16-18.qxp_Grid 04/11/2021 12:31 Page 4
VIEWPOINTS Carl Dunne co-owner of Cards & Gifts Sheffield and Dronfield: Christmas hunch: “Having been out in shopping centres the last two weekends, following media warnings about shortages of toys etc. I think there's already a buying frenzy with people worried about supplies. It looks like customers aren't even wanting to risk waiting for online purchases to arrive and so are pushing themselves out into the high street to make sure they get what they want now. In our shops stock is moving a little faster than usual right now, but I wonder whether this is just a blip because of the media hysteria.” Your approach: “We put all our Christmas stock out at the start of September and have already seen strong seasonal sales.” Supply issues: “Supply issues have not been a major problem as a whole, as we buy from a wide spectrum of publishers. Having UKG, ICG, Cherry Orchard, Noel Tatt, Paper Salad, Nigel Quiney, Dean Morris, Second Nature, Carte Blanche, Words ‘n’ Wishes, we're well covered! Some supply houses have warned of and suffered delays, whereas others forecast issues and got ahead so we've had reasonable stocks to be able to continue to offer a good selection to customers despite delivery upheaval. In the end it will be the publishers that suffer if they deliver late, ultimately it may simply result in higher returns. Like others, we insist on 100% sale or return on seasonal goods, especially important if they've delivered late.” Above: There’s no mistaking that Christmas is coming at Cards & Gifts Sheffield. Right: Carl Dunne and his partner Ollie Guise-Smith at PG Live 2021.
Hayley Bastable owner of HBB Cards, Newport Pagnell: Christmas hunch: “I’m looking forward to a busy November, fingers crossed. If all my stock arrives, I will feel a lot happier about Christmas! I have put out the Christmas loveliness from Paper Salad, Rosie Made a Thing and Five Dollar Shake as these all got to me in good time!” Your approach: “I’ve been busy receiving new stock that I ordered from PG Live and Autumn Fair. Art Matters penguin cards and prints are stunning. I have just received Dandelion Stationery’s new range of soaps which are unbelievably cute and its festive tea towels are also super brilliant. I have also been busy designing my own HBB candle with a little help from my friends at Potters Crouch candles.” Supply issues: “It has been a frustrating and worrying time as since the beginning of September I have been concerned with the delays in Christmas stock arriving. Despite ordering it (at the beginning of the year) my main Christmas card supplier only delivered my order in the third week of October, which is very late! Thankfully many of my other card publishers have enabled me to put on a good display in the interim but I was very relieved to finally have my main Christmas display out by the end of October.” Top: HBB has sold a lot of the Hunky Dory Christmas range from Paper Salad. Above: A special candle that Hayley created with Potters Crouch. Right: HBB created an Autumn display before moving into full blown Christmas.
Chris and Tracey Bryant co-owners of Expressions in Swindon, Cats Whiskers in Bishops Cleeve and Polkadot in Keynsham Christmas hunch: “Trading has been very positive in all three shops and I feel confident about our Christmas sales. In Expressions, where we started Christmas early, September 1 as we did last year, sales are up by 7.5%. In The Cats Whiskers and Polkadot, we brought forward our Christmas displays to 1 October which has proved to be a great success. This has seen a 15% average sales increase across all three shops. It is difficult to predict what percentage of the public’s purse will go online. Our customers seem to love the physical experience of choosing their cards in store, and long may this continue. We do have our own website - catswhiskersuk.com which is contributing greatly to the significant growth we have enjoyed.” Buying habits: “At Expressions we have always enjoyed excellent Christmas trading, particularly customers’ early buying of those special double captions along with special friend, someone special, one I love etc. However, charity packs are also well up at this early stage of the season. We carry a large selection of charity packs from Woodmansterne, Museums and Galleries, Noel Tatt and GBCC. All are performing very well. Cats Whiskers and Polkadot are trading much earlier than previous years, again charity packs and boxed assortments are selling well.” Supply issues: “We have experienced problems, but these have mainly been from gift suppliers, although our roll wrap and a few boxed assortments were late arriving.” Above right: Expressions, Cats Whiskers and Polkadot are full of festive loveliness. Above left: Charity packs, such as those from Museums & Galleries have been selling well in Expressions.
18
PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE