a Thing

Gin & Frolics

Counting Stars

General

Photographic

Pigment

Riff Raff

Contemporary

English Graphics

Glitter Dogs & Cats

Sooshichacha

Across The Board

Handmade/ Hand-Finished

Five Dollar Shake

General

Children’s

Stop the Clock Designs

Wild At Heart

Ancillary

Jellycat

Plush

Kikkerland East of India

Gift Porcelain Hearts

Absolutely gorgeous small size cards, beautifully made, with short and sweet sentiments.

Everybody either laughs out loud or has a smile on their face when they see these cards; it's the expressions on the characters faces and the one-liners.

The captions are very amusing and quite apt, and the cards are beautifully finished.

Retro photographic designs that everyone loves. Men in particular head straight to the Pigment section and pick them up.

Favourites because we are a nation of animal lovers… and the designs have a bit of sparkle.

Bright and quirky designs with unusual captions.

The wedding and key birthday milestones have been our best selling designs for years; the extra special finishes make these cards a keepsake.

All the publisher’s designs look hand watercolour painted, you have to look twice to see that they’re printed. The sweet drawings are on quality board and the finish is excellent - something that is important to us.

High quality huggable plush, and some of the characters now feature in little books that you can read to the child.

Nice high-end quirky small gifts.

A very popular pick up featuring sentiments that has recently been refreshed with texture. Perfect for popping into a card.

Right: With a watercolour feel, Wild At Heart from Stop The Clock Designs.

Below: Pigment’s Riff Raff range is popular with men.

Sam Malvern-Costelloe, owner of Inside Out, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire A medium shop in a historical town with a loyal locals and visitors customer base.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

Wendy Jones-Blackett

Quicksilver

Humour

Rosie Made a Thing

Gin & Frolics

Bettie Confetti

General

Photographic

Pickmotion

General

Art

Museums & Galleries

General

Contemporary Handmade/ Hand-Finished Ancillary

Molly Mae Stripey Cats Cards

Across The Board Wobbly-Eyed Cards

Compton & Clarke Bomb Cosmetics

Carded Pocket Charms Bath bombs

Customers bulk buy theses cards!

The smaller size cards and price point are perfect and people always comment on the foiling.

The characters are quite cute and the prosecco and yoga themes especially suit our shop’s demographic of young mums.

These always sell. We had the Valentine’s designs recently, which were quick-witted and not too slushy.

Bright and fun Instagram images that are designed in a Polaroid picture format; visually pleasing designs.

Our older customers like the arty cards, especially the floral, rural scenes and animal designs.

Simple and sweet designs that are great for all occasions.

Really cute animals with wobbly eyes appealing to both children and adults.

Displayed on a card with sentiments, the pewter charm is a keepsake.

Wonderful packaging and the smell is amazing.

Right: Quick wit from Bettie Confetti.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

71

72-79_Product Directory NEW 28/02/2018 12:36 Page 72

PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

To appear in the Product Directories simply contact

Warren Lomax on:

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

Abacus Cards Limited t: 01638 569050 e: info@abacuscards.co.uk w: www.abacuscards.co.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

č,č -+1

To appear in the Product Directories contact

()7-+2 0)( +6))8-2+ '%6(7

+-*87 83 79-8 %00 3''%7-327

Warren Lomax

=)%6 3* &-68, +6))8-2+ '%6(7 )0)+%28 '328)1436%6= %2( 6)863 +-*8;%6) %'')7736-)7

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

Tracey Arnaud

07957 212 062

or email traceya@max-publishing.co.uk 72

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

NEW SPRING 2018 AVAILABLE NOW

[[[ VIXVSGS GSQ GEXEPSKYI MRJS$%VEFIWUYI*'+ GSQ )<'097-:) (-786-&9836

bexyboo.co.uk 01565 830546

enquires@bexyboo.co.uk

72-79_Product Directory NEW 28/02/2018 12:36 Page 73

PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

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

www.bugart.co.uk

To appear in the Product Directories simply contact

Warren Lomax on:

020 7700 6740

www.cathtatecards.com

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

Caspari C aspari Ltd Ltd Linden Linden House, House, John John Dane Dane P Player layer C Court ourt

Tracey Arnaud on:

07957 212 062

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

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 E ast S Street, treet, Saffron Saffron Walden Walden E ssex, C B10 11LR LR Essex, CB10 T el: 01799 01799 513010 513010 Tel: 01799 513101 513101 F ax: 01799 Fax: Email: info@caspari.co.uk info@caspari.co.uk Email: w ww.CaspariOnline.com www.CaspariOnline.com

PProducts: roducts: Everyday Everyday cards cards - birthday, birthday, blank blank & occasions, occasions, charity ch harity Christmas Christmas cards, cards, gift gift wrap, wrap, bbags, ags, ttissue, issue, rribbon, ibbon, hankies, hankies, napkins, napkins, paper paper plate, plate, candles, candles, placemats, placemats, crackers,invitations, crackers,invitations, placecards, placecards, notecards,diaries, notecards,diaries, address address bbooks, ooks, jjournals, ournals, advent advent calendars calendars and and bridge bridge gifts. gifts.

Method M ethod of of Sale: Sale: D Direct irect to to Retail Retail

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

73

72-79_Product Directory NEW 28/02/2018 12:37 Page 74

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

To appear in the Product Directories simply contact

Warren Lomax on:

020 7700 6740

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

Tracey Arnaud on:

The UK No. No. 1 in The Licensed Greetings Greetings etings Licensed

Colour House Graphics

Over Overr 30 licenses Ov licens nses ses including: includin ng g: g: D Disne y, Peppa Peppa Pig Pig, Disney, He Kitty, Kitty Kitty, Mr Men Men Hello a d Angry A Birdss and Birds

York House, 2-4 York Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 7QQ T: 01394 271668 F: 01394 275114 E: colourhousegraphics@hotmail.com Online Shop www.colourhousegraphics.co.uk

t: +44 + (0)1264 388400 e: enquiries@gemma-international.co.uk co.uk enquiries@gemma-interna national. ti w: gemma-international.co.uk gemma-international. ona co.uk

07957 212 062

CARD CARDS S â&#x20AC;˘ WRAP â&#x20AC;˘ PARTY PARTY â&#x20AC;˘ GIFTS GIFTS

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

TM

GRASS ROOTS

STAND 85 PGLIVE

INTERNATIONAL

www.decklededge.co.uk janna@decklededge.co.uk

G RASS R OOTS INTERNATIONAL A U.K owned Greeting Cards Publisher.

Our everyday ranges for all occasions and relations include traditional, contemporary, cute, humour and photographic designs. We also have a full range of Christmas and Spring Seasons.

All products are designed and printed in the U.K on the finest quality board.

BRANDS â&#x20AC;&#x153;Write from the Heartâ&#x20AC;? brand includes; Corsage, Sentiments, Champagne, Celebrations and Jelly Beans.

M ETHOD OF SALE Direct to Retail

G RASS R OOTS INTERNATIONAL

Welsh and English cards

Units 4 - 4A Valentines Buildin g Ra cec our se Bus in ess Par k Aintr ee, Liver poo l, L9 5 AL Tel: 0151 52 3 9600 Fax : 015 1 523 494 9 e-m ail: s ales@ writefr om th ehear t.co.uk

from the

Lovely greetings cards & other paper stuff dandelionstationery.co.uk info@dandelionstationery.co.uk

visit us at

spring fair stand 3k42 agents wanted -Ѳbvv||v r;1b-Ѳbv| 7v "r;1b -uu7v " ࢟m]] ;;;࢟ u;;࢟m 1 u |_mbb1 u |_m

Colneis Marketing York House, 2-4 York Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 7QQ T: 01394 271668 F: 01394 275114 E: colneiscards@btconnect.com

S end i n g YOU Y YO O OU U

WISHES

Diwali

ÄŁÄŁÄŁÇ&#x201D;­Ä&#x2020;Â&#x161;¹ÊáÇ&#x201D;ŒáèǤǤÇ&#x2C6;ǤǤĹ&#x201A;Ĺ&#x2030;Ĺ&#x160;Ĺ&#x192;Ĺ&#x2021;ǤĹ&#x192;Ĺ&#x2021;Ĺ&#x2026;Ĺ&#x2021;Ĺ&#x160;Ĺ&#x201E;

A w o n d e rf u l id!

E id Eid

High Quality Greeting Greeting Cards, Cards, Gift Bags,

Online Shop www.colneisgreetingcards.com

Gift Wrap Wrap & Tags Tags a for every occasion. occasio

Ch nese Chinese

Jewish

HE IS

*GCF 1HĆ&#x201A;EG * GCF 1HĆ&#x201A;EG +353 (0)404 20528 Email info@garlanna.com www.garlanna.com .garlanna.com www

THE

WAY

THE AND TRUTH

LIFE

THE

_ubv࢟-m

Welsh

Beautiful greeting cards from contemporary British artwork

Polish P olish o sh

and more!

Tel: T Te e el: 0161 1 64 641 641 0655 0655 06 Email: sales@davora.co.uk Email: m sales@davora.co.uk sales@da 135 13 1 35 H Heaton eaton ea on M Moor oorr Rd Rd | Stockport S Sttockp ock o kpo port ort SK4 4HY 4 4H HY

74

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

www.dryredpress.com T +44 (0) 1273 241210 E info@dryredpress.com

72-79_Product Directory NEW 28/02/2018 12:37 Page 75

PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

Eye catching, luxurious Gift Wraps, Gift Tags, Gift Bags, Roll Wrap, Tissue Papers & Ribbons for all occasions Glick, Unit 1 Allenby House, European Industrial Park, Knowles Lane, Bradford BD4 9AB Tel: 01274 655980 email: sales@glick.co.uk www.glick.co.uk

ARTISTS AR RT TISTS C CARDS ARDS g glebecottage.co.uk lebecottage.co.uk 01626 369269 E Established stablished 1993

Market leaders in Humour, Art, Photographic, Occasions and Relations cards offering a full planning service with merchandising and retail

WATERWELLS DRIVE, GLOUCESTER GL2 2PH UK TEL: 01452 888999

CHARITY GREETING CARDS One of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading publishers of Charity Greeting Cards.

Impress offers a wide collection of images, including fine art, graphic, photographic and cute.

We also offer a bespoke design service for bulk orders and/or mail order fulfilment.

Impress Publishing Appledown House Barton Business Park New Dover Road Canterbury, Kent CT1 3TE Tel: 01227 811 611 Fax: 01227 811 618 email: info@impresspublishing.co.uk

development opportunities.

www.greatbritishcards.co.uk

)

PHO PHOTOGRAPHY TOGRAPHY g glebecottage.co.uk lebecottage.co.uk 01626 369269 E Established stablished 1993 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

75

72-79_Product Directory NEW 28/02/2018 12:37 Page 76

PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

Silk Screened Retro, Pop & Classic Cards Inspired by Music and 1960â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s American Advertising.For all Vinyl & Rock nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Roll lovers

L E T U S TA K E YOU BAC K

For further details please get in touch.

info@vincentmcevoy.com

+44 (0)7779 578340

LING DESIGN

60 years

The UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading privately owned publisher of Greetings Cards and Stationery.

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

Pizazz Gifts.

...The home for

Yo our N Number b O One S Supplier li off Numerals, Name, Relation & Age Labels for Greetings Cards.

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

Listan Labels 3 Isis Court, Wyndyke Furlong, Abingdon Business Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire Oxfordshire OX1 5JN Tel Tel e 01235 465489 Fax 01235 532118 www.listanpublications.co.uk www.listanpublications.co.uk sales@listanpublications.co.uk

and

Products: Greetings cards for all occasions, Christmas and Spring Seasons cards, gift wrap and bags, charity cards, social stationery.

Bespoke service for charities and other fundraisers.

Ling Design Ltd 14-20 Eldon Way, Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6BE Tel: 01892 838574 enquiries@lingdesign.co.uk www.lingdesign.co.uk

Brand Names Daschund through the Snow...

Pizazz, Pizazz Gallery, Pizazz Jewell, Pizazz for Men, What a Picture, Time Out, Bon Bon, Marshmallow Cloudesley House â&#x20AC;¢ Shire Hill â&#x20AC;¢ Saffron Walden â&#x20AC;¢ CB11 3FB T: 01799 520200 F: 01799 520100 www.nigelquiney.com

Agents Wanted

AG E N T S WA N T E D : Æ« Æ«Ä&#x2018;Æ« Æ«

Æ«Ä&#x2018;Æ« Æ«

Æ«Ä&#x2018;Æ« Æ«Ä&#x2018;Æ«

To appear in the Product Directories simply contact

Warren Lomax on:

020 7700 6740

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

Tracey Arnaud on:

07957 212 062

or email on tarnaud@btinternet.com

76

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

TRADE WEBSITE:

Ä&#x2039;

Ä®

Ä&#x2039; 01780 763 368

72-79_Product Directory NEW 28/02/2018 12:37 Page 77

PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

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

356 Kennington Kennington Rd London SE11 SE11 4LD 4LD London T 020 7 7582 582 8244 info@paperlink.co.uk www.paperlink.co.uk www.paperlink.co.uk P Paperlinkcards aperlinkcards

@paperlinkcards @

Exquisite Design, Beautiful Cards

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

Key brands include Marzipan, Portobello, Mosaic, Daisy Patch, Aquarupella and Designers Guild, plus many more.

Tel: T el: +44 (0)115 986 0115 Email: info@paperrose.co.uk www.paperrose.co.uk www .paperrose.co.uk www.artgroupcards.co.uk www .artgroupcards.co.uk PaperRoseCards TheArtGroupCards The_Art_Group

or email traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

originalposter.com

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

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

We replace slow sellers and damaged stock free of charge.

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

Design-led Stationery, Gifts, Calendars, Diaries and Cards Brands Laura Ashley, Roald Dahl, Lily & Val, Vintage Ladybird, Caroline Gardner, Monsoon, Born to Shop, Flash Gordon, Boofle and many more.

Our In-house design studio and established supply chain enables us to offer bespoke services.

THAT’S WHY WE’RE ORIGINAL!

01932 267 300

tel: +44 (0) 1225 329494 email: sales@porticodesigns.com website: www.porticodesigns.com

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

77

72-79_Product Directory NEW 28/02/2018 12:37 Page 78

PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

Products: TM

Greetings Cards, Gift Wrap, Gift Bags, Social Stationery, Mugs and Glasses, Partyware

Brands: Card Essentials Designer Collection Greetings Impressions Inspirations In Touch ,VDEHO·V *DUGHQ Planet Happy With You In Mind Greeting Cards that are unique & special with creative wit.

Looking for top-notch agents to join our expanding team.

rosierobins.com 01992 536461

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

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

Sensations International Ltd Unit 6, Quad Road,East Lane Business Park,East lane, Wembley,MIDDLESEX HA9 7NE Tel. 0208 3854470 Fax: 0208 385 4471 Email: sales@sensationsinternational.com PRODUCTS: World’s leading publisher of high quality plastic greeting cards. Also an extensive range of quality greeting cards covering Everyday, Occasions, Christmas and Spring seasons.

BRANDS: Cherished Thoughts, Sweet Sentiments, Buddies Always, Symphony, Thinking of You, Style, Special Wishes, Special Times, Young Editions, Groove Sensations, Forever Blessed, Grey Skies, Classics.

METHOD OF SALE: Direct to retail.

PG LIVE STAND ª 684

LING DESIGN

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

T: 07767 896807 info@stationerytraffic.co.uk stationerytraffic.co.uk

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

greeting cards & contempoRary gifts www.redbackcards.com e: info@redbackcards.com t: 01803 712793

78

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

72-79_Product Directory NEW 28/02/2018 12:39 Page 79

PRODUCT DIRECTORY

The UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading publisher of highest quality handmade Greetings Cards.

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

DIRECT TO RETAIL & EXPORT

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

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

Wee offer W offfer f a COMPREHENSIVE COMPREHE

range of high hig quality Greeting Cards for Greeting Ca ALL

Occasions, Occasions,

CHRISTMAS AS and Spring Seasons. easons.

Method of Sale: Dir Direct ect to Retail R

TEL: 01480 435562 FAX: 01480 450599

Email: il: info@words-n-wishes.co.uk inffo o@words-n eb: www w..words-n Web: www.words-n-wishes.co.uk

Tel: T el: e 01942 01942 233201 233201

www.tracksltd.com UNIT 2, 12 BLACKSTONE RD, STUKELEY MEADOWS IND EST, HUNTINGDON, CAMBS, PE29 6EF

&DUGV & DUGV & DOHQGDUV &DOHQGDUV & &RDVWHUV RDVWHUV 1 1RWHERRNV RWHERRNV

Market Leaders in

Verse

www.tomcatcards.co.uk w: www.tomcatcards.co.uk e: tomcat@tomcatcards.co.uk t: 01243 837300

& entimen

an extensive range of superior quality,

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

Method of Sale: Direct to Retail Orders can be placed on our trader site

www.cbgtrader.co.uk or call our customer services team on

+44(0)1243 792600

Top-notch British Greeting Cards for Thoughts that Count

01923 200600 | www.woodmansterne.co.uk PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

79

80_Wholesale Directory 2018_whole sale dirSeptember 2004 28/02/2018 12:29 Page 80

DIRECTORY OF WHOLESALERS

l

DIRECTORY OF WHOLESALERS

NATIONWIDE

MERSEYSIDE

WALES

UNIT 4, THE ARGENT CENTRE, SILVERDALE ROAD, HAYES, MIDDLESEX, UB3 3BS TEL: 020 8573 2975 / 1768 FAX: 020 8561 2349

MERSEYSIDE GREETING CARDS LTD

Merseysideâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Largest Greeting Card Distributor

Email: info@abbeycards.com

Due to our massive buyer power, we are able to offer you the best prices and also take a pride in our friendly service.

LONDONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NO 1 GREETING CARDS STATIONERY PARTY AND BALLOON CASH & CARRY

Greeting cards â&#x20AC;¢ Gift ranges â&#x20AC;¢ Pocket money toys â&#x20AC;¢ Balloons â&#x20AC;¢ Badges â&#x20AC;¢ Banners â&#x20AC;¢ Soft toys â&#x20AC;¢ Stationery â&#x20AC;¢ Collectables , including dolls â&#x20AC;¢ Photo frames

Trading Hours Our Opening Hours are: MON, TUES,WED & FRI 9.00 - 5.30pm THURSDAY 9.00 - 8.30pm

Always something different Check us out now!!!

Mon, Tues, Wed and Fri 9.30 till 4.30pm Thursday 9.00 till 7.30pm Sunday 10 till 1.00pm Tel: 0151 227 2555 Fax: 0151 227 2556 mgconline@hotmail.com 25 Dickson Street, Liverpool L3 7EB

HERTS & LONDON

SUMAN BROS

To appear in the Wholesale Directory simply contact

Warren Lomax 020 7700 6740

Stationery and greeting card wholesaler

Crown House Otterspool Way Watford WD25 8HL

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

magnus RUPERT

T: 01923 200 900 F: 01923 200 909

TRADING

LONDONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NO 1

Great deals Great location Plentiful parking Just off the M1 Junction 5

WEST MIDLANDS

GREETING CARDS STATIONERY PARTY AND BALLOON CASH & CARRY

Trading Hours Our Opening Hours are: MON, TUES,WED & FRI 9.00 - 5.30pm THURSDAY 9.00 - 8.30pm SAT CLOSED SUN 10.00 - 4.00pm UNIT 4, THE ARGENT CENTRE, SILVERDALE ROAD, HAYES, MIDDLESEX, UB3 3BS TEL: 020 8573 2975 / 1768 FAX: 020 8561 2349 Email: info@abbeycards.com

Crown House Otterspool Way Watford WD25 8HL Tel: 020 8993 2231 www.rupertmagnus.co.uk Wholesale and direct-to-retail greeting cards, gift wrap, gift bags, social stationery, partyware and gifts.

Great range, competitive prices, excellent service.

EUR EUROPEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ROPEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LEADING LEADING G GREETINGS REETINGS CARD CARDS, S, PARTY GIFTS, IFTS, PAR ART TY PRODUCTS, PRODUCTS, G CANDLES, CANDLES, TOYS, TOYS, STATIONERY STAT TIIONER RY AND FLORIST SUNDRIES FLORIST S UNDRIES DISTRIBUTION DISTRIBUTIO ON CENTRE 75000 SQ FT BESCOT CRESCENT CRESCENT, T, W ALSALL, WALSALL, WEST MIDLANDS. WS1 4NG 01922-646666 www .greetingshouse.co.uk www.greetingshouse.co.uk info@gr eetingshouse.co.uk info@greetingshouse.co.uk MON,WED,FRI 8.00am-4.45pm TUES,THURS 8.00am-7.45pm SA AT,SUN , SAT,SUN 8.00am-1.45pm

NORTH WEST

& $ 3 6 &DUG 3DUW\ 6WRUH /WG ZZZ FDUG SDUW\ FR XN 1(: ,03529(' ZHEVLWH IRU DOO \RXU (YHU\GD\ 6HDVRQDO &DUGV DQG 3DUW\ 3URGXFWV

To appear in the Wholesale Directory simply call

6DYH 7LPH 2UGHU 2QOLQH ,W V 6R (DV\

WarrenLomax

Your One Stop Shop

on 020 77006740

0DQFKHVWHU 5RDG %XU\ %/ 6: 80

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

81-86_Classified 2018_Layout 1 28/02/2018 12:17 Page 81

CLASSIFIED

l

CLASSIFIED

l

CLASSIFIED

l

CLASSIFIED

BAGS

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

GIVE Y YOUR OUR

BAGS

Manufacturers Manuf facturers of hi high igh qua quality lity fflexible l xible pac le packaging kaging 30 YEARS EXP EXPERIENCE PERIENCE - Q QUALITY UALIT A T Y SER SERVICE VICE EXTENSIVE EXT TENSIVE STOCK STOCK RANGE R - QUIC QUICK KD DELIVERY E ELIVE RY ASSURED

- HEADER BAGS WALLET -W A ALLET BAGS - ZIPPER BAGS THERMAL PRINTING PRINTING - FLEXOGRAPHIC, HOTFOIL & THERMAL www.transrappackaging.co.uk www.transrappackaging.co.uk sales@transrap.co.uk sales@transrap.co.uk

VIP

CALL ALL US TODA TODAY AY

TREATMENT TREA ATMENT T

01773 0 1773 7 537810 5378 810

HIGH CLARITY BAGS FOR GREETING CARDS, CALENDARS AND ARTWORK

ENVELOPES

ŏ ŏđŏ ŏ ŏ ŏ ŏ ŏ FOIL BLOCKING EXTENSIVE RANGE OF STOCK SIZES AND BESPOKE MANUFACTURE WRAPPING SERVICE AUTOMA ATED T WRA PPING SER VICE NEW AUTOMATED

