Progressive Greetings October 2019

October 2019 Front Page A4.pdf

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Cheers! to

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On The Cards As I write this we are a only a few days away from The Henries awards event, which will see trophies being given to what the esteemed panel of retail judges deemed are the best greeting cards ranges of the last year. It is always a wonderful event as it brings together publishers, retailers and suppliers for an evening when all the troubles and frustrations of life and business are put to one side and we enjoy being part of one big happy family.

This year’s event will be all the more poignant as, this being the centenary of the GCA, we are taking ‘100 years of greeting cards’ as the theme.

In keeping with this, I thought it would be a good idea to give each guest a little piece of greeting card history as a keepsake and so I persuaded my ‘long-suffering boyfriend’ Jim that he would ‘really enjoy’ sourcing 700 vintage greeting cards from auction houses, eBay and other pre-loved websites. And so the bidding began.

What we were not prepared for was the surge of emotions as the envelopes, boxes and albums of cards started arriving at our home. In so many cases those cards tracked people’s lives, relationships formed, family ties celebrated. Yes, the design styles, words

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Above: PG’s Warren Lomax (left) and Jakki Brown with Geoff Sanderson (who is curating the GCA’s centenary exhibition) with some of the vintage cards that will form the keepsake place cards at The Henries.

Left: Swan Mill’s group ceo, David Byk with PG’s Jakki Brown shortly after the deal was signed to acquire GBCC. Below: (Left-right) PG’s Warren Lomax with Woodmansterne’s Seth Woodmansterne and Lee Keeper and Windles Emma-Louise Allen at the recent Wayzgoose event.

used and production techniques of greeting cards have changed massively over the years, but the sentiment that comes through on the written messages, invariably impressively scripted, remains as relevant today as they were back then. As I read the messages written on everything, from exquisite 1920s photographic postcards to the bold and brash coloured ‘sugar paper’ cards of the 1950s, through to cards from 70s brands, such as Gordon Fraser, Royle and Hallmark’s Betsey Clark and Snoopy, that sparked my love of greeting cards, it really brought home to me how each and every one had a story to tell; tangible evidence of relationships.

I have to confess there were some cards that will never become a keepsake placecard at The Henries as they just ‘spoke to me’. They have joined my own special cards that track my life so far from those near and dear to me.

This magazine is full of wonderful examples of the creativity that abounds in our industry exuding from publishers that are so passionate about ensuring that this strong greeting card ‘living history’ continues. Lovely to think that these new card designs will be the treasures of the future.

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Contents

What’s Inside?

32

Below: UKG has teamed up with charity Mind for its Sympathy collection.

Within This Issue: FOCUS ON WORDS & SENTIMENTS CARDS

30 9-21 News 22-23 Over The Counter

Searching For The Right Words…

David Robertson, co-owner of JP Pozzi in Scotland, looks for the words to describe the changes that are happening to retail every day.

24-25 Cardsharp

30-31

47-49

Statistical Evidence

Words & Sentiments New Launches

Facing The Facts

Word Up

PG shares some of the facts, figures and trends from the soon-to-be-published UK Greeting Card Market Report.

PG takes the pulsing heart of a plethora of recently launched words & sentiments card ranges.

32-33

51

Face To Face

Art Source

The Great British Byk Off Swan Mill’s ceo, David Byk, talks to PG about plans for the newly acquired Great British Card Company.

Cardsharp muses over topical events happening in the industry.

Jeremy’s Journal

Innovations

100 Years Of Cards Jeremy Corner of publisher Blue Eyed Sun examines some of the greeting card designs over the last 100 years.

41-45 Words & Sentiments Henries Finalists 2019

26-29 Viewpoints

What’s Hot? 55-56

34-39

Not So ‘Great British’

52-53

Making The Grade

Moving Words

Leading indies share their ‘report cards’ to reveal what grade they would give trading this year and how they are hoping to achieve top marks at Christmas.

The finalists of The Henries 2019 Words & Sentiments categories share their thoughts on changes and movements in the market.

57-70

Classified 71

Appointments Subscribe to Progressive Greetings from £60 (UK) to £90 (International).

You can organise this quickly and easily online at our secure site: Max-Subscriptions.net For assistance, please email maxsubscriptions@marketingreinforc ements.co.uk or call 0207 700 6740.

Tracey Arnaud

Jakki Brown

Warren Lomax

Gale Astley

Ian Hyder

Editor/Joint Owner

Joint Owner

Deputy Editor

Joint Owner

Sales Manager

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Copyright© 2019. While every effort has been made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of publication, the publishers cannot accept legal liability for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for the standing of advertisers nor any organisation mentioned in the text. Views of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.

PG is the official magazine for the Greeting Card Association GCA: Amanda Fergusson 020 7619 9266 Email: gca@max-publishing.co.uk www.greetingcardassociation.org.uk PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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NEWS TOP STORY

Swan Mill Buys GBCC For £1.4M GBCC joins Ling and Penny Kennedy, but kept separate “I probably need a drink!” admitted David Byk, ceo of the Swan Mill Group (which includes Ling Design and Penny Kennedy) having just clinched the deal (on August 30) to acquire the goodwill and assets of The Great British Card Company (GBCC) for a cash consideration of £1.4 million.

The announcement came a week after the Gloucester-based GBCC went into administrative receivership, which has seen David Byk negotiate the final deal with BDO, which was appointed to handle the receivership.

“This is a momentous and very exciting step for us. It brings together two great UK companies, which will open up huge possibilities for all our UK regional, national and charity customers as well as our strong export channel,” adds David.

This acquisition, which comes four years after Swan Mill purchased Ling Design, means that the addition of GBCC and the Waterwells brokerage side takes the group’s branded greeting card and giftwrap turnover to over £22 million, making it one of the largest independently-owned businesses in the industry.

Under TUPE regulations, all GBCC’s 130 staff were paid by GBCC’s new

owners, while licensing agreements with Medici and Avanti have been re-signed with Swan Mill.

“GBCC is a great business, but it was absolutely cash-strapped,” said David of the company’s demise. “Our mission is to make The Great British Card Company great again. There are so many opportunities and synergies,” he added, reassuring that while there will be synergies, Ling, GBCC and the brokerage Waterwells businesses will be kept separate.

18,000+ cards make Rhys feel better If ever there was evidence that affirms the importance and healing power of sending a greeting card it is that of teenage Rhys Williams.

His mum Tania sent out the rally call for birthday cards to be set to her son, who suffers from the painful debilitating condition of epidermolysis bullosa to give him the fight to survive after he confessed to her he wished “a butterfly would come and take him away”.

Rhys, who was 14 on September 21, said he had the best birthday ever, having received well over 18,000 cards.

Rhys said how receiving the cards has helped him feel better: “Now that I know that people do care, it has made me feel a lot better about my condition.”

Above: Wheelchair-bound Rhys with just a small proportion of the cards he has received.

Above: David Byk is now in charge of the £22 million greeting card interests, which are part of Swan Mill.

Left: Work is underway on getting GBCC’s ‘ducks in a row’. One of the Darkroom designs.

The Happy News in media

GBCC’s debts had racked Up To £4 Million Brokered publishers, printers and other trade suppliers are still reeling from the £4 million debts GBCC left when it went into administrative receivership.

Trade creditors (including printers and publishers supplying Waterwells, the company’s brokerage side) have taken the biggest hit, at over £3 million.

The report details how GBCC had been supplying the market with over 50 million cards a year to multiples and around 1,500 independent retailers.

It reveals how filed accounts for the 18 months to 31 Dec 2017 show the company turnover for that period to have been around £22 million, but more recent management accounts evidenced ‘declining turnover following the loss of its largest customer, trading losses and a worsening cash position.’

In addition to having been officially marketed for sale, BDO also considered other options, such as additional investment, a CVA, trading in administration and liquidation.

As PG went to press it was still not yet known how much in the £pound creditors will receive in the settlement once the administrative receivers BDO have finalised the business affairs of the defunct company.

Hazel Walker at The Calies Leading retail buyer, Hazel Walker (left) is to share her experienced views on the calendar, diary and Advents sector as a keynote speaker at The Calies 2019 UK calendar and diary awards event, which takes place on Tuesday 19 November at the historic Stationers’ Hall in London’s St Paul’s.

The tickets to the late afternoon/early evening event cost £60 (+ VAT). To book, contact Clare Davies of Keystone Communications on clare@keystonecomms.co.uk or call on 01733 294524.

Emily Coxhead, the super talented creator of The Happy News (published on cards by Pigment), has been spreading her special breed of happiness on TV and radio.

In the last few weeks, Emily has been filmed on the cobbles of Coronation Street as part of the Granada Reports programme, sharing the story of The Happy News - a newspaper that Emily produces that is filled only with real positive and uplifting news.

As Emily explained on air, there is such a concentration of negative news about things that are going wrong with the world that it can affect your mental wellbeing. “If you are constantly bombarded with negative news, you start to think that only bad things are happening,” says Emily.

Emily was also interviewed by Zoe Ball on her hugely popular BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show in the first ever Tuesday Good News Day slot.

Above: Emily Coxhead on the Coronation Street set being filmed for TV’s Granada Reports programme.

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To find out more call 0800 90 20 900 or ROI 012 480104, or your local area representative

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NEWS TOP STORY

Clintons Is Put Up For Sale “It’s business as usual”, assures Eddie Shepherd, Clintons’ ceo Clintons, the UK’s second largest standalone specialist greeting card chain, has been put up for sale.

The 334-store chain, which is owned by the Weiss family (who previously also wholly owned UKG and its parent company, American Greetings), has appointed KPMG to oversee ‘a review of strategic options’.

This news comes seven years after the Weiss family acquired Clintons from the administrative receivers in order to recover some of the monies owed to UKG and to safeguard a supply chain for the publisher.

Explaining more, Eddie Shepherd, who took over as ceo of Clintons in 2017, said: “As part of our long range

planning we are considering the wider perspective for the business and our shareholders. We have no set agenda, but are open to exploring the options.”

All Clintons’ 2,500 staff and key suppliers have been informed of the situation. “It will be an open and transparent process that we anticipate being concluded in 12-20 weeks. Right now though, we are progressing to make the most of our Christmas trade,” Eddie told PG. When pressed as to whether Clintons would consider going down the ‘trendy’ CVA route, Eddie quipped: “I have never been trendy.”

As Eddie pointed out, the most recent changes in the Clintons business - notably the move out of its historic Loughton HQ which has seen the buying team decamp to above its Loughton store and other functions relocate to within its Corby facility, where its in-house studio is based - has served to build on its aspirations to become a vertically integrated model.

Above: With 334 stores, Clintons is the UK’s second largest specialist card chain.

Hoopers’ break away from brokerage

Below: Hoopers’ Tunbridge Wells store has moved away from brokerage.

Department store group Hoopers has reverted to a wild buying and planned display combination for the greeting cards in its Tunbridge Wells store. Michael Laybourn, Hoopers’ buyer of greeting cards, homeware and furniture, told PG the hope is “to get back our unique individuality and to support smaller publishers who are the ones that give the icing on the cake and create a point of difference”.

Explaining the background, Michael said that it was the right decision back in 2015 to move to brokerage for its Tunbridge Wells, Wilmslow and Torquay stores in order “to take pressure off in the stores, by reducing the number of agent/rep visits, the number of orders to be raised and received and to reduce the amount of admin that is created in store by raising orders. It was also to help me take on further buying responsible across homewares and beauty.”

However, with Michael receiving more support from the Hoopers’ buying team on his other areas of responsibility, it has freed up some time for him to be able to dedicate to his favourite product area of greeting cards.

Michael is incredibly grateful of all the support he has received from W-Select (Woodmansterne’s brokerage arm) who has run the brokerage in Hoopers and without hesitation has worked with Woodmansterne to plan the new selection, which features designs from many publishers. However, he has left 20% open to wild buying.

In addition to Woodmansterne, Paperlink, Tracks, Pigment, and Talking Pictures, the new card display in the Tunbridge Wells store incorporates designs from Redback Cards, Orwell Publishing, The Handcrafted Card Co, Hearts Designs and Ohh Deer for the first time, as well as reintroducing Paper Salad, Belly Button, Berni Parker and Cherry Orchard designs into the selection.

There are no immediate plans to alter the buying approach in Hoopers’ Wilmslow or Torquay stores.

Above: Michael Laybourn, Hoopers’ card, homewares and furniture buyer with colleague Rachel Aylmer-Smith, buyer’s assistant for the department store group.

MP Michael Gove responds to GCA’s concerns “With our exit from the EU (as it stands at the time of PG going to press) only a few weeks away, it is a very unsettling time for everyone in business in the UK at the moment including those in our greeting card trade. It was gratifying to at least have the opportunity to ask some of the crucial questions to those in the front line,” said Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA, shortly after attending and participating in a close-knit meeting with leading MPs and civil servants as to how the likely impact the UK’s exit from the EU will impact on businesses, including greeting card publishers, suppliers and retailers.

Amanda joined other business leaders at a special Brexit Business Forum organised by the government Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), fronted by the RT Hon Michael Gove MP, that took place at the BEIS Conference Centre in Westminster, to inform and take on board concerns and questions over what is likely to happen post-Brexit.

Having canvassed the GCA membership, Amanda certainly had no shortage of questions. “GCA members submitted a dozen different subjects that they would like addressed, but the most numerous were the queries over potential tariffs,” Amanda told PG. Introducing the GCA as a trade association that represents the UK greeting cards, a world leading creative industry, Amanda implored Michael Gove to share some clarity on imports and exports postBrexit. “I stressed how our industry imports raw materials from Europe, but also importantly exports its finished goods to Europe and beyond. The free passage of this trade is integral to its world-leading position,” said Amanda.

Responding directly to her questions, Michael Gove assured Amanda that “no tariffs will be imposed for raw materials coming into the UK for the next 12 months,” but he was unable to confirm about export tariffs, but highlighted how, even in the event of a ‘nodeal Brexit’ the UK will benefit from a ‘most favoured nation’ status with EU countries.

“It was incredibly worthwhile to attend the meeting as I now have a wealth of government and senior civil servant contacts who are likely to prove invaluable in the future. And I made sure they all know about the UK greeting card trade!” said Amanda.

Top: The Government says it is helping businesses to prepare for Brexit.

Above right: MP Michael Gove responded directly to the question put to him by Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA, about tariffs.

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NEWS TOP STORY

UK Spent £1.7 Billion On Cards UK card industry ‘remains resilient’, confirms GCA Report The British public spent over £1.7 billion in the last year on greeting cards confirms the findings which appear in the UK Greeting Card Market Report, undertaken by Echo Research, commissioned by the GCA. The Report details how sales of greeting cards have held up well, in both value (ie the amount the public spent on cards) as well as volume (the numbers of cards bought) showing only a slight drop of less than 2% year on year.

Everyday cards continue to dominate, accounting for 77% of sales, Spring Seasons (which account for 11% of total sales) remain substantial, with Mother’s Day, Easter and Father’s

Day showing an increase in value over the previous year.

Christmas singles are now worth 12% of the total market (equating to £184.4 million in sales).

As Ceri Stirland, GCA president and UKG’s customer and channel director highlights in the preface, greeting cards remain a champion product for the High Street, quantifying how some “94% of greeting cards are still bought in physical bricks and mortar shops rather than online, with cards remaining an important, highly profitable product category across all retail channels.”

(See pages 30-31) Left: Ceri Stirland, president of the GCA and UKG’s customer and channel director.

GCA’s centenary celebration The findings of the UK Greeting Card Market Report will be unveiled in full at the GCA 100th Anniversary Celebration Conference & AGM which takes place on Thursday 17 October at the Central Hall in Westminster. Among the speakers is Oliver Tress, co-founder of Oliver Bonas, while the event will also include a panel discussion on the environmental developments affecting the greeting card sector and presentation of the UK Greeting Card Market Report.

The cost of attending (including lunch) is £84 (including VAT) per person. To book email gca@max-publishing.co.uk or call on 020 7619 9266.

The event will see greeting card industry-leading lady Ceri Stirland, UKG’s customer and channel director, hand over as GCA President to fellow doyenne, Rachel Hare, founder of Belly Button Designs.

Above: Oliver Tress, co-founder of Oliver Bonas will speak at the GCA’s 100th Anniversary Celebration Conference & AGM.

Really Good and Soul to pull out of brokerage Really Good and its sibling company, Soul, have taken the decision not to supply any of the brokerage schemes on purely commercial grounds. Really Good and Soul will be out of all brokers’ selections at the end of the year.

“We have been supplying all the major brokers - UKG, Hallmark, W Select and GBCC - for years, but the current costs of participation means that at very best we break even, which is just madness,” David Hicks, founder of Really Good and Soul told PG. “I have always liked new ideas and when it was first introduced, brokerage represented some fresh thinking - enabling major retailers to offer their customers a choice of publishers’ designs, while for the publisher it allowed access to retail accounts that would otherwise not be available to them. It is just that the maths does not add up anymore,” adds David.

He points out that multiple retailers’ differing requirements for how they would like cards to be supplied, be it wrapped, unwrapped or clasped, adds further to the costs.

“Our decision to pull out of brokerage will cut our turnover, but add to our profits, which can then be put into product development and supporting our retail customers,” elaborates David.

Above: David Hicks, founder of Really Good and Soul, has taken the decision to pull out of brokerage.

Thinking and caring “From retailer promotions, activities in schools and hospitals, millions of stamp cancellation messages and a social media frenzy, there has clearly been a lot of more than just thinking going on this Thinking of You Week,” said Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA. Members of the Belly Button Designs team have been into primary schools armed full of cards for a series of card writing sessions with youngsters.

“We thought it would be great for the next generation to be writing and sending cards to people whom are special to them,” said Michelle Hindle, Belly Button’s sales manager. “There were many happy and sad stories from the children, who all thoroughly enjoyed it. Not content to just write one card, they wanted to send several, which was really encouraging.”

