May 2015

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 3

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www.max-publishing.co.ukTHE HOME OF MARKET LEADING TRADE MAGAZINES

15

THE HOME OF MARKETLEADING TRADE AWARDS

EXHIBITIONS

The world can be divided into four different types of people TheSelf-Definer, The Brand Snob, The Secret Treater and The ArtyCrafter - well, the world of Paperchase customers anyway. Likeeveryone else who was in the audience to hear the talk given byPaperchases David Bateman (its chief operating and financialofficer) and Pamela Cartwright (the retailers stationery buyer) onthe first morning of last month's London Stationery Show (whichcoincided with World Stationery Day), I went into private self-confess mode as to where my habits put me in the stationeryuniverse. Am I a Self-Definer (who uses the cards I send and thestationery I use to differentiate myself from others); or a BrandSnob (using my purchases to show off, knowing that I recognisethe best); or even a Secret Treater (justifying that extra fancynotebook or bright pink pen as a you deserve it indulgence) or ArtCrafter (enjoying the creativity and stimulation that stationeryinspires)? I, like most of us, probablywouldnt fit into just one of these boxes(coming from Paperchase the boxeswould be emblazoned with wonderfuldesigns and Id have to buy the umbrellaand tea towel in the same design!) andwould show different traits at differenttimes. But this in itself is of courseincredibly healthy for the sector.

And it would seem that our greetingcard industry is starting to show somehealthy signs of growth as we emergefrom the worst recession in living memory.

From baby to toddler to starting school

Max Publishing Ltd, United House, North Road, London N7 9DPTel: 020 7700 6740 Fax: 020 7607 6411 www.progressivegreetings.co.uk

All three of the Spring Seasons so far seem tohave performed well, including encouraginglyEaster (see News) with it being seen as a goodreason to see friends and family and put moreeffort into Easter displays at home.

And judging by the enormous amount ofnew ranges that are set to debut at the

upcoming PG Live (June 2-3 at London's Business DesignCentre), the greeting card industry is in 'blooming' health. Nextmonth's exhibition is the largest yet, with over 250 publishersexhibiting, all of them having invested in exciting new lines. So, if asa retailer you want to tick the boxes of all the different types ofconsumers and make sure you land every customer's cardpurchase, then I hope to bump into you at the Business DesignCentre. See you there!

OnTheCards

PS A massive congratulations to all the wonderful cardretailers who have made it into the finals of The Retas 2015(see pages 29-31) and a huge thank you to everyone whonominated and entered. We're all in it together!

Above: PGs Jakki Brown (second right) in UKGs Humour Lab, with some of the teamwho have been responsible for the massive overhaul of its humour portfolio. (Left-right) Edd Burnet, Mark Graham, Chris Godson, Rebecca Turton and Chris Jones.Left: Founder of Belly Button Designs, Rachel Hare (right) tells PGs Jakki Brown allabout the plans to celebrate the companys 21st anniversary.Below left: The PG offices were bombarded with card samples which will be used tocreate the dresses for the meters and greeters at PG Live. PGs Warren Lomax, GaleAstley (left) and Jakki Brown.

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 5

Contents

Progressive Greetings is a monthly business magazine.

SUBSCRIPTIONS:UK subscription: One year 50

Two year 85 Three year 110

Overseas subscription: One year 75

SUBSCRIPTIONS ENQUIRES:maxsubscriptions@marketingreinforcements.co.ukTel: 020 8943 9541

Jakki BrownEditorjw@max-publishing.co.uk

Warren LomaxAdvertisement Directorwarren@max-publishing.co.uk

Use your smartphoneapp to scan the QRcode to visit our website.

Whats Inside

Copyright 2015. While every effort has been made to ensure the information in this magazine was correct at the time of publication, thepublishers cannot accept legal liability for any errors or omissions, nor can they accept responsibility for the standing of advertisers nor anyorganisation mentioned in the text. Views of contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the publishers.

9-27 News

29-31The Retas RollcallThe Retas 2015 Finalists

33-35Over The CounterCard Sharks LookoutIndependent card and gift retailer, DavidRobertson, co-owner of JP Pozzi inScotland, dives into the waters of thisyears PG Live.

36-37CardsharpHubris Or Pride Before A Fall?Cardsharp muses over topical eventshappening in the industry.

39-41Viewpoints Opportunity KnocksIndies who have made an enterprisingidea out of an opportunity.

42-43Face To FaceIrreverent BehaviourPaperlink marks Three Decades of Innovation.

45-49PG Live 2015A Magnificent SevenPG Live 2015s nuts and bolts.

51-77InnovationsPublishers new product at PG Live 2015.

79-83Springboard Focus: PG Live 2015Fair Grounding Some bright new publishing lightsexhibiting in the Springboard section atPG Live 2015.

85-87Jeremys JournalGreetings MasterclassBlue Eyed-Suns Jeremy Cornerconsiders how to create best sellinggreeting cards.

89Debbie Wigglesworths Paper JourneysThe Power Of Creative PlayDebbie shares her latest paper artdiscoveries.

91-93Industry IssueA Chain ReactionUpping the environmental integrity ofgreeting cards.

94-95In Conversation With Belly ButtonA Re-Cut Key To The DoorBelly Button Designs celebrates its 21st birthday.

96-97Retailer Inside TrackFruitful TimesHome Counties-based House of Cardsretail group celebrates 25 years.

99-101Art SourceA picture of some of the artistsexhibiting in the Artists Quarter at PGLive this year.

103-105Whats Hot?

107-109Lynns LinesFighting Talk

110-121Classified

122Appointments

PG is the official magazine for the Greeting Card AssociationGCA: Sharon Little 020 7619 0396Email: gca@max-publishing.co.ukwww.greetingcardassociation.org.uk

Gale AstleyDeputy Editorgalea@max-publishing.co.uk

42-43

With This Issue:FOCUS ON HUMOUR CARDS

45-49

Also included

with

this issue:

A UKG SPECI

AL

SUPPLEMENT

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Gary Leadston06-07_PG_May 2015 29/04/2015 13:27 Page 1

Unveiling new

character card

designs from

BBC Worldwide

and Saban brands

Showcasing

MORELLO

a beautiful

handmade

collection

Looking forsomething stylish, funky,funny, cute, sentiment drivenor just plain brilliant?Carte Blanche offers a superb selection of greeting cards across every genre.

Pop along to stand 122to find out more.

To find out more about Carte Blanche and our award winning brands, products and capabilities,please contact info@cbg.co.uk or call +44(0) 1243 792600

cbg.co.uk @CarteBlancheGrp

Busin

Stand 122BShowcasing

the latest

innovations in

EXCLUSIVE

3D cards3

and Saba

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 9

NEWS

TOP STORY

Pippi & Mes Purrfect PrizeAmong the companies making their debut at PG Live thisyear will be Pippi & Me, who will be running a prize draw togive visitors the chance to win Clara the Cat a one off feltsculpture made by artist Sarah Strachan. Sarah has beencommissioned by Pippi & Me's founder Jeannett Stevensonto create the animal sculpture which will then feature in itsLittle Creatures card range.

As Jeannett commented: "Guaranteed to make peoplesmile, our Little Creatures are the stars of our cards and notavailable to buy so this is a great opportunity for one luckyperson to give Clara a new home!"

The company will be exhibiting on stand 810 in the Springboard area, and will be offering adiscount of 10% off show orders.

new entrants in our Springboard sectionfor new and emerging publishers!

He also cited the venue and the addedextras as being popular elements of theshow. What we wanted to do is create amarvellous way for buyers to make theirchoices, in a historic and beautiful centralLondon venue which is easy to get to, witha free lunch and all their beveragerequirements taken care off. Through thesupport we have received from publishers,retailers, trade suppliers, overseas distributorsand agents, we have collectively been ableto grow PG Live into the largest globalgreeting card exhibition in the world.

To register go towww.progressivegreetingslive.com ortelephone 0044 (0)1635 297070

This years Progressive Greetings Liveexhibition, that takes place at LondonsBusiness Design Centre on June 2-3 nextmonth, looks set to break all records as themost successful yet.

Over 250 greeting card publishers areexhibiting a magnificent array of newproduct, making it the largest evergathering of the worldwide greeting cardindustry in history. Every significant UKgreeting card publisher is exhibiting thisyear, including many who will not beshowing anywhere else in 2015. And withthe vast majority of exhibitors onlyshowing new designs, PG Live is expectedto attract buyers and distributors from 40countries around the world, as well as everymajor multiple and thousands ofindependent shops.

PG Lives show director Warren Lomaxcommented: As well as the mostcomprehensive line-up of greeting cardpublishers you are ever likely to see, buyerswill be able to talk to well over 100publishers that are exclusive to PG Live asexhibitors. These include the big brandnames like UKG, Hallmark, Gemma, CarteBlanche, Emotional Rescue and Paperlink, aswell as a cornucopia of new and exciting

Magnificent 7thOver 250 Publishers At PG Live

Meeting Of MindsFollowing a meeting at Spring Fairearlier this year between SoulaZavacopoulos, director and founder ofThe London Studio (TLS), and MichaelActon-Smith, founder and creator ofMoshi Monsters, The Wisdom of Kids hasbecome an official channel on PopJam,Michael's new venture. "It's a crossbetween Facebook and Instagram butjust for children," explains Soula. "In only afew weeks we have over 20,000 followers,and interacting directly with children isfantastic for The Wisdom of Kids."

Bunting ChallengeIn keeping with Second Nature'sPicnic/Summer Fair theme, which launchesits new bunting programme at PG Live, thecompany is inviting visitors to its stand toguess how many lengths of buntingwould be needed to go from the BusinessDesign Centre in London (home of PGLive) to Second Nature's Isle of Wightdistribution centre.

The winner will be presented with amagnificent Fortnum & Mason ChampagneAfternoon Tea Hamper.

There will also be plenty of clinking ofglasses at 4.30pm on the stand, when thecompany invites everyone to join them fora glass of Pimm's.

Above: One lucky PG Live visitor will take home a Fortnum &Mason Champagne Afternoon Tea Hamper.

Banging The DrumIn celebration of the company's 10th anniversary,Davora will be making a lot of noise at PG Live thisyear to fanfare its first decade trading. Punjabidrummers Drummers Delight will officially open theshow on Tuesday June 2, andwill continue to performoutside the Business DesignCentre until 11am.

In addition, Davora will be serving rose and cinnamon cupcakes fromupmarket London bakers La Di Da on its stand (534).Above: The Drummers Delight will ensure PG Live goes off with a bang!Right: Davora's 10 year badge of honour.

Above: Pippi & Me's Clara the Cat.

The Wisdom Of GemmaThere will be a lot goingon at the Gemma standat PG Live, but thepublisher has Wisdom soall should be fine!

PG Live marks thedebut of the first everWisdom of Kids rangefrom Gemma, as a resultof a licensing agreementwith The London Studio,who created the brand.

In addition though,there will be a totallyrevamped Purple Ronnierange (which sees the returnof the four line poem to thefront of the cards) as well asseveral other key licensingsignings, such as The Teletubbies, World ofWarriors (from Moshi Monsters stable of MindCandy) and Jurassic World.

The company has also signed a licensingagreement with Greg Shepherd, founder ofPhotowrap, to produce and distribute hisimagery on giftwrap under licence.

Above: A Wisdom of Kids card (top) and newlydesigned Purple Ronnie design.

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NEWS

TOP STORY

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 11

From Me To Brew As Newbie Provides The DrinksHolly Betton, founder of Death By Tea, will be giving out a free takeaway drink to visitors on itsstand at PG Live (Springboard 790) to mark the companys debut a Yorkshire tea bag!

"When I first started my business I spent a long time deliberating over different names andbranding options, and I - obviously - had a cup of tea to help get the ideas going!" explains Holly."I was sitting outside on a bright, sunny day when a fly flew straight into the cup and it was acase of sudden death. Poor fly, it was death by tea I said out loud and then that was it, I'd foundmy business name! Nevertheless, I felt so guilty about the fly incident. I did actually try andrescue it, but it was too late. Maybe if I'd saved it I would have a completely different company

name, who knows! Anyway, I decided to name mybusiness after it, as a sort of legacy."

Adds Holly: "It also helps that a lot of peoplecan relate to it, and when they see my name Deathby Tea they say, 'Oh, that's me!' or 'yes, I have tohave at least eight cups a day', so it also creates abit of a talking point too! In fact, I have oneparticular card design, Tea Solves Most Problems,that celebrates this British mantra."Left: Death by Tea will be among the publishers making its debut at PG Live.

A significant licensingagreement between twowell-known greeting cardcompanies sees The GreatBritish Card Companystrengthen its humouroffering while at the sametime providing better UKcoverage for US-basedpublisher, Avanti.

Avanti is closing its ownUK subsidiary this monthafter several years of trading, changingto a licensing business model bypartnering with The Great British CardCompany (GBCC).

"Avanti is ripe to expand its offer inthe UK," confirmed Avanti president andfounder Rick Ruffner. "The licensingpartnership with The Great British CardCompany will combine creative andmarketing strengths to help us furtherdevelop the Avanti brand for UK shoppers,while driving strong results for our loyalUK retailers. The Great British CardCompany brings established customersuccess and an impressive range ofinternal resources."

Peter Reichwald, the founder andchairman of GBCC, has known Avantiowners Chip Owen and Rick Ruffner formany years and it was at this year's SpringFair that talk of working together kickedoff in earnest.