CALL US TODAY

01228 560526 www.fulcrumfilms.co.uk

FOR FOR ALL A LL Y YOUR OU R ENVELOPE EN V ELOPE N NEEDS! EEDS! L argest range range of Largest iin-stock n- stock ccolours olours Over 400 Bespoke Envelope Sizes 8 Sizes Permanently in Stock RECYCLED

Available v 100% Recycled Paper Available

PAPER

Stock & Bespoke Cello Bags Peel & Stick Envelopes Bespoke Service on Request

ORDER ON LINE AT: AT: www www.regentenvelopes.com .regentenvelopes.com 01274 583000 sales@r sales@regentenvelopes.com egentenvelopes.com

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

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

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

81

81-86_Classified 2018_Layout 1 28/02/2018 12:17 Page 82

l

CLASSIFIED

CLASSIFIED

l

CLASSIFIED

ENVELOPES

l

CLASSIFIED

l

CLASSIFIED

PRINTERS

Quality Bespoke Envelopes!

From 5,000 quantity to many millions we can produce excellent quality envelopes for you.

Plain, printed, coloured & textured finish.

100% recycled & FSC available.

Please call us on 0843 5066684 with your enquiry or visit our website

www.ukenvelopecentre.co.uk We will be delighted to help!

FLITTERING

LITHO OR DIGIT DIGITAL, DIGITA GIT TAL, WINDLES LES GR ROUP R O GROUP ALWAYS MAKES AL LWAY AYS M AKES THE RIGHT GHT HT PRINT IMPRESSION. RESSION. RE

FOR ALL YOUR FLITTER REQUIREMENTS

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

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

WWW.WINDLESGROUP.CO.UK WWW W.WINDLESGR W OUP P.C . O.UK

PRINTERS

PJ Print

(London)

The Capitals only specialist Greetings card printer

HOME OF THE LASER CUT GREETING CARD W We ea are re proud proud to to be be recognised recognised as as the the specialist specialist U UK Ka and nd g global lobal manufacturer manufacturer for for the the greeting greeting ccard ard iindustry ndustry for for over over 40 40 years years

PJ Print (London) The Capitals only Greetings card printer

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

E-mail: sales@pj-print.co.uk The Print Works

To discuss how we could work with you, contact Simon King 0115 928 77 66 sales@sherwoodgroupuk.com www.sherwoodgroupuk.com www w..sherwoodgroupuk.com

Colville Road, Acton, London W38BL tel 020 8993 5160 www.pj-print.co.uk

82

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Hadden Court, Court, Glaisdale Glaisdale Parkway, Parkway, Glaisdale Glaisdale Drive Drive West, West, Nottingham, Nottingham, NG8 4GP

81-86_Classified 2018_Layout 1 28/02/2018 12:17 Page 83

CLASSIFIED

l

CLASSIFIED

l

CLASSIFIED

PRINTERS

l

CLASSIFIED

l

CLASSIFIED

Introducing a joint venture from

The home of greeting cards eting e r g adinugrer e l s ’ K ct The Umanufa card

Following new investments estm in our digital printing facility we can help you with short run prints, rapid stock replenishment, market testing, design sampling and promotional products.

Our expert digital printing, finishing and packing facilities allow us to provide

150 50 1 .uk

Our specialist services include:

• high quality • fast turnaround • competitive pricing

Digital and personalised greeting cards Short-run print Flitter, foil, emboss, die-cut finishes Bespoke gifts including mugs, coasters, notepads and much more

2 .co 011es4@loxleys

Promotional items Marketing literature

sal

Exhibition graphics /stands Stationery any more ribution

If y you ou w would ould li like ke to disc discover over h how ow w wee could help y you, ou, please contact our sales team:

0114 250 1150 •

07974 133735 • sales@digitalhubuk.com

YOUR MANUFACTURING PARTNER FOR VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS English speaking production team, prices quoted in sterling... and only 3 days delivery to THE UK...

Really... and there s no VAT to pay or customs procedures either...that's a great deal!

