The Retas Awards 2026

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#retas26 Thursday 2 July 2026 Grosvenor House Hotel Park Lane, Mayfair London W1K 7TN

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www theretasawards co uk

After All The Magic Of PG Live 2026...

‘Fairy’ good luck to all The Retas finalists

See you at PG Live 2027 next May! 14_The Retas 2026.indd 1

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Open Sesame - and a magical welcome to The Retas 2026 This year’s magical mystical theme is just perfect for The Retas, as excellence in retailing is all about somehow creating that magic potion of just the right product selection, an alluring retailing environment and intuitive customer service that sees consumers willingly fall under their spell.

The challenges of being a successful retailer in today’s market requires more than merely a swift wave of a magic wand. It requires tenacity, passion, determination, curation, communication, engagement and investment, but the odd sprinkling of fairy dust certainly adds the extra sparkle!

We also pay tribute to the many imps and white witches who have helped make today possible, our fantastic sponsors, many of them talented greeting card publishers whose enchanting products add their own touches of magic to our Retas finalists’ wondrous emporiums.

So, this afternoon it’s time for us all to come out from under the toadstools, leave our cauldrons on the simmer, suspend belief and have a wizard time with fellow members of the cardie wonderland.

Above: At The C&W themed Retas last year. (Left-right) Max Publishing’s Tracey Bearton, Jakki Brown, Jim Bullough, Ian Hyder, Rob Willis, Nicola Webster and Warren Lomax.

Magic Touches In addition to The Retas category sponsors, we give a big thank you to all those who have waved their magic wands to create the finishing touches. These include The Art File for allowing us to use its Storybook imagery and designing the delightful invitation; Fedrigoni for the board; Windles for printing them and Enveco for making the envelopes; Alljoy Design for the wonderful placecards; Ohh Deer for the gorgeous menu and notebook; Stormy Knight for the Higher or Lower fun; N Smith for the cardboard creations and the one and only Rosie Trow for the raffle wizard hats.

The Retas are annual awards for UK greeting card retailers. They were introduced and wholly owned by Max Publishing, publisher of Progressive Greetings Worldwide, PG Buzz.net, The Henries greeting card awards, Progressive Gifts and Home, The Greats gift retailer awards, Stationery Matters, Licensing Source Book, LicensingSource.net, The Licensing Awards, The Brand and Lifestyle Licensing Awards, Progressive Housewares, Excellence in Housewares Awards, Progressive Preschool, Progressive Preschool Awards and Progressive Party.

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The Retas 2026 Raffle

WITCH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE? Every single penny from today’s raffle will go to The Light Fund, our industrywide registered charity.

Set up in 2004, since its inception, The Light Fund has now raised over £2.5 million and funded well over 200 charity projects helping men, women and children less fortunate than ourselves, all over the world.

Raffle Tickets 6 for £20 3 for £10 The one and only Rosie Trow has sponsored the magical hats for the Raffle Wizard on each table!

How To Train Your Dragon?

Kindly donated by The Art File

Magic of the Faraway Tree

Just say “abracadabra” and you could find yourself transported to the heart of Paris, Amsterdam, Lille or Brussels, not by dragon, but by a super sleek Eurostar train with a £300 voucher to use as you desire.

Kindly donated by Hallmark You can get away from it all high in the sky with a stay in the Treetops Treehouse or hunker down in the Magic Mushroom cabin with its wonky, grass-covered roof or plan your £500 escape to any of the magical places to stay in Alistair Sawday’s Canopy & Stars collection.

Potions And Lotions Kindly donated by Alljoy Design Venture among the vegetable patch to pick from Jo Malone’s inseason limited-edition scents including Velvety Butternut, Scarlet Beetroot, Carrot Blossom and Green Tomato Vine, or select any of the brand’s deliciously fragrant lotions and potions with a £250 gift voucher.

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A Magical Mystery Tour Kindly donated by Paper Salad Publishing The Beatles knew a thing or two about Magical Mystery Tours and here’s your chance to enjoy the landmarks of Liverpool, including all the places associated with John, Paul, George, and Ringo, and with this £250 ‘your wish is our command’ prize, why not book a night at the Hard Day’s Night hotel in the heart of the city.

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(Harry) Pottering About Kindly donated by Paperlink

Hubble Bubble, No Toil Or Trouble Kindly donated by Danilo Promotions Surrender yourself to a spell of total relaxation and pampering with a spa break worth £250 at a choice of over 500 spa destinations.

A Wicked Idea

At the wave of a magic wand aka £250 of National Garden Centre gift vouchers, you can create your very own glorious grotto for fancy fairies and all the finest garden gnomes.

Pick Your Poison Kindly donated by

Kindly donated by Woodmansterne Take your seat and be bewitched by the wonders of the Wicked musical or you can take your pick of any of the top theatrical shows, music concerts or sporting events with £250 of vouchers from the Ticketmaster ‘sorting hat’.

Cauldron Calling

Rosie Made A Thing You can stock up on Welsh Witch Gin, amass the ingredients to mix up a Maleficent's Spell or Goblet of Fire

cocktail or indulge in the finest smoky whisky and fine wines, plus take your pick of the vessels to drink them from with £250 of Master of Malt vouchers for your delectation.

Kindly donated by UK Greetings There are plenty of delicious dishes bubbling away and delightful drinks fizzing and popping at The Ivy Group of restaurants. With a £250 voucher, you can wine and dine at any of the 50 top eateries in the collection.

Bedknobs & Broomsticks Kindly donated by The Great British Card Company Add some magic touches to your home, transform your wardrobe or add some sparkle to your beauty collection with £250 John Lewis vouchers to spend as you wish.

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e r e n y v o E g n shi i W est of L u c k !

B e Th

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BEST INDEPENDENT GREETING CARD RETAILER

LONDON (INSIDE THE M25) CRITERIA: Open to all independent retailers in London (inside the M25) which have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including greeting card selection, product knowledge, customer service, retail environment and marketing.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

Earlybird Cards & Gifts

Gift

Gifts On The Green

Greetings

Crouch End

Fulham

Dulwich

The Indigo Tree

Medici Gallery

Nor

Pretty Shiny Shop

Crystal Palace

South Kensington

Beckenham Park Place and West Norwood

Finsbury Park

Stoke Newington

SPONSORED BY

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HP_RETA_AD_v3.pdf

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BEST INDEPENDENT GREETING CARD RETAILER

HOME COUNTIES & SOUTH EAST

CRITERIA: Open to all independent greeting card retail stockists in the Home Counties and South East which have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including greeting card selection, product knowledge, customer service, retail environment and marketing.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

Etcetera

George's

Malarkey Cards

No14 Ampthill

Hitchin

Whitstable

Brighton

Ampthill

Objectables

Red Card and Little Red

Threads

Zest

Harpenden

Crowborough

Folkestone

Petworth

SPONSORED BY

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wishing all the finalists a little magic and a lot of luck

www.abacuscards.co.uk | Tel: 01638 569050 | Email: info@abacuscards.co.uk 10_The Retas 2026.indd 1

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BEST INDEPENDENT GREETING CARD RETAILER

EAST ANGLIA CRITERIA: Open to all independent greeting card retail stockists in East Anglia which have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including greeting card selection, product knowledge, customer service, retail environment and marketing.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

Abigail's Cards & Gifts and Just Cards

Cards ’N’ Things Norwich

Dereham and Norwich

Dzo Dzo Woodbridge

Chapmans Of Southwold

Creativity Sheringham

Southwold

The Pug and the Pussycat

Sincerely Yours

Upstairs Downstairs

Shenfield and Hornchurch

Cromer

Aldeburgh SPONSORED BY

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Good Luck all ou smashing finalists!

from the whole gang at

trade.rosiemadeathing.co.uk | 0116 4062000 | offi fic ce@rosiemadeathing.co.uk 12_The Retas 2026.indd 1

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BEST INDEPENDENT GREETING CARD RETAILER

SOUTH WEST CRITERIA: Open to all independent greeting card retail stockists in South West which have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including greeting card selection, product knowledge, customer service, retail environment and marketing.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

The Card Collection

The Card Gallery and Present Company

Kingfisher Cards & Gifts

Wimborne Minster

Sidmouth

Paper Gangsta

Sky

Southbourne Cards

Stationery House

Bristol

Clifton

Bournemouth

Clevedon, Somerton and Winscombe

Bath and Salisbury

Kondi Gift & Home Bristol

SPONSORED BY

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After All The Magic Of PG Live 2026...

‘Fairy’ good luck to all The Retas finalists

See you at PG Live 2027 next May! 14_The Retas 2026.indd 1

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BEST INDEPENDENT GREETING CARD RETAILER

WALES CRITERIA: Open to all independent greeting card retail stockists in Wales which have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including greeting card selection, product knowledge, customer service, retail environment and marketing.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

Creative Cove

Daisy Daisy

Dottie Daganwy

Halls Of Llandaff

Lampeter

Llanishen

Daganwy

Cardiff

Paperweight

Serenade

WhimWham

Cardiff

Rhiwbina

Cardiff

SPONSORED BY

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BEST INDEPENDENT GREETING CARD RETAILER

THE MIDLANDS CRITERIA: Open to all independent greeting card retail stockists in the Midlands which have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including greeting card selection, product knowledge, customer service, retail environment and marketing.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

Austin & Co

Daisy Chain

Design 44

Malvern

Stratford-upon-Avon

Derby, Lincoln and Trentham Stratford-upon-Avon

For Something Different

Hugs & Kisses

Mad Molly

Set

The Tokenhouse

Tettenhall

Shipston-on-Stour

Leicester

Nottingham

SPONSORED BY

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BEST INDEPENDENT GREETING CARD RETAILER

NORTH WEST ENGLAND CRITERIA: Open to all independent greeting card retail stockists in the North West which have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including greeting card selection, product knowledge, customer service, retail environment and marketing.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

Baileys

Celebrations

Lollypop

Presentation

Ainsdale, Crosby and Maghull

Carlisle

Holcombe Brook

Barrowford

RBUK

Reflections

Temptations

The Warren

Rochdale

Nantwich

Middlewich

Stockport

SPONSORED BY

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BEST INDEPENDENT GREETING CARD RETAILER

NORTH EAST ENGLAND CRITERIA: Open to all independent greeting card retail stockists in the North East which have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including greeting card selection, product knowledge, customer service, retail environment and marketing.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

Artichoke

Cards & Gifts

Chirpy

Daisy Taylor’s

Heaton and Tynemouth

Dronfield

Chapel Allerton

York

Design@Six

Nickery Nook

Rustle & Co

Shop Indie

Wetherby

Bedale

Rowdon

Chesterfield

SPONSORED BY

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BEST INDEPENDENT GREETING CARD RETAILER

SCOTLAND CRITERIA: Open to all independent greeting card retail stockists in Scotland which have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum over the last year, including greeting card selection, product knowledge, customer service, retail environment and marketing.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

Alchemist

The Bay Tree Company Bearing Gifts

Best Wishes

Dingwall

Edinburgh

Troon

Aberdeen

Cloud 9

Pencil Me In

Penny Black

Pippin

Edinburgh

Elgin

Glasgow

Edinburgh

SPONSORED BY

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Rosie Trow’s magic mantra for her retail customers is…

t ’ n i a u “If yo , you got it l l it! ” ca n’ t se

Above: Rosie Trow with Retas’ finalists (centre) Chris Bryant of Expressions and Malcolm Adams of Stationery House, at PG Live.

All of The Retas finalists are truly

! g n i d n i b l spel

Rosie Trow, SW agent for Anna Wright, Bewilderbeest, Belly Button Designs, Brainbox Candy, Candlelight, Five Dollar Shake, FYG, Glick, Meg Hawkins, Museums & Galleries, Paper Salad, Oli Olsen, Park Lane, Redback and Wendy Jones-Blackett.

www.rosietrow.co.uk e: rosie@rosietrow.co.uk t: 07831 229876 24_The Retas 2026.indd 1

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BEST GREETING CARD RETAILER NEWCOMER (OPENED SINCE JAN 2023 OR ARE UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP)

CRITERIA: Open to an independent greeting card stockist that has opened in the UK since January 2023 or came under new ownership since then. The shop does not have to be a greeting card specialist, but needs to have shown excellence in all areas across the retail spectrum, including greeting card selection, product knowledge, customer service, retail environment and marketing.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

Branthwaites Appleby-in-Westmorland,

Happiness Is Handmade

Heaton Flora

The Little Shop

Newcastle

Rochester

Devizes

Magazine Heaven

Mettle & Wishbone

Moments

Nice Thoughts

Northants

Rothley

Gillingham

Coleshill

SPONSORED BY

ROSIE TROW

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BEST INDEPENDENT BOOKSTORE RETAILER OF GREETING CARDS CRITERIA: Open to independent bookshops (1-4 branches). The shop does not have to have a dedicated greeting card department, but needs to have shown a commitment to the sector including greeting card selection, product knowledge, customer service, retail environment and marketing.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

Aldeburgh Bookstore

Blandfords

Carnforth Bookshop

Aldeburgh

Ledbury and Broadway

Carnforth

The Edge Of The World Bookshop Penzance

The Hedgehog Bookshop

Highgate Bookshop

Mostly Books

The Whitby Bookshop

London

Abingdon

Whitby

Penrith SPONSORED BY

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CardGains Built for independents

Proud sponsors of the Best NonSpecialist Independent North Award

Empowering Independents. Enhancing Profitability. Simplifying Business.

@ www.cardgains.co.uk

Cardgains_The Retas 2026.indd 1

\. 0774 249 0333

� info@cardgains.co.uk

@) @cardgainsltd

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BEST NON-SPECIALIST INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF GREETING CARDS – NORTH CRITERIA: Open to independent shops for whom greeting cards are not their primary product area based in the North of the UK (excluding bookshops and independent garden centres) eg gift shops, sub post offices, children’s shops, gallery shops. The shop does not have to have a dedicated greeting card department, but needs to have shown a commitment to the sector over the last year including greeting card selection, product knowledge, customer service, retail environment and marketing.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

A Stone's Throw

Fred Aldous

Give the Dog A Bone

The Hollies

Sherwood

Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield

York

Little Budworth, Lower Stretton and Tarporley

Kemps General Store

Pentwortham Hill Post Office

The Richard Harvey Collection

Stationery Supplies

Penwortham

Shipston-on-Stour

Malton

Marple and Wilmslow

SPONSORED BY

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BEST NON-SPECIALIST INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF GREETING CARDS – SOUTH CRITERIA: Open to independent shops for whom greeting cards are not their primary product area based in the South of the UK (excluding bookshops and independent garden centres) eg gift shops, sub post offices, children’s shops, gallery shops. The shop does not have to have a dedicated greeting card department, but needs to have shown a commitment to the sector over the last year including greeting card selection, product knowledge, customer service, retail environment and marketing.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

&Quirky

Bunka

Cranbornes

Darts Farm

Berkhamsted

Beckenham and Forest Hill

Shaftesbury and Dorchester

Topsham

Just Delights

Sewsilver

Strawberry Fields

Tindalls

Penryn

Worthing

Dartmouth, Exeter and Lifton

Cambridge and Ely

SPONSORED BY

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BEST GREETING CARD SMALL MULTIPLE (4-20 stores)

CRITERIA: Greeting card retailers with four or more stores, excluding department stores, which have shown a commitment to the sector over the last year including greeting card selection, product knowledge, customer service, retail environment and marketing.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

Between The Lines

Expressions, Polka Dot, Henry & Co Cat's Whiskers, 7 stores in the Midlands The Card Shop

Jumping Bean

Mooch

Paper Tiger

Smart Ideas

Utility

4 stores in London

4 stores in Edinburgh

7 stores in The Midlands

6 stores in Altrincham, Liverpool and Manchester

20 stores

5 stores in London

4 stores in south-west

SPONSORED BY

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Retas Advert 210x210 +6mm.pdf

1

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Europe’s biggest buying moment

6-9 SEPTEMBER 2026 NEC BIRMINGHAM

8-10 SEPTEMBER 2026 NEC BIRMINGHAM

Two leading retail shows, one buying trip For the very first time, Autumn Fair and Glee run side by side on 8th and 9th September at the NEC Birmingham. Your free ticket gets you into both shows. Discover new products, new suppliers, and new ideas for your business.

Scan for your free ticket 34_The Retas 2026.indd 1

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BEST DEPARTMENT STORE RETAILER OF GREETING CARDS CRITERIA: Open to an individual independent department store, specific branch or a department store group 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 2026 FINALISTS

Barkers

Daniel of Windsor

Fortnum & Mason

Jarrolds

Northallerton

Windsor

London

Norwich

Morleys Stores

Vincent Davies

John Lewis & Partners Liberty London

Haverfordwest SPONSORED BY

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The stakes are high

and the pressure is mounting.

GOOD LUCK

to the nominees who have earned their place at The Round Table.

published by published by www.danilo.com www.danilo.com published by published by www.danilo.com www.danilo.com published by

The Traitors © IDTV Film & Video Productions BV and RTL Nederland (Media Services) 2026.

Licensed by All3Media International Ltd. Produced in the UK by Studio Lambert.

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www.danilo.com

01992 702 900 | SALES@DANILO.COM | WWW.DANILO.COM

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BEST SUPERMARKET RETAILER OF GREETING CARDS CRITERIA: Open to supermarket retailers 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 2026 FINALISTS

Asda

Booths

CoOp

M&S

1,100+ stores

27 stores

2,400 stores

1,000+ stores

Morrisons

Sainsbury's

Tesco

Waitrose

1,600 stores

1,400+ stores

3,000+ stores

421 stores

SPONSORED BY

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BEST NON-SPECIALIST MULTIPLE RETAILER OF GREETING CARDS CRITERIA: Open to all retail groups (with 20+ branches) for whom greeting cards are not their primary product area (excluding department stores and garden centre groups) eg varietal stores, fashion outlets, lifestyle chains, bookshop groups. The contenders do not have to have a dedicated greeting card department, but needs to have shown a commitment to the sector over the last year including greeting card selection, product knowledge, customer service, retail environment and marketing.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

National Trust

Next

Oliver Bonas

110+ locations

442 stores

90+ stores

Ryman Design/Ryman/ London Graphic Centre 200 stores

UOE/Stamp

Vinegar Hill

Waterstones

40+ stores

11 stores

320 stores

SPONSORED BY

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BEST SPECIALIST MULTIPLE RETAILER OF GREETING CARDS (15+ stores) CRITERIA: Open to specialist greeting card retailers with 15+ 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.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

Cards Direct

Cardfactory

Cards Galore

89 stores nationwide

1,117 stores nationwide

30+ stores in London area

Cardzone/Clintons/ House of Cards

Postmark

Scribbler

16 stores in London and Glasgow

38 stores in the UK

340+ stores nationwide

SPONSORED BY

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Helping retailers grow. museumsgalleries.co.uk E: sales@mgml.co.uk 01373 462165

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BEST GARDEN CENTRE RETAILER OF GREETING CARDS – INDEPENDENT CRITERIA: Open to all independent garden centre retailers with 1-4 branches that have shown a commitment to the sector over the last year, including greeting card selection, product knowledge, customer service, retail environment and marketing.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

Bernaville Nurseries Exeter

Burford Garden Centre Fron Goch Burford Garden Centre

Garsons Esher and Titchfield

Caernarfon

Henry Street Garden Centre Reading

Monkton Elm Taunton

Perrywood Garden Centres Buckhatch, Sudbury and Tiptree

Scotsdales Great Shelford, Fordham and Horningsea

SPONSORED BY

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BEST GARDEN CENTRE RETAILER OF GREETING CARDS – MULTIPLE OR GROUP (5 or more centres) CRITERIA: Open to all garden centre retailers with five or more branches that have shown a commitment to the sector through the range of greeting cards stocked, product knowledge, customer service offered, shop environment created, marketing and display.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

Blue Diamond

British Garden Centres Haskins

Klondykes & Strikes

54 centres

79 centres

5 centres

24 centres

Longacres

Notcutts Garden Centres

Otter Garden Centres

RHS

8 centres

5 centres

6 centres

19 centres SPONSORED BY

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THOUGHTFUL DESIGN BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED MADE TO DELIGHT www.alljoydesign.com or contact us at info@alljoydesign.com

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BEST INDEPENDENT GREETING CARD RETAILER INITIATIVE (for a specific project or initiative undertaken by a retailer since 15 April 2025.)

CRITERIA: Open to all retailers of greeting cards for a specific development or initiative that has been instigated since 15 April 2025.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

Earlybird Cards & Gifts Stoke Newington, for its Happy Cards Competition

Fenwick

Highworth Emporium The Letter Arty

Newcastle, for its NCUK/Jungle Studio Initiative

Highworth, for its Thinking of You Week/Volunteers’ Week Campaign

Manchester, for its Choose Cards Christmas Jumper Campaign

Sincerely Yours

Stow News and Post Office

More Than Just A Gift, Moments Narborough, for its Smart Shopkeepers’ Club

Gillingham, for its Care Home Initiative SPONSORED BY

Shenfield and Hornchurch and the Cardmitments group for the Cards Make People Happy Paper Bags Initiative

Stow-on-the-Wold, for its Thank You Postcards Initiative

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BEST GREETING CARD WHOLESALER CRITERIA: Open to all wholesalers with any number of branches for whom greeting cards are a significant part of their offer. Retailers and wholesale publishers were asked to nominate which wholesalers they felt had excelled on the service level, breadth of product offered and the marketing over the last year.

THE 2026 FINALISTS

Archway Cards

Crosswear Trading

The Jade Group

Norwich

Enfield

Bourdon

Jackson’s CRS

Merseyside Greetings

Tiger Feet

Sheffield

Liverpool

seven branches nationwide

SPONSORED BY

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Good luck to this year’s Retas finalists from your friends at The Art File.

Proud sponsors of the Retas Awards

0115 850 7490 | sales@theartfile.com | theartfiletrade.com

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GREETING CARD RETAILER OF THE YEAR CRITERIA: All winners of The Retas 2026 categories are contenders for this award, so, as such no finalists are revealed until today’s awards event.

Above: A doubly happy Hazel Walker (left) and Megan Douglas after winning the Best Non-Specialist Multiple award in The Retas 2025, the retailer was crowned Greeting Card Retailer of the Year with (right) Ged Mace, md of The Art File presenting the trophy, joined by host Ignacio Lopez.

2025 – Waterstones 2024 – Postmark 2023 – Postmark 2022 – House of Cards 2021 – Cardzone 2019 – Blue Diamond 2018 – Paperchase

2017 – Postmark, London 2016 – Waterstones 2015 – 3 Wishes 2014 – M&P Cards 2013 – Paperchase 2012 – Mayther 2011 – Bijou, Buckie

2010 – Penmark 2009 – Celebrations, Carlisle 2008 – Scribbler 2007 – House of Cards 2006 – Papyrus, Glasgow 2005 – Celebrations, Carlisle

But which retailer will clinch this top Retas title for 2026?

SPONSORED BY

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MAX PUBLISHING LTD WWW.THERETASAWARDS.CO.UK T: 0207 7006740 The themed imagery was created by The Art File Programme exquisitely printed by Method UK, supporters of The Retas 2026 T: Mathew Payne on 07813 934880 E: matt@thisismethod.co.uk