"We have been looking for a strongpartner to further develop our humouroffering in the UK market. We have been

huge fans of the Avantibrand for many years and Ibelieve with a bit of finetuning for the Britishconsumer, Avanti is sure togrow to its full potential. Ialso have a huge respectand admiration for RickRuffner and how he hasdeveloped Avanti into sucha distinctive publisher,"commented Peter.

Initially GBCC will be taking in thestock currently in the UK into itsGloucester distribution centre and its salesforce will start to present a range of 147designs to retailers from the middle of thismonth (May), with it also being a majorfocus on the publishers stand at PG Live.This will include some new Avantidesigns, including some in a larger size.

Chris Wilcox, director of GBCCcommented: GBCC will commenceprinting Avanti best sellers under licencein the UK, which also gives us a terrificopportunity to add a few editorialrevisions here and there to ensure therange is absolutely spot on for the British consumer.

Likening the opportunity with Avantito another of GBCCs recent acquisitions,Chris said: It is a bit like when we werelucky enough to acquire The AlmanacGallery a couple of years ago, thepartnership with Avanti delivers to GBCC aproduct that is truly unique. How excitingis that!?

GBCC Gets FunnierAvanti Now Publishing Under Licence In The UK

Right Direction ForCardgains MembersIt's win/win for Cardgains membersattending PG Live in June. Each of its retailmembers will be receiving a 30 voucher,which can be redeemed against an orderplaced with any of the Cardgains supplierswho will be exhibiting at the show. Theoffer links in with Cardgains theme for2015 - Driving Independent Retailers inthe Right Direction.Below: The Cardgains offer to members visiting PG Live.

The Force Is With HallmarkHallmark is adding some extra force behindits massive Star Wars launch at next monthsPG Live, with an Its Your Wookiee Daycampaign exclusively for indies and GoldCrown retailers. As partof this, retailers will beable to give theircustomers a chance towin cinema tickets forthem and a friendwhenever they buy aStar Wars card. Inaddition to the 50cinema tickets it isgiving away to thegeneral public, thestore that submits thelargest number of entriesfrom the public will alsowin cinema tickets.

Specially created POSreflecting some ofHallmarks card designsthat will not be foundanywhere else in theworld is beingproduced for retailstockists, including awindow poster, doorvinyl, bus stops, till point cards and entryforms for the competition. As TamsynJohnston-Hughes, Hallmark's PR and socialmedia manager explains: "It gives a hugepoint of difference and stand-out for retailerson the high street, which we believe is reallyimportant to help indies and gift stores reallymake their mark and stand for somethingdifferent to many other stores."

This campaign is the first stage ofHallmarks marketing programme which willbuild up to the launch of the new Star Warsfilm in December.

Above: The Star Wars campaign PoS and a card design from Hallmark.

Below: One of the manyAvanti cards that GBCC cannow produce under licence.

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NEWS

TOP STORY

Having teased retailers for the last fewmonths with its marketing campaignWhiskey Tango Foxtrot is going on withHanson White?, UK Greetings will revealall on its stand at Progressive GreetingsLive next month.

The culmination of almost a year ofresearch, product development,consumer insight, collaborative activityand considerable investment, sees thepublisher reveal a completely revampedand enlarged humorous card offer.

Next month sees UKG launch some250 brand new humorous designs, rightacross the spectrum in 20 new ranges. Aswell as strengthening its existing crownjewels such as revamping the look ofGiggles, it has paid considerable attentionto providing female to female ranges aswell as meeting the needs of collectionsfor Gen Y consumers (20-36 age group).

We, as a nation, really are living in aboom time for humour, it is coming at us

from all angles - YouTube, Twitter, comedyclubs, Instagram, TV or just general banter.Its just great that with the major launchof 250 brand new humorous designs -across 20 new collections - that we areable to properly reflect this changingworld through our humorous cardranges, says Rebecca Turton, UKGscreative director for humour.l See the special UKG publication thataccompanies this edition to read all about it.

The Teasing Is OverUKG Comes Clean About Its Funny Business

Glad To Be Taking The MickeyUKG recently had a real Walt Disney moment when the companyreceived a Golden Mickey for Best New Licensee in its first year ofworking with the American entertainment powerhouse.

UKGs first Disney collection was launched at PG Live last May,while this year sees the company unveiling a brand new humorousDisney collection, with a 'cast' of 26 designs on its stand.

Commenting on the new humour range, Jo Oldridge, Disneysproduct development manager said: Tapping into the adult marketon humour with our franchises was always going to be morecomplicated than our standard greeting card development asretaining our characters integrity and original storytelling attributes is key to all our productdevelopment. UK Greetings rose to the challenge and Im extremely happy and excited with therange they have delivered, both from a creative and an editorial point of view - it more than

exceeded my expectations!Eight designs are based on Frozen, four are Princesses, four are from

Disney Classic films (two Snow White, one from Cinderella and one fromBeauty and the Beast), six from The Muppets and six from Marvel (somefrom the films as well as several based on vintage comic artwork).