Meanwhile, The Art File extended its Thinking of You Week activities to Nottingham Children’s Hospital at the Queen’s Medical Centre as well as CLIC Sargent’s Billy’s House in Nottingham.

James Mace, sales and marketing manager of The Art File team, went to the hospital armed with cards enabling the children on the wards to send cards to their family, friends and loved ones.

Nurses and doctors on the wards also encouraged parents, friends and visitors to write cards to the children they're visiting, creating a wave of positivity and thoughtfulness at difficult times.

James and his team also stopped by Billy’s House in Nottingham, ran by CLIC Sargent, to drop off some cards for them to use too.

As James commented: “Now, more than ever, it’s essential to realise the importance of sending cards. This week highlights just how a small gesture - such as sending a card to someone to let them know you’re thinking about them - can make such a huge difference to that person’s life. Every year we like to make sure that even the most vulnerable of people in Nottingham can send and receive cards on this special week.”

Top: Happy school kids in a Belly Button Thinking of You Week card writing activity.

Above right: Some of the nursing staff in Nottingham Children’s Hospital who have been involved in The Art File’s Thinking of You Week activity.

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NEWS TOP STORY

Card Factory In 400 Aldis Value specialist reports “satisfactory” interim results From next month Card Factory cards will be on sale in 440 Aldi stores in the UK. This follows a trial that has been running in 130 Aldi stores. The expanded arrangement sees Card Factory dedicated displays of single price cards, being installed in half Aldi’s store estate (the other half of Aldi’s stores are being supplied by IG Design Group).

Additionally, Card Factory branded concessions are now being trialled in 15 Matalan stores in the UK, while over in Australia, the trial with The Reject Shop value chain is to be rolled out in January 2020 to all of its 360 stores.

Two new franchise stores opened in Guernsey and Gibraltar, adding to one in Jersey.

Card Factory’s ceo Karen Hubbard reveals that the group is in discussion with a number of other potential retail partners in the UK and overseas.

These developments were shared as the UK’s largest specialist card retailer revealed its interim results (covering the six months to 31 July), which show how,

bucking the general retail trend, its likefor-like store sales were up 1.2%, while overall turnover increased 5.5% to £195.6 million. However, its pre-tax profit took a bit of a battering, (down 14.4%) coming in at £24.3 million.

Describing it as a “satisfactory sales performance” for the first half of the year, Karen highlighted strong seasonal performance for both Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, achieved against the backdrop of an increasingly challenging UK high street environment and consequent weaker footfall.”

Card Factory, which recently opened its 1000th store, has swelled its own UK store estate by an additional 26 stores in the six month period and says it has a ‘strong pipeline of new store opportunities’. These include being on track to deliver approximately 50 new UK and Republic of Ireland openings by its year end.

Karen said she remains confident about the Christmas trading period ahead.

“Although the current economic uncertainty continues to impact consumer confidence, we remain positive about the resilience of the card market, the strength of the Card Factory business model and our growth opportunities for the business over the medium term.”

Above: Having recently opened its 1,000th store, in Maldon, Essex, Card Factory is fast approaching its goal of 1,200 UK stores.

Below: From next month Card Factory’s cards will be on sale in half of all Aldi stores in the UK.

The Ladder Club goes up a rung The agenda is set for The Ladder Club, making it a packed day full of amazing info for new and emerging publishers. As well as covering how to avoid the many common pitfalls, work out how to make money from card publishing, find out what retailers and agents want, as well as important elements in card production today, attendees will enjoy incredible camaraderie. Among speakers at the one day event - which takes place on Thursday 28 November at London’s Business Design Centre - speakers include JP Pozzi’s David Robertson, The Art File’s Ged Mace, agent Rosie Trow and publisher Megan Purdie, with sponsors from The Imaging Centre, Loxleys/Sherwood, GF Smith, GCA and PG Live on hand to answer questions. The cost of attending (including lunch and refreshments is £90 (+VAT).

A quick and easy way is to book online via our dedicated secure ticket site Max-Tickets.net. Or, you can contact Clare Hollick of Keystone Communications (who looks after the bookings for The Ladder Club) on clare@keystonecomms.co.uk or call her on 01733 294524 or 07769 905959.

Lagom opens Hold Kelly Hyatt, founder of Lagom Design, has fulfilled his dream to open HOLD, a design-led lifestyle bricks and mortar store in a top spot on Brighton’s Bond Street in the North Lane.

“With many of the high street giants failing I've been told I'm brave opening a shop in the current climate, but I believe passionately in independent retail. It's so essential for the character of our towns and cities to have a unique feel and vibrancy,” Kelly told PG. Kelly has been planning to open a shop for several years but was “waiting for the right time, the perfect space and the right products.”

The Hove-based publishing business has been selling greeting cards and gifts online for some time now, but extending this to a physical space enables interaction with customers.

HOLD spans two floors of retail, of around 1000sq ft, another floor of offices and a basement. “At about 2000sq feet in total it is quite big for our first store, but I don’t see the point in doing half measures!” says Kelly.

At the moment on the card front HOLD is just selling the Lagom collections and there are plans to create bespoke stationery and cards, which will only be available in store.

Above: The HOLD store is on Brighton’s best road, Bond Street.

Wrendale’s Queen’s Award Retailers, suppliers, family and friends of Wrendale Designs gathered to witness the Queen’s representative for Lincolnshire, Lord Lieutenant Toby Dennis officially present to Hannah and Jack Dale, co-owners of Wrendale Designs, the company’s grant of appointment, having been awarded with a 2019 Queen’s Award for International Trade in recognition of the company’s soaring success overseas. Thanking everyone at the ceremonial event, Hannah said: “We are very honoured to have been given this award but we’re very conscious that we couldn’t have done it on our own… a big thank you to all of those who have supported us since we first started Wrendale.”

Above: Lord Lieutenant Lincolnshire Toby Dennis as well as presenting Hannah and Jack with the official certificate, he also gave them a special glass bowl to commemorate the award.

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NEWS TOP STORY

Card Centre’s Parliamentary Review Indie card retailer’s views reach MPs and business leaders When John Barratt, managing director of The Card Centre in Felixstowe received a letter from Lord Pickles inviting him to pen an article for the respected Parliamentary Review publication he initially thought it was a scam. “I contacted Lord Pickles’ private secretary who explained that as our business had survived as an independent retailer for over 70 years I was well placed to share my views on how to help the High Street. It was a challenge I could not refuse!” John told PG. Inset: John Barratt, md of The Card Centre, Felixstowe, with the article he wrote for The Parliamentary Review.

The recently-published edition of The Parliamentary Review, which is circulated to thousands of MPs, ministers and business leaders, includes an extensive piece written by John, which rams home the important role greeting cards play in society, as well as the leading indie’s fears and concerns about the future, not pulling any punches in his criticism of politicians, councils, landlords and the unrealistic drive for increased profits.

Having set the scene, detailing The Card Centre’s heritage and esprit du corps, John writes: ‘Above all else, we remember one key thing throughout our work - a greeting card received through the post can bring so much joy and pleasure to so many people.’

He then switches tack and eruditely highlights several causes for concern, including, not surprisingly, Brexit, and the dent it has made in business investment, consumer confidence and indeed customer morale.

‘Leadership on all sides has been woefully inadequate, and the government itself has been seemingly held hostage by a minority and retrograde right wing which appears to have lost touch with the business community that it proclaims to champion,’ writes John.

In the wake of this, John explains, there has been a noticeable decline in the footfall in the High Street, the malaise of which is another concern. ‘The blame for this, in our opinion, lies in three distinct directions. Firstly, if the High Street is to survive in anything like its present form Government needs to make a level playing field between it, the internet and out of town shopping developments. Secondly, councils. Car parking has become increasingly expensive, and public transport, especially in our rural areas, is less frequent and close to non-existent’.

John’s third point was about how ‘big business has become too greedy and too impersonal; high streets are the lifeblood of the community. Independents by their very nature reflect in their wares the idiosyncrasies and personal taste of their owners, evoking the true character of the community.’

To John’s mind, landlords must be reined in and a policy of rent restriction needs to be implemented.

‘Some landlords seem more content to see businesses close rather than to accept reduced minimum rental fees. To lose the independent shops is to lose the individuality of a town,’ stresses John.

‘High streets, particularly in smaller towns, are the lifeblood of the community.’

Licensing Award for UKG’s Disney Faces UK Greetings triumphed in the Best Paper Products and Stationery category with its Disney Faces collection of cards and wrappings in the Licensing Awards, which took place last month and were attended by 1,300 people.

Commenting on the win, Ben Whittington, creative director of UKG said: “It's a testament to our fantastic partnership with Disney, the iconic nature of their characters and the talent and teamwork of our design team!”

Right: UKG’s Ben Whittington and Susan Jones.

Woodmansterne triumphs in Wayzgoose “Can I say, it’s about time!”, quipped Bruce Podmore, md of greeting card printer, Windles with a wry smile, as he presented the Wayzgoose trophy to Rob Keen, Woodmansterne’s UV production team leader and star player in the multi-event competition which took place recently at Windles’ premises in Thame, Oxon.

Instigated by Seth Woodmansterne, deputy md of Woodmansterne, as a modern twist on an historic printing tradition (when printers used to throw an end of summer jamboree when the factories moved over to candle power), this year was the third Wayzgooze tournament between the two companies.

Woodmansterne put in two teams - Woodies for its publishing side and Wickies for its warehouse facility - but has lost out in the last two years to the Windles team’s prowess across a number of disciplines. This year’s tournament involved rounds of football, table tennis, combat archery, inflatable horse racing and tug-o-war.

Above: The winning Woodmansterne team.

Below: Bruce Podmore, md of Windles, with sales director Andrea Norcott (left) and Emma-Louise Allen, the printers’ key account manager who organised the Wayzgoose at Windles.

M&S’ Glitter-free Christmas M&S is having a glitter-free Christmas this year. In a bid to improve recyclability and reduce the impact of microplastics on the environment, glitter does not feature at all on its Christmas cards, wrap, tags, calendars and cracker selection.

The move represents the first step towards M&S’ commitment of ensuring its entire year-round range of cards and giftwrapping products will be 100% glitter-free by the end of 2020.

To further encourage customers to recycle more, M&S has added clear back-of-product recycling instructions to its Christmas wrapping paper rolls. The majority of its boxed cards have also transitioned from plastic to card packaging, saving almost 50 tonnes of plastic alone.

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NEWS PEOPLE

TOP STORY

68% Of UK Cards Naked By 2020 Reduction of 438 tonnes of single-use plastic waste of single-use plastic, was a main focus of her presidential reign. “At last year’s GCA AGM I outlined the importance of sustainability and how we, as an industry, need to tackle plastic waste, one of the most important issues affecting our planet. I outlined to our members the pros and cons of different substrates, but urged publishers and retailers to ‘go naked’,” Ceri told PG. The GCA Environmental Guidance Notes are in the process of being updated to include more detailed information on card clasp labels, which secure a greeting card to the envelope as well as biodegradable bags.

By next January it is estimated that over two thirds of all greeting cards retailed in the UK will be sold without cellowrapping, signifying a big push forward of naked cards in the last year especially.

“Estimates are that by January 2020 68% of all greeting cards retailed in the UK will not be cellobagged/sleeved,” quantified GCA president Ceri Stirland, customer and channel director of UK Greetings. “This is a massive reduction from 64% of the everyday cards (by volume) that were sold wrapped at the start of this year.

This change equates to a reduction of 438 tonnes of single use plastic waste,” she added.

Reducing the industry’s cost to the environment, notably through the reduction

Above: The Naked Cards campaign was started in 2018 by a group of online greeting card sellers.

Go La La surveys naked expectations According to a consumer survey, initiated by card publisher Go La La, only 2% of the public want their cards wrapped, 53% want them unwrapped with almost a third saying they do not see wrapping as important.

Keen to gain a broader understanding of what the public really is looking for in their greeting card choices, including on the environmental front, greeting card publisher Go La La initiated a survey, run largely through social media channels, involving 100 participants from all over the UK. “The section of the survey which focused on plastic wrap and sustainable materials is hugely important to us as we really want – and need - to stop using plastic wrap on our cards. If I had my way, I’d stop it tomorrow. But it does need to be managed in a thoughtful and strategic way so that all our current and future retailers are on board with it and know what to expect,” said Laura Kavanagh, co-owner of Go La La. Above: John Higgins, co-founder of Go La La, holding a tote bag from this year's Glastonbury Festival (which banned the sale of single use plastics).

Foilco spearheads ZeroFoil2Landfil Leading specialist foil company, Foilco, is driving forth on an initiative to encourage greeting card printers, finishers and companies to join its ZeroFoil2Landfil mission. Foilco is the first foil supplier to be accredited and certified as a ZeroFoil2Landfil business and the Warrington-based business has opened this accreditation out to the wider print industry to recover their own respective foil waste and stop it going to landfill. Foilco launched the initiative in order to change some of the existing misconceptions and perceptions about foiled paper and board.

The recovered foil waste is handled by a specialist waste management company and is converted into SRF (Solid Above: Lord-Lieutenant of Greater Manchester, Recovered Fuel), which Foilco claims is a higher quality and more Warren J Smith visited Foilco’s Warrington site recently to present the Queen’s Award. environmentally friendly (sustainable) alternative to fossil fuel.

“Global warming is no longer just a marketing phrase that people can use to encourage sales of their products. The issue is real and we all need to do our part to keep our planet safe for future generations.

Therefore we have looked at our industry and applied what we know to find a solution to benefit the environment. I believe that if every company did their bit the planet would start to recover”, stated Paul Hornby, managing director of Foilco.

Abbott Print is the first specialist greeting card printer to have received the ZeroFoil2Landfil accreditation, but the Foilco team hopes that many more from the industry will also take the pledge.

l Joe Guest (right) has become senior card and wrap buyer of Paperchase as Natalie Alexander, who took on the role earlier this year, is moving on. Joe joined Paperchase three years ago as pen and accessories buyer. Prior to this he was the card buyer at Fortnum & Mason and previous to that was card buyer for Fenwick Brent Cross.

In addition, Daisy Enticott has been promoted to card buyer, (from her previous role of assistant wrap buyer), working alongside Emma Clooney. l Julie Brightley (right), formerly of The Imaging Centre and Enveco, has joined Fenner Paper to bolster its sales team on the greeting card front. l Jenni Youdell (right) has joined Swan Mill as divisional manager of Penny Kennedy and charity cards.

She previously worked for Australian greeting card company, John Sands, and prior to that, for UKG. l Flame Tree has welcomed Jordi Nolla (right) as sales director. Jordi previously worked at Carlton Books and Quarto Group selling into Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. l Doug Morrice (right) has joined Simon Elvin, handling the wholesale publisher’s sales in the north of England. Doug is a wellknown face in the trade, latterly heading up the sales for Grassroots/Write from the Heart.

Angela Anderson joins Danilo Angela Anderson (left) is to join Danilo Promotions as its new sales director.

Angela, who starts her new role on 14 October, joins the company from Hallmark where she held a senior role as trading director. Prior to this, Angela worked as part of the greetings team at Tesco.

Danilo’s managing director, Daniel Prince is “absolutely delighted” to have Angela joining the team. “Having worked with Angela in her previous roles, I have always admired her professionalism and with the invaluable experience she brings, I know she will be a great asset to the Danilo team.”

Commenting on her new role, Angela says: "I'm really thrilled to be given the opportunity to join Danilo. They have strong plans in place to succeed in a challenging retail environment and I'm looking forward to be playing a key role in the future of the business.”

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NEWS TOP STORY

US Thanks Card Buying Millennials America stamps it out for Thinking of You Week ‘Thank you Millennials’ was an over arching positive message sent out from the recent US Greeting Card Association’s Oceans of Opportunity workshop and retreat, that took place at Naples in Florida - and with good reason.

The last year, according to the research findings from America’s postal operator USPS, has seen an encouraging increase to the tune of 44 million more greeting cards being posted than in the year previous, with Gen Y (those born between 1981 and 1996) clocked as the major demographic group driving this upturn.

Chris Karpenko, USPS’ director of brand marketing, delivered the good news to a full audience of publishers, retailers and suppliers attending the long weekend event organised by the US Greeting Card

Association. He also highlighted how the UK-instigated initiative, Thinking of You Week has now been fully embraced on the other side of the pond (taking place this week) since its debut last year. This will see an astonishing half a billion pieces of mail having been branded with a ‘Thinking of You. Mail a Smile’ on all First-Class post that passes through the USPS system during the month of September this year and last.

Above: The message the USPS shared at the recent US GCA Workshop and Retreat to give thanks to youngsters for upping card sending.

Below left: The UK’s GCA Amanda Fergusson (second left) was flown out by the US Greeting Card Association to speak at its recent Workshop and Retreat in Naples, Florida. Amanda with (far left) Rick Ruffner (Avanti) and (far right-left) John Smyth (A Smyth and Co), Dave Phipps (Avanti), Nicky Burton (Calypso Cards) and Alan Harnick (Notes & Queries).

“We have an overwhelming number of ways to connect these days, yet despite this people are feeling more isolated than ever,” says Nicky Burton of Calypso Cards, who is leading the Thinking of You Week initiative in the States. “It is widely recognised that sending and receiving a hand-written card for no particular reason can help people feel connected,” said Nicky.

Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the UK’s GCA was invited to attend (and fully hosted by the US trade association) the Florida meet-up, during which she gave an hour-long presentation on the health and wealth of the UK greeting card market.

“I learnt so much and it was great to meet key contacts in the US card industry: We can learn from how our US counterparts are engaging with the card sending public.

I also appreciated the opportunity to share what is happening in the UK market and our GCA centenary year, and look at ways we can work together to build our industry to mutual benefit”, she added.

Royal Mail gets to the heart of Thinking Of You Week Royal Mail really got behind Thinking of You Week this year, (which ran September 22-28) during which the public were encouraged to send a card for no particular reason but to show they care and thought of the recipient.

Not only did Royal Mail commit to including a Thinking of You Week stamp cancellation mark that featured on millions of pieces of mail during the week, but it also commissioned a film, which drilled down into the essence of the week-long GCA-instigated initiative.

The cameras were rolling when Royal Mail staged a Thinking of You Week activation in one of its office reception areas, whereby it encouraged staff to select cards, write them there and then and post them. The film crew put the Royal Mail card senders on the spot asking them to whom they were sending the cards to and for what reason.

Entitled ‘Who are you thinking of?’, the film shows how mums, brothers, friends, colleagues from the Royal Mail team are all in for some extra greeting card wishes this week for various reasons, be it to cheer someone up who’s down in the dumps, to letting them know how they bring sparkle to the office.

The video ends with the call to action - ‘Send a card to someone you’re thinking of.’

James Ellis’ eco drive results in Paper Shakies As part of an eco drive, greeting card publisher James Ellis has reworked its hugely popular Shakies card collection to arrive at Paper Shakies, made from 100% recyclable paper, including no plastic or glitter. The new collection, which debuted at Top Drawer, uses translucent paper and paper confetti, instead of a plastic and glitter combo.

Sharing the motivation behind the reworking of such a strong trademarked range concept that has been around since 2003, James Stevens, md of the Bristolbased publisher told PG: “The fact that we were using a lot of plastic and glitter began to bother us more and more. We had made

a change to use eucalyptus-based glitter that will biodegrade in water in 28 days.”

James confirmed that the plan is now to change the range over to the new plastic-free Paper Shakies concept over the coming year “but as we have over 250 cards in the Shakies range, this is going to take a little while!” James points out.

While Paper Shakies are being launched naked with a specially designed card clasp label, the publisher will supply the cards individually wrapped if requested.

Above: Some of the new Paper Shakies.

Mary Portas and Theo at NEC Autumn Fair “We know that we are in very difficult economic times, but that is when change happens. When you hit the wall, the only way to get through it is to grow. That is what great retail is about. It makes you trust your instinct more and to do more instinctively,” said Mary Portas, the Queen of Shops, addressing a packed audience at Autumn Fair.

Meanwhile, the next day, Theo Paphitis shared his take on what is happening in the retail landscape right now, attracting an equally large crowd.

“There is so much changing all around us that we can expect a seismic change at retail too,” he said.

Below: Mary Portas did not disappoint at Autumn Fair

Above: Royal Mail got behind Thinking of You Week again this year.

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21

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OVER THE COUNTER

Searching For The

Right Words...

Independent card and gift retailer, David Robertson, co-owner of JP Pozzi in Scotland, searches for the right words to describe the current retail landscape.

As retailers in these last few years we have at times been at a loss for words to describe the changes that are happening to retail every day. Then, a few weeks ago, I came across an article about the most searched for top ten words up until March 2019. Four of these were: Exonerate - after President Trump used it in a number of tweets; Ruthful - after a country music star in the States described her feelings in this way; Self-made - after Kylie Jenner became the youngest self-made billionaire; and Gesticulate - after a US talk show host was made fun of because of his wild gestures.

All of these words are linked to social media, and no doubt people rushed to Google them to find out their meanings.

In the UK, if we had the same survey just now, ‘Proroguing’ would be number 1 I reckon! I can’t recall this word having ever been discussed but now we are very aware that it may or may not be legal and that the poor Queen has been dragged into the Brexit mess.

Another word that I came upon was ‘rumination’. This means a deep or considered thought and actually comes from ruminant animals such as goats and sheep who chew their food and regurgitate it!

These last few months I feel I have been chewing like the goats, or maybe I have just become as stubborn as one. Going over words, numbers and thoughts time and again, I can’t seem to find the answers I need or am looking for.

It feels almost as if we are not only stuck in a Groundhog Day scenario with Brexit but with the High Street as well.

As I have been feeling burdened with all this negativity of late I made a conscious decision to go and listen to some different people speak about lots of subjects that were bothering me to see if these were just re22

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

occurring thoughts of mine or if other businesses and people felt the same way.

Our Chamber of Commerce had arranged intimate lunches (15 people - single person representation - no press) with the Scottish Government Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills, Jamie Hepburn and also our local MP Douglas Ross.

I thought in this almost one-to-one situation in a locked room that there may have been more chance to get some real answers from these influential politicians.

My questions (submitted in advance) were set against the backdrop of 2,870 shops having closed this year so far, so I felt that honesty and proper answers were needed now more than ever.

My questions related to business rates, taxing internet-only retailers properly, the Living Wage, the minefield of energy pricing for businesses, lack of support at local government level and the big question - why is the High Street not supported with proper legislation rather than just another fund which is burned through quickly?

Funnily enough, a bit like Brexit, the politicians, while sympathetic and understanding, offered no real insight, and

Above: What words define the current retailing landscape?

Below: Words have always come easily to politicians. An image from Spitting Image by Roger Law and Peter Fluck.

after quoting a few projects they had been involved in were less than willing to get into the detail.

I will try again with our Euro MP in a couple of weeks, but as he promised to come and see me around four months ago and has never appeared, I doubt that I will get any more from him.

Words, in terms of politicians, seem to come easily and are not often followed through. The bland answer, where the fence post almost pops out their mouth as they sit on it, is part of the reason that we are in the mess that we are.

I journeyed on, hoping that the next words I listened to were to be far more productive.

Last month’s Autumn Fair had a stellar line up of speakers, and as I normally never have time to go to these things I made a conscious investment in myself, and my business, to attend.

There have been many harsh words about trade fairs and lots of people asking if they are a thing of the past, for me I believe that visiting a trade fair is essential, not only to find product but to hear what is going on and just to immerse yourself in your business. I think that you owe yourself that.

I attended Autumn Fair with a number of goals, but one goal was to listen to Mary Portas and Theo Paphitis who were there to discuss

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OVER THE COUNTER the current High Street situation and plug a book or two (I actually listened to two other speakers who were excellent as well but I have to say the seats were murder to sit on Autumn Fair please take note!).

Mary Portas is recognised as a leading authority on retail, with a wealth of experience from John Lewis, Harrods, Topshop and Harvey Nichols. It was at the latter she made a real mark joining the board and leading its transformation into high fashion. Alongside this, she has run a successful marketing company, first called Yellow Door now simply called Portas.

All of this was amplified with her 2007 TV debut, and this, along with her column in the Telegraph, was rubber stamped when the government asked her to lead an indie review of the High Street unbelievably way back in 2011. Much of what she recommended makes sense but not all has been acted upon, and you get the sense that she is very frustrated by what has transpired.

Much of Mary’s speech was focused on the boardroom and the ridding of male leaders only interested in the bottom line.

‘Dinosaurs’ I think she called them.

Key words and goals she used were: ‘Connectivity with your customer base’ - the need to change how you sell, and the ‘Energy of people’ - the need to change how your staff work and are rewarded.

In fact, she spoke about the three Ps PEOPLE - PLANET - PROFIT. (PPI ended in August so maybe PPP will be the new acronym!).

People - because everyone is changing the way they want to live/work, not the other way around. She said that this is without doubt her biggest thing, whether it is your customer or staff as if you don’t get that right then everything else is a real challenge.

Planet - as we need to look at what is sustainable, not the cheap and harmful. She reckons this will continue to be a huge part of the retail landscape. Planet is also the way people feel around the world towards nature and each other and I liked this sentiment.

Finally as companies and businesses change, and take care of the first two

Above: “The retailing landscape will change beyond recognition in the next five years”, stated Theo Paphitis at Autumn Fair.

Below left: Mary Portas shared her retailing wisdom at last month’s Autumn Fair.

Below right: There will be seismic changes in the retail landscape in the next few years.

parts of PPP, the third part, Profit, will come naturally.

The following day, Theo Paphitis did a Q&A where he covered many points on the next five years of retail and also promoting his Small Business Sunday initiative, where he picks 12 businesses each week, highlighting them and giving them a plug to his social media followers.

He described current consumers as “promiscuous”, as they literally love you one day and move on the next with the click of a finger. The ease with which we can all find an alternative product and service is a fact, and worryingly he said that if we think we have seen challenges and change so far we haven’t seen anything yet.

Theo highlighted the fact that previously to make a real dent and real money you needed multiple store locations and the infrastructure to go with it. Now you can make an impact from your kitchen or shed!

When asked what was needed to succeed, he spoke of a magic formula Product - its reason to exist and ability to reach your customer, all of which I agree with. He said he would get this right before even entertaining opening a store.

He spoke about the value of Search Engine Optimisation and the ability to reach your customer with shipping, which is getting much easier and cheaper, BUT he also highlighted how much he loves bricks and mortar retail.

Asked about the two B’s of Brexit and Business Rates, Theo believes that government has ducked the issues - it did a review and nothing happened - paying lip service basically.

He spoke about the £billion promised by the government to save the High Street and his astonishment that it is going to the local authorities who destroyed the High Street in the first place!

His strong view was that Government takes no responsibility or no interest in the detail, and passes the buck, saying, ‘we did our best and this is the reality of it’. If this is true then literally we are on our own and will need to find a way through.

Finally, he said that “retailers can’t afford a crash landing with either further cost increases or Brexit”. When we crashed and interest rates soared to 15% they swore that it would not happen again so in 2008 they controlled it.

What is to come now? - no one knows.

What we do know is there has already been a huge increase in CVAs and the like, and worrying the second biggest specialist player in our sector (Clintons) refused to rule it out as it went up for sale on Friday 13 September as well.

The owners and advisors must believe that Clintons is an attractive proposition, but in truth, unless you are an excellent operator or have deep pockets I am not sure a £14 million loss last year is attractive.

Both Theo and Mary used the word ‘seismic’ in their talks. The fact that both Theo and Mary thought that there are earthquake-style challenges ahead for the High Street tells us that we are going to need to continue to work harder for less unless we can break free and create or find something very different.

I laughed as both Mary and Theo used the latest speakers’ trick of dropping an ‘F BOMB’ to garner the interest of anyone who was not hanging on every word.

My granny used to say bad language was a sign of a poor vocabulary, but F&*K IT! Retail at the minute has me gesticulating, often throwing my hands to my head, and with a ruthful feeling I do wonder if I will be exonerated from my dream of being a selfmade man.

To contact David email: jppozzi@btconnect.com PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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CARDSHARP

Not So

‘Great British’ The business failure of a long-established greeting card publishing institution, The Great British Card Company (GBCC), recently sent shockwaves throughout the industry, reflected Cardsharp. True, Swan Mill, who owns Ling Design and Penny Kennedy, has bought the failed company’s assets and goodwill from the administrators (and has paid all 130 employees), but the financial effects of this crash will be with us for quite a time.

It was the ultimate irony that the morning after the announcement on September 8 of GBCC going into administration Cardsharp received an automatically generated LinkedIn notification congratulating Peter Reichwald, founder and majority shareholder, of ‘39 years of successful business’!

The collapse of GBCC is the third major card publishing casualty experienced in 2019 (with Grassroots and Gemma International coming before) - and interestingly, they all begin with the letter ‘G’! Whatever the letter coincidence for this trio of demises, 2019 is rapidly going down, to borrow the Queen’s famous phrase, as an ‘Annus Horribilis’. The financial mess left behind each of the three failed card publishers seems to be progressively worse. First was Grassroots International in April, then Gemma in early June and now GBCC. In the end, reflected Cardsharp, it was a card company that may have been ‘British’ but was not so ‘Great.’

But the story, if not the ending, is certainly a ‘Great’ one. GBCC has a long history that has been both illustrious and chequered at different times.

24

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

The company started life in 1980 as Paper House (still a name that many people still use to this day to refer to the Gloucester business). Its founder Peter Reichwald was a bold and charismatic entrepreneur who recognised the opportunities that would result from publishing more contemporary humour styles. The company grew steadily in the 1980s with the then dominant WH Smith being a key customer. By 1990 it was a major player that was well positioned to take advantage of the rapid growth of greeting card sales during the decade.

Peter had a particular fondness for acquisitions. First it was for

Above: The Great British Card Company’s Peter Reichwald (left) with Richard Caborn, minister during the Tony Blair era.

Below: GBCC supplied Wyevale Garden centres through its brokerage system.

smallish niche art publishers, like Elgin Court and Parnassus Gallery, but the big one was in the mid 1990s when he bought the historic, but (by then) struggling Royle Publishing. Although a big mouthful to swallow, it enabled Paper House to broaden its offering, building its reputation for art as well as humour cards.

Some of its humour brands were exceptionally strong. Eric the Penguin to this day boasts a very strong following.

And Spring Chicken was one of the first humour ranges to provide a contemporary look for a more mature consumer. And this offering was later bolstered by a distribution/licensing agreement with top US photographic humour specialist Avanti.

Although it could be argued that Paper House had struggled with the quality of some of its occasions and relations offering, it did become very strong as a Christmas specialist, some would say disproportionately so in later years, which would lead to problems.

But its Christmas boxes, on both traditional and photographic (notably under its Darkroom brand) designs, were (and still are) renowned for their quality.

Cardsharp recalls Paper House was an early pioneer of supermarket brokerage, audaciously picking up the Sainsbury’s account before the US publishing giants used their financial muscle to grab it from them. Meanwhile, Peter’s love of a ‘deal’ led to further acquisitions and key licensing agreements. The Medici Gallery, another historic publisher that had a great legacy but had fallen on hard times, was clinched through a complicated licensing agreement, followed by the natty purchase of smaller

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CARDSHARP contemporary publisher, Almanac Gallery. And indeed, Peter Reichwald was presented with The Henries Honorary Achievement Award in 2004, not only for his achievements at GBCC, but for his contribution to helping build the modern Greeting Card Association.

But for all this activity, recalls Cardsharp, GBCC could never quite break into the really big league. In the early noughties, there was plenty of discussions about GBCC coming together with a number of other major UK publishers to form some kind of super alliance to compete with Hallmark and American Greetings-owned UK Greetings, but individual interests meant that these discussions never really developed beyond the conceptual stage.

Having lost the Sainsbury’s brokerage business, GBCC turned its attention to the

emerging garden centre sector, courting these horticultural-orientated retailers with its Waterwells brokerage, with some degree of success in winning the accounts. But like other brokerage operators, GBCC discovered that this modus operandi can eat up huge amounts of cash for minimal profit.

Waterwells’ biggest customer was the Wyevale Group, which has struggled in recent years and is in the process of being sold off piecemeal.

Furthermore GBCC’s periodic cashflow challenges gave it an unfortunate reputation and meant that it became notorious for indifferent service and for not processing credits due to retail customers.

In recent years it has been a fairly open industry secret that GBCC was up for

Left: Eric the Penguin by Chris Masters was a strong humour range for GBCC. Below left: Left to right: GBCC co-directors Chris Wilcox, Steve Gallagher and Peter Reichwald.

Below right: The Great British Card Company had a licensing/distribution agreement with US publisher Avanti.

sale at the right price, but unfortunately the price the seller was asking was never attractive to potential buyers. And of course as GBCC’s cash situation deteriorated most potential buyers remained stayed on the sidelines, well positioned to see what came out of the woodwork if the business failed as it ultimately did. Even a potential management buyout, which might have been a sensible solution, did not materialise.

In the last couple of years trade rumours have shilly-shallied from a potential trade sale for GBCC to a potential business failure. The last set of accounts that Cardsharp saw for the PLC were for an odd 18 month accounting period to December 2017, and they showed a turnover for that period of £22 million, but of course this figure included a substantial chunk of other publishers’ turnover within it, as a result of being included within the Waterwells brokerage operation. Cardsharp suspects by the end, GBCC’s pure annual turnover may have been as low as £8-9 million.

There were strong rumours last summer that GBCC was on the verge of going down, but a new tranche of investment from some directors and a high interest business loan averted the stay of execution. But the subsequent uncertainty and late payments meant a lot of suppliers pulled the plug, resulting in very late or only partially completed Christmas orders.

In the end GBCC was playing catch up, and sticking plasters on gaping wounds, and no one should have been surprised when the administrators took over last month, but having survived so many other close calls, the finality of it still caught some by surprise. It was certainly a

sad end to 39 years of trading of what was a colourful publishing force.

What has surprised many though, is the enormity of the debt that GBCC has left behind. The administrators’ report reveals a debtors list that adds up to over £4 million.

This money was owed to everyone from HMRC, to printers and suppliers as well as a plethora of publishers who had supplied Waterwells brokerage in good faith. The directors also took a substantial hit.

With Ling paying only £1.4 million for the failed GBCC from the administrators, creditors are unlikely to get much back in monetary terms from any historic debt, although many publishers and printers would have ‘retention of title’ for any stock still languishing in GBCC’s Gloucester warehouse.

Cardsharp thinks it will be interesting to see what Swan Mill does next with GBCC. Will it keep the Gloucester operation open long-term? Will it persevere with the Waterwells brokerage and find a way to make it pay? How many jobs at GBCC will be saved long-term as there has to be some duplication? Cardsharp suspects that at this early stage the new owner won’t really know the full picture and will just be looking at every facet of the business.

GBCC kept going for so long as it was propped up by the forbearance of its lenders in an environment of ultra-low interest rates, overvalued stock valuations and by playing off a whole variety of trade suppliers against each other. In the end even this was not enough and a weakening economy and other trade factors exposed it as little more than a Zombie company.

Whatever the rhymes and reasons, and whether a magic wand could have saved GBCC, it is sad for the UK greeting card trade to see the failure of such an important name in the industry. And of course a tragedy for anyone whose job or business is in jeopardy from this event.