• Hand made and hand finished greeting cards • Boxed sets and acetate packs of cards / envelopes • Giftwrap and tag packs • Individually open and closed wrapped cards • 'Pop up' and cardboard engineered products • Notelets and social stationery • Specialised printing on plastics & lenticular For production enquiries, estimates etc., please contact our UK Agent:

Rob Pearson 07710 132 232 rob@solutions-polska.com FSC accredited (BV-COC-002485). Audited member of SMETA. Printing to ISO12674-2 standard.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

83

81-86_Classified 2018_Layout 1 28/02/2018 12:17 Page 84

CLASSIFIED

l

CLASSIFIED

l

CLASSIFIED

PRINTERS

l

CLASSIFIED

l

CLASSIFIED

WAREHOUSING & DISTRIBUTION

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

Same day order turnaround Accurate fulfilment Value added only as you sell the product Exclusively Greeting Cards Dedicated Account Managers 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 GEVV] SYX EPP EWTIGXW SJ LERH ǻRMWLMRK ERH EWWIQFP] ERH TVSZMHI [LEXIZIV ; 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 EHHMXMSREP WIVZMGIW ]SY RIIH 4YV WIPIGX XIEQ SJ SYX[SVOIVW GEVIJYPP] LERH [VET ER] WM^I SV JSVQEX SJ GEVHW YVKIRXP] 4ZIVRMKLX [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 ERH .8 WYTTSVXIH F] E GSQTVILIRWMZI TETIV XVEMP JSV EPP WXSGO QSZIQIRXW EVI SYV LEPPQEVOW 4YV GER HS ETTVSEGL QIERW [I EVI LETT] XS WSPZI ]SYV TVSFPIQW 4YXWSYVGMRK ]SYV [EVILSYWMRK STIVEXMSR VIPIEWIW ]SYV XMQI XS 4YXWSYVGMRK ]SYV [EVILSYWMRK STIVEXMSR VIPIEWIW ]SYV XMQI XS CREATE/MARKET/SELL/ CREA AT TE/MARKET/SELL/ MANAGE/GROW MANAGE/GROW THE BUSINESS BUSINESS =SYV FYWMRIWW MW SYV FYWMRIWW TPIEWI ZMWMX SYV [IF WMXI ERH WII [LEX SYV GYWXSQIVW WE] XLIR XS ǻRH SYX QSVI GEPP Ly ynda Raymond ERH TIVLETW [I GER EVVERKI XS QIIX ERH HMWGYWW ]SYV RIIHW . EQ WYVI XLEX [I GER LIPT

LB W Warehousing arehousing 9 RMXW Ȧ ȶ ȴ ;E]WMHI ;EVILSYWIW 8SWIPERH 9RMXW Ȧ ȶ ȴ ;E]WMHI ;EVILSYWIW 8SWIPERH 3 IEV X 3ISXW (EQFVMHKIWLMVI 5*Ȧȟ Ȱ7< 3IEV X 3ISXW (EQFVMHKIWLMVI 5*Ȧȟ Ȱ7< Te l ȉȦȏȁȉ ȁȁȉȁȉȉ Fax ȉȦȏȁȉ ȁȁȉȟȉȉ Mobile ȉȮȁȁȟ ȴȟȟȴȏȦ Tel ȉȦȏȁȉ ȁȁȉȁȉȉ Fax ȉȦȏȁȉ ȁȁȉȟȉȉ Mobile ȉȮȁȁȟ ȴȟȟȴȏȦ PP]RHE%PF [EVILSYWMRK GS YO ]RHE%PF [EVILSYWMRK GS YO

84

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

81-86_Classified 2018_Layout 1 28/02/2018 12:17 Page 85

CLASSIFIED

l

CLASSIFIED

l

l

CLASSIFIED

DISPLAY AND SPINNERS

CLASSIFIED

l

CLASSIFIED

APPOINTMENTS

Tel: 01929 550085 Email: sales@westminsterwire.com Web: www.westminsterwire.com

FABULOUS OPPORTUNITY!

Home of the Wire Spinner Stand

PROFESSIONAL SALES AGENTS REQUIRED COUNTRYWIDE

The Wire Spinner is proven to be the most cost effective method to display and enhance products.

We also offer sheet metal, wood, acrylic and cardboard solutions or a combination of materials.

cardovation@btconnect.com TEL: 01954 260728 BON BON Publications Ltd CAMBRIDGE UK

To appear in the Classified pages simply contact

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

APPOINTMENTS

A LEADING GIFT IMPORTER

Distributor of gift books and beautiful stationery

AREA MANAGER SALES EXECUTIVE

SALES REPRESENTATIVES Salary: Competitive, generous commission Type: Full-time or part-time Various locations, including: West Midlands Yorkshire North East Scotland Oxfordshire based Allsorted is looking to employee more and more ‘SUPERSTAR’ Sales Representatives across the UK, as our business grows exponentially, going from strength to strength. Candidates must have a proven track record as the best - or at least one of the top - sales reps in their previous team/s. You must be persuasive, honest, hardworking, positive, dedicated, smart, and highly successful.

