Progressive Greetings April 2025

ON THE CARDS

The 1970s Johnny Nash song title ‘There are more questions than answers’ is certainly true for businesses right now, those in our greeting card community included.

As publishers and their US distributors grapple with how to deal with the damaging tariffs imposed by Donald Trump for greeting cards exported to the States, retailers are facing what has been hailed as ‘Atrocious April’, juggling domestic cost increases as well as trying to pre-empt the effects of the shockwaves the new tariffs war are causing on global trade. Meanwhile the battle goes on to safeguard an affordable and reliable postal service, with MPs, Ofcom and the media hearing our industry’s voice loud and clear, thanks to the GCA

With the solutions outside our sphere of influence, at best it is frustrating. We have however been here before, and it was worse. Back in 1999, the greeting card industry was caught up in the crossfire of the Banana Wars, involving a 100% import duty to be slapped on cards imported from EU (of which the UK was a part back then) as a weapon to retaliate over banana export duties from the US into Europe. Thankfully Hallmark’s and American Greetings’ close links with the White House (Bill Clinton was president at the time) resulted in greeting cards being removed from the list of products to be penalised. I am not sure though if any major card company today would admit to links with Donald Trump’s regime though!

Going even further back than the Banana Wars, it was a something of a trip down memory lane for Warren and I this morning, having been invited to host a GCA Virtual Coffee Morning to share our story since almost 35 years ago. Much happier asking the questions of othersbeing an editor is the best job ever for a naturally nosy person! –we opted to impart some of lessons we’ve learned over the years. One of these was something Simon Elvin said to us on the day we made the decision to buy PG. I asked for some

advice, to which he replied: “Do all the little things right. You might not know why you are doing them at the time, or whether they are worth it, but together they all add up to a lot.” He was so right, and at a time now when the big picture is somewhat overwhelming, it feels good to be able to break down a ‘to do’ list into golden nuggets.

So, if you are a publisher, add to that ‘to do’ list to enter The Henries. As ever entry is free, its online and this is a fabulous way of getting your products under the gaze of leading retailers. (www.thehenriesawards.co.uk)

If you are a retailer, please add to your to do list, to register for PG Live (June 3 and 4). It is going to be such a treat to feast your eyes on over 200 publishers’ new designs as well as catch up with peers. (www.progressivegreetings.com)

And… keep eating bananas, to wade off any further trade wars!

Above: It was a trip to Leigh-on-Sea to see Brainbox Boys Ben Hickman (left) and Mark Williams for PG’s Jakki Brown, stopping at the former Lynn Tait Gallery for a photo. (See pages 38-39)

Left: Poodle & Blonde’s co-owners Whinnie Williams (right) and Kierra Campbell (left) with PG’s Jakki Brown as the licensed Pigment range debuted in Postmark. (See news page 7 for Pigment’s move to employee ownership). Below left: Amanda Fergusson, ceo of GCA (second left) was also in a Postmark store, being filmed by Channel 5 news to talk about Royal Mail.

This collection has been created in collaboration with Andy's Man Club. Registered charity in England & Wales (1179647).

CONTENTS

7-17 News

All the latest happenings and developments in the trade.

18-19 Talking Shop

Keeping You Posted

Indie David Robertson urges us to pull together to safeguard our Royal Mail postal service.

20-21 Cardsharp

Here Today, Gone Temu-morrow?

PG’s columnist’s no holds barred views of Temu, the Chinese online platform.

23-25 Viewpoints

A Rosy First Quarter?

First quarter reports from cardies behind the counter as they embrace what has been hailed as ‘Atrocious April’ for retailers.

26-27 In Conversation With… Wendy JonesBlackett

The (Quick)Silver Touch

As The Henries 2025 opens for entry, PG catches up with Wendy Jones-Blackett whose Quicksilver range earned its passage into the Henry Cole Classic Hall of fame in last year’s awards.

29-31 Focus on…Male Cards

Singing The Blues

PG’s annual delve into the non-humorous enclave of the male greeting card sector.

Jakki Brown Editor/Joint Owner jakkib@max-publishing.co.uk

33-37 Innovations

Publishers’ new ranges and designs.

38-39 Publisher Insights A Brain Food Feast

PG caught up with the ‘Brainbox Boys’ about their trio of artists collaborations with Real Hackney Dave, Lucy Sparrow and Maja Säfström.

40-41 Retailer Focus Type Righter

Elliot Jacobs, owner of UOE retail group reveals his threefold uptick on greeting card sales in the last couple of years, plus his ambitious plans to expand to 30+ stores.

43-45 Focus on Stationery A Bit Of All Write

In the run up to London Stationery Show (May 1314), PG sniffs out the modern stationery movement.

47 Art Source Down To A Tea

Artist Lindsay Roberts shares her creative journey.

49-50 What’s Hot?

A trio of retailers reveal their best selling ranges.

51-59 Sources of Supply

TOP STORY

Petition Clinches Govt Attention

Industry unites over Royal Mail with wave of Ofcom submissions

‘Give 30 seconds of your time to save the UK’s 500-year-old postal service’ was the call to action, in the race to clinch over 10,000 signatories to a petition to ensure that no changes to the USO can be made without Govt scrutiny. Instigated by the GCA, and with well over 14,000 signatures (and counting), the Government now has an obligation to respond to it.

The battle has been won, but the war is still raging. As PG went to press, Ofcom’s consultation period over changes to Royal Mail’s obligations was days away.

importance of responding to Ofcom’s review by 10 April – having this collective voice really matters,” said Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA.

companies and people as possible to sign the petition and to respond to Ofcom’s proposals that the Universal Service Obligation could be cut to second-class deliveries only every other day, three days one week and two the next, with none on Saturdays was superbly executed, but that of course does not guarantee a victory.

“Thank you so much to everyone in the industry who signed our petition to protect our postal service and recognised the vital

The GCA has also written to every single MP asking for their support in this crucial issue that affects all businesses and UK individuals.

“It’s time for MPs to act – they must make sure Royal Mail isn’t given carte blanche to make the postal service less reliable and unaffordable,” stressed Amanda.

The mooted proposal is for only those letters and cards carrying first-class stamps – the cost of which increased for the sixth time in three years to £1.70 from 7 April – will be delivered six days a week, with Ofcom and Royal Mail claiming this meets the USO so there would be no need for parliament to get involved.

Danielle McCarthy earns her stripes

Danielle McCarthy has been appointed the GCA’s new marketing and events coordinator.

No stranger to the industry, Danielle has been helping her partner

Jonathan Crosby, owner of Stripey Cats card and gift company since 2017.

“Coming from a corporate background I fell in love with the industry when I started helping at Stripey Cats,” said Danielle. “This opportunity feels like both a natural progression and a full-circle moment in my life. Twenty-odd years ago for my A-level English language coursework the topic I chose to write about was the history of the language of Valentine's Day cards - how wonderful that now working for the GCA, I have the opportunity to support and champion an industry that I love.”

Pigment becomes an employeeowned business

If you now speak to anyone who works at Pigment, you will be speaking to one of its owners, as the Harrogate-based publisher has become an employee-owned business.

The company, which has been owned by Steve Baker and Martin Powderly since the start of 2021, when they completed a Management Buy Out, has now adopted an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) model which means the ownership is shared by everyone who works for the business.

“Martin and I have sold our shares in Pigment to the Trust, but are fully committed to working in the business long term and remain as directors,” said Steve, sales and marketing director, who joined Pigment in 2002.

Explaining more, Lynsey Burbidge, managing director of Pigment said: “The Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) model feels right for the business. It means we retain our independence, and our experienced, loyal team can drive performance of the business and be rewarded for it. There will be no change to the day-to day mechanics of the business. Martin, Steve, Debbie [Saltmarsh, general manager] and I will continue to run the business as before and look forward to servicing our wonderful customers in 2025 and beyond.”

Adding his delight that Pigment is now an EOT-driven company, Martin Powderly, creative director said: “This is a really positive next step

Morleys to reopen historic Bath department store as Jolly’s

A strong heritage in department store retailing has prompted Morleys Stores to step up and reopen the iconic Jolly’s in Milsom Street, Bath.

The welcome news came just a month after Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group pulled the shutters down on Jolly’s after 214 years trading.

“We are thrilled to be bringing Jolly’s back to life and to be part of the vibrant retail landscape in Bath,” commented Morleys Department Stores ceo Allan Winstanley.

Above: Amanda Fergusson, ceo of GCA has headed up the activity to safeguard the Royal Mail service.

Below: The ‘Mi sing Let ers’ social media campaign, created by publisher Ohh Deer attracted attention.

Bottom: Ryman owner and entrepreneur Theo Paphitis supported the GCA’s petition.

Above: Danielle with Stripey Cats’ Jonathan Crosby.

Above: Jolly’s is reopening, under its historic name.

Below: (right-left) Steve Baker, Martin Powderly, Lynsey Burbidge and Debbie Saltmarsh.

WHSmith To Become TGJones

Modella to rebrand WHS high street stores amid rumours of Funkypigeon sale

WHSmith has sold its High Street arm of 480 stores to Modella Capital for £76million, with all the stores to be rebranded to TGJones.

WHSmith’s Travel divisions are not part of the sale and will continue to trade under the 230-year-old name in 32 countries. The UK high street shops will operate for a short transitional period under the WHSmith brand as the business rebrands as TGJones.

The WHSmith group intimated about changes to the future of Funkypigeon. “The sale does not include the group’s personalised online greeting card business Funkypigeon.com. The group will explore strategic options for this part of the group, including a possible sale.”

business forward and for the WHSmith leadership team to focus exclusively on our Travel business. I wish the High Street team every success.”

Double-digit growth at Moonpig

Moonpig is expecting to show double digit growth and fullyear revenue of around £350million, it revealed in a recent trading performance update as the rumours grew louder that rival greeting card platform Funkypigeon.com is likely to be put up for sale.

The statement said the group – Moonpig, Netherlandsbased sister platform Greetz, Red Letter Days, and Buyagift – is “highly cash-generative” as “revenue growth continues to be underpinned by strong sales at Moonpig, driven across our three core growth levers: customer base, order frequency and average order value”.

Highlighting this “pivotal moment”, WHS ceo Carl Cowling said: “As our Travel business has grown, our UK High Street business has become a much smaller part of the WHSmith Group. High Street is a good business – it is profitable and cash generative with an experienced and high-performing management team. However, given our rapid international growth, now is the right time for a new owner to take the High Street

Modella, also owns Hobbycraft and is currently in the frame to acquire a stake in Lakeland. Steve Curtis, chairman of Modella Capital led the consortium which acquired the Paperchase retail business in August 2022 before it was placed into administrative receivership four months later.

WHS’ high street side generated a £32million profit in the trading year to August 2024 on sales of £452m. It employs 5,000+ staff, with around 200 of the stores also operating a Post Office counter staffed by WHS employees, alongside dozens of Toys R Us shop-in-shops following the 2024 deal to host concessions reviving the UK bricks-and-mortar presence of the brand that went bust in 2018.

WHS Travel secures £320m finance

WHSmith has secured a £200million from US investors alongside a £120m bank loan as the UK-based group looks to expand its global travel retail business.

The group is concentrating on its lucrative travel arm, which now produces three-quarters of its revenue and 85% of its trading profit from its 1,200-plus outlets in 32 countries.

Greeting cards are sold in a small way in many of its travel stores, as well as in its premium Curi-o-city stores both in the UK and overseas.

Cardfactory expanded its Eid selection

Cardfactory expanded its D&I selection by partnering with Roshah Designs for a full Eid range.

“This is a huge milestone for us,” commented Roshah’s founder Robina Shah. “A massive thank you to Cardfactory for making space for inclusive celebrations and giving our designs a platform to reach more people!”

Jo Bennett, creative director of Cardfactory said: “We are continually growing diversity in our card portfolio, it’s very much a part of the fabric of what we do. It’s really important that shoppers can come to us and find exactly what they are looking for, whether in the design or the editorial of the card, or indeed the event being marked or celebrated.”

As the greeting card, gift and experiences business continues to invest in technology and apps which utilise its unique data science capabilities ceo Nickyl Raithatha said: “One in three Valentine’s Day cards created on Moonpig and Greetz featured at least one of our innovative personalisation tools, such as AI handwriting, or audio and video messages.”

Greetz had a softer start to the second half of the year, but recent performance has been improving, while the Experiences arm remains focused on delivering the group’s transformation plan.

Membership of its Plus subscription scheme continues to grow, and the tracked Moonpig Guaranteed Delivery service is “now chosen for one in five card-only orders in the UK” while gift attachment rates at Moonpig and Greetz have seen strong growth in the second half.

Abacus counts up charity donations from Christmas cards

Thanks to Abacus Cards, five charities benefited from Brits’ love of sending Christmas cards as the publisher’s seasonal collection raised £42,000 for good causes.

This impressive sum has been divided between Parkinson’s UK, British Heart Foundation, Sue Ryder, Mind, and BBC Children In Need

Abacus’ md Nick Carey commented: “It’s an awesome amount for five very worthy charities. They work tirelessly to help care and support a wide range of people. Your generosity makes a real difference to individuals and families, so thank you for your continued support in raising vital funds, we are truly grateful.”

Left: Funkypigeon.com could well be sold too.

Above: Subscriptions to Moonpig Plus are continuing to grow.

Above: Roshah’s Eid designs were sold instore and online by Cardfactory.

Above: WHS took its Curi-o-city brand to Dubai last year.

Above: Abacus’ md Nick Carey is happy with the company’s charity donations.

for April 2025

Our best selling ‘Most Especially For You’ range has a new look and 13 new relation cards! With solid foiled captions taking centre stage, surrounded with the beautiful signature details known to the range and boasting gorgeous colours too. Heartfelt sentiments inside as always! Price code 75/JJ

TOP STORY

Mum’s The Word

Long run up benefits Mother’s Day sales

Falling on the fourth Sunday in Lent, the moveable feast of Mother’s Day was the latest it can be, and the long run up brought benefits to greeting card retailers.

That said, there was, as ever a last minute surge with Postmark’s director Leona Janson-Smith revealing that the “good” Mother’s Day was clinched by selling 1,500 cards on the day itself from its 14 stores in London and Glasgow.

As Greg Rose, of Maybugs, in Bexhill, Eastbourne, Hailsham and Tunbridge Wells, stated: “Once again, the public proved that, when it comes to spoiling your mum, the cost-of-living crisis doesn’t come into it – Mother’s Day was a huge success at Maybugs.

Yeehaw Hallmark X Liz Harry Designs

Giant vases, cowboy boots and honey pots attracted attention at Leeds Trinity Shopping Centre in the run up to Mother’s Day as Hallmark’s new collaboration with freelance creative Liz Harry came to life.

Liz’s bold and bright illustrations grace a new five-card set as part of the Bradford-based publisher’s Magjcal Botanicals 3D range, and the Leeds pop-up showcase proved a massive hit with the public, especially as passers-by could win prizes while

“Sales were up 15% for the week across all four of our stores, with greeting cards accounting for 8% of this increase. This year we went all out with our ranges increasing the selection by 50%. We were asked for more contemporary cards and less floral/sentimental which was the first time we’ve seen this change, humour remained at around 15% of sales, the same as last year.”

At UOE Stores’ nine branches in London, Herts, and Surrey, CEO and postmaster Elliot Jacobs saw an incredible doubling of sales in his stores. He commented: “A longer lead-up to Mother’s Day this year, combined with a broader product range in store, saw our sales on a like-for-like basis rise by more than 100%!”

Rob and Pete Sampson celebrated winning the Nottinghamshire's Best Independent Shop title for A Stone’s Throw in Sherwood with an “entirely bonkers” Mother’s Day season.

“Sales of cards were up almost 50% compared to last year,” said Rob, “a massive thank you to The Art File who sorted out a very speedy delivery of cards for us a week before the big day. Despite ordering twice as many as last year, we still sold out of Mothering Sunday captioned cards several days beforehand.”

In Tettenhall, it was good news for Hugs & Kisses where owner Caroline Ranwell’s customers embraced the glorious sunshine to get out and spending all week in the lead-up.

“The Saturday before was absolutely crazy,” Caroline cheered. “Our sales were 22% up on the Saturday the previous year! We did especially well on our large cards while we sold out of From The Dog cards!.”

Liz Harry is a celebrated crafter, illustrator and inspirational artist whose work centres on mental

The fully-recyclable range includes a vase of flowers, cowboy boot, and pink swan, each coming with a pack

AfroTouch Designs’ founder crowned as Future Leader

As a pharmacist by trade Georgina Fihosy, who is also the designer and founder behind AfroTouch Design and GCA council member, has just been crowned with the Future Leaders title at the PF Awards 25 organised by PharmaFields.

Juggling it with her AfroTouch business, Georgina works with multinational pharmaceutical corporation Novartis Pharmaceuticals UK, where she helps strategic partnerships transform healthcare access, alongside NHS leaders, public health teams, and local communities.

Commenting, Georgina said: “I’m so proud to have driven initiatives that are truly helping to tackle health inequalities. This recognition isn’t just about me, it’s about the power of collaboration, purpose-driven leadership, and creating solutions that drive real change.”

PEOPLE

• Sam Ody has joined Talking Tables as head of Tesco account development. Sam made the move to the BCorp business after almost 16 years at Tesco, many of which buying greeting cards, followed by nearly a year as the head of buying at the Cardzone retail group.

• Well known industry figure, Ashley McCracken is now a buyer with the National Trust having moved from her role at The Guide Dogs For The Blind Association after 2½ years of being responsible for all retail buying and bespoke product development for the online shop and mail order catalogue.

In Berkhamsted, &Quirky saw a 20% increase on specific Mother’s Day cards. “Sales exceeded our expectations,” partner Paul Cheshire commented. “As ever there was a lastminute rush on Saturday and even until late Sunday afternoon for cards.”

(See Viewpoints pages 23-25 for first quarter reports)

• Lesser & Pavey has welcomed two new sales representatives. Nick Garner is covering the Midlands, and James Binckes-Williams is looking after customers in the south of England.

• Jo Astles is getting into the swing of her new position as artist and licensing development manager at The London Studio. She spent three years as a greeting card agent at The Bright Agency, having previously been at The Original Poster Company for 16 years, where she was the creative manager.

showcase in Trinity.

Above: Georgina Fihosy juggles running AfroTouch with her pharma role.

Above: Pigment joked about on social medial about the loss of sleep on the eve of Mother’s Day.

Below: Greg Rose was pleased with Maybugs’ Mother’s Day performance.

Bottom left: &Quirky saw a big uplift this Mother’s Day.

Right: Sam Ody.

Above: Ashley McCracken.

Above: Jo Astles.

Below: Nick Garner (left) and James Binckes-Williams.

Well Dressed For PG Live

Rosie Made A Thing has it in the bag, presses roll on promo postcards TOP STORY

It’s all systems go for PG Live 2025 now with just weeks to go before the doors open at London’s Business Design Centre for the two-day greeting card extravaganza on Tuesday and Wednesday, 3-4 June Over 200 publishers and companies are finalising their new ranges and promotions ready to wow retailers, distributors and buyers travelling to the capital from across the UK as well as numerous countries around the world, including Australasia, America, Asia and many parts of Europe.

The memorable ‘meeters and greeters’ card dresses are under construction, that are made entirely from exhibitors’ greeting cards and giftwrappings, while the Imaging Centre’s digital presses are steaming under the weight of all the free postcards being produced for exhibitors to send out to retailers reminding them not to miss out on the newness and show only offers. Also underway is the keepsake tote bag that will be given out to all visitors, with a bundle of freebies inside. This year the bag will be a Rosie Made A Thing ‘special’ to celebrate the humour specialist’s 10th anniversary.

There will be plenty of cake and bubbles

Pigment’s Poodle & Blonde collection launches at PG Live

Choose to get shirty

There’s still time to grab a limited edition Choose Cards t-shirt so you can join in the special Choose-day photocall at PG Live, on the opening day of Tuesday 3 June – at 3.30pm on the central stairs.

Well known for their muchcoveted luxury interiors, counting celebs such as Sophie Ellis-Bexter, Paloma Faith and Jade Jagger as among their many fans, the Poodle & Blonde brand is adding greeting cards to its claims to fame.

throughout the show as there are numerous other big birthdays including Paperlink celebrating 40 years, Carte Blanche and Hotchpotch celebrating three decades, Paper Salad will be marking 20 years, it’s also double digits for Apple & Clover, Bexy Boo, Earlybird, Lola Design, Louise Mulgrew, Plewsy, and Thortful, while it’s been five years in business for Letterbox Love, Rainee Collections, and Ricicle Cards

“Going by the sneak peek I’ve had from the Show Preview, PG Live will be awash with fabulous new products. Plus there will be all the added extras that PG Livers have come to expect, the drinks trollies with free tea and coffee, delicious lunch each day, opening night drinks party, and a chance for everyone to get together,” commented Warren Lomax, show director.

To register and receive a copy of the full colour Show Preview, retailers should head to www.progressivegreetingslive.com.

The t-shirts need to be pre-ordered by 29 April through organiser The Letter Arty retailer and publisher Matt Simpson’s website at £24 each, with a 10% discount for exhibitors with the code PGLIVE and for visitors using code PGVISITOR.

As well as helping promote the greeting card industry, £2 from each sale will go to Pancreatic Cancer UK in memory of Emotional Rescue’s much-missed long-time product manager Toni Cresswell.

The inaugural range, published under licence by Pigment under its Fox & Butler sub brand, is to officially launch at PG Live in June (3-4, at London’s Business Design Centre).

In advance of the official launch, the collection debuted in Postmark stores.

Bringing their own sense of fun to Postmark’s London Bridge branch, the duo behind the Poodle & Blonde brand, Whinnie Williams and Kierra Campbell visited the store, joined by Pigment’s creative director Martin Powderly and Becky Sherwood from Lisle Licensing (who brokered the collab) to meet the retailer’s director Leona Janson-Smith see the cards on display.

“Don’t they look great?” Whinnie said to her business partner Kierra as soon as they set eyes on the cards.

As well as their own range of products, which spans wallpapers, fabrics and furnishings, licensing collaborations with Hillarys Blinds, Haden, Made and Coat has taken the Poodle & Blonde brand onto blinds, SDAs, furniture and paints, plus projects with leading hotels and restaurants.

“Poodle & Blonde fits in perfectly with our Fox & Butler brand. I love the vintage appeal of the surface pattern designs that I sensed would translate well onto upmarket cards, and they do!” said Martin Powderly, Pigment’s creative director.

Commenting, Leona Janson-Smith, who coruns Postmark with her husband Mark told PG:

“We’re delighted that Postmark debuted the inaugural Poodle & Blonde collection from Pigment, before the official launch at PG Live. The collection adds a point of difference to our selection - and our customers like the designs too, as it jumped into our Top Ten birthday ranges within days of going into store.”

Left: Two of the designs in the Fox & Butler Poodle & Blonde collection.

Below: Grab your own Choose Cards tshirt (in red, white or pink) to take part in the big PG Live Choose-Day photocall.

Above: Outside the Postmark London Bridge store in front of the digital screen which is fanfaring the range. (Right-left) Pigment’s Martin Powderly, Poodle & Blonde’s Kierra Campbell and Whinnie Williams, and Postmark’s Leona Janson-Smith.

Above: The PG Live Show Preview.

Left: A Bold & Bright PG Live postcards.

Below: The Rosie Made A Thing keepsake tote bag for PG Live.

andMaryKatrantzouisaGreekfashiondesignerliving workinginLondon.Dubbed“TheQueenofPrint” bypress,Katrantzou’sworkhaschangedthefaceof 21stCenturyfashion,inspiringhighfashionand highstreetdesignersalike.marykatrantzou.com

TOP STORY

Henries Awards 2025 Opens For Entries

Industry ‘Oscars’ to take on an Abba theme this year

With Abba set as the theme for this year’s Henries greeting card awards, publishers need to get entering if they want to be a ‘winner that takes it all’.

The annual celebration of the best greeting cards gives publishers the chance to really make a song and dance about their ranges, as well as the service they provide to indie retailers.

The deadline for entering all The Henries’ product categories is Friday 6 June, while The Lynn Tait Best Young Designer Or Artist, Best Service To The independent, and Honorary Achievement categories are open for entries and nominations until Wednesday 23 July.

As ever entry is free of charge. For all product categories, submissions should be for greeting card and giftwrappings ranges that have been launched at UK retail between 7 June 2024, and 6 June 2025, or for new designs to an existing range launched within that period.

“Mamma mia this really is a great opportunity for publishers to get their ranges in front of a large array of greeting card retailers and be in with a chance of a fab-abba-ulous trophy!,” stated Jakki Brown, managing director of Max Publishing, who owns and organise The Henries.

For the fourth year running, the initial judging stage will take place entirely online through the www.thehenriesawards.co.uk website, with the extensive judging panel made up of retail buyers.

“The twostage judging approach works well,” said Jakki. “Online the retail judges have time to carefully consider the entries at their leisure, then they get together for a fruitful in-person judging event viewing the shortlisted ranges in the flesh with many of their retailing peers.”

For The Lynn Tait Most Promising Young Designer or Artist category, there is no online element as all entries need to be appreciated in the flesh so creatives under the age of 35 are invited to submit boards showcasing their artistic prowess.

For the Best Service to the Independent Retailer category nominations will be invited and sought from indie retailers to reveal which card publishers and giftwrap suppliers they feel have excelled on the service front in the past year.

As ever, nominations are being sought for the Honorary Achievement Award, presented to an individual in recognition of the contribution they have made to the greeting card industry.

Once the judges have cast their votes online, this results in a shortlist of contenders being drawn up which will be announced on 8 July. These products then go forward to the live judging round with publishers suppling physical card samples which will be put on display at special live judging session on 30 July for the retail panel to examine. Their votes will then be counted to decide the finalists and winners in all product categories, with the finalists being revealed at the start of August.

The generous sponsors for this year’s Henries include Alpha Colour Printers, Cardfactory, Cardgains, Cardzone Group, Fedrigoni, GF Smith, Graphite Creative, Gould Paper, Herbert Walkers, House of Cards, Hugo Blue, The Imaging Centre, Loxleys, McDaniels Law, Postmark, Progressive Greetings Live, Scribbler, The Sherwood Group, Skeet Print, Skylight Media, Spring and Autumn Fairs, UK Envelope Centre, Watermark Cards and Windles

Taking place at The Royal Lancaster Hotel in London on Thursday 2 October 2025, The Henries awards will be an allsinging all-dancing event. To book tickets head to www.max-tickets.net

Thortful, GCA, Emo and IPO meet Temu to stop the copying

Technology could be an answer to the greeting card industry’s deep concerns over the rampant copying on Temu, the Chinese-owned online marketplace.

At a recent online meeting instigated by Thortful md Pip Heywood with Temu, that was also attended by the Intellectual Property Office’s senior policy advisor Rianis Dickson, the GCA’s ceo Amanda Fergusson and Emotional Rescue’s director Brett Smith, Temu expressed a willingness to support a trial within the greeting card sector of the detection software it already uses in other areas.

In the discussions, GCA ceo Amanda Fergusson, Brett, and Pip had explained how UK card designers' intellectual property is being stolen from websites, copied and then resold on Temu, which does have a takedown process, but that the plagiarised content quickly reappears, often under different sellers.

Emo md Brett Smith told PG: “We’re seeing plagiarism as one of the biggest threats to our industry at the moment, and one we all have work together on – we’re very happy to trial the software that Temu has suggested, if it goes some way to combating that.”

Amanda said: “It was good to meet with the Temu team, along with representatives from the IPO. Temu demonstrated a commitment to resolve these issues, but concerns remain about the practicality of some of the solutions currently proposed. However, the technology Temu is now bringing in, along with the proposals discussed, are moving us forward towards, hopefully, ultimately resolving the issues – but there is a way to go at the moment.”

Temu said at the meeting that it is open to support a trial of the proactive detection tech, working with UK publishers and creators, under NDAs, to ingest their designs into this detection software claiming it would be effective in protecting against direct theft as well as subtle changes to designs or the theft of copy and jokes.

(See Cardsharp pages 20-21)

Royal assembly for Wrendale

Wrendale Designs’ owners Hannah and Jack Dale had a date with royalty recently when they received the greeting card and gift company’s King’s Award For Enterprise from the Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire Toby Dennis.

And to celebrate earning the award for exceptional contributions to business and innovation, the Wrendale team enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea at Cleatham Hall near Gainsborough.

Above: This year The Henries Ball will be on an Abba-esque theme. Below: The 2024 winners’ line-up – who will be in it this year?

Above: There have been so many rip-offs publisher Dean Morris created this unpublished design to excise some Temu demons.

Right: Wrendale’s coowners, Hannah and Jack Dale receiving their award.

London Stationery Show Beckons

Retailers recognise the growth potential stationery offers

With stationery products coming out tops in the recent PG Retail Barometer as the area indie retailers are prioritising for further expansion, attending London Stationery Show, which takes place 13-14 May at London’s Business Design Centre needs to be firmly inked on the ‘must do’ list. The show, which is part of the Max Publishing family (owner of PG), is all set to be its largest ever, with stationery and arts & crafts brands from all over the world on board.

Among the many first-time exhibitors this year include Wingback, The Gifted Stationery Co, Scentos, Quadrigloo, Pebeo, Panac Japan, Oli Olsen, Meraki Notebooks, Main Paper, In Real Life, IG Design Group and BlueSky Designs.

No stranger to the show circuit is Oli Olsen, but this will be the company’s first time at London Stationery Show with brand-new collections from Éccolo, a stationery brand from Brooklyn, New York and the latest designs from Metalmorphose, the company’s best-selling keyring and bookmark brand from Belgium.

The event attracts stationery and gift buyers from world-leading department stores and supermarkets to independent retailers, including Lynn Cummings, manager of Jespers of Harrogate who says: “London Stationery Show is the one to visit as there is always something new and exciting to discover. It is fantastic to be able to catch up and meet with new and friendly faces in the industry. This year we are looking for additions to our fine writing department and it is great to see the products close at hand. Journals and notebooks are a popular line for us, so anything unique would complement our current selection.”

The show will also see the presentation of the Stationery Awards 2025, recognising products and retailers.

To register, head to www.stationeryshowlondon.co.uk

Pens poised for National Stationery Week

Things are hotting up for National Stationery Week, which takes place Monday to Sunday, 12-18 May this year, with more leading brands on board as sponsors, a revamped website with downloadable resources and interactive map so consumers can find their nearest stationery store, and retailer engagement fully sparked.

While NSW is owned by Max Publishing (as part of its ownership of London Stationery Show), the Week’s activities are being spearheaded by NSW co-ordinator, Sarah Laker, owner of Stationery Supplies in Marple and Wilmslow. As Sarah commented: “As we continue to build excitement for National Stationery Week, it’s fantastic to see even more brands come on board as sponsors. Their support plays a key role in helping us celebrate stationery and creativity across the UK. We’re looking forward to seeing even more innovation and collaboration as we count down to May.”

Eureka for Meraki

Printing and stationery business, Folio Print & Packaging Solutions came up trumps in the Printweek Awards the Innovation Of The Year Book-Binding trophy for its wood-bound and refillable Meraki Notebooks.

Production director Steve Baker said: “We’re thrilled! Being recognised by the Printweek Awards is a huge honour and a testament to our team's dedication and creativity.”

The Meraki collection will be on Stand G213 at London Stationery Show

Filing a small fortune for charities

The Art File has raised more than £40,000 for four charities – RSPCA, Dementia UK, MNDA and Young Lives Vs Cancer - from the sale of its Christmas cards.

James Mace, sales and marketing director of The Art File said: “These organisations work hard to protect people and animals and we're so pleased to be able to help them every year through the sales of our Christmas charity card packs. If you bought these packs for your shop, or to give to someone you care about, thank you so much. It means everything and helps us to continue to support these amazing organisations.”

On top of multiples, indies, wholesalers and dealers, Cardgains buying group is really getting behind National Stationery Week this year, with its most recent newsletter including a NSW poster from Mint Publishing fanfaring a competition for retailers to offer to win some free stationery goodies.

“Stationery is becoming increasingly important to our independent retailers, and we have some great stationery suppliers in the Cardgains

portfolio, across ‘practical’ stationery, and some beautiful gift stationery,” commented Penny Shaw, md of Cardgains.

“I’m encouraging our members to join in the campaign by displaying their poster and creating wonderful window displays, to increase stationery awareness and enthusiasm around the UK.”

The official countdown to National Stationery Week officially kicked off with Mitsubishi Pencil Co, one of the NSW sponsors, launching a competition on social media to win a case of 40 Posca pens.

Each week in the lead-up is sponsored by a different brand – Posca, eco eco, Pilot Pen, Exacompta, Manuscript Brands, Clairefontaine and The Art File

As Sarah explained: “We have hashtags too for the actual week, thanks to the generous sponsors Maped Helix, Pentel, Staedtler, Snopake, Zebra Pens, and Exaclair (Rhodia), so please tag them in your social media posts.”

Left: Theo Paphitis, owner of Ryman trying out one of the Tom’s Studio pens on the Manuscript stand at last year’s show.

popping celebration for Folio.

Left: The NSW countdown is underway.

Below left: The Mint Publishing NSW poster that has been sent to all Cardgains retailer members.

Above: Grab your own Choose Cards t-shirt (in red, white or pink) to take part in the big PG Live ChooseDay photocall.

Keeping

So, this week I received a card in the post. Nothing unusual in that although many of the cards I get these days from family and friends are not posted as most are hand delivered. This one came from someone who I don’t often hear from, and the small gesture of them sending me a card really touched me, reminding me once again of the impact that a surprise greeting card from someone some distance away can have. And it also stoked my responsibility to promote and protect this industry, especially at a time when we all need to pull together if we have a hope of safeguarding our Royal Mail postal service.

I saw the handwritten envelope and originally thought it was going to be a sample from a publisher, but it was actually a congratulations card for Bijou reaching the finals of The Greats gift retailer awards. It had been sent by the lovely Rosie Trow, the all-round legend agent/industry stalwart. I have got to know Rosie a little through this mag and various events, but as she operates at the other end of the UK to me, she is not someone I have regular contact with, but I do know she is highly thought of by the companies she works with, her customers and also many other agents who attest to her professionalism. I was touched and also felt empowered to

protect this wonderful industry of which we

this industry. These span buying second hand Clinton Cards’ units to get us started, to seeing my pal Paul Taylor buy the Clintons business; to forging relationships with people such as Georgie Francis (White Cotton), Matt Genower (Five Dollar), Rachel Hare (Belly Button) in their early days and then watching them grow into fantastic brands.

Like so many others, I feel deeply concerned about the direction of Royal Mail and the effect it will have on card sales across the UK and beyond.

The general feeling is that Royal Mail really doesn’t want letters or cards.

They are being positioned as small, difficult to handle, easy to get lost and massive expectation/responsibility for

Right: David with Hudson and his dog Hiro.

Far right: David was really pleased that Rosie chose a Bewilderbeest card as he has one of the publisher’s ‘Shit Zoo’ card on his noticeboard at home, which has an unlikely likeness to his own dog Hiro.

very little financial reward. What Royal Mail does want is parcels and lots of them.

The Royal Mail is 509 years young, started by Henry the 8th as an actual service for the Royals and it initially only served the King and his Royal Court.

In 1635 Charles the First established the Post Office and the service was available to the public in much the same way as it is today. In 1840 the Penny Black was launched and in 1845 the first red pillar box was placed. Things largely moved along with modest increases in price until in 2012 before Royal Mail and Post Office were split in a full privatisation in 2013.

Thankfully Royal Mail is still legally tied to the Universal Service Obligation (USO) where a six day service to UK’s millions of households is legally required, but that is coming under question.

PG, the GCA and many others have been very vocal about the changes in terms of service and cost, but maybe it is worth looking at what these changes will be.

On the March 31, as I understand it, many things change and consultations are ongoing over other major potential developments to the 500 year history of the service.

Some of the key changes that will affect us include…

• Second-Class Delivery Frequency:

Royal Mail proposes to reduce secondclass letter deliveries to every other weekday (Monday to Friday).

• Bulk Business Letter Delivery

Speed: The delivery speed of standard bulk business letters (like bills and statements) will be aligned with secondclass, meaning they will arrive within three working days instead of two.

Royal Mail will also raise the price of a second-class stamp by 2p to 87p on the same day with a future cut in service looming.

The company has said the decision was carefully considered, "balancing affordability with the increasing cost of delivering mail”.

Citizens Advice described the change as "yet another blow to consumers", and has said the change to the second class stamp price was “unjust”.

In many ways what is happening is similar to the newspaper industry where publishers such as Reach are increasing prices 3-4 times a year cutting retailers’ margins and offering a digital product at a much reduced cost which ultimately would be much cheaper for them. Newspapers have almost been

• Door to Door Price Changes: Royal Mail's rate card prices for Door to Door will increase by 5% (on average) for distributions taking place on or after October 28, 2024.

• Windsor Framework: Customers sending goods must provide additional data depending on whether the parcel is a Business to Consumer (B2C), Consumer to Consumer (C2C), Consumer to Business (C2B) or Business to Business (B2B). The Windsor Framework will come into effect from May 1, 2025.

Of course the biggest effect will be the cost of a first-class stamp, which rises by 5p to £1.70 from 7 April this year.

last decade is truly frightening.

Take the Daily Record in Scotland as an example. It sold around 780k copies a day at its peak, in Feb this year this had dropped to 43,342 copies daily.

The number of letters Royal Mail delivers has fallen from a peak of 20 billion in 200405 to 6.6 billion last year. And on the costs to the public, Royal Mail has hiked the cost of first-class from 85p in 2022 to £1.70 from April 7.

So, if you have not already done so, please sign the GCA petition for us to have a chance to keep some control on future changes.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/701850

At the very least we need to slow this down and to keep a discussion going. If we don’t act now we will continue to see the service erode and the costs explode to the point that card sending will end up back being something only the royalty or wealthy can enjoy.

The same old arguments are of course trotted out - no one writes anymore, or everything can be done digitally, but I have said time and time again that the feeling of seeing someone’s handwriting, the feeling of knowing someone took time to choose, write a message and send a card is irreplaceable.

It would be easy to accept that all costs are going up. It would be easy to say that letters and cards are a thing of the past, but quite simply we, as the people in the industry need to be the ones highlighting the need to fight to retain the service and at a cost that makes sense.

I know that when I received the email from PG’s Jakki Brown to sign up to the petition it actually made me properly consider this and hopefully if you still are in the camp of “we can’t affect things” this column may have made you think differently as well.

Post offices, as in the actual buildings, are of course crucial too. They provide essential services, such as banking which are a lifeline for many, including older and vulnerable people. We as a business bank entirely at one Post Office using it also for our parcels.

Post Offices contribute significantly to the UK economy, with an estimated £4.7 billion annually and generating an additional £3 billion in spending for surrounding businesses. We have Post Offices near all our stores and it helps us greatly.

Post Offices are seen as community hubs, providing a physical space for people to interact and access services.

If Post Offices were not there we would miss them and if we don’t fight for Royal Mail’s letter/second class service ultimately we will could lose it all.

In the greeting card industry we care about each other and we care about our customers. We care about the service and the fact that you can send a greeting card in John O’ Groats for 85p safe in the knowledge that it will reach Land’s End quickly.

If we fill in the petition, keep using the service and keep the pressure on by speaking about it then surely we can make a difference and feel proud that we did our best. Now, I had better send a thank you card to Rosie Trow!

Left: One of the posters devised by Ohh Deer for the GCA campaign.

Below: One of David’s suppliers raided their stamp supply to send him this

Above: Postman Pat was a great PR frontman for the UK’s postal system! Bring him back. Left: If only stamps cost 1p now?!

Here Today, Temu-rrow? Gone

Not surprisingly given the audience at the Temu presentation in the ‘greeting card hall’ of the Spring Fair, the Temu presenter was lambasted by a stream of publishers, who had been ripped off by Chinese-based traders on the site. The copying of publishers’ designs is so blatant in most cases (just scans of images taken from bonafide websites) and the ridiculously low prices that these scammers charge for the rip offs are scarcely believable. And it has not been confined to a handful of publishers as countless card companies, large and small, have been subject to this blatant copying by this Chinese platform.

The Temu guy presenting was faintly apologetic, saying it would respond to any copying issues highlighted by publishers by taking the offending products off the site.

But it was pointed out that it should not be a publisher’s responsibility to constantly monitor the Temu site especially as no sooner had the copies been removed, they appeared again on Temu, supposedly from another Chinese-based seller. As Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA stridently

pointed out on behalf of members at the meeting, that trying to monitor Temu was “like a game of Wacka-Mole”, and that Temu, as termed by Emma Ball are in effect “Time Thieves”.

Temu’s Thomas suggested that publishers should join the Temu ‘community’ and that would make give easier access to take down copying defenders, to which one publisher pointed out, “You want us to become one of the gang of thieves to catch the thieves!”

Two months ago, in the greeting card hall at Spring Fair, Cardsharp was among the audience of many card publishers attending a presentation and question and answer session by the Chinese online platform Temu. Thomas Wintle, an e-commerce hipster representing Temu was attempting to persuade retailers and traders to sign up as its partners. He somewhat ill-prepared for the tsunami of adverse reactions he received, due to the widespread blatant copying on its platform.

Furthermore, there was no financial compensation available from Temu for transgressions.

He also had no answer to the allegations of forced labour by Uyghur Muslims from factories based in Western China, used by some of the sellers on the site? Or to the amount of tax Temu pays in the UK? The answer being none, as the company’s UK head office seems to be a largely deserted office in Dublin

but registered, funnily enough, in the secretive tax haven of the Cayman Islands.

Nor did he have any answers to the point that many of the products on sale on the platform do not conform to many governments’ health and safety standards or have any meaningful response to the environmental damage being done by the transfer of thousands of little parcels to Europe and the USA by air freight to individual addresses.

The feeble riposte was: “Come and talk to us and join us and we can work on these issues together”.

Left: Copying and plagiarism needs to stop in the industry.

Below: The Temu presentation in action at the recent Spring Fair.

Below: There are thousands of cut price cards on the Temu site, the majority of which are copies.

Inset: Temu has a battle on its hands to get the card industry’s trust.

Fat chance, thought Cardsharp and as if to add insult to injury, everyone that had attended the presentation was scanned on entry and next day received a sales email that commenced with the words, “I believe you have shown an interest in selling on Temu - the fastest growing market place and downloaded app in 2024.” That went down like a lead balloon as you can imagine!

Will Temu respond to the greeting card industry’s concerns asks Cardsharp? Amanda Fergusson, chief executive of the GCA made the forthright suggestion that Temu take greeting cards as a category off the site until the platform can monitor the widespread copying more effectively.

While Thortful’s md Pip Heywood called a meeting with the Temu team, which was also attended by the GCA, Emotional Rescue and the Government’s IPO team, nothing concrete has come of it as yet.

While these attempts are indeed laudable, in Cardsharp’s opinion, to paraphrase Clark Gable in the movie Gone with the Wind, “Frankly, my dear, they won’t give a damn!”

To understand why one needs to understand both the Chinese government’s economic policy and the business strategy of Temu.

Firstly, to China. Chinese economic policy is based on a number of premises. Firstly, the ruling Chinese Communist party deliberately undervalue its currency to make the country’s

exports cheaper. They also do this by suppressing domestic consumption and massively subsidising manufacturing. They also attempt to suppress wages and overwork their employees to keep their costs artificially low.

This means China runs a $trillion+ surplus of exports over imports and indeed although the Chinese economy grows every year, the amount it imports goes down every year and is currently only 4% of GDP of the Chinese economy. To Cardsharp’s mind, this is anything but free and fair trade!

And then reflected Cardsharp, there is the Temu’s own business strategy. Temu’s phenomenal growth is coming from its massive advertising spend and social media activity. Although it only started in 2022, it spent $14 million to secure the prime advertising spot at the US Superbowl in 2023. And with its dirt-cheap prices it has become the world’s most downloaded App with 217 million users, overtaking both Amazon and Walmart. And also, by spending so much on digital advertising, it has effectively raised the marketing costs for its competitors.

Yet its prices are also so low, as it pioneered the ‘factory to doorstep’ model, cutting out the middlemen along the way. It means deliveries take a little longer, but it would seem this is a price, users seem prepared to pay. They pay no tax in the UK. The Temu UK head office in Dublin is a shell with no receptionists. They avoid import taxes as well by utilising a loophole where the order value is below £135.

It is also fortunate that it has been financed initially by the hugely successful Chinese ecommerce company, PDD Holdings, headed up by a certain Colin Huang, who obviously has provided the massive amount of investment to get it to its current position. Colin Huang is a fascinating character, and

recently named the richest man in China. Still only 45 years old, he has utilised his background in online gambling and social media to give Temu its uniqueness. To Cardsharp though, Temu is typical of so many tech companies, and to be fair, not just the Chinese ones. The absolute disinclination of their ilk to be held accountable for any of the harms they inflict on society. Morality isn’t up to them. They really don’t care, and the buck never stops with them. Temu chooses to ignore IP while paying lip service to it. It operates in a moral vacuum. Quite frankly, Cardsharp thinks it stinks.

If they pay no tax? Great! If slave labour is used in its factories? Who cares? What if a few kids choke on toys emanating from its factories? Well they are a disruptor and only a platform, it’s not their problem. What if they spy on our users and abuse data? Well that’s part of the price you pay for cheap prices. Fines and legal challenges they can just ignore. The only thing that will make them change their ways is if Temu’s sales are adversely affected by any of these factors. But what of the future for Temu asks Cardsharp? Well it is patently obvious that its present model is unsustainable, once the investment money dries up. Offering free air freight (erroneously described as ‘shipping’) from China to addresses in the UK or the USA means it must be at present be burning cash at bonfire proportions.

Cardsharp has read estimates that, at present Temu is losing up to $1billion a year. Ironic when its catchphrase is ‘Shop like a Billionaire’. The average Temu purchase in the US, its largest market, is $25, and it is estimated for each sale it is losing $30 – and that was before the new tariff changes! Clearly this is unsustainable. It is obvious to Cardsharp that Temu is racing against the clock, to build such a massive user base that it hopes it can eventually cut the free shipping and increase the minimum order value and then hopefully turn a profit?

Cardsharp notes that Temu’s blitzkrieg strategy is not dissimilar another platform, Wish. Wish founded in 2010, spent all its money that it had raised after its IPO and now its share price is down to junk stock status and rumoured to be on the brink of bankruptcy.

Wouldn’t it be a shame if Temu went the same way?! concluded Cardsharp.

Above: Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA making its publisher members’ views heard at the presentation, saying it was like a game of Whac a Mole.

Above: Publisher Paper Plane has even produced its own range of anti-Temu merchandise to raise awareness of the issue.

The hit card range just got even bigger (and funnier) with an epic NEW release of NEON Giftware. Sunglasses recommended; may cause laughter. www.mint-publishing.co.uk

On the back of a decent Christmas for most cardies, the hopes of this pattern continuing into the first quarter seem to have been realised, admittedly helped by the long run-up to Mother’s Day.

A Rosy First Quarter?

PG checked in with some leading card retailers for their first quarter reports, what changes they have instigated and their hunch on Q2, kicking off with what is being hailed as ‘Atrocious April’ for retailers, not to mention the unsettling confirmation of tariffs being imposed by the US.

Mark Janson-Smith, managing director of Postmark, 14 stores

“Q1 Trading: “We are pleased with the first quarter's trading. It's quite hard to gauge exactly due to the different timings of the Spring Seasons this year, but Valentine’s was very strong with one store serving a record 2,358 customers on February 13, which we are very proud of, especially when you think of how small our stores are. Huge shout out to the team! Mother's Day shaped up nicely and ended up where we wanted it. The last few days are always very strong, and we sold 1,500 Mother’s Day cards on the day itself, which is astonishing.

We ended the first quarter up LFL. This is especially encouraging as

Tracey Bryant, co-owner of Expressions, Polka Dot and Cats Whiskers, Swindon, Keynsham and Bishops Cleeve

“Q1 Trading: “The first quarter of the year has been great for us, showing growth in all the shops. Valentine’s and Mother’s Day sales were both up on last year, although Mother’s Day was a bit late taking off!”

Spring Cleaning: “Our shops are looking very colourful and enticing with all the orders placed at Spring Fair filtering in. A replan or two may be in the offing and we are considering a few other changes, so are excited for the year ahead.”

Below: The first quarter of

Pulse Reading: “We are a bit worried about the next quarter with all the extra costs everybody will incur. It does seem that small businesses, like us indies are being hit from all angles. I suspect we may see more fluctuations in sales around when people are paid than we have previously, but as experience has taught us (Chris [Tracey’s husband] has been in the industry 50 years this month!) we have learned to take the rough with the smooth and adapt accordingly.”

Above right: Chris Bryant, aka Mr B says cheers to 50 years in the greeting card industry taking the rough with the smooth.

Right: Tracey keeps customers up to date with the new product arrivals on social media, such as the Legami limited edition Easter erasable pens.

2025 proved fruitful for Tracey and Chris Bryant’s trio of shops.

Above: Mark’s wife and business partner Leona JansonSmith (centre) with Whinnie Williams (left) and Kierra Campbell of Poodle & Blonde with the licensed Pigment range which debuted recently in Postmark, prior to their official launch at PG Live in June. Left: The recently refurbished Postmark store in London Bridge.

VIEWPOINTS

James Taylor, trading director of Cardzone

Q1 Trading: “Trading has been challenging in a number of locations with transactions on some weeks being down 10% or more, which is obviously a big concern. This is so often driven by transitions in certain towns or on High Streets which make them a real challenge to continue trading profitably.

Valentine’s Day came in marginally ahead of last year (in both Cardzone and Clintons) which is slightly more positive. We’d hoped to have come in far stronger however we put this down to the more beneficial timing of the season in 2024 (falling over half term), and also some late deliveries this year due to shipping delays. Mother’s Day has been more positive thanks to a longer run in vs last year, but a lot was riding on the

final sales. However our seasonal singles performance is comfortably up, which is good.”

Spring Cleaning: “We have taken a few new ranges in from our core greeting card suppliers, however the focus remains on cleansing a lot of older stock which we either have in the business already (inherited with the Clintons deal), or continuing to honour previous stock commitments. We are excited to launch our new everyday card range for both businesses in the second half of the year. This will show some quite significant changes to what customers are used to finding in stores!”

Sophie Edwards, co-owner of Narborough Hall

Q1 Trading: “QI of 2025 has been a whirlwind, but in a good way!

Valentine’s Day trading was strong, even with the cost-of-living crisis in the background. It was clear that some couples had agreed not to spend on each other, but one standout trend was the rise in Valentine’s gifting for children and grandchildren - a promising shift that will hopefully build Valentine’s traditions for the future.

Mother’s Day shaped up well too. It remains more resilient since it’s not a reciprocal gift - no one agrees with their mum to skip presents on Mother’s Day! We maximised the long run-up with early marketing, but as ever, the last couple of days were the busiest. This year, we noticed more variety in the types of gifts being chosen for mums - not just the obvious picks from our mum-themed displays, but customers having more confidence to browse for something that truly suits their individual mum.”

Spring Cleaning: “Spring cleaning isn’t just for stockrooms! We’ve been refining our product selection, doubling down on what our customers love most and ensuring our ranges reflect both current trends and timeless sentiment. Right now, we’re embracing a Blossom & Bows theme for Spring and I’m confident bows are a trend that’s here to stay. And while fruit motifs

Pulse Reading: “We are under no illusion that Q2 and the remainder of this year is going to be very tough. April’s payroll changes and increased NI contribution will put a lot of added pressure onto both businesses. Service charges in shopping centres continue to increase and who knows what could happen with business rates, we don’t hold much faith! We have no significant trading lift for over seven months now so we will tread cautiously and keep a close eye on all forms of expenditure.”

have been growing all year, we’re holding back on those until after Easter when our shop is set to explode into a Pick Your Own fruit market with strawberries, lemons, and cherries everywhere! One of the best things about having our own brand, Petimo, is the ability to create card ranges that perfectly complement any theme we want to showcase. Our new Beauregarde collection is all about beautiful bows, while Fiesta, launching soon, will be bursting with summer fruits. I love being able to respond quickly to trends - it keeps me inspired to create something new. I only wish I could keep up with my own ideas!”

Pulse Reading: “As we head into Q2, it’s impossible to ignore the financial pressures facing retailers. While we can’t control those costs, we can be strategic in driving footfall and keeping customers engaged. For us, that means having really great product, getting super-creative with our merchandising, and reinforcing our brand identity at every turn. Fresh marketing and regular in-store events also help keep energy levels high. Customers are still spending, but they’re more selective - so making their shopping experience feel special and memorable all year round is key.

I’m feeling positive about what comes next this year. We’ve got lots planned for birthday gifting, plus new wedding displays alongside our fruit market. The beauty of the card and gift industry is that we’re in the business of spreading joy. Our job is to make sure that joy starts the moment a customer walks through our doors.”

Above: Sophie and Simon Edwards with their dog Nixie outside More Than Just A Gift at Narborough Hall.

Above right: As part of its approach to Spring, More Than a Gift launched a Female Founders Month in March during which it championed female-owned publishers. Molly Mae’s Jude Kenney dropped by to write her own message on the store’s Gratitude tree.

Below right: Rachel Hare, founder of Belly Button was one of the publishers championed in store and on social media by More Than a Gift.

Above: James Taylor addressed the audience at the GCA AGM last Autumn.

Right: Trading conditions in some store locations, have made it tough for both Cardzone and Clintons stores in Q1, but the first two Spring Seasons have been positive.

Below: It was back in 2012 when the ‘new look’ Clintons was unveiled, now under Cardzone Group ownership, a new store concept is all set to launch in the coming weeks.

Miles Robinson, co-owner of House of Cards, seven stores in the Home Counties

Q1 Trading: “Trade has been solid so far this year with an excellent Valentine’s Day (I can’t remember the last time I said that!) followed by good sales throughout the rest of February and March. And our Mother’s Day takings were strong. We displayed Easter earlier this year deciding to have a minimum six week selling period and I think this has had a positive effect.”

Michael Apter, owner of Paper Tiger, four shops in Edinburgh

Spring Cleaning: “New product we found at Spring Fair with a few new suppliers coming on board as well as updates from current ones means we feel our product offering is very strong at the moment. We have focused on trying to react a bit quicker by streamlining some of our processes and using our marketing calendar to better effect.”

Pulse Reading: “In common with other retailers we are aware that the second quarter will be a challenge. We face unprecedented cost increases in one go which is made all the worse since our sector is far more geared to lower wage/part-time payroll. Our NIC contributions are rising 70% alone in addition to the almost 7% increase in NMW (an over 50% increase since 2019) and the pretty much doubling (more in some cases) of Business Rates. We have mitigated where we can, including some areas that have been truly unpleasant and we continue to focus on efficiency gains where we can, but most importantly we are continuing to invest in our business.”

Q1 Trading: “A solid rather than spectacular Spring, although Valentine's Day sales were impressively up on a LFL basis, and our new shop in Stockbridge was lucky in love in February! It is always better for us when Valentine's Day is later in the working week. Mother's Day was slower to start, but all was fine by the end of the weekend. A very late Easter should mean a decent April too.”

Spring Cleaning: “Evolution not revolution. We have added a handful of new suppliers and brought in new ranges from our existing suppliers. An extended Spring Seasons has given us more time to integrate new products and improve the overall selection. My buyer Megan and I did a walk around one of the shops a few days ago, and we agreed that the range looked 'coherent'. So, self-congratulatory! Our customers are shopping across the product categories, so hopefully they see it the same way!”

Pulse Reading: “We live in interesting times, but retail has always been about change. We work hard every day to actively improve our retail spaces, change what we offer to our customers, work hard with our suppliers, and ensure the team is engaged and challenged to keep their work and the shops interesting for everyone. Sometimes that is proactive and sometimes that is reactive, but we work with the things we can control to ensure we keep doing the best we can. What else can you do?”

BIRA warns of Atrocious April

The British Independent Retailers Association (Bira) has voiced serious concerns over the latest figures from the BRC-NIQ Shop Price Index for March 2025.

Speaking about the report Bira, which represents over 6,000 independent businesses across the UK (including those in the greeting card sector), highlighted that while overall shop prices remain in deflation,

the acceleration of food inflation poses significant challenges for both retailers and consumers.

"We're facing what can only be described as an Atrocious April for independent retailers,” said Andrew Goodacre, ceo of Bira. “Non-food shops are already experiencing deflation and reduced margins and will now see costs rise by inflation-busting amounts –business rates up by 140% and the National Living Wage increasing by 6.7%.

The Spring Statement did nothing to bolster consumer confidence. It's an 'Awful April' for consumers, but an even more atrocious one for independent retailers."

The BRC-NIQ Shop Price Index for March 2025 also revealed:

• Shop price inflation increased to -0.4% year on year in March, against a decline

of -0.7% in February. This is above the 3-month average of -0.6%.

• Non-food inflation increased to -1.9% year on year in March, against a decline of -2.1% in February. This is in line with the three-month average of -1.9%.

• Food inflation increased to 2.4% year on year in March, against growth of 2.1% in February. This is above the three-month average of 2.0%.

"The retail market continues to show a concerning split with essential categories such as food showing increased inflation while non-essential sectors are forced into deflation to drive sales. Food inflation has a disproportionate impact on consumer spending habits, significantly reducing demand for non-food items that many independent retailers specialise in,” reinforced Andrew.

Above: Bira instigated a Love Your High Street campaign last November.

Above right: Andrew Goodacre, ceo of Bira has been making the independents’ plight heard.

Above: Miles Robinson (centre front) and his business partner Nigel Williamson (second left) on the Cardgains Village stand at Spring Fair in February as part of the Charity Challenge cheque handover.

Below: A later Mother’s Day date boded well for House of Cards’ sales.

Below right: Easter displays went out early at House of Cards stores this year.

Above: Michael Apter is well aware that retail is always about adapting to differing conditions.

Below left: Love was flowing for Paper Tiger customers.

Below: Paper Tiger got behind the GCA Missing Letters campaign to save the postal service, sharing the messaging on social media and via its enewsletter.

The (Quick)Silver

“This is our 10th Henries award trophy and they are all cherished dearly, but this is THE BIGGIE!” exclaimed Wendy JonesBlackett, founder of the eponymous greeting card publisher the morning after last October’s Henries awards event which secured Quicksilver’s place in The Henry Cole Classic Hall of Fame as a range that has endured with its relevance to the consumer’s exacting tastes thus retaining its place in retailers’ selections.

Just to enter this prestigious award category, the vast majority of greeting ranges wouldn’t come close to the award criteria of having to have been on sale at UK retail continuously for at least the last

eight years, Quicksilver’s tenure can smash this more than twice.

“I’ve been reinventing Quicksilver every year for the past 18 years and thankfully our customers still love the designs,” revealed the ever-enthusiastic Wendy. “And

TOUCH

‘Newness, newness, newness’ is a battle cry from greeting card buyers, and certainly new collections do reinforce and secure our world-leading industry’s pre-eminence, but in tandem is the evolution of long-running, highly successful ranges that have chimed with public tastes and generated considerable sales for retailers and publishers alike for many years in succession.

With entries now open for The Henries 2025, PG catches up with the founder of Wendy JonesBlackett whose Quicksilver range rightfully secured a place in The Henry Cole Classic Hall of fame in last year’s awards.

Above left: Wendy Jones-Blackett at the recent Spring Fair showing off the newness in the Quicksilver range.

Left: One of the many new additions to the WJB Quicksilver range.

Below: Henries 2024 host George Zacharopoulos (left) on stage with Wendy Jones-Blackett (second right) with the company’s independent account manager Jacqui Godlove (second left), collecting the trophy from (far right) Richard Hall, The Sherwood Group’s sales and marketing director, sponsor of this award category.

as long as they keep re-ordering Quicksilver, I will just keep going with the colouring-in!” she added in Wendy’s endearing self-deprecating way.

The ’colouring-in’ to which she refers is the decision as to the hue of foils for the raised embossed elements which give the range its distinctive look.

“Amazingly we have now published 1,540 different everyday designs under our Quicksilver brand, and with the Christmas and Spring Seasons designs that would take it over 2,000 designs. Some going when you consider that our minimum order quantity is 1,000 cards of each design,” says Wendy, giving some indication of the publisher’s investment in Quicksilver over the years.

The Famed Hall Inhabitants

The Henry Cole Classic Award is for greeting card ranges that have stood the test of time, having been published for at least the last eight years. To enter the range must currently be on sale as a greeting card range in UK retail.

Ranges can only win a Henry Cole Classic award once and then are added to the Henry Cole Classic ‘Hall of Fame’. Some of the current ‘famers’ are from publishers who no longer exist, but the ranges still merit their inclusion, due to the part they played in greeting card publishing history.

The current roll call of winners (in alphabetical order by range name) are: Bestie from

Paperlink, The Bright Side from Really Good; Camilla & Rose from Peartree Heybridge; The Country Set from Wrendale Designs; Eric the Penguin from GBCC; Forever Friends from Hallmark; Giggles from UKG; Ink Press from The Art File; Me to You from Carte Blanche; Medici Cards Blue Label from GBCC; On The Ceiling from Emotional Rescue; Photocaptions from Cath Tate Cards; Pizazz from Nigel Quiney Publications; Pop-Ups from Second Nature; Quentin Blake from Woodmansterne Publications; Quicksilver from Wendy Jones-Blackett; Rainbow from Ling Design and Virtual Safari from Emotional Rescue.

It was Wendy’s husband and business partner, Steve, a scientist by education, who came up with the range name, likening the foil finish to mercury.

“We both really liked the name, but neither of us had an idea that we would be living with it for approaching 20 years. With the benefit of hindsight, to be more fitting of its importance to our business, we should have called it Our Bread and Butter Collection!” joked up Wendy.

Publishers have until June 6 to enter all product categories of The Henries 2025. Entry, as ever is free and will be judged entirely by retailers.

the advent of cold foiling brought with it the ability to include more colours, including neons, which have added more verve to the resultant cards,” highlights Wendy.

The immediacy of visual iconography which the current format of Quicksilver provides is fertile development ground for Wendy, who still creates every design.

With the embossed foil elements maintaining the continuity of the early designs, the ensuing years have seen the designs format evolve to the current renditions which feature repeated icons, or variations on a theme.

The advancements in technology have also come into play.

“The early designs were all hot foiled, but

“I never, ever run out of designs for Quicksilver,” she assured. “The subject matter is endless, and the ideas come from all directions. The last clutch, sparked from requests and popular culture included dinosaurs, space, sweet peas and mushrooms, among others. There is no rhyme or reason as to what

will feature on the next Quicksilver designs!” she qualified.

And that is perhaps the winning crux of Quicksilver, it is the ultimate egalitarian greeting card collection, with a widespread appeal.

“Retailing at £2.75-£3.00, for some of our retailer customers Quicksilver is at the top end of cards that they stock, while for others it is among the cheapest range that they stock, but it works! And as long as retailers and their customers still like it, we will continue to refresh it,” assured Wendy.

Below: Entries are now open for The Henries 2025. Far right: Wendy Jones-Blackett with the 2024 Henry Cole Classic Henries trophy.

Above left: An early Spice Girls-inspired Quicksilver design.

Left: Always up for being celebratory, Wendy and Steve Jones-Blackett (second left) with agents Nigel Spensley (far left) and Alan Potter at last year’s PG Live.

Below: Quicksilver and spawned so many designs over the last 18 years.

SINGING THE BLUES

Beer and football may be what most people think of for traditional male cards but it’s with good reason as the classic imagery still sells, although there’s been a move away from the ‘blue for a boy’ colour palette.

“We find sports, like football and golf, continue to be popular within male relations,” explained Lucy Ledger, head of creative at Great British Card Company, “and we always challenge ourselves to present designs in a fresh and exciting way that will also have good sell-through.”

The upcoming refresh of its popular Bromello collection is testament to this, with its muted tones, illustrated graphics and foil detail to bring different interests to life on each design.

Lucy added: “We spend time considering every possible relationship between sender and recipient.”

Expanding the themes is the aim at Heyyy Cards

Clarkson said: “We still hear from shops that men’s cards are so difficult to find, especially ones that are a

bit different so we try to approach a wider range of subjects and hobbies.

“The new additions to our Taking Shape range are die-cut on luxury stock with intricate debossing to pick out every woodgrain, guitar string and foam bubble.”

Off to the store to buy a card for a male pal or relative? The first instinct is often to head for the humour section, but there are so many great designs out there that hit the mark without having to worry about whether the joke is appropriate. Here PG serves up a feast of cards for our menfolk…

with a greater mix on the colour side, “lots of brights, even deep fuchsia tones are fine in combination with navy or olive… no need to be dull and classic any longer.”

Two wheels are still big at Abacus where md Nick Carey admitted: “We find great male cards are still largely traditionally themed. When we’ve been a little more adventurous our buyers haven’t seen the sellthrough they would like, hence we get drawn back to popular hobbies and sports that men gravitate to. But we’ll continue to remain in tune, having seen a big increase in our cycling-based designs since 2021.”

For Happy Street’s Natalie Gladstone, imagery is still important “but patterns and strong graphics are more acceptable now”

The publisher ups the game with different styles, bold bright colours with loads of foil and emboss, and a current favourite uses a limited colour palette, gold foil and simple illustrations inspired by lino print art.

Alljoy Design has added the traditional to the unusual with new designs in its award-winning Message In A Bottle incorporating cars, tractors and sports to deliver a surprise 3D scene, while David Nichols-Rice has used satin gold foil to elevate the barbecue delights, beer, whisky, and wine, in Ricicle Cards’ latest male range.

And for Carte Blanche Greetings, the new male specialist range from its Wishing Well brand encompasses many popular hobbies and activities.

Marketing executive Natalie Pearce said: “From gardening and barbecuing to DIY or

Above: Cards make our menfolk happy!

Below: Bold and bright Fluoro from The Art File shows the different colour palettes now in use.

Right: GBCC’s sports cards sell. Below right: A current Abacus favourite.

Right: Die cut and debossed by Heyyy Cards. Far right: Happy Street loves male cards.

cycling, the designs are adventurous, but also relatable in everyday life. Each card features a handdrawn illustration against a crisp white background, with soft pastel colours to frame it.”

The extension of masculine colour palettes beyond the traditional is confirmed by Danilo’s licensing director Dan Grant who mentioned “a noticeable increase” in the use of brighter tones and vibrant accents – and the publisher sticks with the style guides for licensed ranges such as Kate Smith and Bexy Boo where “the visual approach embraces bold, expressive colours that challenge conventional masculine palettes”.

Dan added: “While core relations categories such as Dad, Grandad, and Brother remain strong, there is growing interest in cards that provide male-to-male support. Sentiments acknowledging friendship, encouragement, and appreciation are becoming more common, reflecting a broader cultural shift towards emotional expression and connection.”

For Imogen Partridge there’s been a “much bigger conversation happening in society about masculinity, men and boys and gender” so she’s been widening the net when it comes to colours, and agrees “there is an ever-increasing understanding and appreciation for the fact men can enjoy things beyond beer and sports”.

Finding the perfect greeting card and designing for men can be quite a struggle, said Louise Tiler: “That’s why we took a different approach. Inspired by the charm of our bestselling female designs, we’ve given men’s cards the attention they deserve – modern colours, contemporary foil detailing, and designs suitable for all types of personalities.”

With sales data and research on hand, Ling Design knows hobbies and

interests are as relevant as ever. Head of design Clare Twigger commented: “Designing greeting cards for men is a careful balance. We challenge ourselves to capture the essence of sentimentality without crossing into territory that feels too sentimental for a demographic that often keeps emotions under wraps.”

Cobalt is the latest male range from Hotchpotch where the design team has mixed imagery, typography and pattern with popular themes like beer, golf, motorbikes, and DIY as well as quirky characters, puns, and hand-drawn type, in a colour palette of bright blue with masculine tones and pops of reddish orange and gold foil.

freedom of an off-grid lifestyle in the countryside.”

And Noel Tatt Group has a similar view, with sport, beer and red wine still popular although updated to shine with new finishes such as textured foils, blind emboss patterns or unique pop-up die-cuts.

“For our more mature male customer we’re loving the classy and moody colour palette of deep charcoal contrasted with rich gold and copper foils. There’s also still a need for imagery that reflects a more tranquil lifestyle – gardening and harbours are always popular themes for us,” explained seasonal design manger Emily Terris.

“In the younger male market, we’re finding success in bold typography –particularly with our new Crescendo range which features snappy phrases in eye-catching neon inks, a welcome addition of fun oranges, greens, yellows and purples to the traditional male colour palette.”

It’s all about the classics at International Cards & Gifts where design team member Kathryn Coyle commented: “Traditional themes remain strong. Sports continue to be a favourite, with classic football designs sitting alongside newer interests such as paddleboarding.

“Beyond sports, there's growing appeal in space exploration, music, and the

Laura Darrington Design has long catered for the male card scene, and business development manager Ross Harrison said they’ve been making a point of avoiding the usual sport and beer themes, although keeping up with pastimes and interests.

“What is clear is that there’s definitely a place in the market for publishers that offer alternative designs,” Ross said. “Dog walking, music, cycling, going to the gym, gardening and relaxing are just some of the designs that have sold well for us.

“Our latest male Honcho Collection features a more abstract approach, mixing geometric, cityscapes and retro themes, but still including the obligatory sports designs while our first non-caption range Spectrum features male designs that appeal to the more outdoorsy gent.”

Gone are the days of predictable colour palettes at Paperlink,

Above left: Alljoy’s traditional with a difference. Above: Gold foil elevates Ricicle designs. Left: CBG’s Wishing Well range.

Left: Licensing works for Danilo.

Below left: Different hobbies by Imogen Partridge.

Far left: Louise Tiler took a different approach.

Left: Loving bears from Ling Design. Below: Hotchpotch’s bright blue palette.

where they’re embracing a mix of deep, traditionally masculine tones and bright, complementary colours with gold foils, embossing, and bold illustration styles.