With Cardsharp unable to think of any other major card publishers beginning with the letter G, he hopes that this is the last bit of bad news for some time, and that David Byk, ceo of Swan Mill, will deliver his mission of making GBCC ‘Great again’.

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VIEWPOINTS

Now that we are all ‘back at school’, looking to make the most of this ‘final term’ in the run up to Christmas, PG delves into the ‘report cards’ of leading indie retailers, who reveal what grade they would give trade so far, what has been the most testing subject, what they would thank ‘teacher’ for and how they are hoping to achieve top marks in the festive run-up.

Jon May co-owner of Mooch Cards and Gifts, Stourport on Severn and Bewdley: Making the grade: “I would give trade this year a B grade, though with the right product mix and hours this could easily be an A by the end of term.”

Most testing ‘subject’: “Brexit - uncertainty is not good for trade, you can just see some people holding off from some purchases as they are not sure what is round the corner in regard to job security or interest rate increases, all of which has had a knock-on effect on larger luxury purchases.”

Thank you teacher: “We thank our wonderful suppliers for providing us with fabulous cards and gifts, giving people the need to part with their hard earned cash! We also thank our customers. We had a great response to our ‘We Love Stourport' window which involved us asking customers to send in photos of what they loved about Stourport past or present, with the winner receiving a Mooch goodie bag, in addition we encouraged people to take selfies in front of the shop to win a £50 Voucher.”

Festive run-up: “We are launching Christmas on Monday 28 October with a VIP shopping evening with special offers on the night. We believe people will be a bit guarded on their spend this year due to Brexit, but let’s see what the 31st October brings! Hopefully it will be better news for the High Street but we will do what we always do and give customers plenty of reasons to come into our stores through our fabulous Christmas windows and the fabulous products we work hard to find that keep our customers coming back for more.”

Above: The Mooch’s Stourport store window which fanfares its ‘We Love Stourport' initiative.

Right: Jon May (left) and Luke Jacks, co-owners of Mooch in Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley, spending their Retas Sunshine ticket with Paper Salad’s co-owner Karen Wilson at PG Live.

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Deborah Tingay owner of Southbourne Cards, Bournemouth: Making the grade: “B for brilliant start to the year. Positive improvement in grades for sales, stockholding and design.

Well presented - new lighting and flooring.

Always polite - dedication to customers.

Attendance - best sellers kept in stock as that is the key to great sales.

Sometimes runs in the corridor - the excuse is always Christmas prep.”

Most testing ‘subject’: “Geography where to put the stock? We were burgled and were advised to close a secondary sales room for the safety of the sales team. The resulting changes have made the shop easier to operate and customers can find the items they are looking for effortlessly. It was a mountain that we overcame and it has created a much improved work environment.”

Thank you teacher: “I would thank my history teacher as we have built on good sales last year by focusing on historic sales’ successes. We have been rewarded by working on our product mix and customer wants.”

Festive run-up: “Preparation is indeed the key and we launched 16’ of linear space to Above: Southbourne Cards’ Deborah Tingay with Redback Cards’ Sean Edwards.

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VIEWPOINTS

Rachael Barnes co-owner of Dragonfly Cards and Gifts, Knaresborough:

Christmas cards in September. The early sales have been encouraging. It’s really a soft launch for those early birds. Among the cards sold are those going to service personnel in The Falklands and to grandparents in Australia.

Our introduction of IC&G Christmas, Pigment, Paper Salad and a strong new gift offering should have a very positive impact on sales this year.

We’re very upbeat.

We are in the planning stage for our Christmas events, which usually involve mince pies, mulled wine and beautiful music. Ooh, I love Christmas, even on a sunny September morning by the seaside!”

Above and below: Southbourne Cards pre and post a new floor.

“Despite adding four gondola units the comment are: “wow it looks so much bigger!” It’s like a different shop.”

Making the grade: “This year so far I would give a B-, tries hard, but could do better.”

Most testing ‘subject’: “The most testing subject has been the local economy.

Everything has been ticking over OK at the shop, but the closure of all but one of the banks in our town has definitely affected footfall, meaning everything is just that bit more of a struggle.

Customers are having to go to neighbouring towns to do their banking, so it's easy for them to do their shopping while they are there. We are really having to work hard to entice them back into Knaresborough to shop with us.”

Thank you teacher: “We would like to thank teacher for the Spring Seasons (in particular Mother's Day). Sales were incredibly late, but they arrived with a bang eventually.”

Festive run-up: “Christmas stock is arriving thick and fast at the moment, but we won’t put any of it out until the middle of October.

I think this year, more than ever, people will be looking for value for money. They'll spend it on the right card, but they have to feel they're getting something really special. We've reduced our choice in packs a bit this year, as we've noticed a steady decline, so are really focusing on the counter cards instead. The packs we are stocking are primarily charity ones.”

Above right: At The Retas 2019. Dragonfly’s Rachael Barnes (centre) with mum and business partner, Rita Knibbs (right) and colleague Emma Knights, finalist in the Best Retail Employee award.

Left: Dragonfly Cards and Gifts’ window that celebrated the recent UCI Road World Championship that came through Knaresborough.

Below: QLM’s new card shop.

Below right: Maurice and Debby Esofsky, co-owners of QLM at PG Live.

Maurice Esofsky co-owner of QLM, Leeds: Making the grade: “I would give the trade a grade of C+ so far this year with a ‘work in progress’ comment as we opened our new store in March and got off to a good start but had a bit of a stall through the summer while we improved our ranges and mix of products. We added a number of new publishers into our card offering, some of which we met at PG Live, which have been very successful.”

Most testing ‘subject’: “The most testing subject has been sourcing the right products for our new client base, along with buying ‘small and often’ while keeping it fresh and new. Bearing in mind we were a discount store, we are now aiming for a wider market.”

Thank you teacher: “On a positive note we are excited about the new challenges and the successes we are encountering with our premium-priced merchandise, such as Jellycat, Katie Loxton, Joma Jewellery along with cards by Five Dollar Shake and Rosie Made A Thing etc. We are also extremely thankful for the ongoing support we receive from Hallmark.”

Festive run-up: “This is our first Christmas in our new store so in all honesty it will be a little bit of trial and error, however we have been picking up tips from our fellow Hallmarkers and this has resulted in us being quite confident with our mix of festive products.

The move round to make space for the new stock will be challenging, but our festive stock will be out in full in early October. With the volume of stock we’ve bought, we’re expecting a good run to Christmas. We really hope that this Christmas will result in us becoming a more established destination card and gift shop.”

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VIEWPOINTS

Savita and Steve Marsh owners of Northwood Cards, Northwood: Making the grade: “A definite A!! It’s been a great, fun year again in a fabulous industry, living our dream. Another year with an upward trend in sales after a very good Christmas 2018. We had strong seasons due to good weather and the late timing of Mother’s Day and Easter.”

Most testing ‘subject’: “Trying to keep off the subject of Brexit.

Over the years we have built up strong relationships with our customers.

We have watched their families grow and celebrated their milestones and become very fond of many along the way. Brexit has been a great divider across friendships and families so we have tried our best not to enter into any debates in the shop, swerving any ‘B’ discussions, and channeling our conversations back to the love of our industry and serving our customers.

We appreciate that everybody has a different opinion and Brexit has been a very sensitive subject!”

Thank you teacher: “We would thank our suppliers for their focus on sustainability. Many of our suppliers have realised how important the current environmental concerns are for our customers. Five Dollar Shake and Woodmansterne are just a couple of the companies who have either gone naked, started using recyclable wrapping options or moved to biodegradable glitter on their cards.

As with every year we would always thank our loyal customers who have been a huge factor in our success as an independent retailer. A big shout out for the people of Northwood who have supporting us for 29 years!!

We would also like to thank all the companies who have enabled us to have a fantastic selection. I can’t list everyone but Nigel Quiney, Paperlink, Special Delivery, Tache, Pigment, Wendy Jones-Blackett, White Cotton, Green Pebble are just a few... the list is endless!

We also feel it’s important to thank Progressive Greetings for arranging PG Live and also The Retas as they very importantly bring like-minded people like ourselves together and celebrate our fabulous industry!!

We would also like to thank the lovely Santoro family this year who were our hosts at The Retas.”

Festive run-up: “After a fabulous summer we are already extremely excited for the preparations which have already started for Christmas.

We’re lying awake at night deciding where all our wonderful new stock is going to be displayed! Christmas displays go up mid October but we are already feeling the excitement and are confident that it will be a great season again for us with new products. We can’t believe it will be our 29th Christmas trading! Yikes!”

Top: Savita and Steve Marsh at The Retas in July.

Above: A sneak peek inside Northwood Cards.

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Inset: The ‘seat of learning’ for cardies has resulted in some gold stars from teacher!

Jo Georgiou owner of The Ark, Stoke Newington: Making the grade: “A secure ‘B’, but with plenty of room for improvement.”

Most testing ‘subject’: “Customers’ online shopping habits continue to be our biggest challenge.

Campaigns like Just A Card and Amex’s Shop Small are important reminders for the public to support independent retailers, keeping them on the High Street.”

Thank you teacher: “Gold stars go to the designers and publishers who continue to produce exciting greeting cards to keep customers and myself engaged and optimistic in challenging times. A collaboration with Njeri Illustrated on a range of localised cards, who we met at PG Live, are proving to be successful and we will be expanding the designs onto other products in the run up to Christmas.”

Festive run-up: “Our Christmas stock will gradually be introduced during October, starting with our packs of cards.

Everything is usually in place by the end of the month. Once Halloween/Bonfire Night are over our customers are then ready to embrace Christmas. I think the products that will continue to do well this season are those that are environmentallysound useful gifts like food wraps, reusable water bottles, soap and shampoo bars.”

Above: The Ark’s Jo Georgiou at The Henries judging.

Left: Two of the Nerji Illustrations designs that have been published specifically for The Ark.

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VIEWPOINTS

Linda Bygrave owner of Celebrations, Aylsham:

Sarah Holmes owner of Pencil Me In, Elgin: Making the grade: “I would give trade a B- grade.

We've had a good summer which really helped correct the position we were in at the end of April (very poor!). September and October is always tough for us, but we are confident Christmas will be good. Our wholesale and other B2B work keeps us busy and we're looking to expand on these fronts.”

Most testing ‘subject’: “Consumer confidence has been most challenging as I think we can all agree it's been low now for a long time. Our customers are still treating themselves when our best sellers are in but are perhaps less inclined to try new products. We're expanding our collection of instore personalised gifts on the run up to Christmas to help with this.”

Thank you teacher: “We give thanks for our loyal customers and our online following - they literally are the best. We have had a number of customers who have followed us our social media and then make special trips to Pencil Me In over the summer. Hearing these types of stories absolutely makes our day! Our loyal locals have been taking full advantage of our new instore foil printed personalised cards for all sorts of occasions.”

Festive run-up: “I am probably better prepared than any other year. There has been lots of ‘best practice’ sharing going on in the My Shoplife Facebook group, which I have taken lots from. I am a very late buyer for Christmas, my main buying being in September. We put stock out from the beginning of October. We have bought lots of single Christmas cards and wrap this year, especially as our giftwrap service is much more well-known across town.

Not sure about Christmas trade with the ‘B’-date looming at the end of October - part of me feels it could be the killer for a lot of small shops - or if it’s delayed beyond Christmas will everyone come out spending?”

Top: Sarah Holmes outside Pencil Me In with her son Ruaridh and a fabulous balloon installation to mark Sarah’s birthday.

Above: A neon stationery display in Pencil Me In.

Making the grade: “I would give trade a C+ grade… could do better.”

Most testing ‘subject’: “The hot days in summer were tricky as everyone stayed indoors or headed to the coast.”

Thank you teacher: “We have to give thanks for regular birthdays and babies being born.

We are very happy that our ‘star pupil’, Mandy Baker, was the worthy winner of the Best Retail Employee award in The Retas.

And also a special mention for the return of The Great British Bake Off to our screens. We created a display to celebrate this and it has worked well - we have sold a number of spatulas, which have been around for a while.”

Festive run-up: “We will try and wait till mid October before putting too much Christmas stock out, but we are up against it when the charity shops put their spinners out so early.

We will be open late for the Christmas lights switch on, and will also host a 'friends and family' Christmas Sunday event in mid November which has become a bit of a tradition. All our Christmas products will be out then and we will have Christmas music, mulled wine and mince pies etc.”

Top: Celebrations’ Mandy Baker with her Retas’ award trophy.

Above: The Bake Off-themed display in Celebrations.

Kathy Starr owner of Gifted in Thaxted: Making the grade: “I say it has been an A- year. There is always room for improvement, but we’ve had a fantastic year so far.”

Most testing ‘subject’: “Environmental studies - trying to become more environment aware in our business.”

Below: Gifted’s Kathy Starr (right) spending her Sunshine Ticket with Lucy Porter of Lucy Alice.

Bottom: The Gifted’s Refill Station in action.

Thank you teacher: “We give thanks for our new household products Refill Station - it’s a win all round.”

Festive run-up: “We organise an Advent Window event around our village every year and have started planning our window already. We will start putting cards out mid October, then decorations will follow. We think we will sell less decorations this year, especially non eco-friendly ones.”

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Statistical Evidence

Facing The Facts “The British public spent over £1.7 billion in the last year on greeting cards,” confirms Ceri Stirland, president of the GCA, delivering the good news in the preface of the soon-to-be-published UK Greeting Card Market Report, undertaken by Echo Research, commissioned by the GCA. PG shares some of the reassuring facts, figures and trends from this significant annual survey into the health and wealth of our sector.

At a time when there is an overwhelming amount of negativity, discord and uncertainty in the world, it is reassuring to know that the UK greeting card industry, the heartbeat of which is to celebrate the importance of relationships, is still beating strongly.

The Report details how sales of greeting cards have held up well, in both value (ie the amount the public spent on cards) as well as volume (the numbers of cards bought) - with an astonishing 911 million greeting cards bought in the UK in the last year.

“At a time of huge societal, political and retail change in the UK, it is so encouraging

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how the value and volume of our greeting card market has only shown a tiny drop of 1.6%. There are so many other sectors out there who would envy our position,” states Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA. Commissioned by the Greeting Card Association, the research project was undertaken once again by Echo Research, an award winning market data company.

The Report’s findings are based on actual sales data (of single cards sold JanuaryDecember 2018) submitted confidentially

by UK greeting card publishers to Echo, which are then extrapolated to arrive at the final picture.

As to what ‘the picture’ looks like, it is something of a familiar but pleasing scene.

When so much in the world is changing, in some cases beyond belief, the statistics show that encouragingly the British public remain steadfast in their card buying habits.

Yes, compared to the previous year’s Report, there have been a few tiny shifts across the various card buying Above: Millennials remain highly engaged with buying and sending sectors tracked by the survey, with greeting cards.

Inset: The UK card market is the odd percentage up and the odd showing its resilience. percentage down, but as what in marketing speak would be described as a ‘mature sector’, the UK greeting card industry, a few minor aches and pains aside, is ageing somewhat gracefully. And even more encouraging, buoyed by publishers and retailers being in sync with the consumer aesthetic, sentiment and humorous tastes right across the demographics, as Ceri Stirland, president of the GCA (and UK channel and customer director of UKG) highlights in her

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Statistical Evidence

Left: A look back over the last seven years show how the UK greeting card market has grown.

Below middle: (Left-right) Amanda Fergusson, GCA ceo; Ceri Stirland, GCA president and UKG’s customer and channel director; Rachel Hare, md of Belly Button who becomes GCA president at the upcoming AGM and Conference.

Bottom: The graph shows how everyday cards continue to dominate.

preface of the Report, Gen Y (18-24 year olds) are fully engaged with cards and buy more volume (numbers of cards bought) than any other generation. “This is an incredibly positive trend for the future of our industry,” she quite rightly points out.

Moreover, with the benefit of having instigated this annual survey for several years now, it is gratifying to see the gentle incline of sales from 2012, when the market was significant smaller (then worth £1.2 billion) building to the strong level platform of the last two years.

The Report shows how everyday cards really do dominate, which is good news for the High Street, seeing as 94% of cards are still bought in bricks and mortar stores. As Ceri points out in the Report’s preface, “cards remain an

important, highly profitable product category across all retail channels.”

Everyday cards account for 77% of sales, with Christmas singles a long way behind market share wise, accounting for 12% (£184.4 million) of the total spend, which is just a smidge above Spring Seasons (the £179.9 million spent on Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter and Father’s Day equating to 11% of total sales).

Of the Spring Seasons, which grew slightly in the last year (in both volume and value), Mother’s Day continues to lead, accounting for £72.5 million of sales (up 1% on the previous

year) with an average retail price of £2.07.

Christmas singles are now worth 12% of the total market (equating to £184.4 million in sales). In keeping with previous reports, due to the fragmented nature of the Christmas box and pack sector, a considered estimate of £200 million is included in the overall greetings market figure.

As Ceri summarises, the Report provides statistical proof that “The British population continues to be highly engaged with this category and our appetite for buying and sending greeting cards continues unabated.” She adds that despite “growth in digital forms of communication, such as texts, social media or emails, she states that cards remain the preferred choice when it comes to expressing a heartfelt personal message and making someone feel extra special.”

The full Report will be presented at the GCA 100th Anniversary Celebration Conference & AGM, which will take place on Thursday 17th October and will be uploaded into the members area on the website shortly afterwards as well as being sold to interested parties thereby raising funds for the Association.

“The Report really is an invaluable benchmark for the GCA’s publisher, retailer and trade supplier members and associate members. Its findings also provides independently verified facts and figures that we can use when speaking to the press, government and other bodies,” explains Amanda. “This Report is especially poignant as it is published as we celebrate the centenary of the GCA. We as an industry have so much collectively of which to be proud, not just of our heritage, but how we continue to stay relevant as a great way of marking life’s events and reinforcing relationships. The 911 million cards that were selected and bought by the British public in the last year alone is wonderful proof of that.”

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Face To Face

The Great

British

Byk Of f

“I really want to make The Great British Card Company great again. It has always been a decent business with a strong heritage, but has just been cash-strapped for so long,” says David Byk, group ceo of Swan Mill, which last month brought GBCC into its fold, having acquired the assets and goodwill of the publisher and its brokerage distribution side, Waterwells, for £1.4 million from the administrative receivers, BDO. PG caught up with the man at the top of what is now a £22 million greeting card and giftwrap group.

Above: David Byk has found himself heading up a £22 million branded card and wrap business.

Above right: GBCC’s Darkroom and Medici have joined Ling, Curious Inksmith and Talking Pictures in the Swan Mill family.

Top: GBCC will continue to be run from its Gloucester premises.

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Until four years ago when it acquired Ling Design, Swan Mill was really operating under the radar in the greeting card world. Admittedly it had bought Penny Kennedy some years prior, but the bulk of Swan Mill’s business has historically been in own brand, producing and supplying all manner of products, from billions of napkins to container loads of crackers to leading multiple retailers and catering corporations, but all rather quietly, largely using the retailers’ respective brands rather than its own.

Quietness is not the case now though, as the loud hailer was turned up to maximum volume last month when the deal was finally clinched on GBCC and all eyes are on what will happen now under the new ownership.

The acquisition sees Swan Mill double the size of its grip in the direct to retail card and giftwrap scene in one swoop. GBCC is a big beast to absorb, and at a crucial time of year, but David Byk, group ceo, is up for the challenge.

“You’re right, I have lost a bit of weight over this - there has just been no time to eat!

I’ll get round to it, but there have been other priorities,” David quips. “Like paying the staff, getting the seven containers of Christmas stock stuck at the docks released and out to retail customers, re-signing licensing agreements with Avanti and Medici, as well as contacting the publishers whose products Waterwells brokers-in to assure them that we are keen to establish a working relationship.”

Although it has been no secret that GBCC had been suffering cash flow issues for some time, the longstanding Gloucesterbased publisher had somehow managed to ride the stormy seas, until the conditions worsened a few months ago when its lenders got jittery.

“We started talks about potentially buying the business in late July, but it quickly went from a potential purchase to a distress

one,” says David. “The idea of a CVA that was mooted was soon dismissed as it could not get enough backing. It then became a ticking time bomb as the wages needed to be paid and Christmas stock needed to go out.

It all had to happen very quickly in the end.”

A week after BDO were appointed as administrative receivers, Swan Mill finalised the deal to acquire the assets and goodwill of GBCC and under TUPE regulations took on all GBCC’s 130 staff.

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Face To Face

Since then it’s been all systems go to safeguard ‘the goodwill’ by getting orders out and gaining a better understanding of ‘the assets’, ie the GBCC brands and its people.

On the card publishing front, as David points out, “It is easy to see that GBCC is a great fit with Ling.

GBCC’s strengths in humour, art, charity, photographic and Christmas boxes were among the main attractions of the acquisition.

“GBCC has some very strong card brands. Its strength in humour is bolstered by its relationship with Avanti, something we are very pleased to be continuing.

On the art card side, Medici has great heritage, while Almanac offers a great contemporary card range. Although Ling also has a charity side, the GBCC selection provides critical mass and broadens the relationship to more charities, while Darkroom is well accepted by the trade as a great photographic range,” sums up David.

However, rather than amalgamate the GBCC ranges in with the Ling and Talking

Pictures portfolio, David is determined to keep both sides running separately, under their two separate sales teams. “There is nothing wrong with a bit of friendly sibling rivalry!” he quips.

“We have some fantastic people within Ling, a very talented studio and a strong sales team for starters. It is now about getting to know the GBCC team and see how we can work to improve things. The company has been starved of cash for so long and has operated under a cloud of uncertainty, it feels good to be able to put it back on a firm footing.”

He also confirmed that the GBCC side will continue to be run from its current ‘home’ in Gloucester, where Waterwells is also based. Meanwhile the Ling design studio is located in Bath, the distribution centre and other functions are run from the Paddock Wood premises in Kent, while the Swantex side (own brand) is based in Swanley in Kent, with Swantex Asia’s hub located in the Far East.

“I am well used to travelling, adding in regular trips to Gloucester will not be a problem. In fact I am looking forward to it,” says David, who as ceo of the whole group has the senior management teams of each component company reporting to him.

There are some obvious synergies that will be made Right: A Laura Darrington design from its Halcyon Collection which will now be offered to Waterwells customers.

Left: Among Ling’s latest claims to fame is a licensing tie-up for cards and wrap with Creative Lab, an Amsterdam-based design-led brand.

Water(wells) under the bridge

As a former supplier to Waterwells, Ling’s name features among other publishers, trade suppliers and lenders on the creditors report, which shows GBCC went down owing over £4 million.

“As Ling is a creditor too, I do empathise with the other publishers who have lost money when GBCC went into receivership,” said David. “I am glad though that many publishers are open to working with us as the new owners of Waterwells now that the business is on a firmer financial footing.”

The Waterwells side was clearly a strong lure for David when making the decision to buy the business with its existing relationships, notably with garden centres, but also some department stores and independent retailers. “It not only gives our Ling, Talking Pictures and Penny Kennedy brands an opportunity to grow, especially as they are all very well suited to garden centre customers, but it also means that we can become a strong independent alternative for publishers and retailers on the brokerage front.”

David accepts that it will take a little bit of time to really get under the skin of the Waterwells side, but improvements and investments are already being made.

however, with GBCC’s financial and purchasing responsibilities, for example, to be amalgamated in with those of Ling.

Export is another area that David feels there are opportunities to be pursued as a group, drawing on Ling’s/Penny Kennedy’s expertise on this front.

Having acquired Ling four years ago (as well as the smaller purchases of Velvet Olive

and Saffron) and now GBCC, has David got an appetite to expand the ‘family’ further through acquisitions?

“We have our hands full at the moment with the ‘new baby’, but never say never!” he says. “The difference with when we bought Ling was that it was making money. With GBCC there is a bit of work to be done, but it is a decent business and I really do believe we can make it great again,” he stresses.

“Lets get Christmas out of the way and then I feel everyone will be able to see what a difference we can really make,” he assures. Hopefully he’ll find time to eat his Christmas lunch!

Recognising the importance of securing the support from what David describes as “hero publishers”, the ink had no sooner dried on the deal when the Waterwells team had set about making contact with some key brands. Paper Salad and Laura Darrington Designs were among the first to confirm their brokerage participation.

As Laura Darrington commented: “I’m delighted Waterwells will continue to trade as we have really found an appeal for our products in the garden centre market. ‘Fresh eyes’ on the brokerage will certainly help move business forward and it’s really positive to see David [Byk] interested in working with quality brands such as ours to enable Waterwells to progress.”

David feels that it will take a few months before the brokerage side is “all singing, all dancing.”

“The initial focus has been on ensuring the pockets are filled and relationships with existing customers are reinforced. We will have made significant improvements to the Waterwells business over the 9-12 months that will really set it up for the future,” believes David.

Left: The Waterwells business offers great opportunities for Swan Mill’s Penny Kennedy brand, which includes the Sara Miller London collection of wrappings.

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PG showcases a selection of new product launches

Hitting The Town Pink Pig has added 14 ‘Add Your Town’ cards to its popular Babble range. Babble already includes local dialect designs, and these take the ‘make it local’ theme just a bit further. The cards are all 150mm x 150mm, come with a textured kraft envelope, and are either unwrapped or cellowrapped.

Pink Pig 07795 574548 www.pinkpigcards.co.uk

Party On Rising To The Occasion

Featuring the distinctive art style of company co-founder Hannah Dale, Wrendale Designs’ Party Animals Celebrations collection comprises 18 designs to cover birthdays as well as occasions, including anniversaries, new arrivals and get well soon. All 170mm x 138mm in size, the cards are printed on 350gsm sustainably sourced textured board and supplied with a recycled kraft envelope.

Wrendale Designs 01652 680253 www.wrendaledesigns.co.uk

While well-known for its animal-based designs, Louise Mulgrew Designs has welcomed nine new additions to its Little Celebrations occasions range, which feature other motifs and emblems. Included in this illustrative lineup are designs covering a number of new baby, bon voyage and sympathy options. All the greeting cards are 150mm square and come individually cellowrapped with a recycled kraft envelope.

Louise Mulgrew Designs 07706285921 www.louisemulgrew.com

Magical Moments The Hidden Pearl Studio’s Everyday Magic Collection features 12 beautiful cards which celebrate the everyday moments that surround us daily, that are actually pure magic if we take a moment to slow down and see it. The range covers birthdays, new baby, new home, encouragement, as well as Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Each card is printed on FSC-certified board and comes with a recycled envelope wrapped in a biodegradable sleeve.

The Hidden Pearl Studio www.thehiddenpearlstudio.com

Jungle Fever Following on from the success of its Party Animals collection, Highland Jungle has added to the fun with some new designs joining the range! All 150mm x 150mm square cards, the cards come with a sleek grey envelope and packaged in a fully biodegradable plastic sleeve.

Highland Jungle 07964 549657 www.highlandjungle.com 34

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Back To Collage Inspired by her summer visits to RHS Chatsworth and Chelsea Flower Shows, artist Jane Crowther has designed 14 new floral art cards to join Bug Art’s Collage range. The designs feature colourful watercolour sketches embellished with collaged pattern, each of which are embossed with a gold foil. Measuring 167mm x 118mm, the cards are blank inside and come with an ivory pearlised envelope, individually wrapped in a biodegradable bag.

Bug Art 0115 929 4776 www.bugart.co.uk

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A Bunch Of Five Caroline Gardner's AW19 collection welcomes five new ranges this October that span a broad array of styles and tone. These include: Be bold! (bold penmanship with simple motifs); Overprint (an overarching sentiment in eye-catching pink neon litho); NeoPop! (children’s age cards); Gold Lining! (gold foiling and thoughtful sentiments) and Cut-Out (an intricate die cut collection).

Caroline Gardner +44 (0)20 8288 9696 www.carolinegardner.com

Regional Flavours Following a series of requests, Tilia Publishing UK has launched a new collection of county-based cards, beginning with Sussex and in particular the Ashdown Forest, which complements the South Downs Nooks and Crannies range. The plan is for the publisher to expand this line to cover other parts of the UK. Tilia Publishing UK 01273 844436 www.tiliapublishinguk.co.uk

Wool You Bee Mine?

Desito has added 14 everyday/occasions cards to its fuzzy Whimsicals range. The designs feature new characters such as bees, elephants and badgers squiffy on cider, that have been made by the Desito team on a table top with wool and lots of patience! The cards, printed in the UK on FSC board, are 150mm square and come cellowrapped with a white envelope.

Desito 01959 534852 www.desito.co.uk

Boxing Clever Wordly Wise A funky clash of pink and orange spot inks combine with spot on words in Icons new Quotecards range. There are 26 titles in the range, which include funny quotations about boozing, ageing and general observations on modern life and behaving badly. Measuring 128mm x 178mm, the cards comes with either a fuchsia or mandarin envelope.

Icon +44(0)1242 679800 www.icon-art.com

ArtPress has a whole host of brand new Christmas products within its Royal Academy Collection, which span single Christmas cards, wallets, mini cello packs, mini cube boxes, giftwrap and tags. Being introduced for the first time is a trio of Mini Cube box designs, which contain 20 cards (four designs) in a new 84mm x 84mm size. The four different card designs are featured on each side of the cube to create maximum visual impact. Other newness is that the company has launched six double-sided Christmas giftwrap sheets (500mm x 700mm) with coordinating gift tags also available.

ArtPress Publishing 020 7231 2923 www.art-press.co.uk

Wildlife Wonders With new artwork featuring badgers and a fox, printmaker Lizzie Perkins has launched Woodland & Field - a new series of her beautiful wildlife cards into the Art Matters portfolio. These designs are being published both as 150mm blank singles and smaller Christmas packs of five, printed in England on quality FSC board.

Art Matters 01491 671758 www.lizzieprints.com PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Following A Pattern Afrotouch Design has launched a dazzling new collection of 32 Afrocentric birthday designs featuring different African print fabric patterns. Blank inside, the cards are 150mm square in size and come with a white envelope.

Afrotouch Design 07984652962 www.afrotouch.design

Hello Sweetie Jelly Bean is Abacus’ brand-new children’s range. This collection includes both aged and general birthday designs for younger kids featuring a host of quirky, engaging, animal characters all created by the talented illustrated Sue Reeves in her signature style. The 5” x 7” designs span girls and boys ages 1 to 5 and feature eye-catching holographic hot foil details.

Abacus Cards 01638 569050 www.abacuscards.co.uk

Clean Living Cinnamon Aitch was onto a winner as soon as it diversified into gorgeous handmade soaps. These are now available in a smart new display box that is made from recyclable cardboard, to be just as kind to the planet as the lovely soaps inside. The displays can take eight different soap designs (ordered in 3's), and free of charge if filled. Retailers can mix and match to create their own selection.

Cinnamon Aitch 0121 773 6833 www.cinnamonaitch.co.uk

Twitter Feed Cockadoodle Design is super ‘eggcited’ to introduce the ‘clucking’ bonkers new range Daft Burds & Co, which it hopes you’ll all be raven about! Daft Burds are Cockadoodle’s first ever 2D range, eek!... but what it lacks in 3D, it makes up for in cheek! With sozzle twits and old cluckers galore, Cockadoodle’s creations should give you a right old hoot. And as they are designed by Cockadoodle herself, artist Pauline Swindells can personalise and tailor any card free of charge woohoo! Daft Burds cards are 145mm square, come with a brown ribbed kraft envelope and are sealed in their very own premium cello bag.

Cockadoodle Design 07792862140 www.cockadoodledesign.co.uk

Branching Out

Making It A Date

Inspired by the age patterns of tree rings, designer Emma Hepworth has created a vibrantly coloured range of age cards for Paper Bird Publishing that span the decades to the grand age of 100. Printed on a subtly textured 350gsm board the cards come with kraft envelopes and the options of a Kard Klasp or ecoBand as the company move away from plastics.

Paper Bird Publishing 0208 613 8085 www.paperbirdpublishing.co.uk

BrownTrout Publishers is launching a range of 40+ 18-month academic diaries that cover from July 2020 to December 2021. As well as licensed titles from Off the Leash, there is also an extension to the company’s successful Pantone range. Meanwhile, the Graphique de France titles cover the need for balance in organisation and style with metallic faux leather looks, cute pastel pink animal print and empowering phrases such as ‘you got this’ and ‘carpe diem’.

BrownTrout Publishers 0117 3171880 www.browntroutuk.com PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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A selection of great new launches from publishers of all shapes and sizes.

Keeping On Tracks Tracks’ Esmee Eugenie range has been broadened to include 13 popular age designs.

All feminine orientated and enhanced by foil, the 159mm x 159mm cards are accompanied by a gunpowder grey envelope.

Tracks Publishing 01480 435562 www.tracksltd.com

The Feeling’s Nuptial

Plant Life Summer Garden is just one of six brand new collections from Printer Johnson. The botanical-inspired art, which has a retro nostalgic feel, was first conceived for screen and Riso prints but has now been translated onto greeting cards and postcards. The A6 cards come with recycled brown ribbed envelopes either cellowrapped or unwrapped. There is also a perforated concertina postcard set and two accompanying A3 Riso prints.

Printer Johnson 07970908697 www.printerjohnson.com

2become1 is a new wedding-related collection of 29 designs from Laura Sherratt Designs covering captions such as To my Bridesmaid, Be my Bridesmaid, Thank You Page Boy, as well as all special anniversaries. The collection of 15cm square cards feature Laura's illustrations in bright on trend colours, embellished with pretty gems, that are all printed onto a grained board and come with a colour coordinating envelope.

Laura Sherratt Designs 01538 384566 www.laurasherrattdesigns.co.uk

Forking Out Combining Britain’s well-loved take away food implement with the cutest of animals, Bexy Boo’s Forkies collection of 15 quirky hand-finished design each incorporates a wooden fish fork! All the cards come with a colour coordinated envelope.

Bexy Boo 01565 830 546 www.bexyboo.co.uk

Flora And Fauna The critically endangered pangolin, black rhino, Sumatran elephant, Borneo orangutan, mountain gorilla and sea turtle are all celebrated in beautiful detail by Sarah Tanner, founder of Doodlelicious, as the start of the publisher’s Endangered Species range. All the 6” x 6” designs are drawn with a fine liner pen and watercolour pencils and come with a blue envelope.

Doodleicious Art 07734034039 www.doodleicious.co.uk

Getting Fizzical There are 24 cards in Dandelion Stationery’s new Sherbet collection.

Covering birthday and occasions, each design features stunning holographic foil finish. All 114mm x 162mm in format, each card is supplied with customprinted striped envelopes.

Dandelion Stationery 01332 695358 www.dandelionstationery.co.uk

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Words & Sentiments - Henries Finalists 2019

Moving Words Best Contemporary Words & Sentiments Range finalists:

There’s no denying that the mindfulness wave and social media tsunami are moving the graphic style, fonts and sentiments of words and sentiments greeting cards in a new direction. Short and succinct or long and heartfelt, designers and thus designs can’t help but be influenced, but more importantly they are discovering new supportive ways to say ‘I’m here for you’ or ‘I’m thinking of you’ on a card, as well as to relay in words just how much family and friends are loved.

A handful of this year’s Henries Awards’ Best Contemporary, and Best Traditional, Words & Sentiments Range finalists share their thoughts on wordy developments in the market and why their 2019 nominated range is touching hearts.

Cloud Nine from Redback Cards Kate Stanley, co-founder of Redback Cards:

Cherished from Lagom Design Michelle Porter, copywriter and editor for Lagom: Sign of the times: “Many of our cards go beyond specific occasions with heartfelt messages designed to make people feel better about themselves or show that we care when times are hard. All of our cards are heartfelt and we firmly believe that sending a little card can make a difference to the way people feel.”

Right to the heart: “We try not to follow trends, but words have been important to us from the very beginning. I loved the idea of a card range where the focus was on a simple word or phrase set against a plain coloured background. Back then I didn’t think anyone would buy a card with just a word in the middle of it, but now they will because it goes right to the heart of the emotional connection cards can make.

We're just doing what we've always done.

Producing high-quality cards bearing simple messages with top quality foiled lettering. We must be doing something right, our Cherished collection has been our best selling range for over a decade.”

Above: Small but beautiful, Lagom’s Cherished collection.

Above right: Bold, bright and fun, Redback’s Cloud Nine range.

Sign of the times: “The younger generations that have moved away from traditional words and sentiments cards appear to be after a new approach to express emotions and make connections. With fewer letters being written every year, and more emails and texts sent, our language and how we relate to each other is changing. Modern text-speak, colloquialisms, social media-influenced phrases and a more personal style is refining the way card publishers approach their designing. Consumers are looking for designs that represent their particular lifestyles and individual voices.

In a world where tagging friends or family in a funny social media post or meme makes a connection, tells someone you’re thinking of them and allows you to share an in-joke, it’s no surprise that there has been a shift toward humour and straight talking within the contemporary words and sentiments sector.

Graphics and typography have been mirroring these sentiments too, with trends for bold and simple text and stand out colours.”

Right to the heart: “Cloud Nine makes a bold statement with simple contemporary sentiments and bold graphic text. The use of foiling on high quality board gives the cards a really exceptional look and premium feel. We love the fact that they are modern and fun but due to their simplicity in style and wording they are accessible to many ages and attitudes. The ‘Holy Crap we’re still married’ and ‘Please don’t go we actually like you’ designs are full of fun and personality and put a humorous spin on traditional phrases like ‘Happy Anniversary’ or ‘Sorry you’re leaving’.”

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Words & Sentiments - Henries Finalists 2019

Quotish from Brainbox Candy Mark Williams, co-founder of Brainbox Candy: Sign of the times: “The continuing trend still appears to be eye-catching contemporary captions that reflect the trials and tribulations of life. Social media is without doubt a key influencer for the wording on cards, however, this is coupled with a lighter tone, most likely reflective of tighter bonds in uncertain times.”

Right to the heart: “Quotes - funny and inspirational - have been a big thing on social media and we wanted to do our take on it on cards with a luxury wordy humour range. We wanted maximum legibility and clean and simple designs so that they could be read from a distance as we knew the quotes would be quite long.

The Quotish range has a cross-demographic appeal and continues to hit the spot with a broad range of retailers from indie card shops to garden centres.”

Above: A way with words, Brainbox Candy’s luxury Quotish range.

Small Card Collection from Old English Company Danielle Treanor, operations director for the Old English Company: Sign of the times: “I think the awareness of mindfulness has grown massively, which is great as this helps towards good mental health. As a result, we are seeing mindfulness themes filter through to various industries and products.

We are seeing more greeting cards on the market carrying mindfulness, encouragement and positivity themes in words and sentiments.”

Right to the heart: “Our Small Card range is one of our most popular ranges, with over 100 different designs in the range, all of which feature hand-lettered words and sentiments with messages that resonate with our customers.

Our aim when designing cards is to make people smile or pull on the heartstrings, so the card’s buyer and receiver have that 'ahh' moment. For example, some of our most popular and most recent designs within the range which display some wonderful positive messages are 'Grow through what you go through', 'You are strong', 'She Believed She Could So She Did' and 'Hard times will always reveal true friends', which has continued to be a sell-out design.”

Above and right: Positive messages are the core of Old English Company’s Small Card Collection.

Terrific Humans by Veronica Dearly from Cath Tate Cards Rosie Tate, director for Cath Tate Cards: Sign of the times: “When you think of the current political and social climate at the moment the phrase ‘What the **** is going on??’ springs to mind. If you don’t search for something positive or a bit uplifting then you wouldn’t be blamed for walking around like a wet weekend.

We have seen the rise of a more positive mental attitude in contemporary design which is probably a backlash to this current crazy world! Social media is also now a major influence in all design and modern ideas in general, connecting and defining ideas and design across the planet.”

Right to the heart: “Veronica Dearly’s Terrific Humans range is best described as positively human! With an upbeat gentle sense of humour, Veronica’s positive but real outlook runs throughout the range. With a large social media following, Veronica’s posts and way of looking at the world has hit a cord with thousands. The range is all hand-drawn lettering using a palette of power pastels. As Veronica puts it, she writes about actual real life with her feminist, funny, family adventures being the backbone of the ideas in the range.”

Above: Veronica Dearly’s appeal is the way she sees the world, as seen on her Terrific Humans card range from Cath Tate Cards.

Words Of Wisdom from Dandelion Stationery Jo Wilson, director for Dandelion Stationery: Sign of the times: “I think there is a move towards honesty and openness with the words and sentiments people are using. There are many occasions/situations where people may not quite know what to say, and they are taking the opportunity to use the words on the front of the card to convey a message to the recipient.”

Right to the heart: “I think the awareness of mental health issues is a positive change in society – this year we introduced a large number of cards that were not specific to an occasion. We have seen an increase in sales of cards such as these, captions that could be used in a multitude of situations. From the retailers’ perspective this is a positive move, as it makes the cards quite universal.”

Above: Words Of Wisdom from Dandelion Stationery reflects the mental wellbeing issues that are important to all of us.

Below: Hallmark’s ‘And Relax’ range is written in light heartfelt prose.

Best Traditional Words & Sentiments Range finalists: And Relax from Hallmark Emma Bragg, editorial manager for Hallmark: Sign of the times: “I think the key is for cards to be relatable and reflect the way people really do feel. This can be done in many different ways.

A short piece of writing with a light Continued on page 45

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Words & Sentiments - Henries Finalists 2019

tone can convey just as much emotion as something longer and more traditional if the essence of what it is saying is authentic.”

Right to the heart: “And Relax has a conversational tone of voice and references relevant and insightful subject matter which makes it a very relatable range. The sentiment is written in prose so it delivers a warm and heartfelt message in a way the sender would feel comfortable saying themselves. Up-to-date subject matter such as ‘juggling busy lives’ and ‘emotional support’ are presented in casual yet crafted sentiments.

The sketchy illustrations are loose and calming so are the perfect accompanying design.”

Month You Were Born from IC&G Amanda Miles, creative director of IC&G: Sign of the times: “I believe our Month You Were Born cards are hitting the right target because in a world where technology is Birthday reshaping our future it is important that we still connect on a personal level with those nearest and dearest to us particularly for those less tech savvy more traditional consumers - a card that feels special because the Marigolds art is hand-painted and unique, and the words are sincere and heartfelt topped off with the unique addition of including details about ‘the month you were born’ feels like you are making a special personal connection with the recipient.”

Just for you

on your

Follow Your Dramas from Hallmark Emma Bragg, editorial manager for Hallmark: Right to the heart: “Follow Your Dramas is a dreamy range which expresses beautiful messaging in short but effusive prose. The starlit designs and warm colours enhance the feeling of profound and genuine emotion. The language used is uncomplicated but the poetic composition is vital to deliver the depth of sentiment.”

October

Above and below: With a special feel, IC&G’s Month You Were Born range.

Right Deep but succinct prose features in Hallmark’s Follow Your Dramas range.

The Marigold (passion and creativity)

About the Marigold Marigolds are hardy, annual plants and are great plants for cheering up any garden.

Hazy Days from Paper Rose Reggie Pugh, creative director of Paper Rose: Sign of the times: “I think there has always been an expectation of very traditional imagery and verse sitting alongside one another, but I think this is changing as a wider and younger audience begin to look for sentimental verse alongside slightly more contemporary imagery.

The improvements in painting and drawing apps are so fast paced it’s opening up many more art styles and bespoke handwritten fonts. There also seems to be a rise in appreciation for more painterly detailed pieces.

New language is definitely born from social media expressions. We have expanded into quite a few mindful captions in recent times to highlight social changes. With so much more publicity born around accepting mental health and appreciating emotions I think this has influenced the greeting card industry’s approach to certain key captioned areas, especially Thinking of You. The more elaborate formal verse with stanzas and rhyming couplets will always have its place and audience, but we are also now much more accepting of contemporary prose, this is echoed with increased numbers of great poetry events and festivals being attended around the country.”

Right to the heart: “When we saw Sanja’s (illustrator of Hazy Days) beautiful artwork we felt her style was unique, with soft and dreamy watercolours that could work with or without sentiment.

Our nomination for a Henries award for the range I believe is due to the addition of a small amount of simple sentiment that adds just a touch of emotion from the sender. Etched gold foil detailing and new contemporary colour palettes are in contrast to some of the more minimal graphic styles currently on offer.”

Above: Soft and dreamy watercolours feature in Paper Rose’s Hazy Days collection

Marigolds come in different colours, yellow and orange being the most common.

Most of the Marigolds have a strong, pungent odour and have great value in cosmetic treatment.

Marigolds are robust, non-fussy plants that bring a lot of sunshine to your garden.

Growing Marigolds

Birthday wishes are sent to you, hoping today is special in everything you do.

Happy Birthday

Marigold seeds should be sown 2cm apart.

Plant your seeds in half-sunny or sunny locations.

The soil must be well-drained, moist and fertile.

Pinch off the first flowers before they open as this will lead to a larger number of flowers.

Opal (known as the birthstone of October) The colours of Opals include white, black and fire red.

Australia is home to 97% of the Opals found in the world.

3595

.

Signature from Jonny Javelin Judy McEwan, office manager for Jonny Javelin: Sign of the times: “We would say at Jonny Javelin that words and verses are as popular as ever. Our cards are generally very versey and that element remains extremely popular with the buying public. We are even getting requests for bigger cards, with longer verses. Overall, we find that beautiful cards with appropriate verses are what our customer wants - sentimental and heartfelt words are in still in demand in this area of the market.”

Right to the heart: “Signature has been specifically planned and designed to hit this market. With a more intricate and arty focus in the graphics, we have also included more words on the front of the cards as well as continuing with a four-line verse on the insert.

We certainly have had no demand to ‘lighten-up’, and we find that our decorative fonts and styling, with lots of lovely finishes and words, remains as popular as ever.”

Above: Jonny Javelin’s Signature range has a watercolour painterly feel topped with light finishes.

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Jennifer Standing

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Words & Sentiments New Launches

Word Up

Travelling skyward are a number of new ranges rocketing on to the words & sentiments market. PG takes a look at some of the current wordy ‘shooting stars’. l FRESCO is a brand new

contemporary range by Megan Claire.

This range is made up of 24 designs that feature original contemporary words and sentiments that are embossed on a gorgeous textured board and finished in a beautiful pastel colour palette. Each card features beautifully blind embossed lines along the bottom of the card. l The Planet Earth collection designed by purposeful paper goods brand Type and Story aims to uplift, inspire and empower mindful individuals. In September 2019, Niccy Iseman (founder) released 25 stunning new designs to add to this collection, which are beautifully foiled by hand using dulled golds and brass accents and expressing even more emotive language which is reflective of the current mood of today. l Curious World is a new addition to the Icon suite of contemporary photographic greeting cards. The carefully curated collection contains 18 of the quirkiest photographic images featuring an array of fabulous furry creatures, paired with clever, heartfelt and humorous quotes of friendship and lifestyle. Curious World is another range of beautifully simple greeting cards containing original and offbeat imagery to complement the Icon portfolio. l Words ’n’ Wishes has always been strong on words and sentiments and its Thoughts Of You range continues in this vein. Comprising14 captions that cover both everyday and occasions, each card has a thought-provoking sentiment on the front as well as a heartfelt four line verse inside. The range features

delicate fluted antique gold foil and has an updated modern traditional feel with lovely watercolour artwork.

Available in code 75 and code 50 price points. l When it comes to

friendship cards, Emily McDowell & Friends just gets you. So does this pony, and all the creatures standing in a pyramid of four-legged cuteness on its back.

Sprung from the creative menagerie of artist/author/extraordinary human, Lisa Congdon, this little card lets someone know you'll carry them, without resorting to a ‘footprints in the sand’ Jesus metaphor. Created by Lisa for Emily McDowell & Friends, and available from Abrams & Chronicle, the whole card collection uses FSC board and 100% recycled envelopes. l Write from the Heart (now from

Paper Rose) is proud to have launched in September a refresh of its best-selling range, Words Of Love Keepsakes, featuring 18 designs at Code 100. This range is renowned for its special words and sentiments sitting alongside stunning painted imagery, and with the additional addon of the keepsake verse card these are truly treasured by all. All designs will be jacket wrapped with a white envelope, and of the brands’ cards and envelopes are produced from FSC paper and board. l For several years now customers have been asking Cardigan Cards to design some juvenile age relations with words. So finally it’s jumped in with both feet to create its Wee Nippers range. Starting with Granddaughter and Grandson ages 1-6, Great Granddaughter and Great-Grandson ages 1-6, plus Son and Daughter ages 1-6, the range has been such a roaring success that it’s just launched another eight designs - Granddaughter and Grandson ages 7-10. The designs are bright, colourful, dramatic and current, embellished with encapsulated glitter, and contain just the right amount of sentiment within. l Cherry Orchard continues with its

recognisable and highly successful portfolio offering of words and sentiment designs with Cherished, its latest sentiment range being launched this coming autumn. Inspired by florals and PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Prohibition Era Style Gin Bloom Glasses • 2 X GENERIC TITLES • AGES 18 - 70

PACKAGING FINISHED WITH ATTRACTIVE GOLD FOIL DETAIL

Come over to our gin joint at the Autumn Fair,

Hall 7 E60

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Words & Sentiments New Launches

autumnal leaves, Cherished is a collection of 24 beautifully worded code 150 designs (RRP £3.99). Each design has a unique eight page booklet style insert conveying a heartfelt message to loved ones, finished with a brushed, fluted foil to enhance each beautiful flower and leaf. l New additions from the wordy world of The Right Lines feature sentiment cards to cover several occasions, including upbeat ‘just because’ messages for friends and family and more heartfelt notes for loved ones. New lines also touch on important and often overlooked issues such as mental health. l In a time where family and

friendships are of the upmost importance, Nigel Quiney Publications has prioritised this with a launch of 120 Heartfelt Sentiments designs. Each card features touching heartfelt verses with the wide breadth of captions covering renewal of vows, like a dad and relations milestone birthdays. Designs retail at £1.85, £2.25 and £2.99. l Soul has collaborated with British artist Kate Towers to bring together Full Moon, a range of cards that are fun and positive with everyday affirmations. Relatable sentiment that radiates positivity for those days when we all need some positivity to help us through the tough times… and this range does exactly that.

With 17 designs in the range, there’s sure to be a design that customers can understand, relate and believe in. l Some things are harder to talk about than others so Poet and Painter has created its Well Said range to help you say what’s on your mind when the people you love need to hear it most. All printed on matt FSC stock and available cello free on request, there are currently eight 150mm square cards in the range, covering sensitive subjects like loss, body image, anxiety, parenting and growing up. l Coulson Macleod has new additions to its existing Little Reasons card range with three fold-out card designs. This one is its anniversary card, which comes with a neon orange envelope.

When unfolded the card is 60.9cm long perfect mantle-piece décor! The other two new designs in the range are ‘Reasons Why I Love You’ and ‘Reasons Why Being A Parent Is The Best’. l After a successful launch at Top Drawer Autumn, Middle Mouse is proud to present its new range of Bucket List Cardlets! With a modern, bold design on the cover featuring big birthdays and a general theme, this range of seven designs are created to give the recipient their best year ever, with a bucket list, year planner, map of the world.

Cardlets are more than a card, packed with extra pages of content designed around the greeting on the front. There are 16 exciting designs to choose from, with new ones released each month.

Heartful of words raise a smile After 27 years helping others as a counsellor and life coach, Josie Wood has found that although we may face different life challenges, underneath we all share similar fears. Josie believes that both the greeting card and coaching industries have a simple yet powerful antidote to this - through letting people know they are loved and inspiring them to believe in themselves.

Now, after posting messages of empathy and comfort on her social media for those looking for a daily dose of encouragement, and posting cards with inspirational expressions to clients, Josie has set up Heartful Cards, publishing her own heartfelt messages on cards.

“It seemed the perfect blend of my love of writing with my passion for helping people feel stronger, happier and more fulfilled, and so Heartful Cards was born”, says Josie.

“When I am writing the words for cards in the Support and Sympathy or Inspiration ranges I often close my eyes, think of my clients and get a sense of what they would most like to hear that would be soothing or uplifting”, Josie reveals, adding that for her other ranges she “imagines the person opening the card and ask myself what will put the biggest smile on their face and make them feel loved, happy and truly cared for.”

Above: Words of caring, support and encouragement written by Josie on her Heartful Cards designs.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

49

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Art Source PG helps to paint a pretty picture of freelance artists, designers, verse writers and photographers’ worlds in order to promote their talents to publishers and, conversely, make it easier for publishers seeking artists.

ARTIST IN FOCUS

Joanna Moyle As you can probably tell, wildlife is my passion. Living in rural Worcestershire, surrounded by its beautiful countryside, inspiration is always close at hand.

Walking over the hill behind my cottage I’m sure to come across a vast array of creatures; more species of bird than I can count, an assortment of sheep, a flock of rather grumpy looking alpacas and, if I'm lucky and tread quietly, maybe some wild deer or that most magical of creatures, a hare.

My background is a commercial one and includes working with galleries and artists. It was here that I found the inspiration to pick up my own brush. I've come to painting a little later in life than most and with no formal training.

Not knowing what the rules are, I paint in a style that feels natural to me with no regard for "should" or "shouldn't".

Ignorance is bliss!

I work mainly in watercolour. With its

almost infinite spectrum of colour and opacity this is a wonderfully versatile medium, ideal for the diverse colours and textures of my subjects. Ink provides the outline and definition for each piece.

While most of my work features the flora and fauna of the British countryside, occasionally I'll wake up inspired to paint something quite different …a camel, a penguin or even sardines.

Aside from their natural beauty, one of the many delights of painting animals is their facility for comedy and ability to conjure emotion. Sometimes a look or pose can speak a thousand words.

The process of painting is a complete joy to me.

Sometimes I'll search out a documentary about the subject I'm working on and listen to it while I'm working. The more I paint the more I learn and the more I realise how astonishingly clever and beautiful nature can be. l Email: joannamoyle@gmail.com

WANT TO BE FEATURED?

If you are an artist, photographer or verse writer and would like to be considered to appear in Art Source, please contact PG’s Emma Cain on emmac@max-publishing.co.uk. This is an editorial feature and as such is free of charge.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

51

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PG asked a selection of card retailers for their ‘hot’ card sellers.

Louise Riley, owner of Sweet Autumn, Buckingham A medium shop in a vibrant market town with a loyal locals and town visitors customer base.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

Nigel Quiney

Doodle

Cute

UKG

Nutmeg

Humour

Paperlink Pigment

Funny Farm Etched

Redback

Holyflaps

Art

Paper Rose The Art File

Designers Guild Sara Miller London

Contemporary Children’s

Cherry Orchard Lucilla Lavender Paperlink

Wot a Mug Anna Hopscotch

Giftwrap

Glick

Stephanie Dyment

The freshest card range I have seen in such a long time and my customers must agree as it is my fastest selling open range at the moment.

We are not really a cute product kind of shop, but this range is doing extremely well in all the captions.

Proper traditional cute.

Humour is massive for me, and I have so many strong ranges, but these two are probably the strongest due to the fact they appeal to a very broad demographic.

A mention has to go to this range; the (ruder) cards are the top sellers in the naughty box. Eye-wateringly funny and rude with a contemporary look.

Beautiful!... and the range is selling so well in both blanks and captions.

This range continues to sell so well, and again in both blanks and captions. Both ranges ooze class.

It’s still all about words on cards so these ranges are both flying out.

The simple format and bold font make them stand out on the shelf.

They may be a higher price point than the average children’s card, but they are the top pick at the moment.

Still by far the strongest selling wrap we do and if it has Stephanie Dyment written on it then it’s a top seller here.

Right: The gorgeous Stephanie Dyment collection from Glick.

Victoria Robinson, owner of Wishes Cockermouth, Cockermouth, Cumbria A medium shop in a market town with a loyal locals customer base.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

Paper Rose

Jasmine

Abacus

Azalea

Right: Watercolour illustrations feature on Paper Rose’s Jasmine range.

IC&G

Age Captions

Cute

IC&G

Barley Bear

Humour

Pigment

Etched

Photographic

Mint Abacus

Art

Hallmark

Knit & Purl Springwatch Country File Gallery

Traditional Children’s

Jonny Javelin Jonny Javelin

Velvet Twingles

Ancillary

IC&G Hallmark

Magical Wonders Itty Bittys

A new range which we already have had to reorder! The watercolour illustrations are so lovely.

Another new range which we love and it is selling well. Beautiful colours and they have an added touch of sparkle.

We try to offer as many special titles as we can lay our hands on and IC&G’s are the ones we reorder time and time again.

Across all titles and occasions this little bear is a favourite.

Fantastic designs, colour and just the right about of verse.

Our bestselling humour range, and not just in open. Etched cards across the board tick the box for our customers.

Fun cards that have got it just right!

Both of these photographic ranges we regularly reorder, customers often buy a few at a time.

A bread and butter range which we always keep in stock. A good mix of art cards with something for all tastes.

What can I say? Can’t be beaten for traditional cards!

These new caption ages are bright, colourful and beautifully finished with embossing and an insert.

Lovely colours and on-trend images - a great selling range!

Popular for kids, but also big kids! So many characters, and new ones all the time - customers like to use the Collectors Card scheme.

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Claire Senior, owner of The Curious Pancake, Nottingham An online store with a contemporary global customer base.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Cute

Ohh Deer

Gemma Correll

Humour

Emily McDowell and Friends (distributed by Abrams & Chronicle)

Awkward Dating greeting card

Sarah Ray

Across The Board

1973

Across The Board

Contemporary

Card Nest

In Bloom

Handmade/ Hand-Finished

Hunter Paper Co

General

Children’s

Stormy Knight

Stormy Kids

Card Nest

Party Animals

U Studio

Cats Cats Cats wrap

Gemma's cards appeal to young and old alike. Cute animals combined with puns/humour is definitely a winning formula for sales in our store!

I wish I had a machine printing these cards off in the run-up to Valentine's Day as I always end up running out. I guess it's a card that answers one of those universal problems for the newly in love! The ‘Are we dating?’ ‘Do I get you a Valentine's Day card?’ questions are answered perfectly in this smart, wordy card!

Sarah's cards are universally loved by our customers, none more so than the very simple ‘Happy Birthday Chicken’ featuring a Feathers McGraw type character, and ‘Happy Birthday Sparkle Chops’ featuring a rather smug looking unicorn!

1973's cards are utterly fantastic. I have sold many copies of its ‘Pretty Awesome’ letterpress greeting card that I've lost count! Along with its ranges by Egg Press and People I've Loved, the quality of the cards, beauty of the print and spot-on humour make them a really good seller.

Illustrated by Leah Quinn, this timeless range featuring contemporary pastel florals with foil accents is a strong favourite with our customers who favour a luxury card with traditional sentiments.

I adore Emma's gorgeous yet simply designed letterpress greeting cards. They offer our customers something classic yet unique with the luxury feel of letterpress printing (some with foiled embellishments) onto 300gsm card stock.

The colourful printing onto the manila card really makes these super cute cards stand out!

These cards, created by children's illustrator Jacqui Lee, ooze charm and warmth. They're hugely popular with our customers.

Animal lovers love this illustrative giftwrap.

Above: The adorable card designs of Sarah Ray. Right: Party Animals from Card Nest ooze warmth and charm.

Giftwrap

Louise Baldwin (with mum Caroline and sister Hilary), owner of Savannah in Windlesham, Surrey A small independent gift and card shop in a village with a loyal customer base.

Category

Name of Publisher

Product/Name Range

Comments

Everyday

Portfolio

Jaz and Baz

Humour

Rosie Made A Thing

Across The Board

Contemporary

Redback

Cloud Nine

Traditional

Crumble and Core

General

Sarah Burman Design

Bala Boo (named after her rescue dog!)

A bright sparkly range of cards that suits all ages and tastes and all at a reasonable price.

Our customers just love the characters and the humour is funny without being offensive. Its great to hear customers giggle as they read the cards. We regularly take orders from customers who buy in bulk!

Humorous, very modern designs in bright colours. And everyone loves the publisher’s Sequined range!

A new company for us. It covers the handpainted look. The range is huge and is in pretty pastel colours ranging from beautifully painted flowers to bears. It also does small cards which come boxed with either small silver stud earrings or a necklace A new company that’s just started up and is local to us. Sarah is lovely and has a bright and unusual range of children’s cards. Fun characters, eg dinosaurs and unicorns, can be ages or blank birthday, basically she’s happy to put what you would like!

Above: Party Pooches on a Jaz & Baz design from Portfolio.

Right: Sarah Burman Design has a’pack’ of canines of different breeds on cards.

Children’s

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

53

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JEREMY’S JOURNAL Business blogging by publisher Jeremy Corner of Blue Eyed Sun.

100 Years Of Cards Jeremy Corner, owner of greeting card publisher Blue Eyed Sun and distributor of BambooCup, looks at the last 100 years of card sending.

This year the Greeting Card Association celebrates its 100th Anniversary, so I thought I’d take a look at the last ten decades of card sending.

selfies still stole the show when it came to cute sentiments. It’s interesting to see the Regent Series branding on the front. The card is embossed around the edges and the colour palette is limited, perhaps due to the printing processes available at the time.

A brief history The custom of sending cards can be traced back to the ancient Chinese who sent one another New Year greetings. The early Egyptians exchanged goodwill messages on papyrus. Handmade paper Valentine messages were sent in Europe from the early 15th Century.

Henry Cole, a founding director of the V&A in London, sent the first Christmas card in 1843. The reform of the Royal Mail in 1940 made postage more accessible after a charge of one penny (roughly £1 in today’s money) was set for carriage and delivery of cards between any two places in the UK irrespective of distance.

The GCA As postal services and the custom of greeting card sending grew, it took another 76 years for the emerging industry to officially form its trade body. The Greeting Card Association (GCA) was created just after the first Word War in 1919 to protect and promote card sending.

Here are some examples of cards published in each of the last ten decades since it was formed:

Twenties Thanks to Geoff Sanderson, who has helped to create card images dating right back to the first decade of the GCA’s inception. It seems that pre-internet cat

Below left: Cute felines were even popular back in the 1920s! 'Regent Series' is branded on the front.

Below right: Two of Danielle’s cards celebrating her mum and dad’s engagement (published by Kaye) and wedding (published by Waldorf) milestones in 1958.

Bottom: In the 1940s America led the charge in greeting card design and finishes.

Thirties Hallmark was Disney’s first licensee and this 1932 Mickey Mouse card (right) shows how quickly the infamous mouse spread across the planet after his creation in 1928.

This card also suggested that card shops were becoming a thing. The palette is limited to two colours and it appears that cute and humorous cards crossed over to adults.

Fifties Danielle, one of our team members at Blue Eyed Sun, unearthed a treasure trove of cards dating back to the fifties in her loft, including her mum and dad’s engagement and wedding cards from 1958. Their engagement card from their parents was published by Kaye and has a satin cushion on the front, with verse inside. There’s also a cute wedding day card from Waldorf, which is foiled and embossed.

The cards from the fifties are mostly lighterweight papers folded over (refered to as a French fold) to create the feeling of weight.

They have foiling, embossing, die-cuts and ‘wordy’ sentiment inside them. Some have ribbon. Brands include Kaye Gibson, Waldorf, A.M. Davis & Co, Envoy, Diplomat, ForgetMe-Not and Sharpe’s Classic.

Forties Many of the cards during this period came from America, with American Greetings (est 1906) and Hallmark (est 1910) leading the charge. This cowboy card shows the American style and the evolving colours and techniques like diecutting. Notice the feather used to create a sense of added value and ‘specialness’.

Sixties Danny’s sixties cards also used diestamping, flocking and flittering. They’re still mostly paper folded in half, which allowed four colour imagery to appear on the inside of the card with only one side of the overall sheet being printed on.

Danny’s mum, Pam’s 21st card from her sister Carol, was published by Kaye Gibson. It’s foiled and embossed with lace PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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JEREMY’S JOURNAL detailing added to the right hand edge and a die-cut gold key attached to the front with a ribbon.

A card by Rust Craft to Pam on Danny’s birth is die-cut and flocked. There’s a nice baby boy card from Academy on the birth of Danny’s brother, Ricky. In addition to previous brands mentioned there were also cards by Image Arts, Gibson and Delightful.

Seventies Danny loves cute cards and the birthday cards she chose for her mum feature cartoon hedgehogs, kitten, puppies and cherubs.

There’s a nice die-cut, pop-up Mother’s Day card featuring Holly Hobbie (below) from Celebration Arts, plus a cute Bonnie Bonnets card by Raphael Tuck.

The boards are heavier (280gsm plus) and most of the cards are gloss finished, brighter and more colourful than previous decades. Many are larger in size too. Brands from this decade include Creative Cards, Forget Me Not and Sharpe’s Classic.

Left and below left: Danielle’s mum Pam’s 21st birthday card (published by Kaye Gibson) and an Academy baby boy card sent to Pam on Danielle’s brother’s birth in the 1960s.

Right: In the nineties, Andrew Brownsword’s Forever Friends range was hugely popular.

Far right: Blue Eyed Sun’s Vintage range still makes up 25% of its sales.

Nineties It’s impossible to talk about cards in the nineties without mentioning Forever Friends and Andrew Brownsword. This brand served to establish cute as a strong adult category. The inside of the Mum cards reads: “It’s a hug in an envelope.”

Interestingly, a card from the Brownsword Collection states on the back that the cards are made from managed forests that are replenished with new trees. The Friends Like Us range mentioned earlier has a similar message. It’s great to see this environmental message on cards is over 30 years old.

For the last two decades I thought I’d talk a little bit about our own cards…

The cards get even cuter in the eighties, like the cute puppy the Friends like Us range published by Carlton under the Forget Me Not brand. There are a couple of cute Country Companions hedgehog designs (first published under Gordon Fraser and then acquired by Hallmark in the late 80s).

Other brands include Lucie Attwell, Heron Arts, Riviera (Carlton Cards), Gibson Greetings and early Andrew Brownsword.

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Teens We’ve launched a large number of different ranges over the years.

Not all have been successful, but we’ve always managed to keep pushing until we found what worked. In 2011 we had our first cold foiled range, Jingles, which we licensed onto almost 100 gift products. Our biggest range to date has been Vintage, which caught the huge ‘make do and mend’ trend, and still makes up 25% of our sales.

Despite numerous look-a-likes I feel they still are the nicest ‘stitched’ designs around and look like real fabric has been attached to the cards.

The future

Noughties Eighties

Cards that year. A host of other ranges followed, including our hand-glittered Kaleidoscope cards, which still sells internationally.

Eventually, we built up enough profit to move away from using blank cards onto which we affixed our motifs to our first litho printed ranges.

Danny joined our team from Woolworths in 2008.

In 2000, Blue Eyed Sun launched its first range of Glass Enamel cards (above) on the market at Top Drawer (the one in May that became Pulse). They were an instant hit as nobody made anything quite like them. Hugely time consuming to hand fire in hot kilns, they were a niche product that got us noticed and garnered our first Henries awards nomination in 2001. One of the original designs even made its way into the V&A archive collection.

In 2003, we added our Suncatchers range, which included pieces of handpainted resin that you could hang on your Christmas tree or in your window. We won a Gift of the Year award for Best Design-Led Above left: A cute 1980s style pup on a Friends like Us design from Carlton’s Forget Me Not brand.

Our 2020 vision includes lots of lovely cards by new designers like Jade Mosinski (below) and more exciting licences, as well as a determined focus to cut single-use plastics and be even more environmentally friendly than we currently already are.

It’s amazing seeing our lives mapped out through the cards we send one another, who knows where this wonderful tradition of reaching out to one another will be in another hundred years?

Hopefully, people will still delight in pulling out their greeting card memories and enjoying them once more.

Read more on Jeremy’s blog at www.blueeyedsun.co.uk/blog

57-65_Product Directories_v2016.qxp 26/09/2019 17:00 Page 57

PRODUCT DIRECTORY

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To appear in the Product Directories contact

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Warren Lomax

020 7700 6740 or email warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud

07957 212 062

or email traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

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020 7700 6740 Abacus Cards Limited t: 01638 569050 e: info@abacuscards.co.uk w: www.abacuscards.co.uk

or email warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud

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or email traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

01565 830 546 | bexyboo.co.uk @BexyBooLtd

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PRODUCT DIRECTORY

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

www.cathtatecards.com

l PRODUCT DIRECTORY

To appear in the Product Directories email

LOTTIE COLE

Warren Lomax

warren@max-publishing.co.uk or

Tracey Arnaud

Witty, gritty, switched on humour.

Cards and gifts with a real difference.

tarnaud@btinternet.com

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Unit 1, 45 Morrish Road London SW2 4EE Tel: 0208 671 2166 Fax: 0208 678 1119

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lottiecoledesigns

AGENTS WANTED Caspari Ltd Linden House, John Dane Player Court

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Innovative high quality gift wrap, gift bags, tissue paper and accesssories galore for all seasons and occasions. frrom the

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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CHARITY GREETING CARDS One of the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading publishers of Charity Greeting Cards.

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Hue tribe

www.huetribe.com t: +44(0) 7943416562 e: info@huetribe.com facebook: www.facebook.com/huetribedesign

CPNF TFF PVS OFX JMMVTUSBUJPOT PO 45"/% 41 BU 1( -*7& % OFF ALL SHOW ORDERS

or email on warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud on:

07957 212 062

or email on tarnaud@btinternet.com 60

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PRODUCT DIRECTORY

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WIDE RANGE OF PRODUCTS

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Marina B Designs from me to you with love

UK

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Art that tells a storyâ&#x20AC;Śâ&#x20AC;?

Love Country

by Sarah Reilly

LING DESIGN

Tel: 07735 918118

+

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not a Birthday without bubbles

Great brands, Great service Bespoke planning

www.marinab.co.uk marina@marinab.co.uk Agents wanted

We can help with all your bespoke planning requirements.

From smaller displays to redeveloping complete card departments

sarah@lovecountryuk.co.uk www.lovecountryuk.co.uk

www.lingdesign.co.uk

Silk Screened Retro, Pop & Classic Cards

01892 838 574 information@lingdesign.co.uk

Inspired by Music and 1960â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s American Advertising.For all Vinyl & Rock nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Roll lovers

L E T U S TA K E YOU BAC K

@NoelTattGroup 01227 811 600 sales@noeltatt.co.uk www.noeltatt.co.uk

For further details please get in touch.

info@vincentmcevoy.com

+44 (0)7779 578340

AG E N T S WA N T E D :

LING DESIGN

ĆŤ ĆŤÄ&#x2018;ĆŤ ĆŤ

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The UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading privately owned publisher of Greetings Cards and Stationery. ...The home for and

THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD

An exciting and innovative range of quality Birthday, Relations, Special Occasions, Handmade, Art and Humorous greeting cards. Full range of Christmas and Spring Seasons merchandise.

Products: Greetings cards for all occasions, Christmas and Spring Seasons cards, gift wrap and bags, charity cards, social stationery.

Bespoke service for charities and other fundraisers.

Ling Design Ltd 14-20 Eldon Way, Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6BE Tel: 01892 838574 enquiries@lingdesign.co.uk www.lingdesign.co.uk

B rand N ames a Pizazz, Pizazz Gallery, G Pizazz Limited Edition, E Pizazz for Men, Doodle, D A of Nature, Whatt a Picture, Art Designers Corner

TRADE WEBSITE:

Ä&#x2039;

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Ä&#x2039; 01780 763 368

Cloudesley House, Shire Hill, Saffron Walden,, CB11 3FB

www.progressivegreetingslive.com

T: 01799 520200 F: F: 01799 520100 www.nigelquiney.c w ww.nigelquiney.com ww om

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Design-led Stationery, Gifts, Calendars, Diaries and Cards

originalposter.com

Brands Laura Ashley, Roald Dahl, Lily & Val, Vintage Ladybird, Caroline Gardner, Monsoon, Born to Shop, Flash Gordon, Boofle and many more.

All our cards are supplied on consignment, so you only pay for what you sell.

www.progressivegreetingslive.com

Our In-house design studio and established supply chain enables us to offer bespoke services.

We also supply card fixtures and spinners free-on-loan.

tel: +44 (0) 1225 329494 email: sales@porticodesigns.com website: www.porticodesigns.com

We replace slow sellers and damaged stock free of charge.

We merchandise regularly, so you don’t have to.

THAT’S WHY WE’RE ORIGINAL!

01932 267 300 Exquisite Designs Beautiful Cards Key br ands include: Wr ite from the Hear t Ar tisan, Marzipan, Capisco Designer s Guild, Clare Tupperr Lucy Ledger plus man y more

Tel:: +44 (0)115 986 0115 Te customer ser vices@paperrose .co.uk www.paperrose .co.uk www.ar tgroupcards.co.uk

Greeting cards & gifts designed with awesomeness in mind

p p paperlink... the home of fabulous cards!

LUXURY GIFT PACKAGING

To appear in the Product Directories contact

Warren Lomax

020 7700 6740 356 Kennington Rd London SE11 4LD T 020 7582 8244 info@paperlink.co.uk k www.paperlink.co.uk Paperlinkcards

62

@ @paperlinkcards

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

or email warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud

ICONIC LICENCED BRANDS

01892 838 574 www.pennykennedy.co.uk

07957 212 062

or email traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

purpletreedesigns.co.uk info@purpletreedesigns.co.uk

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Uk publisher of Greetings Cards with an extensive range of quality Birthday, Relations, Occasions and Seasonal product... available from

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6 Heron Trading Estate Alliance Road, Park Royal, London W3 0RA T: 0208 385 4474 F: 0208 385 4471 E: info@Xpressyourselfcards.co.uk

LING DESIGN

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.

Our Brands: Laughter with Animals, Sporting Fun The Funny Side of Life.

METHOD OF SALE: SENSATIONS – Direct to retail XPRESS YOURSELF – Now one of the leading wholesale publisher suppliers in the UK

Method of sale: Direct to Retail 14-20 Eldon Way, Paddock Wood, Kent TN12 6BE Tel: 01892 838574 enquiries@lingdesign.co.uk www.lingdesign.co.uk

To appear in the Product Directories contact

Warren Lomax

020 7700 6740 t. 07779 654 694 e. info@ruby-tuesday.co.uk www.ruby-tuesday.co.uk

or email warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud

07957 212 062

raspber r yblossom.com

or email traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

hello@raspberryblossom.com 020 3723 5405

Products: Greetings Cards, Gift Wrap, Gift Bags, Social Stationery, Mugs and Glasses, Partyware

Brands: Card Essentials Designer Collection Greetings Impressions Inspirations In Touch ,VDEHO·V *DUGHQ Planet Happy With You In Mind

AGENTS WANTED

PG LIVE STAND 146

Method of sale: Wholesale Distributors

Simon Elvin Limited greeting cards & contempoRary gifts www.redbackcards.com e: info@redbackcards.com t: 01752 830482

Wooburn Industrial Park, Wooburn Green, Bucks HP10 0PE Tel: 01628 526711 Fax: 01628 531483 www.simonelvin.com mail@simonelvin.com

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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7RPFDW &DUGV To appear in the Product Directories contact

Warren Lomax 020 7700 6740 or email

warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud 07957 212 062 or email

traceya@max-publishing.co.uk

The UK’s leading publisher of highest quality handmade Greetings Cards.

www.tomcat.cards info@tomcat.cards

Products: Greetings cards for all occasions, Christmas and Spring Seasons. Spinners and other retail displays available.

Talking Pictures Cards Ltd 14-20 Eldon Way, Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6BE

DIRECT TO RETAIL & EXPORT

Tel: 01892 838574 enquiries@talkingpics.co.uk www.talking-pictures.co.uk

2@= 29KL= M<K

Just food and their friends....

view by rufus designed in thames ditton

how’s your weekend bean?

THE GREATEST COLLECTION OF GREETING CARDS IN THE WORLD

TEL: 01480 435562 FAX: 01480 450599

5= N= ?GF= ?J==F

www.tracksltd.com

All greeting cards printed with vegetable inks on recycled boards/envelopes, including biodegradable packaging...

www.the-taste-buds.co.uk info@the-taste-buds.co.uk 07906 367 663

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

UNIT 2, 12 BLACKSTONE RD,

excellent thanks basil topdog@view by rufus.com 020 8972 9706

viewbyrufus.com

STUKELEY MEADOWS IND EST, HUNTINGDON, CAMBS, PE29 6EF www.progressivegreetingslive.com

register fo for a trade account: www w..viewbyrufus i b f .com/b2b /b2b

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PRODUCT DIRECTORY

EUROPEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LEADING GREETINGS CARDS, PARTY PRODUCTS, GIFTS, CANDLES, TOYS, STATIONERY AND FLORIST SUNDRIES DISTRIBUTION CENTRE 75000 SQ FT

& entimen

an extensive range of superior quality,

design-led Greeting Cards for all occasions, Spring Seasons & Christmas.

Method of Sale: Direct to Retail

Orders can be placed on our trader site

www.cbgtrader.co.uk

or call our customer services team on

+44(0)1243 792600

Art Cards eA Botanical Fine

Market Leaders in

Verse

DIRECTORY OF WHOLESALE

Vibrant and nd elegant greeting gree cards A fr freshly modern perspective on nature

BESCOT CRESCENT, WALSALL, WEST MIDLANDS. WS1 4NG 01922-646666 www.greetingshouse.co.uk info@greetingshouse.co.uk MON,WED,FRI 8.00am-4.45pm TUES,THURS 8.00am-7.45pm SAT,SUN 8.00am-1.45pm

Call Now 075 7700 1145 www.zaquarella.co.uk info@ zaquarella.com

To appear in the Product Directories simply contact

Warren Lomax: 020 7700 6740 warren@max-publishing.co.uk or contact

Tracey Arnaud: 07957 212 062 tarnaud@btinternet.com PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Polypropylene & biodegradable bag specialists

GREETING CARD

Over 40 years quality service to the trade Hotfoiling also available

T 01206 396209 E sales@badgerconverters.co.uk www.badgerconverters.co.uk

GIVE E YOUR

BAGS

Manuffacturers of high quality fllexible packaging 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE - QUA UALITTY Y SERVICE EXTENSIVE STOCK RANGE - QUICK DE ELIVERY ASSURED

- HEADER BAGS - WA WALLET BAGS - ZIPPER BAGS - FLEXOGRAPHIC, HOTFOIL & THEERMAL PRINTING www.transrappackagin ng.co.uk sales@transrap.co o.uk

V VIP

CALL US TODA AY

TREA AT A TMENT

01773 5378 810

HIGH CLARITY L TY Y BA AGS FOR RG GREETING ET T NG CARD DS, CALEND EN N ARS ARS A AND ND D ARTW TWORK WORK

ENVELOPES

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FOIL L BL B OCKING NG G EXTE XTENSIVE NSIV VE RA V R RANG ANGE OF S ST TOCK SIZES SIZ ZES AND BES AND BES E PO OKE KE MANUF KE MANU UF FACTU TUR TURE T U E AT TED D WRAPPING SERVICE NEW AUTOMA

FOR ALL YOUR ENVELOPE NEEDS! Largest range of in-stock colours Over 400 Bespoke Envelope Sizes

CALL CA CAL C LL US ST TO ODAY OD

0122 1228 228 2 28 8 56 5605 60 052 26 6 www.fful ulcrumfilms. ulcrrum mfillm ms s co.uk uk

8 Sizes Permanently in Stock RECYCLED

100% Recycled Paper Av Available Stock & Bespoke Cello Bags Peel & Stick Envelopes p Bespoke Service on Request

ORDER ON LINE AT: www.regentenvelopes.com 01274 583000 sales@regentenvelopes.com

We’ve been producing p bags of high clarity and high quality q for over 30 years.

01274 220 220 www w.wrapid.co.uk sales@wrapid.co.uk

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SPECIALISTS IN SHORT RUN MULTI IMAGE PRINT s Foiling Services without the need for dies s Wiro bound notebooks, no minimum quantity s In House Fulfilmment Services

T 01274 305832 E info@hellocards.co.uk www.hellocards.co.uk

The simplest way to order your greetings cards

FLITTERING FOR ALL YOUR FLITTER REQUIREMENTS

ABL Foil Ltd Unit 1, Industrial Estate East Hanningfield Chelmsford Essex, CM3 8AB

Contact DAVID JIGGINS Tel: 01245 400104 Email: david@abl-ltd.co.uk

Powered by

Unit 8, Archers Park, Branbridges Road, East Peckham, Kent TN12 5HP www.theimagingcentre.co.uk Email: info@theimagingcentre.co.uk Tel: 01622 871449

we print

we ďŹ nish

we pack

we deliver PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Your saf ep ai

cturing ufa an m

ds for Far E as han f t ro

Outstanding, cost effective and efficient production of Greeting cards, Packaging and Social stationery, ideal for intricate and hand finished products.

• Over 15 years experience providing high-quality printed products direct from the Far East • Trusted and financially stable, UK owned by The Sherwood Group • Socially responsible manufacturing: SMETA, ISO9001, ISO14001, FSC certification • Full product prototyping in the UK for competitive speed to market requirements

To find out how we can benefit your business, contact Derek Lam +00 (852) 3527 3471 / derek@sherwood-press.com or The Sherwood Group Head Office Hong Kong Office: 13/F, Kam Chung Commercial Building, 19-21 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong

www w..sherwoodgroupuk.com

000510

PJ PRINT LONDON The Capitals Only Specialist Greeting Card Printer All Industry Finishes Available In-House Including Laser Cutting

Social Sta tationerry Printer of the Year

Award winning U UK & Global specialist manufacturer ffor the greeting card industry fo or over 40 years The Print Works Colville Road, Acton, London, W3 8BL E-mail: sales@pj-print.co.uk Tel: 020 8993 5160 www.pj-print.co.uk 68

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

To discuss how we can worrk together, contact Richard Bacon: Tel 0115 928 7766 Email ric chard.bacon@sherwoodgroupuk.com

www.sherrwoodgroupuk.com Hadden Court, Glaisdale e Parkway, Glaisdale Drive West, Nottin ngham NG8 4GP

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YOUR MANUFACTURING PARTNER FOR VALUE ADDED PRODUCTS English speaking production team, prices quoted in sterling... and only 3 days delivery to THE UK...

Really... and there s no VAT to pay or customs procedures either...that's a great deal!

• Hand made and hand finished greeting cards • Boxed sets and acetate packs of cards / envelopes • Giftwrap and tag packs • Individually open and closed wrapped cards • 'Pop up' and cardboard engineered products • Notelets and social stationery • Specialised printing on plastics & lenticular

THE SPECIALIST GREE ETINGS CARD PRINTE ER Litho Print

Die-cutting

Digital Print

Flittering

Foiling

Packing

Embossing

Distribution

Tel:0127 e 4 4531828 Email: info@herbertw o alkers.co.uk

www.herbertwalkers.co.u uk

For production enquiries, estimates etc., please contact our UK Agent:

Rob Pearson 07710 132 232 rob@solutions-polska.com FSC accredited (BV-COC-002485). Audited member of SMETA. Printing to ISO12674-2 standard.

THE RIGH HT PARTNER

FOR ALL YOUR MANUFACTURING REQUIREMENTS

Glitt i Glittering

** ** ** **

Offset ff t PPrinting i ti

Sh Show Room R

Facto ory Outlook

Established in 1997, headquarters in Hong Kong 600,000 Sq.fftt of modern production facility ouse production Ensure complete co ontrol from start to finish with our full in-ho ng in people, equipment, technology and the Continually investin t planet

TERRY JOHNSO ON PO Box 1600 Hemel Hempstead, HP1 9SR Mobile: 07773 389784 Email: terryjohnson@ve eb.com.hk Website: www.veb.com m.hk PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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Same day order turna around Accurate fulfilment Value added only as you sell the product Exclusively Greeting Cards Dedicated Account Managers With an excellent reputation we work as an integral part of yourr team bringing QYGL QSVI XLER JYPǻPQIRX 4YV GSWXMRK WXVYGXYVI MW WMQTPI ERH XVERWTEVIRX ;I ; I GEVV] SYX EPP EWTIGXW SJ LERH ǻRMWLMRK ERH EWWIQFP] ERH TVSZMHI [LEXIZIV EHHMXMSREP WIVZMGIW ]SY RIIH 4YV WIPIGX XIEQ SJ SYX[SVOIVW GEVIJYPP] LERH [VET ER] WM^I SV JSVQEX SJ GEVHW YVKIRXP] 4ZIVRMKLX ;I GEVI EFSYX ]SYV TVSHYGX EW QYGL EW ]SY HS &XXIRXMSR XS HIXEMP 6( .WWYIW ;I T JSV EPP WXSGO QSZIQIRXW EVI SYV ERH .8 WYTTSVXIH F] E GSQTVILIRWMZI TETIV XVEMP JS LEPPQEVOW 4YV GER HS ETTVSEGL QIERWW [I EVI LETT] XS WSPZI ]SYV TVSFPIQW 4YXWSYVGMRK ]SYV [EVILSYWMRK STIVEXMSR VIPIEWIW ]SYV XMQI XS CREA AT TE/MARKET/SELL/ MANAGE/ /GROW THE BUSINESS =SYV FYWMRIWW MW SYV FYWMRIWW T =S TPIEWI ZMWMX Z SYV [IF WMXI ERH WII [LEX SYV GYWXSQIVW WE] XLIR XS ǻRH SYX S QSVI GEPP Ly Lynda Raymond ERH TIVLETW [I GER EVVERKI XS QIIX ERH HMWGYWW ]SYV RIIHW . EQ WYVI XLEX [I GER G LIPT

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APPOINTMENTS

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WE ARE HIRING! ࠮ FSDU U ࠮ CDU ࠮ POS

Greeting Cards Displa ay y Solutions

We also d do: ࠮ Cartons s ࠮ Boxes ࠮ Diecuts s

C R E AT I V E D E S I G N E R •Excellent illustration skills & a passion for design •Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite •Responsiblity for developing concepts and artwork and creating finished print ready files •Experience of working in a studio environment

D I G I TA L A R T W O R K E R •Recognised knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite especially Photoshop, Illustrator & Indesign •Experience in creating marketing material to promote product, brochures, advertisements and POS •Must be able to meet deadlines and multitask

Call: 0121 557 7 1891

Part time hours would be considered for both these roles

email: sales@nsmithb box.co.uk

If you believe you have the right attributes for either of these exciting positions, please send your CV and digital portfolio to tony@words-n-wishes.co.uk

web. www.nsmithbo ox.co.uk n.smith, Haing ge Road, Tividale, Oldbury, West Midlands s B69 2NZ OVER 115 YEARS OF MANUF FA ACT TURING IN THE UK

APPOINTMENTS

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APPOINTMENTS

Units A & B High h Road, Deadmans Cross, Haynes, Shefford, Beds SG G17 5QQ T: 01234 381214 E: info@pineapplep park.co.uk www.pineapplepa ark.co.uk

Sales Agents with great noses.

Scotland Cheshire / Merseyside

Happy Birthd ay to you...

Happy Birthd ay to youu...

Over the last 17 years we’ve learnt that our most successful Sales Agents have great noses for new business. They are also conscientious account managers who instinctively know how to retain and develop customers.

DISTRIBUTORS IS I U O S WAN WANTE ED

Distributors wanted for vacant areas within the UK and overseas.

We do not charge a franchise fee, we would rather r you invest in your own business or develop your existing business b further.

1 1 1 1 1

Fast & efficient despatch of orders Over 300 designs to choose from Gift Wrap Major seasons catered for New designs available every 6-8 weeks

EST 1993

For details please contact Sally or D Deb on 01234 381214 or email info@pineappllepark.co.uk

We’re currently looking for two such people to inject some fresh energy, ideas and stockists into a couple of our most under-developed territories – one being Scotland, the other being Cheshire / Wirral / Merseyside / Manchester.

Splimple is widely known for our Alison’s Animals greetings card and small gift range, which performs reliably year after year in garden centres, country stores, farm shops and other gift outlets. We provide plenty of marketing support and regular sales initiatives, as well as a steady flow of new designs and ipad-based ordertaking.

Like to stick your nose in?

Speak to Stuart Caldwell.

01386 872752 – stuart@splimple.com

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

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