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VIEWPOINTS
Strong
Green Shoots
With the early good weather bringing on a wonderful show of spring flowers, PG gets horticultural, asking retailers for the cream of the crop of the new card launches as well as their take on the industry’s green quest.
Gillian Harrison owner of Cards and Candles, Lancaster: Best new launches?: “This year's standout products for us include, Louise Tiler's Sweet and Simple and Gold Gentleman ranges which have a modern look with gold foil and embossed finish. Real & Exciting Designs’ Moonlight range is lovely contemporary collection with different artwork and a sliver finish. We are stocking birthdays, relations and occasions and all are selling well. New additions to Woodmansterne’s Quentin Blake range reinforced its position as a strong seller across all captions with fun quirky designs that appeal to all ages. The publisher’s Peaches & Prosecco and Pink collections are both lovely card ranges and for a more high end look we like the Feathers & Fern from its Proper Mail Company division, the designs of which incorporate delicate diamanté embellishments.” How green is your valley?: “As everyone is becoming more aware of the need to make changes to reduce the carbon footprint on the planet and as the industry moves forward, we all have a responsibility to play our part in choosing more environmentally friendly products. At the moment 70% of all our cards are unwrapped and moving forward we are always on the lookout for ways to reduce wastage.” Top: Louise Tiler’s Sweet and Simple range hit the spot with Gillian Harrison. Above: Gillian Harrison with Woodmansterne’s Caroline Crawford on the publisher’s stand at Spring Fair.
Michelle Ellingham owner of Box of Delights, Flitwick: Best new launches?: “There are lots of lovely new fresh card ranges and additions to existing collections. These include, Five Dollar Shake/Counting Stars, which have introduced some amazing new products cards/wrap/gift bags, including those featuring biodegradable glitter. Belly Button Designs has launched many new colourful collections, including Elle, Coco, a new men’s collection and Be, a lovely sentiment and inspirational range. Good to see that the funny Rosie Made a Thing brand has expanded into gifts (from McLaggan Mugs), wrap and giftbags (from Glick). I also loved Rachel Ellen Designs’ new inspirational card range. I think we all need words of encouragement at difficult times, especially as we are all being encouraged to be honest and open about mental health. New contemporary collections from The Art File, Stop The Clock and Hearts Designs, age cards from Wendy JonesBlackett and Belly Button Designs, plus humour from Redback Cards and Paperlink all deserve a mention.” How green is your valley?: “When we opened in 1990 I don’t think any of our cards were wrapped, although they could look quite untidy and got damaged easily. When it was introduced, wrapped cards certainly hiked up the cost price of the card but they looked smarter. Some of our cards are already in compostable wrap and some have already changed to biodegradable glitter/flitter. My only worries lie with the consumer as so many of them still require a bag for their purchase, so it kind of defeats the object!” Above: One of the Rose Made a Thing designs that Glick has licensed for giftwrappings. Left: Box of Delights in Flitwick is mindful of the environmental issues.
PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE
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