Marketing exec Anna Blue explained: “Choosing the perfect card is about more than just picking a male or female design, it’s about celebrating relationships in a meaningful way. That’s why we design our men’s ranges with variety in mind, ensuring senders can find a card that truly reflects their unique bond with the recipient – a shared passion, treasured memory, or simply an appreciation for their interests.”

She admitted the classic themes of sports, cards and beer remain bestsellers, but Paperlink adds variety with

more niche interests such as the Hudson range of music, cycling and typography, and striking photographic designs from Solarize.

While blue is a favourite colour for Rosanna Rossi’s co-owner Anna Nelson, the elements of mustard and orange enhance her new Sunburst and Journey ranges, which both focus on fun and adventure along with the classic themes.

Anna added: “We’ve based our ranges around imagery, incorporating the great outdoors and sports as the elements for the design. We design around a story theme and our bestsellers have been pictorial designs.”

UK Greetings is going for pure escapism with its latest The Wanderer range, showing picturesque landscapes and lino-print style illustrations, coupled with no caption and blank inside to fit a variety of sending occasions.

Behind the smiles

Going behind the brightness of receiving a card is something that’s being explored at Hallmark where consumer insights have shown people often struggle to find just the right design for males and those who identify as he.

The publisher’s trends strategist Heather Williams said: “This has led us to explore not only alternative and aspirational design styles, but also some more nuanced sending needs such as support and appreciation.”

According to a recent report from charity Movember, the UK is experiencing a male friendship recession with 47% of men saying they couldn’t talk about a problem to a friend, while a 2019 YouGov survey found one in five men admit to having no close pals, and a third don’t have a best friend.

Heather added: “These stats are sad and telling. At Hallmark we aim to help people strengthen their relationships, that’s why we’ve partnered with the amazing AndysManClub mental health charity on an evolving collection that really lets men and the women in their lives open up, comfort and connect with each other.

Finally, The Art File is stepping up on the design side by adding to its typography and imagery-focused ranges with new male collections on an abstract theme.

Building on the pastelthemed Ahoy, and deeper colours of You The Man, sales and marketing director James Mace flagged up the latest offer of Fluoro, the first of the new direction with a typographical focus on geometric designs that are “bold, bright and flashy”!

“The partnership aims to help end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and support them through the power of conversation. A gesture of kindness, such as a card featuring a supportive message, could be enough to remind someone that care, friendship or love is out there and that it’s okay to talk.

“We know men need as much emotional support as women and there is a cohort of younger men who are becoming more comfortable with emotionally-intimate relationships with other men. They’re questioning what it means to be a man, dad, husband and friend by embracing emotional honesty and rejecting the notion of traditional masculinity.

“These designs help them to say some of the things that they want to say but may not have the words for – including messages of appreciation and thanks to the other men in their lives.”

Above: The Hallmark x AndyManClub range. Below: Movember and AndysManClub work to help men’s mental health.

Right: Adventure awaits at Rosanna Rossi.

Below: Paperlink’s striking Solarize.

Below right: UKG goes awandering.

Above left: IC&G has newer sports.

Above: Noel Tatt’s classy palette.

Left: No captions for Laura Darrington.

Below: The Art File’s pastel Ahoy.

A wonderful selection of newness to pep up Spring displays.

Say Hello

Paperlink is saying it loud with Hola, its vibrant new card collection. Designed to spread feelgood energy, the designs are bursting with colour, positivity and fun. The upbeat messages are laced with cheeky charm to turn everyday greetings into something that makes life brighter. Paperlink  02075 828244 www.paperlink.co.uk

Out And About

Summer Loving

Inspired by surface pattern and textile design, Clare Maddicott’s Summer Vera collection is a charming female birthday range featuring effervescent celebratory designs. Images of graceful butterflies, balloons, presents, cakes, flowers and summery drinks are enhanced by a shiny gold metallic finish and neon inks. The cards are accompanied by a striking neon pink and orange striped envelope.

Clare Maddicott 01638 569050

www.maddicott.com

James Ellis has recently expanded Offshore, its Henries award-winning range. The latest additions however are still based around the theme of water, beaches and the great outdoors. A palette of indigo blues, turquoise greens and sandy colours enhance the tranquil feeling of escapism that the designs engender.

James Ellis 0117 927 7667 www.jamesellis.com

Ohh Deer has added another dimension to its portfolio with its Picture This range. Designed by Natasha Durley, these 3D greeting cards feature layered scenes inspired by the wonders of nature and are infused with neon inks to really make them pop. The collection has also been extended into stationery and postcards.

Ohh Deer 01509 812075  www.wholesale@ohhdeer.com

Wonderful Wildlife

Into The Mix

ArtPress has welcomed artist Lucie Ailsa into its portfolio. Lucie's work is a creative play on traditional botanicals, introducing mixed media photographic elements, line work and a modernist colour palette. The inaugural range comprises eight everyday 170x120mm blank cards, each accompanied by a China white envelope.

ArtPress Publishing

Claire Louise’s Whimsical Wonders range is a delightful collection of birthday cards encompassing 12 enchanting designs that are a celebration of flowers and fauna. Each of the 155mm square cards feature watercolour illustrations set against vibrant, colourful backgrounds.

Claire Louise 07715 373344

www.claire-louise.co.uk

A wonderful selection of newness to pep up Spring displays.

Mega Colour Scene

Paper Salad has extended its popular Colour Hub range, adding designs to cover milestone ages (18 to 80) as well as nine occasions cards, including congrats, new home and good luck. All 125mmx175mm, they feature the publisher’s trademark bright neons as well as a super shiny spot UV finish, deep embossing and effective chunky text. Each comes with a patterned envelope.

Paper Salad 0161 427 0001 www.papersalad.com

Direction Of Travel

Life’s Knocks

After a two-year break, Memelou is back, with a focus on empathy. The 14 card designs cover parts of life that are tricky to talk about… illness, grief and sadness, depression, divorce, job loss, break up and general hard times. However, with colour lifting the mood, these are bright empathy cards! Memelou michelle@memelou.com www.memelou.com

Journey is a new beautifully illustrated collection of 16 versatile birthday and occasion cards from Rosanna Rossi. Inspired by the publisher’s co-owners’ passion for travel and adventure, each design reflects years of global exploration, capturing a unique story through art. All cards measure 12 x170mm and come with an eco kraft envelope. Rosanna Rossi

Nature’s Calling

Countryside Walks

Sabivo Design’s new Elderflower range is inspired by countryside meadows, fields and the delicate beauty of wildflowers and grasses. The inaugural 40 designs, all 145mm square, cover Spring Seasons as well as Thinking of You and Sympathy. The artwork is hand-illustrated and the cards are hand-glittered with mixed gold and silver glitter for extra sparkle. They come cellowrapped with a brown kraft envelope.

Sabivo Design 01858 683 278 www.sabivo.co.uk

Mediterranean Vibes

Earlybird is keeping the sunshine flowing with its Honey range. Crafted by the talented Linsey Kelly, the vibrant flavours of the Mediterranean are brought to life on stunning birthday designs featuring sardines, tomatoes and olives. All the cards are printed on 100% recycled board and come with craft fleck envelopes.

Earlybird Designs  01227 765372 www.earlybirddesigns.co.uk

Looking for something ‘wild’ for weddings, this latest design in Citrus Bunn’s Pun Fun range fits the bill. From a fluffy badger to a cute coot and an adorable squirrel and pigeon duo, this quirkily captioned new collection celebrates the charming creatures on our doorsteps. Citrus Bunn 07746324124 www.citrusbunn.com

From traditional tiered units to celled displays, we have the solution for every greeting card requirement. • Expert Craftsmanship

Are you ready to take on the fast-approaching winter season? CALL US: 0121 557 1891 or EMAIL: nsmith@nsmithbox.co.uk

Henry’s 2024 Greetings Cards Awards Progressive Greetings Live 2024

A wonderful selection of newness to pep up Spring displays.

Eye To Eye

Aww, So Cute! is a new playful collection of 12 designs from Alljoy Design. Each joyful design, covering animals to cakes, incorporates interactive, jiggling parts that move for added fun. All 125x175mm, they are enhanced with foil details and jiggly eyes. Alljoy Design +(0)1 630 1213 www.alljoydesign.com

Regional Accents

Holy Mackerel is bringing more local charm to the world of greeting cards with its ever-growing regional range, expanding its Dorset collection. All created by artist Erica Sturla, these designs celebrate the county’s stunning coastline, historic sites and local treasures.

Holy Mackerel 01395 578571 www.holy-mackerel.co.uk

In Full Bloom

Bearing Up

Designed in collaboration with talented illustrator Tracy Oliver, Dandelion Stationery’s new Bear Hugs collection delivers a dollop of cuteness. A mix of textures along with a play on words and a contemporary colour palette all feature on the birthday and occasion cards. They come supplied with bespoke star patterned envelopes.

Dandelion Stationery 01332 504940 www.dandelionstationery.co.uk

Yaki Dah

Bexy Boo’s brand new Bloomers collection is bold, floral and colourful. All 105x150mm, the cards are printed with a double hit of white to make them stand out even more. They come with a recycled kraft envelope and are eco stickered as standard.

Bexy Boo  07810 448080 www.bexyboo.co.uk

Crystal Clear

Dedicated to a very brave little girl, Marina B’s new Sybil Loves Collection is a 3-in-1 delight that works as a greeting card, a framed print and a cherished keepsake. Each beautifully foiled wellbeing keepsake card features a real crystal, providing a lasting reminder of positivity and inspiration. All 220mm square and blank inside, they include info on the back and come with a crisp white envelope.

Marina B 01858434462 www.marinab.co.uk

Pink Pig has just translated all 56 of its popular OhSoSHiny foil range cards into Welsh. The collection spans birthday and occasion designs in jewel bright colours, featuring pretty, contemporary illustrations enhanced by gold and silver recyclable foil details. The 127x177mm cards come with recycled eco kraft envelopes.

Pink Pig Cards 07795574548 www.pinkpigcards.co.uk

A BRAIN FOOD FEAST

Expect the unexpected is probably the best advice when it comes to Brainbox Candy’s co-owners Ben Hickman and Mark Williams, such is their abundant creativity evidenced on their products, their marketing and, of course, their ingeniously concocted outfits for The Henries.

However, forging collaborations with three wellknown artists - Real Hackney Dave, Lucy Sparrow and Maja Säfström - and launching them all at the same time as part of 200 new designs that the publisher has just blasted out, has even taken the Brainbox boys rather by surprise.

PG travelled to Leigh-on-Sea to talk about art in its multifarious forms with these two masters.

“We’ve been the busiest we’ve ever been in our lives… No time to chew on a Curly Wurly, that’s for sure!” stated Ben with a twinkle. “However, Curly Wurly or no Curly Wurly we really are chuffed to bits to be trusted by these great artists of our time with their work,” added Mark.

THREADS OF SEW YOUR SOUL’S LUCY SPARROW

Lucy Sparrow is recognised as one of the UK’s most exciting and original artists, with a very strong following in the US and beyond.

Her practice is quirky yet subversive, luring the audience in with her soft, tactile, colourful felt creations before hitting them hard with her comment on subjects including the demise of the traditional high street and the fragmentation of community. Her time consuming, handmade work has wowed the art world and fans in equal measure with her art shows regularly selling out. These themed art shows has seen Lucy recreate environments such as a pharmacy with everything made from felt (down to individual packets of Ibuprofen) to thousands of individual fruits and vegetables for her last show in Miami.

The popular double act’s stand at the recent Spring Fair was burgeoning with the newness. As well as their own successful ranges, such as Quotish, Heritage and Relatable, there were plenty of additions to the long running collaboration with David Shrigley as well as Modern Toss, plus the brand new Real Hackney Dave, Sew Your Soul by Lucy Sparrow and Majasbok collections.

“We had been on the lookout for a new artist to work with, but ended up with these three super talents, who were all keen to work with us, so we went for it, and it has taken over our lives for the last few months, in a good way!” admitted Ben.

Top: Lucy Sparrow on her Blessed Be the Fruit stand at the most recent Miami Scope exhibition, at which all the individual fruit and veg items (each made by Lucy) were sold, such is her following.

Above: Design in the Sew Your Soul by Lucy Sparrow range from Brainbox Candy, for which extra care has been taken to convey how every item is stitched by hand.

Above right: A close up of a design to show the stitchwork.

Above: Brainbox’s Mark Williams (right) and Ben Hickman all dressed up for a right Roman night out at The Henries last October.

Left: Brainbox’s wealth of their own created ranges, such as Heritage, are also continuing to grow.

Right and below: The world-renowned David Shrigley OBE was the first major artist that Brainbox Candy started working with and has since spawned a wide card and gift collection.

MAJABOK’S FEMININE TOUCH

Maja Säfström, which is known under the Majabok brand is a Stockholm-based illustrator and author with a background as an architect. Her close-to photorealistic drawings are based on more or less true stories from life. She hopes to, with her art, inspire people and/or waste their time.

Feminine in theme and honestly drawn, her work has attracted an impressive following online.

Her illustrations features on a variety of products including baby wear, murals, t-shirts through various licensing partnerships as well as in a plethora of books.

As Mark explained: “Having successfully worked with David Shrigley now for the last eight years has probably helped to put Brainbox Candy on the ‘artists map’, meaning that when we make contact they have heard of us, which always gets things off to a good start. This was certainly the case with Real Hackney Dave, who is a big Shrigley fan”.

In the case of Lucy Sparrow, the artist behind Sew Your Soul, Ben had marvelled at her inventive stitchery art for some time, had clocked her sell out art shows and her huge social media following, but it was a chance introduction by an art agent that forged the publishing partnership.

“You just cannot fail to be impressed by the extent of the creative challenges she sets herself, from making an entire fish and chip shop out of felt, down to the individual chips to a complete fruit and veg shop for her recent Miami Source show… and she

sold everything, down to the last pea,” said an amazed Ben, someone who crafted wearable Roman emperor’s chaise longues for the most recent Henries event.

Neither Ben nor Mark lay claim to the tieup with Maja Säfström, who is better known by her Majasbok brand, thanking Rebecca [Monteith] from the Brainbox studio for highlighting the potential of this Swedish illustrator and author.

“Rebecca had been following Majasbok for ages and we recognised that a female

illustrator can do female empowerment a lot better than Mark or I could ever do, and we loved her care and attention, using her own handwriting rather than a generated font,” said Ben.

While Ben and Mark have no intention of stemming their own created ranges, they see bringing more noted artists work into the Brainbox family as very much part of the company’s evolution.

“We’ve never sat still at Brainbox HQ, we’ve constantly strived to evolve, learn, push humour and style being as creative as possible. To now be collaborating with some of our favourite artists is not only a privilege, but it shows us how far we’ve come and the exciting road that lays ahead,” sums up Ben, no doubt already conjuring up ideas for this year’s Henries outfits!

MAPPING OUT REAL HACKNEY DAVE

You only needed to see the gallery at capacity and the queue round two streets of fans waiting to get into Real Hackney Dave’s recent private view in the hope of acquiring a piece of his work to get a sense of how strongly his art chimes with popular culture.

Dave Buonaguidi, AKA Real Hackney Dave is an artist (who really does live in the London borough of Hackney) who uses the visual and verbal language of advertising and propaganda and combines it with found objects and ephemera. His work is recognisable by the lavish use of neon pink ink which is regularly screen printed over vintage maps, posters and photographs.

In a previous life, Dave worked in advertising for over 35 years, founding several creative agencies, including St. Luke’s, 4Creative and Karmarama. He left advertising in 2019 to become a full-time artist after realising he was not meant to be part of a corporate world. And while he is not lacking in his claims to fame, Dave also played cricket for Italy!

Above: The Brainbox boys, Mark Williams (left) and Ben Hickman in the frame for more artistry.

Above left: Maja Säfström at work.

Above: Maja has a huge following for her femaleorientated illustrations and observations.

Top: Bold neon graphic art overlayed on maps is one of Real Hackney Dave’s signature style, which is echoed in the inaugural Brainbox Candy card collection. Above: Bold type and colour feature across the Real Hackney Dave collection.

Above: Lucy Sparrow with Fat Boy Slim and some of her handsewn creations.

UOE’s shop in London’s East Finchley to get some photocopying done for his Dad. Then, at the grand old age of 14 he clinched a Saturday job working at what was the former typewriter maintenance company that had evolved into the rather grand sounding Universal Office Supplies business selling all manner of stationery and office supplies.

TYPE RIGHTER

If the photocopier had not broken that day, Elliot Jacobs may never have reconnected with his Saturday job owners, let alone buy the UOE business

It was many years later, when working in the computer sector that a broken photocopier prompted Elliot to visit to his erstwhile employers where he learned of their plans to retire.

If you have a disused typewriter looking for a new home, Eliott Jacobs could well take it off your hands. He needs to build up his collection, in readiness for the planned expansion of his UOE business into what he is aiming to become “The number one national stationery retailer” trading from up to 40 stores and greeting cards are very much part of the remit, being the fastest growing part of the retail business.

So, what’s with the typewriters, and why is there one in every UOE store? It is in homage to the company’s origins, something of which Elliot has first hand knowledge.

As a young lad, he used to cycle up to

“It does rather sound like a Victor Kiam story,” joked Elliot recalling the catchphrase of the outspoken American entrepreneur who liked the Remington shavers so much, he bought the company. Elliot then developed UOE’s B2B online operation while the retail side ticked along.

“It was 2013 and high street trading was tough, but I just loved retailing. I knew I either had to become a proper retailer or get out of it,” revealed Elliot. “I then spotted that the Post Office was franchising out branches and recognised how bringing retailing together with the services a Post Office offers would drive footfall and increase sales.”

Elliot was successful in his bid for the Post Office in East Finchley. “Our business went boom overnight,” recalled Elliot, with Potters Bar, Hertford, Muswell Hill, Stoke Newington and Crouch End following suit in quick succession.

“During Covid, though it was challenging, we were able to continue trading, further cementing our relationship with the community,” explained Elliot.

After opening in Ware (together with a banking hub), last October hearing of the owners plans to retire, Elliot was able to acquire the popular First Stop Stationers shop in Reigate, which further underlined the growth potential greeting cards offer UOE.

“First Stop Stationers is a fantastic store, long revered for its greeting card selection and we are delighted that all of the team

Above: Elliot Jacobs outside UOE’s Crouch End store, which like all of its the shops features an old typewriter in homage to the business’ roots.

Right: The majority of UOE’s stores are open seven days a week and, having a Post Office means they are a hub for the community.

Below right: While UOE’s greeting card sales are growing strongly, sales of its packaging products (displayed on the right) are a cornerstone of the business.

Above: As well as offering postal services, UOE’s stores also act as a bank, which further drives footfall.

have joined us,” said Elliot. “We already have a couple more potential store acquisitions in the pipeline and hope in these cases too that we can retain the team and their customer knowledge.”

Elliot recognises that having a Post Office in each store gives UOE a footfall advantage that other retailers do not have.

“In the last year we served two million customers in the Post Offices in our nine stores. A customer’s prime purpose of coming in may have been to send some post or do some banking, but with an alluring selection of stationery, cards and gifts sold in an attractive retail environment, our plan is to disrupt their mission and persuade them to buy something else too,” freely admits Elliot. It is a strategy that is working as 25% of all UOE customers buy also something from the retail side during a visit, with greeting cards scoring highly on this front, reflected in cards being its second largest revenue generating product area, only beaten by packaging items.

“Our greeting card sales have tripled over the last two years, and having expanded our

selection by 30%, now stocking over 1,100 different designs, all from independent publishers, we expect this number to continue to grow,” predicts Elliot.

While acutely aware of the tricky Royal Mail situation and the challenges the Post Office has faced of late, Elliot (a non-exec director of the Post Office) is steadfast in his belief that a Post Office is and should remain at the heart of the community.

“As well as Royal Mail, we also offer DPD, Amazon, DHL services. We have to, it’s what the public want. Our sacks of letter post have reduced, but the number of bags of parcels have increased massively. And with banks closing many of their branches, we are a lifeline on that front too,” believes Elliot. “In many instances we are the glue that keeps the high street together, which is something we take very seriously. It is both a privilege and a responsibility,” concludes Elliot.

Up close and personal

PG put Eliott Jacobs in the stationery hot seat...

Can you share an early stationery retailer recollection: “It was being taken to WHSmith in Brent Cross as a boy for me to choose a new pencil case for school. One of the treats in life is a brand new pencil case!”

Share your pen history: “I have fond memories of the green barrelled Pentel R50s coming on the scene… and we still sell them.

The first ‘proper’ pen I ever owned was a red Lamy Safari that I filled with purple ink, which got me into trouble at school.

I now have four or five ‘proper’ pens and love them all. My favoured one would be my Caran D'ache Leman fountain pen. It just feels like a proper event when you write with it! It is the stationery equivalent of a black tie gala!”

What is the power of the handwritten card, note or letter? “When you mean it, you write it. In a world which is largely instant, receiving a handwritten card or letter means so much more. It is an intentional show of care and thought, and it is tangible. It is the opposite of easy, which makes it so much more special.”

Are we undergoing a stationery renaissance? “Stationery has never gone away, but today’s consumers are enjoying the wealth of choice on cards and stationery products. Diaries are experiencing a renaissance in our stores. With social planning on the up we’ve sold 100% more diaries this year, while the whole arts and crafts scene for children and adults is continuing to proliferate, whether for mindfulness reasons or as an alternative to screentime for kids.”

Right and below: Washi tape workshops instore were backed up by window displays.

Above: Supporting the local community is something Eliott is planning to do more of with UOE and is currently recruiting for an outreach community manager.

Below: The sweet spot for gift products for UOE customers is around £12.

Below: One of the many old typewriters that Eliott has collected for display instore to hark back to the days when it was a typewriter maintenance company.

The Progressive Greetings Annual Retail Barometer (February 2025) confirms stationery as the number one priority for in-store diversification. Its timeless appeal and lifestyle presence drive high street success, with the London International Stationery Show offering retailers a hands-on opportunity to tap into this thriving sector.

Stationery’s most definitely on the move, coming top in the recent PG Retail Barometer as the product area to which indies are prioritising for expansion this year.

With London Stationery Show on the horizon, taking place 13-14 May at London’s Business Design Centre, PG embraced the wonderful world of stationery. It’s a genre not to be sniffed at –or actually it is with the huge number of people who love the smell of a brand-new notebook!

explains Eddie Clarke, licensing manager of Museums & Galleries

With fine art and designer cards the bedrock of the business, the designs are expanded across a variety of products from boxed notelets and social stationery packs, through notebooks and sketch pads, to organic cotton pencil cases.

As Eddie reveals: “All our product thinking emerges naturally out of the amazing artwork provided by our talented artist and designer contributors and brilliant heritage museum collections. These products all

Great British Card Company has come a long way since the launch of its first collection of Morris & Co licensed stationery products in 2021, and now boasts a selection of more that 160 produced across various licences and design concepts. As CEO David Byk explained: “In many cases, the designs and licences complement our greeting cards and the gift packaging offer from our sister company Penny Kennedy. Our customers and sales team love the coordinating look and recognisable licences.

“We’re very excited to be launching our sixth collaboration at

Left: M&G has a vast range.

PG Live with Stephanie Dyment. It meant a lot when she approached us to partner with her on stationery.”

At Wrendale Designs stationery is very important with founder and co-owner Hannah Dale explaining: “I think it goes hand in hand with greeting cards. Because all of ours are art cards, the designs lend themselves perfectly to beautifully-designed stationery so it’s no surprise we branched out into notebooks pretty quickly!

“If you’re drawn to greeting cards then you’re probably a bit of a stationery fan too. A fresh notebook is such a joy – I used to hoard them a bit because I couldn’t bear to write in them but now I just love starting a new notebook. It was a very natural progression for Wrendale in the early days

London Stationery Show

London Stationery Show 2025 is all set to open its doors on Tuesday 13 May and Wednesday 14 May at London’s Business Design Centre. It will bring together a whole array of stationery products, writing instruments as well as arts & crafts ranges from leading UK and international brands, exciting new designers and innovative start-ups.

To register head to www.stationeryshowlondon.co.uk

Above right: GBCC launches Stephanie Dyment stationery at PG Live.

Right: Notebook art from Wrendale. Far right: The Art File’s list pads are popular.

and definitely driven by my love of stationery.”

The Art File is another greeting card publisher who has expanded very successfully into stationery collections, which have increased over recent years to include a variety of notebooks and notecards, magnetic list pads, and wall calendars, and “many of these collections include designs which match and complement card collections,” commented sales and marketing manager James Mace.

combining cards and stationery from the off.

London Stationery Show exhibitor, Meraki Notebooks has hit the ground running with its reusable wooden book covers crafted with a precisely laser-cut living hinge, that take refillable Swiss-bound paper inserts, all made from recyclable materials. And production director Steve Baker explained how the business has embraced the

“You can find bestselling ranges such as Storybook, Cat Walk and Bear across card and stationery, along with a variety of exciting new designs. Stationery is ever popular, and we’ve met this demand with a variety of popular collections.”

Having started really expanding its stationery offer just over a year ago, Ohh Deer has now grown to over 120 lines, with more on the way. As Philip Connors, Ohh Deer’s B2B account manager revealed: “We saw an opportunity in the market for fresh, exciting stationery and responded quickly to meet that demand,” and that led to this year’s launch of a V&A licensed range,

NOTING TOP SELLERS

M&G

seasonality of the card industry, introducing a Valentine’s Day collection of three designs carved into the wooden covers, as well as a botanical collection for spring, with a new wellness diary range about to launch.

Sustainability is also key at Vent For Change, the stationery company set up by Evan Lewis that not only makes sure its product uses recycled and recyclable materials, but also supports children’s education projects worldwide.

The clue is in the name at The Gifted Stationery Company, where co-founder Nigel Parr has spent 15 years honing the firm’s expertise on a wide range of products: “We’ve even launched our own colourful Hey Hugo range of children’s stationery to

“Over the last 12 years, the growth of our journals and notebooks offering has been sensational. We now offer hundreds of choices in multiple formats, all available as single titles or on our beautiful custom stationery spinner. M&G’s exclusive roster of world-renowned British brands, such as Mary Katrantzou, makes for a varied and stylish collection.”

Eddie Clarke, licensing manager, Museums & Galleries

complement our existing offer. By creating collections with coordinating products, it’s great for visual merchandising as well as being ideal for gifting.”

As a leading supplier of design-led stationery, gift packaging, and creative products, IG Design Group has 20 years’ experience in stationery with a focus on creating high-quality, commerciallystrong products that deliver on both design and function.

The offer includes core essentials through to fashion ranges designed to reflect current colour and format trends, and brand and marketing manager Katie Brickle said: “Many of our fashion ranges coordinate with our gift wrap and gift bag collections, offering a joined-up approach across multiple categories.”

Wrendale

“We sell huge numbers of A5 paperback notebooks. They’re made using the same textured board our cards are printed on, so have a lovely tactile quality, are made in the UK using sustainable board and are perfect for slipping in your bag. I used one to plan one of our first big holidays with the children about 10 years ago and came across it the other day –it was such a pleasure to read back over my notes. I just love that about stationery, handwritten pages instantly connect you to the day they were written. It’s very special!”

Hannah Dale, founder, Wrendale Designs.

Lil Wabbit

“Our list pads sell like hotcakes, especially around Christmas time as they make excellent stocking fillers, and in summer when they’re often given as end-ofyear teacher gifts!”

Georgi Doig, director of happiness, Lil Wabbit

Meraki

“The Fine Art Collection notebooks have been in high demand since their launch at the end of 2024 and are a key part of our

Right: Ohh Deer’s stationery offer now includes V&A collections. Below left: Botanicals is new from Meraki. Below right: Sustainability is key at Vent For Change.

Right: Lil Wabbit loves a list. Below: Big Riso is IG Design Group’s latest. Below right: Frolic with Rosie Made A Thing.

IG launches five or six new collections each year, aligned to key periods such as Mother’s Day, back to school, and Christmas gifting, and the latest will be Big Riso, with its classic patterns like stripes, checks, and spots with a bold, modern twist to be unveiled at the upcoming London Stationery Show.

Having cornered the market with its classic humour range Gin & Frolics, Rosie Made A Thing has kept customers happy with a range of pads, planners, jots and pens, and marketing manager Emily Snelson said: “We launched Sticky Jots in January, replacing our Mini Jots, and they’re flying out. You will see familiar characters from our Gin & Frolics cards on our stationery as well as our Rosie funnies. Keep your eyes peeled for some exciting newness at this year’s PG Live!”

Meanwhile relative newcomer Lil Wabbit’s director of happiness Georgi Doig grasped how stationery helps by including it fairly early in the publisher’s journey, offering gold foil notebooks and easy-tear-sheet list pads, “all launched alongside card collections so the basic design elements flow across”. Yes, stationery is most definitely higher up the ‘to do’ list for retailers and suppliers.

flagship range. The well-known designs of six iconic works of art are what makes them so desirable. Each masterpiece has been reimagined using our signature wooden design, complete with a unique living hinge.”

Steve Baker, production director, Meraki Notebooks

Ohh Deer

“Our Memory Of A Goldfish paperback notebook is our bestselling stationery item, likely because it’s playful, cheeky and irreverent – a bit like Ohh Deer! A surprising breakout success is the Striped Zebra design, which quickly became our top new stationery item.”

Philip Connors, B2B account manager, Ohh Deer

SHE NOSE YOU KNOW!

It may be a digital world, but the love of stationery never leaves you and there is always the thrill of opening a new notebook – and sniffing it!

It’s been a guilty pleasure for many but Stationery Supplies owner and National Stationery Week ambassador Sarah Laker brought the habit into the open with a social media post, prompting many to confess.

Admitting he always has a notebook and pen to hand, GBCC ceo David Byk added: “They have to be matching, of course! I have so many projects to manage across different parts of the group that it helps me keep on top of my tasks, allows me to keep finer details to hand and I can jot down ideas the moment they come to mind!

“Sarah first sniffed one of our notebooks at PG Live in 2024 and thought they smelt great. There is honestly nothing like the smell of a new notebook to an enthusiast and, as experts in this field, we have been known to sniff many products to ensure they’re fresh and there’s no lingering ink smell!”

For Wrendale founder Hannah Dale, it’s all about the diary: “I find it so much easier to plan

GBCC

“Our magnetic list pads are often a bestseller alongside our linen hardcover notebooks. The magnetic list pads are both practical and stylish and are a great low-cost pick-up line or gift too. Our linen hardcover notebooks are loved for their premium feel, elegant designs and durability. We use foil finishes too giving each design intricate detail that our customers adore.”

David Byk, group CEO, Great British Card Company

The Art File

“Notebooks are very popular with our customers. Notebooks and journals have become increasingly popular in recent years as they’re perfect for everyday life – note-

my week when you can see it out in front of you on paper and it’s so lovely to go through old diaries and see what you were up to years before – it’s such a poignant reminder of how life changes, for better and for worse. And I totally agree with the sniffing – it’s one of the great small pleasures in life!”

With a name like Snuffles, the pet pooch for Ohh Deer’s Philip Connors has a distinct advantage in the sniffing stakes, helping his human pick a new notebook, although his favourite is a daily planner: “I’m always jotting down notes, and the layout works perfectly for me. Plus, a good quality pen is essential!

The Gifted team love a notebook and head of design Jess Moon said they’re agreed the current favourite is the new pocket versions, which also smell delicious!

taking, journaling, planning, and organisation. We now offer three notebook collections, with over 30 designs to choose from.”

James Mace, sales & marketing manager, The Art File

Gifted

“Our most popular stationery item is our magnetic shopping list pad. They’re a great way of keeping track of what you need for the weekly shop with easy tearaway pages and two magnets on reverse for hanging on the fridge or other surfaces.”

Nigel Parr, director, The Gifted Stationery Company

Top: Sarah Laker is the one who outed the guilty pleasure.

Above: GBCC’s David Byk loves the smell of a new Paper Salad notebook. Below: Snuffles helps Ohh Deer’s Philip pick his favourite.

Below right: The Gifted team have a nose for stationery!

Below: Gifted has a huge range.

Art Source

Down To A Tea

Lindsay Roberts was always destined to pursue a creative path, but it was her art college degree in the Yorkshire city of Bradford which clinched her direction into illustration, and within that, greeting card design… as well as teaching her how to make a decent cuppa!

PG tracks Lindsay’s journey, her life and loves.

“From a young age, I was drawn to the world of art. Whether it was receiving a fresh pack of felt tips and a blank sheet of paper or borrowing a book from the library about art or fashion, those early moments sparked my imagination and set me on a path I never anticipated would evolve into a lifelong passion. What began as a simple childhood love for drawing has blossomed into an almost 30-year creative journey. A pivotal moment for my future career came when I moved from Lincolnshire to Yorkshire to attend Bradford College, where I pursued a degree in Graphic Design and Illustration. It was during this time that I truly discovered the vast possibilities within the world of illustration - along with learning how to make a proper cup of tea! The opportunity to experiment with different styles, techniques, and textures, combined with the chance to collaborate with like-minded creatives, opened my eyes to the endless potential of visual storytelling.

Living in Yorkshire, with its rich history, beautiful nature, and stunning architecture, also had a profound impact on my work, influencing both my style and creative direction.

One of the most exciting aspects of my degree was discovering digital design. The possibilities seemed endless, and this shift expanded my creative horizons, allowing me to bring my illustrations to life in new and innovative ways.

I started my professional life at Regent Greeting Cards, marking the beginning of a fulfilling career in the greeting card industry. Over the next 25 years, I had the privilege of working with major brands such as Clintons, Tesco, Mothercare, Asda, Waitrose, and Noel Tatt, designing everything from quirky greeting cards to gift wrap, bags, and party products. My time

designing gift wrap and party products truly sparked my interest in surface pattern design and provided me with the freedom to experiment with paper engineering. This opportunity allowed me to push my skills further and produce designs that are both playful and intricate. Working in this vibrant, fast-paced industry, I met a wealth of inspirational people who shaped my creative vision. The joy of making people smile through my designs was, and still is, one of the most rewarding aspects of my work.

As my career developed, I immersed myself in various forms of illustration, blending traditional hand-drawn technique and collage with digital methods to renew and enhance my work. This dual approach has enabled me to continually evolve my style, improving my craft with each new project.

After leaving Regent, I worked for several other greeting card companies before deciding to go freelance. This year has been a whirlwind of creativity. I joined the wonderful Hannah Curtis’ illustration agency, Creative Sparrow, and launched my own greeting card collection, Literary Cats, inspired by my two cats and our life in Thornton - the birthplace of the Brontë sisters. In addition to the historical significance of the birthplace itself, the village offers two art galleries and a yearly art trail, all of which have been a constant source of inspiration.

Looking back, it’s truly remarkable to see how far my creative journey has taken me. What began as a simple love for drawing has grown into a fulfilling career that continues to bring me joy and inspiration. Looking forward, I hope to continue developing my personal style and explore many other areas of illustration.”

• Lindsay Roberts is represented for licensing and commissions by Creative Sparrow.

Above: Lindsay Roberts’ creative persuasion showed itself at an early age.

Above left: Colour, setting and type are all in Lindsay’s skillset. Left: Contemporary escapism, Lindsay style.

Above: A cosy festive scene. Above right: Lindsay’s surface pattern knowledge snaps to it.

Top: An intimate Christmas scene.

Tuesday 3 June and Wednesday 4 June 2025 London’s Business Design Centre

With greeting cards being so profitable for gift retailers, and great for driving footfall – don’t miss discovering your new best sellers at PG Live! An upbeat vibe, newness galore – and free refreshments, lunch and opening night party, PG Live 2025 is not to be missed! PG Live has lots of great retailer fans…

“We really enjoyed PG Live… finding shiny new brands and socialising with other retailers in the industry. We placed so many orders!”

Priya AuroraCrowe, co-founder of Lark

“We absolutely love PG Live. Such a wonderful atmosphere that it really doesn’t feel like work, it feels just like a day out! There is so much to see and so many lovely people to catch up with… finding new suppliers and networking with other retailers.”

Caroline Ranwell, owner of Hugs & Kisses, Tettenhall

Don’t Miss Out… Book Your Free Tickets

Registration is now live at: www.progressivegreetingslive.com

Register now and be a part of it! Call us on: (0) 7734 111633 or email: jimb@max-publishing.co.uk Follow us @PGLiveLondon #pglive2025

“PG Live is one of our favourite trade shows as it’s not only a great opportunity to catch up with our existing suppliers, but we always come away inspired and with lots of newness to add into our selection.”

Kate Cowie, director of Utility, four stores in Liverpool and Manchester

Want to know about exhibiting at PG Live 2025? We have stand options available to suit all shapes and sizes.

Contact: Tracey Arnaud on 07957 212062 traceya@max-publishing.co.uk Warren Lomax on 07977 572086 warrenl@max-publishing.co.uk www.progressivegreetingslive.com

PG ASKED A TRIO OF RETAILERS FOR THEIR BEST SELLERS

Sophie Edwards, co-owner of More Than Just A Gift, Narborough.

Rosie Made A Thing

& Frolics

Martinis

“Beautiful, statement birthday designs when customers want something extra special.”

“A consistent best-seller for years, with timeless appeal.”

“Both ranges stand out with beautiful finishes and strong shelf presence.”

“People absolutely love these simple designs where the focus is on wellchosen words.”

“Well-crafted options for relations cards.”

“Petimo accounts for the majority of our occasion sales as we cater for virtually every need.”

“A staple for female humour –nobody does it better!”

“Black and white, animal-themed puns with a masculine edge.”

“Elegant, premium, and perfect for celebratory occasions.”

“Great performers because of the positive attitude to age.”

“Cute is a growing category for us, with customers gravitating towards soft, nostalgic styles.”

“Mushroom designs lead the way!

“Both brands deliver consistently strong sales. Gift bags and wrap are an area we’re looking to grow.”

“It’s always been a key brand for us but it’s off the charts right now!”

“A great little pick up, as a selfpurchase or as for presents.”

“Great pieces, great prices, great packaging."

At More Than Just A Gift, co-owner Sophie Edwards saw the gaps in some card selections so started publishing her own designs under the Petimo label two years ago, which now account for a sizeable chunk of sales in the shop within Narborough Hall.

Right: Laura Darrington’s Honcho stands out.

Right: Petimo’s Little Notes are top sellers.

Right: Elegance from Five Dollar Shake.

Right: Belly Button’s wrap delivers sales.

Kayleigh Hisim, co-owner of Milford Cards & Gifts, Milford On Sea.

As a lovely mix of being a card shop and beach store, keeps Kayleigh Hisim on her toes making sure she caters for locals and holidaymakers in Milford On Sea.

Category Name of Publisher Product/Name Range Comments

Nigel Quiney

White Cotton Cards

Cheeky Chops

Brainbox Candy Pickled Prints

Children’s

Adult Ages

Photographic

Gift Wrappings Gifts

Category

Kingfisher Cards

International Cards & Gifts

Abacus Cards

The Art File

The Wooden Postcard Company

Wotmalike

Scentiment Gifts

Pizazz

Football

“For female birthdays, our customers can't get enough of these.”

“We love this range for male sends! We stock lots of different teams, including local ones.”

“We always get comments on these, and they sell out fast. We stock daughter, son, grandson and granddaughter.”

“Customers pick three or four at a time just because they’re so funny.”

“We found this small business at PG Live last year and have been selling well.”

“A big hit. The guinea pigs and giraffes designs have been popular.”

“Has to be these! We now stock the new relation captions and, again, they are a hit.”

“We have a large spinner. The Gardeners’ World range especially is used for a wide range of occasions!”

“Very pretty and excellent prices. Beautiful bottle bags.”

“Coming into the summer season we turn to souvenirs and beach essentials but, still have gifts for locals. These guys personalise some beautiful postcards for us.

“People love our ‘London, New York, Paris, Milford On Sea’ coasters and mugs.”

“Very popular over Mother’s Day. Choose a lid, candle and lid – it covers all occasions or just because…!”

Chelle Thompson, owner of The Shop on the Island, South Molton.

Name of Publisher Product/Name

Whistlefish

A cute bow-fronted store that stocks a wide range of cards, gifts, toys games and balloons in a south Devon town. Everyday Relations & Occasions

Humour

Adult Ages

Cute

Photographic

3D/Pop-Ups

Gift Wrappings

Jonny Javelin

Emotional Rescue

IC&G

Kingfisher Cards Noel Tatt Noel Tatt Jacksons

Joe Davies

Year You Were Born

Aquamarine

“We’re able to sell them for 99p each which goes down very well”

“This range is super and also covers relations titles.”

“You can't go wrong with this range!”

“These cards are so popular and one of our USPs.”

“We’ve just launched these and they’re doing well.”

“Super photos.”

Zig Zag

“An amazing range. The POS is proving a success.”

“I tend to use Jacksons for all my wrapping, which includes a tower of gift boxes.”

Happy Highland Coo

“Joe Davies is my go-to for gifts. This is my newest range.”

Above: Cheeky Chops relations cards sell out.

Right: Wooden postcards are a greeting and gift.

Above: Scentiment’s candles were popular for Mother’s Day.

Top: At 99p Whistlefish cards are good value.

Above middle: Jonny Javelin’s football cards definitely score. Right: Among the latest cute designs from Kingfisher.

CHARITY GREETING CARDS

One of the UK’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.

PRODUCT DIRECTORY l PRODUCT DIRECTORY l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

PRODUCT DIRECTORY l PRODUCT DIRECTORY l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

6 Heron Trading Estate Alliance Road, Park Royal, London W3 0RA T: 0208 385 4474 F: 0208 385 4471

E: info@Xpressyourselfcards.co.uk

WWW.XXPRESSYOURSELFCARDS.CO.UK

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: SENSATIONS –Direct to retail

XPRESS YOURSELF –Now one of the leading wholesale publisher suppliers in the UK

for

Tel:01274531828

Email: info@herbertwalkers.co.uk

www.herbertwalkers.co.uk