Contact: Lincoln Exley by email with CV for more information: lincoln@allsorteduk.com.

Tel: 01923 474495 or 07740 148471 www.allsorteduk.com

2 positions are available. Area 1 covering SCOTLAND. Area 2 covering S.E. ENGLAND. Candidates must live within the area & have previous sales experience ideally within the gift or related industry.

The role of Area Sales Manager is to primarily manage a territory of existing accounts. They must also have a positive and pro-active approach to business development, promoting our extensive portfolio of giftware. The ideal candidate will possess a skill set of commitment, organisational skills, drive and enthusiasm. A team player who is target driven and can work autonomously within an established area. Some overnight stays required and regular travel away from home so must be commi ed to the job role.

AN INDIVIDUAL WITH: • • • • •

Experience in the gift trade / garden centres / leisure parks / homewares / toys/ stationery.

Ability to grow new business and develop existing accounts.

An enthusiastic individual with a winning a itude.

Good account management & organisational skills.

Great communication skills with the ability to build rapport quickly.

Salary commensurate with experience + Bonus + Car + IPAD + Phone.

Send your C.V. FOA the Sales Director, together with a covering le er telling us why you would be ideal for this position FAO Xpressions Sales Director. careers@xpressionsgifts.co.uk

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

85

81-86_Classified 2018_Layout 1 28/02/2018 12:17 Page 86

APPOINTMENTS

Business Development Manager KEY A ACCOUNT CCOUNT MANAGER MANAGER Are you an enthusiastic, approachable, energetic peoples person with a can do attitude, who loves the Greeting Card industry, its people, product and the joy and feelings it conveys?

If you are, then we at Loxleys, The UKs leading Greeting Card Manufacturer since 1854, would love to talk to you about joining our Business Development team!

Employer: Emplo yer: Summersdale Publishers Category: Categor y: Publisher of gift & humour, lifestyle, travel and health and wellbeing books Salary: Salar y: DOE TType: ype: y Full Time Location: Chichester, West Sussex

Summersdale, one of the UK’s largest gift and humour publishers, presents a rare and exciting opportunity for a Key A ccount Manager with a proven and dynamic track record in key account management and business development.

Reporting to the Sales Operations Director you will use your knowledge and continuing awareness of current trends to build and maintain outstanding strategic relationships with market leading UK high street, online retailers and critical wholesalers in the fast moving gift, lifestyle and fashion market.

For further details and to apply for the role, please see the Summersdale website: https://summer https://summersdale.com/about-us/jobs/ sdale.com/about-us/jobs/

Working with an experienced, professional team, who have a passion for cards, take business very seriously, but not themselves, you will enjoy a rewarding career, helping to look after existing customers, researching and prospecting new leads, visiting clients and help our customers grow their businesses.

To appear in the Product Directories simply contact

If this is you, then please contact Alice Buck on 0114 2802342, or alternatively send your CV to alice.buck@loxleys.co.uk

Warren Lomax

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

Loxleys, Kiln Street, Sheffield S8 0YS 0114 250 1150 www.loxleys.co.uk

or contact

Tracey Arnaud

07957 212 062

SHORT RUN PERSONALISED DIGITAL PRINT

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

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

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...

News, Editorial and Content Opportunities: Jakki Brown Joint md & editorial director jakkib@max-publishing.co.uk

●

Twice weekly newsflash delivered to over 9000 inboxes

●

Regularly updated jobs-board

●

The very latest news, views, articles and analysis

●

Digital issues of Progressive Greetings Worldwide

●

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

86

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

24_PG_June 2017.indd 1

30/06/2017 16:33

As always, this is the best show of the year by far!

If we only had to choose to go to one exhibition, PG Live would be it.

Jerry and Debbie Brown co-owners of First Class Greetings and Plum Green, Hadleigh

The Greatest Collection Of Greeting Cards In The World Celebrating ten years of showcasing design excellence, PG Live 2018 is the only UK trade show dedicated to the global greeting card industry.

Buyers will be spoilt for choice with thousands of brand new designs and innovative ranges on offer from more than 250 publishers, artists and designers.

PG Live 2018 Tuesday 5 - Wednesday 6 June Business Design Centre, London +44 (0) 1635 297070 www.progressivegreetingslive.com @PGLiveLondon

Be InspIred Book Your Tickets Now

www.progressivegreetingslive.com

NEW de sign styl es and i for 2018 cons in relati ons & o ccasions all truly , HANDM ADE!

From

Leaders in Hand- crafted cards

Contact us now:

www.secondnature.co.uk

E : hello@secondnature.co.uk

T : +44(0)1983 209 590