23-25_Viewpoints.qxp_Grid 06/04/2025 13:49 Page 23
VIEWPOINTS
A Rosy First Quarter? Above: Q1 does seem to have been rather rosy, but plenty of food for thought on the table for the rest of the year.
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 due to the continued supply and theft issues with Jellycat we have had to remove it from some of our stores.” Spring Cleaning: “We've introduced lots of new ranges this year and will continue to do so throughout the year. We also have more refits and openings in the pipeline.” Pulse Reading: “Although we feel 2025 will be challenging, seeing huge increases to our costs as well as a lack of consumer confidence, we are also excited as we continue to evolve and feel there will be opportunities ahead.” 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.
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. 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.
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.” 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 Above right: Chris Bryant, aka Mr B says cheers to 50 years in may see more fluctuations in the greeting card industry taking the rough with the sales around smooth. Right: Tracey keeps when people customers up to date are paid than with the new product arrivals on social media, we have such as the Legami limited edition Easter previously, but erasable pens. as experience Below: The first quarter of 2025 proved fruitful has taught us for Tracey and Chris Bryant’s trio of shops. (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.” PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 23