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PG asked a selection of card retailers for their ‘hot’ card sellers. Amanda Seager, director of George R Reeve, Wymondham, Norfolk A large stationery, gift and card shop in a market town with a loyal locals and tourists customer base. Category
Name of Publisher
Product/Name Range
Comments
Humour
Photography
Paper House (GBCC) Clare Maddicott Woodmansterne Abacus
We often hear customers laughing at the humour ranges, which are more middle of the road, not rude just a little risqué. Designs that are rural scenes, floral, nature and animals appeal to our customers.
Art
Woodmansterne
General Harold’s Planet General Posies & Petals, Countryfile, Gardeners’ World, Springwatch General
Martin Sexton Mark Yardley Paper House (GBCC)
General General Peony Rose
Talking Pictures (Ling)
Manuka
Alex Clark
Canvas prints, cushions, stationery and giftbags Tins, cushions, stationery, china mugs
Right: Gorgeous bunnies on a Springwatch design from Abacus.
Traditional Handmade/ HandFinished Ancillary
Wrendale
Different styles of artwork of varying scenes - from country scenes to St Paul’s Cathedral on quality square size cards. Artwork of the pretty coastline and rural areas right on our doorstep by local artist. They are perfect for framing and placing on the wall. In open and occasions designs, the sentiment verses are short without over gushing. The designs have really freshened up their look recently and are more modern. Not only does the giftware compliment the cards, the range looks strong as a whole. We do brilliantly with both the cards and the gifts, especially the Wrendale china mugs from Portmeirion.
Rachel and Paul Roberts, owners of Mooch, Northampton, East Midlands Two independent gift stores in a historic town with a loyal locals customer base. Category
Name of Publisher
Product/Name Range
Comments
Everyday
Belly Button Designs
N78 (formerly Platinum)
Cute
Counting Stars
F Scott Fitzgerald
Humour
Dandelion Stationery
Words of Wisdom
Photographic
Susan O’Hanlon
Classic
Art
Jane Warwick & Sam Wadsworth
n/a Colourlight Studios
Contemporary
Coulson Macleod
Wise Words
Children's
James Ellis
Shakies
Handmade
Five Dollar Shake
Liberty Print
Giftwrap Ancillary
The Art File Wild Things
Luxury Crystal Fantasies hangings
Great all round cards and consistently a best seller for us. The new collection has something for everyone. Gorgeous glittered cards featuring quotes from F Scott Fitzgerald… the range is small, but perfectly formed. This is our best-selling card range week in week out. The humour hits the spot, every time, and the thinking of you/sympathy cards have some of the most beautiful messaging we’ve ever seen (customers absolutely love them). Totally gorgeous images on great quality board. The seasonal ranges work particularly well for us. We’re lucky to have two wonderful local artists who we work with to create a fabulous range of art cards, many featuring local landmarks. These are a HUGE customer favourite. Often customers pick up five+ cards at a time from this range because they love them so much. These fab cards are popular across the ranges, and the kids’ age cards work brilliantly for people looking for something a bit different. The cards have amazingly stood out in our ranges. They’re perfect for the very special occasions. As soon as we brought this paper in it became a huge hit. These are a consistent best seller, with the added bonus that they take up a tiny footprint in the shop.
Above right: Adorable designs from Susan O’Hanlon. Right: A wonderful Wise Words sister design from Coulson Macleod.
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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE