The Retas Awards 2017 - Event Brochure

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The Retas 2017

The Finalists WEDNESDAY 12 JULY 2017 THE DORCHESTER, PARK LANE MAYFAIR, LONDON W1K 1QA

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tails to tell Welcome to a celebration of the pinnacle of greeting card retailing in the UK. nchanted Tails of woodland animal and beasts is the theme for this year’s Retas awards. Let’s just ‘paws’ for thought… ‘clawing’ your way through the deep, dark retailing forest is not easy, especially in this day and age, when it seems there is more shade than light.

Every single one of The Retas 2017 finalists, celebrated in this keepsake brochure, really do have a ‘tail’ to tell, being part of a special breed of retailing ‘animal’ who have used their talents and instincts to rise up from Above: Last year’s Retas Awards was on a Moon & the Stars theme. the undergrowth to establish themselves at the top of the tallest Left to right: Gale Astley, Jakki trees in the forest.

Brown and Warren Lomax.

They deserve to glory in The Retas’ sunshine, proudly celebrating their service, their product selection and their customer initiatives.

These Retas finalists are heads, and added enchantment particularly ‘tails’, above the retail greeting card There are so many people and companies that have competition. You could say it is all down to added extra ‘enchantment’ to this year’s Retas their ‘animal magnetism’, but there has been a Awards, not least of which are the event’s lot of hard work to get there too. wonderful sponsors.

E

We hope you all have an enchanting afternoon.

The Retas team

We also thank Paper Rose/The Art Group for creating the stunning Retas invitations, GF Smith for the board and Loxleys for producing them - as well as all the donated raffle prizes, which are going to raise money for The Light Fund charity.

Jakki Brown, Warren Lomax, Gale Astley and Clare Davies

The Retas are annual awards for UK greeting card retailers. They were introduced and are wholly owned by Max Publishing, publisher of Progressive Greetings Worldwide, Progressive Gifts & Home, Progressive Housewares, Progressive Party, Progressive Preschool and The Licensing Source Book. T: 0207 700 6740 W: www.theretasawards.co.uk

Photos of The Retas Awards will be available to

view shortly after the event on The Retas website.

www.theretaswawards.co.uk

The Retas Awards finalists 2017

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greeting card retail

employee of the year Criteria: Awarded to a special employee who has ‘gone the extra mile’ and made an outstanding contribution to the running or growth of a greeting card shop or department. Retailers were invited to nominate employees who have made a real difference with their enthusiastic, attentive and knowledgable service.

Carol Budd, manager of The Card Hall, Maidstone, Kent “Carol has worked for us since we took over the shop 10 years ago. She is a very conscientious, hard-working member of our team. Carol was working at the shop before we took over, but as soon as we saw the way she worked with all of the other members of staff we made the decision to offer her the position of manager.

Over the years when we have had snow, Carol has always walked the three miles to work, leaving home early to open the shop on time. And she always arrives early for work and always works late.

Additionally, she has had to rise to a very challenging year with all of the alterations we have made to the shop. She has had to learn to write on Thorntons chocolate and make balloon displays and then train all of the staff to do this.

She is prepared to come to work if required on her days off with little notice. She never lets us down.”

Martin Fitch, owner of The Card Hall, Maidstone, Kent

Lisa Dean, manager of Feathering Your Nest, Rayleigh, Essex “I nominate Lisa with great pride.

Lisa worked as a legal secretary in London prior to being a fulltime mum to her three beautiful daughters, so being super organised is second nature for her, and, as the business has grown, I've needed to delegate much more work to her. I do this with utter confidence that tasks will be meticulously completed.

Lisa looks after the staff and their welfare like a mother hen, she tucks them safely under her wing.

She creates the staff rotas, she’s the stock room controller and is our creative internal display person.

She is methodical and thorough, organised and, as I always joke, just a tad OCD... but that's a great thing in retail! And she has a natural and comfortable approach to selling and all our customers love her.

The agents adore Lisa and her tea too. We place many orders together, thankfully we have very similar taste. Lisa’s a bit like Mary Poppins, perfect in every way. I couldn't ask for more in a manager.”

Lesley and Chris Dunne, owners of Feathering Your Nest, Rayleigh, Essex

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The Retas Awards finalists 2017

Heather Clarke, senior merchandiser/sales of Ivad Gifts, Paisley, Renfrewshire “Heather is amazing! She’s worked for me for 10 years and she’s great with customers (they love her) and she has a passion for the store’s product, and her knowledge of it is fabulous. She is great at shop displays, keeping the card section looking fabulous, requesting more stock when required, and generally helping increase sales through her passion for customer service and her bubbly personality.

We don't know what we’d do without her, and her personal support since I’ve had kids has been invaluable. She’s a star!.”

Laura Bell, owner of Ivad Gifts, Paisley, Renfrewshire

Hilary Hayes, senior sales assistant of Coles of Sidmouth, Sidmouth, Devon “Hilary is an employee who goes that extra mile. Her shop displays and shop window displays have exceptional impact and are praised daily by our customers, and produced a measurable increase in sales of items on display. Hilary often works and plans the window displays at home in her own time, and she has enabled our business to receive second prize in the Tour of Britain window competition and first prize for our Christmas window displays, both awards were from the Chamber of Commerce.

She demonstrates exceptional product knowledge and always has excellent rapport with customers, providing help and ensuring that the shopping experience for our customers is pleasant, comfortable and reassuring.

Hilary usually arrives early to work and at times has to be gently nudged out of the door to go home as she is keen to stay and help. She is also trustworthy, honest, willing and very able to manage the shop so we can have days off.”

Colin and Kylie Cramb, co-owners of Coles of Sidmouth, Sidmouth, Devon

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Denise Keers, sales person of Cards 2 Confetti, Brixham, Devon “Denise has worked for us for 18 years, and over the years she has ensured that we continue to keep the product fresh and current. Denise is able to get on with anybody and always has a friendly approachable attitude to help both regular customers and visitors so that they always leave with the right card for the right occasion.

In recognising Denise we recognise the shop, she really is pivotal to its continued success and growth in these challenging times.”

Nick O’Brien, owner of Cards 2 Confetti, Brixham, Devon

Tim Reynolds, shop manager of Medici Gallery, Kensington, London “Tim has worked at the Medici Gallery for 16 years. He practically lives there and he’s such a great character. He really is an asset to the industry! In his own words: “It’s not so much of a job, it’s more like a calling.”

Tim is always very kind and supportive to his team and we feel we can approach him with any difficulties we have at work or at home.

Whenever there is a negative atmosphere he will make people laugh and everyone feels better. He is strict though, and has high standards, so everyone knows what is expected of them. Above all, he is a nice man and makes working life enjoyable.”

Charlie Wheatley, assistant manager of Medici Gallery, Kensington, London

Susan Robertson, greeting cards and wrap supervisor of The Mains of Drum, Banchory, Aberdeenshire “Susan started at the Mains of Drum in 2010, and now with 25 years of retail experience her expertise and knowledge shines through in her attention to detail, both in terms of merchandising and her exemplary customer service.

By her own admission, greeting cards are her passion, and to say she is dedicated to her role in the card department would be an understatement. Her hard work, dedication and customer service has resulted in an increase in sales of 8% over the last year for everyday cards, while we saw an outstanding increase of 18% for Christmas cards.

Winning this award would mean the world to Susan. She is a valued and much thought of member of The Mains of Drum team, its customers, her colleagues and our greeting card suppliers. We believe that this award would give her the recognition within the greeting card industry that she very much deserves.”

Craig Forbes, director of The Mains of Drum, Banchory, Aberdeenshire

Sue Williams, retail assistant/buyer of The Hollies Farm Shop, Lower Stretton, Cheshire “Sue Williams started work at The Hollies at Lower Stretton soon after it opened in May 2007 as a farm shop assistant. Sue has always been a hard working and dedicated member of the team whose attention to detail and customer service stood out from day one.

The shop first opened with just one spinner of cards. Within a year we had expanded to a whole wall 20' long, of which Sue soon became a key organiser. By 2010 we had our own dedicated card and gift area, and Sue was the natural person to ask to take over the ordering of cards. The area has gone from strength to strength under Sue’s management, with increases in sales year on year.

Sue is always on hand to give advice and help customers so they leave the area happy in the knowledge they have chosen the right card or gift or usually both! Sue is so proud of the department and rightly so, it is a credit to her; we are very lucky to have Sue!”

Ed Cowap, director and co-owner of The Hollies Farm Shop, Lower Stretton, Cheshire

Sponsored by

www.hallmark.co.uk The Retas Awards finalists 2017

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Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer

london (inside the M25) Criteria: Independent card retailers in London (inside the M25) which have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including: range of greeting cards stocked, product knowledge, customer service offered, shop environment created, marketing, display and competitive edge.

The Cherry Tree, East Finchley

Nor, West Norwood

Postmark, Greenwich

Hallmark, Hornchurch

Northwood Cards & Gifts, Northwood

With Best Wishes, Petts Wood

Sponsored by www.brainboxcandy.com

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Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer

home counties Criteria: Independent card retailers in the Home Counties which have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including: range of greeting cards stocked, product knowledge, customer service offered, shop environment created, marketing, display and competitive edge.

Dee’s Cards, Leighton Buzzard

The Card Hall, Maidstone

Paddock Wood Cards, Paddock Wood

Threads, Harpenden

SWALK, Lindfield

Zest, Crowborough

Sponsored by www.regalpublishing.co.uk The Retas Awards ďŹ nalists 2017

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Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer

EAST ANGLIA Criteria: Independent card retailers in East Anglia which have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including: range of greeting cards stocked, product knowledge, customer service offered, shop environment created, marketing, display and competitive edge.

Love It!, Stamford and Bury St Edmunds

First Class Greetings and Plum Green, Hadleigh

Pedlar’s Gold, Swaffham

Mackenzies Cards, Gainsborough

Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh

Spots, Southwold

Sponsored by www.icgcards.com

The Retas Awards finalists 2017

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…in your store The best way to sell quality confectionery • Thorntons is a trusted brand and • We have been lovingly crafting chocolates since 1911 • In Britain • Thorntons has a great appeal and • Drives footfall into your stores which • Translates into sales Email: thorntonsinyourstore@thorntons.co.uk

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Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer

SOUTH WEST Criteria: Independent card retailers in the South West which have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including: range of greeting cards stocked, product knowledge, customer service offered, shop environment created, marketing, display and competitive edge.

The Card Collection, Bath

By The Way, Bradford On Avon

The Celebration Store, Waterlooville and Eastleigh

Expressions, Swindon

Coles Of Sidmouth, Sidmouth

Paper Gangsta, Bristol

Sponsored by

www.thorntons.co.uk

The Retas Awards ďŹ nalists 2017

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We think

ed t a n i m o n for being

GOOD LUCK

!

o n th e d ay .

F r o m a ll o f u s at

secondnature!

www.secondnature.co.uk

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Email: hello@secondnature.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 1983 209 590

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Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer

wales and the midlands Criteria: Independent card retailers in Wales and the Midlands which have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including: range of greeting cards stocked, product knowledge, customer service offered, shop environment created, marketing, display and competitive edge.

Celebrations, Stourbridge

Sentiments, Whitchurch

Doodlebug, Cwmbran

Something Special, Kingswinford

Special Occasions, Castle Bromwich

The Tutbury Present Company, Tutbury

Sponsored by The Retas Awards ďŹ nalists 2017 www.secondnature.co.uk

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Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer

north and northern ireland Criteria: Independent card retailers in the North and Northern Ireland which have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including: range of greeting cards stocked, product knowledge, customer service offered, shop environment created, marketing, display and competitive edge.

Blue Rose Gifts, Heywood Belly Button, West Didsbury and Heaton Moor

Cards & Candles, Lancaster

On Church Hill, Knutsford

Mantons Cards, Port Erin

Wishes Cockermouth, Cockermouth

Sponsored by The Retas Awards ďŹ nalists 2017 www.ukgreetings.co.uk

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Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer

scotland Criteria: Independent card retailers in Scotland, which have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including: range of greeting cards stocked, product knowledge, customer service offered, shop environment created, marketing, display and competitive edge.

Blueberry, Musselburgh

JP Pozzi and Bijou, Buckie and Elgin

Papyrus, Glasgow

CloudyBlue, Aberdeen

Kairds, Kirkwall

Polka Dot, Dumfries

Sponsored by www.wendyjonesblackett.co.uk

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good luck!

(AND CONGR

ATULATIONS)

To all the finalists and nominees of the RETAS Awards 2017. The team at Autumn Fair wishes you an enjoyable and fun-filled evening.

Get the next big event of the year in your diary now! Visit autumnfair.com #autumnfair

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Best Greeting Card Retailer

newcomer or new branch - south Criteria: Open to all new independent greeting card shops that have opened since January 2014 in the South. Each should show excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including: range of greeting cards stocked, product knowledge, customer service offered, shop environment created, marketing, display and competitive edge.

Expressions, Broadstairs

Ceri Jam, Warwick

Ohh Deer, Ipswich and Loughborough

Paper Turtle, Lewes

Peppertrees, Northampton

Sweet Autumn, Buckingham

Sponsored by

www.springfair.com | www.autumnfair.com

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Best Greeting Card Retailer

Newcomer Or New Branch - north Criteria: Open to all new independent greeting card shops that have opened since January 2014 in the North. Each should show excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including: range of greeting cards stocked, product knowledge, customer service offered, shop environment created, marketing, display and competitive edge.

Bailey’s Cards & Gifts (Hallmark), Ainsdale

Celebrations, Kirkham

Card Heaven, Mexborough

The Hummingbird at Shrewsbury, Shrewsbury

Joy!, Heswall

Zo and Co, Knutsford

Sponsored by www.cherryorchardpublishing.co.uk

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Best Greeting bookstore

Retailer of greeting cards Criteria: Open to all UK independent bookstores who have shown excellence in retailing greeting cards over the last year.

Aldeburgh Bookshop, Aldeburgh

Gerrards Cross & Chorleywood Bookshops, Gerrards Cross and Chorleywood

J&G Innes, St Andrews

Daunt Books, London, Saffron Walden and Marlow

The Guisborough Bookshop, Guisborough

Simply Books, Bramhall

Sponsored by www.woodmansterne.co.uk

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sales@hammondgower.co.uk www.hammondgower.co.uk 01949 839898

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BEST NON SPECIALIST INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF GREETING CARDS – NORTH Criteria: Independent shops in the North for whom greeting cards are not their primary product area eg gift shops, sub post offices, book shops, children's shops, art galleries etc. Consideration is given for their greeting card treatment over the last year.

The Barn at The Hollies Farm Shop, Tarporley

Gee Tees, Wigan

Paper Moon, Dore

Cloud 9, Edinburgh

Give the Dog a Bone, York

Proudfoots, Scarborough

Sponsored by www.hammondgower.co.uk

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Retas Brochure Advert.pdf

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BEST NON SPECIALIST INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF GREETING CARDS – SOUTH Criteria: Independent shops in the South for whom greeting cards are not their primary product area eg gift shops, sub post offices, book shops, children's shops, art galleries etc. Consideration is given for their greeting card treatment over the last year.

The Alphabet Gift Shop, Burton-OnTrent and Mickleover

Darts Farm Shop, Topsham

Berts Homestores, Brighton and Kensington (London)

Farrants, Cobham

Little Boat Gifts, Brightlingsea

Loveone, Ipswich

Sponsored by www.pigmentproductions.com

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HMK RETA advert 2.pdf

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BEST GREETING CARD SMALL

MULTIPLE (4-20 STORES) Criteria: Retailers with four to 20 shops, excluding department stores, which have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including: range of greeting cards stocked, product knowledge, customer service offered, shop environment created, marketing, display and competitive edge.

Bentleys, four stores in the Midlands

3 Wishes, Ferndown, Lymington, Ringwood and Verwood

Between The Lines, 13 stores in the South

House of Cards, six stores in the Home Counties

Mayther, seven stores in the South

Paper & Script/ Funky Pigeon, 10+ stores nationwide

Sponsored by hub.hallmark.co.uk

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Congratulations to all the nominees in the

Best Department Store Category...

You re all

Stars!

SPONSORED BY

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BEST DEPARTMENT STORE RETAILER OF GREETING CARDS Criteria: Open to individual independent department stores as well as groups.

Where the department store has a number of branches, the award can be given to a speciďŹ c branch or to the group depending on the nominations.

Each contender should show excellence right across the greeting card retail spectrum over the last year, including: product range, product knowledge, staff training, customer care, marketing and promotion as well as a commitment to the greeting card sector.

Bentalls, Kingston

Barkers, Northallerton

Fenwicks Of Colchester, Colchester

Harrods, London

John Lewis, 48 stores

Selfridges, Oxford Street, Manchester and Birmingham

Sponsored by www.abacuscards.co.uk

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retailers rejoice!

All you fabulous RETAs finalists have one thing in common – we think you’re amazing!

From one celebration of the greeting card industry to another, PG Live 2018 is delighted to be able to help you all celebrate this afternoon.

enjoy yourselves and good luck!

“We love PG Live! It’s our favourite show, we wouldn’t miss it. The whole atmosphere of the show is great; it has a real buzz about it. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves and it’s great for meeting new people and catching up with familiar faces.”

Lucy Sticka & Heidi richardson, Little Paperies, Ashbourne

Be A Part Of it PG Live is an exciting celebration of the greeting card industry - get in touch now to be part of the 2018 show.

Turning Ten! We had a blast at Pg Live 2017 See you at next year’s 10th anniversary show!

+44 (0) 1635 297070 @PgLiveLondon www.progressivegreetingslive.com

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BEST SUPERMARKET RETAILER OF GREETING CARDS Criteria: Open to multiple or independent supermarkets could be nominated.

Each should demonstrate excellence across the greeting card retail spectrum, product range, customer care, marketing, display as well as a commitment to the greeting card sector over the last year.

Co-Op

Asda

Morrisons

Sainsbury’s

Tesco

Waitrose

Sponsored by www.progressivegreetingslive.com

The Retas Awards ďŹ nalists 2017

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Wishing you all

the very

best of luck

With Love From

To find out more about our wide variety of gifts, plush and card collections please contact our Central Services team on 01243 792600 or visit www.cbgtrader.co.uk

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BEST NON-SPECIALIST MULTIPLE RETAILER OF GREETING CARDS (4+ STORES) Criteria: Open to all varietal stores, gift shops, fashion outlets and mixed multiples with four branches or more. Candidates should demonstrate excellence in range of greeting card products stocked, marketing and display as well as commitment to the card sector.

Marks & Spencer, 914 stores nationwide

Next, 500 stores in the UK and Eire

Waterstones, 275 stores nationwide

National Trust, 200+ stores nationwide

Oliver Bonas, 42 stores nationwide

WHSmiths, 612 stores nationwide

Sponsored by www.carteblanchegreetings.com

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BEST SPECIALIST MULTIPLE RETAILER OF GREETING CARDS (20+ STORES) Criteria: Retailers with a chain of greeting card shops of more than 20 branches (excluding department stores and supermarkets) could be nominated. Excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including: product range, product knowledge, staff training, customer care, marketing and promotion, window and product display as well as commitment to the greeting card sector.

Card Factory, 850+ stores

Cardzone Group, 100+ stores

Paperchase, 130+ stores

Cards Galore, 46 stores

Clintons, 400+ stores

Scribbler, 34 stores

Sponsored by www.paperlinkcards.com

The Retas Awards ďŹ nalists 2017

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+

Specialist in

Bespoke Integrated Planning

Delivering our Customers

be s p o k e g n i m r o f r e p h ig h & ca rd d e pa rt m e nt s No

contracts Free on loan racks

Your choice of suppliers

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BEST GARDEN CENTRE RETAILER OF GREETING CARDS Criteria: Open to all disciplines of garden centres – be they independent or multiple. Each should demonstrate a commitment and knowledge of greeting cards being retailed within a garden centre. Consideration is given for their greeting card treatment over the last year.

Frosts, Brampton, Millets Farm, Willington and Woburn Sands

Bents, Glazebury

Klondyke Strikes, 22 garden centres

Longacres, Bagshot

The Mains Of Drum, Banchory

Thurrock Garden Centre, Ockenden

Sponsored by www.noeltatt.co.uk

The Retas Awards ďŹ nalists 2017

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PRESENT

GREETING CARDS CALENDARS WRAP & BAGS

Get your

Sparkle on and

Celebrate!

01992 702 900 sales@danilo.com www.danilo.com Independent retailers contact:

Strictly Come Dancing logo TM & © BBC 2004 BBC logo TM & © BBC 1996.

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BEST GREETING CARD RETAILER INITIATIVE Criteria: Open to retailers of greeting cards for a specific development or initiative that has been instrumental in increasing retail growth of greeting card sales and sustaining an interest in the shop and greeting cards in the last year, consideration is given for their greeting card treatment over the last year.

… w i t h h e a r t F e lt s y m pat h y

House of Cards, six shops in the Home Counties, for its Sympathy Card initiative with The Ladder Club

Clintons, for its Thinking of You Week activity

The Lynn Tait Gallery, Old Leigh, for its Queen’s 90th Birthday Card Competition

Nor, Norwood, for its community Okido mask-making workshop and poetry balloon day

Postmark, four shops in London, for its Feel Good Friday initiative

Ohh Deer, Loughborough, for its Gemma Correll instore Battersea Dogs Home charity event

The Secret Garden, Borough Green, for its ‘Win Kylie for Valentine’s Day’, Beany Boo and Pots of Dreams initiatives

Sponsored by The Retas Awards finalists 2017 www.danilo.com

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BEST GREETING CARD SERVICE BASED WHOLESALER Criteria: Both single and multiple sited wholesale operations could be nominated. Each should show excellence in areas across the card spectrum over the last year, including: product range, product knowledge, staff training, customer care, marketing and promotion as well as a commitment to the greeting card sector.

Budget Greeting Cards, eight branches UK and Eire

Archway Cards, Norwich

Crosswear Trading, Enfield

Jacksons, Sheffield

Merseyside Greeting Cards, Liverpool Sponsored by

WJ Nigh, Isle Of Wight

Sensations THE PERFECT CHOICE

TM

TM

www.sensationscards.co.uk The Retas Awards ďŹ nalists 2017

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W e w o u l dh s i w o t e lik

k c u L d o Go

g n i z a m a e h t to all

, s t s i l a n i Retas F 2017

WWW.THEARTFILE.COM email: sales@theartfile.com tel: 0115 850 7490 © ARTWORK BY BEN ROTHERY

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GREETING CARD RETAILER OF THE YEAR Criteria: All the winners of The Retas awards are truly great greeting card retailers. This award goes to the ‘greatest of the great’ of these retailers - a retailer that has truly excelled in all aspects of greeting card retailing. Winners of all The Retas categories are contenders for this award.

Right: Claire Fitzgerald (centre right), buyer of cards, giftwrap and calendars for Waterstones, with colleague Caroline Nulty, category manager for related products, accept the Greeting Card Retailer of the Year award from Ged Mace (right), managing director of category sponsor, The Art File.

Last year’s Greeting Card Retailer Of The Year was awarded to Waterstones, with 280 stores nationwide. Its increased commitment to greeting cards over the previous year through the broadening of its selections earned Waterstones the top Retas title.

But which retailer will clinch this top Retas title for 2017?

Sponsored by

www.theartfile.com The Retas Awards finalists 2017

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MAX PUBLISHING LTD T: 0207 700 6740 WWW.MAX-PUBLISHING.CO.UK PROGRAMME EXQUISITELY PRINTED BY METHODUK, SUPPORTERS OF THE RETAS T: MATTHEW PAYNE ON 020 7691 0921 WWW.THISISMETHOD.CO.UK

The look for The Retas 2017 was beautifully created by Heather Flynn of Alice Scott.