"It's an absolute privilege to be able to bring the first Disney humourline to market," enthuses Ben Whittington, UKG's creative manager forhumour and Disney. "Humour is not something that can be forced andthe process is more challenging when you have to stay true to theessence of a Disney character."Above: UKG's Ben Whittington with the company's Golden Mickey for Best New Licensee. Left: One of eight UKG humorous Disney lines based on Frozen.

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 15

l Noel Tatt has made a commitment to UK productionfor its brand new handmade range called Henna, whichwill be launched at PG Live. "Unlike many otherhandmade ranges, this one will be produced in the UKwith finished stock arriving just in time for the show,"confirms Michael Griffiths, general manager of Noel Tatt.

l To tie-in with a brandnew range of 15 RoyalAcademy notecard walletslaunching at PG Live,ArtPress will be offering ashow discount available tocustomers placing an order at the show oronline during the show dates.

Its offering 5% discount for orders above 150;10% discount for orders above 250. Above: A new notecard wallet, by Bob & Roberta Smith RA, is part ofArtPress' Royal Academy range.Below: Animals are a feature of Catherine Kleeli Cards in its Stick andStitch range.

l New greeting card publisher Catherine Kleeli Cards,exhibiting for the first time at PG Live in the Springboardsection (stand 797), will be offering buyers a special 'PGLive only' promotion. Every retailer placing a card orderat the show worth over 200 will receive acomplementary unmounted gicle print (worth 25) oftheir chosen design.

l Need to send a postcard when youre at PG Live?Then head to Iggesund Paperboard ABs stand where itwill have a digital print press running on its stand (339)at PG Live. "In collaboration with Intec Printing Solutions,we will be able to produce personalised postcards onthe spot, and will also showcase how well ourpaperboard performs in digitally printed greeting cardapplications," confirms project manager Robert Bryngelsson.

l Trading under the brandname April Rose, awardwinning watercolour artistand illustrator SiobhanHarrison will be among thoseshowing in the Springboardsection at PG Live. Siobhanrecently won the Best Newcomer inthe Stitching World category at theCraft Awards.

April Rose will be showcasing several ranges ofgreeting cards influenced by the illustration workproduced for craft products.

l In the run up to the General Election, cartoonistOliver Preston made the most of the occasion by sellingseveral hundred packs of hisPolitical Playing Cards -showing the partyleaders to the Housesof Parliament.

Right: Oliver Preston's PoliticalPlaying Cards.

PG LIVE NIBS

Withering Thighs ChallengeCardgains is still open for walkers to sign up to its Withering Thighs charity walk, which will take place onThursday June 25. The Challenge covers a 25 mile walk in Bronte country in North Yorkshire. Members andsuppliers can join in or donate or sponsor someone they know.

This year's adopted charity is The Calvert Trust, which has three residential outdoor centres, deliveringchallenging outdoor adventure holidays for young people with disabilities. The chosen Cardgains centreis on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake in the Lake District National Park.

In line with Cardgains' driving theme, the organisation has pledged to raise enough money to buy anew mini bus for the centre.

Below: One of UKGscreative managers EddBurnet says its a sign!

Above: Among the AprilRose designs that will beavailable at PG Live.

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NEWS

TOP STORY

Saffron Cards & Gifts hasconsiderably bolstered itsportfolio through an exclusivelicensing agreement with TheLondon Studio for all of thesmall house card and giftcompanys ranges, with theexception of The Wisdom OfKids range, which is licensedby Gemma International.

This change will allow TheLondon Studios founder andcreative driver, SoulaZavacopoulos, more time to runthe creative side of her business.

Paul Steele, managing directorof Saffron Cards & Gifts (whoacquired the company little over ayear ago from Paul and Mei Fields)explains the attraction of the newbusiness deal: I have known Soula for anumber of years and always admired hercreativity and marketing flair. This newpartnership is a great fit as Soulas style isso different, yet complementary to ourown, and we both share the same values

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 17

Back To Her PG Live RootsComing full circle, Soula Zavacopoulos will be meeting andgreeting customers on the Saffron stand (204) at PG Live,having made her debut at the inaugural show in 2009 withThe London Studio. "I'm so pleased our first showing withSaffron will be at PG Live," enthused Soula. "I really do have asoft spot for the show as it's where I launched. Your first tradeshow is one you never forget. It's very special!" she added.Left: Soula Zavacopoulos.

when it comes to quality,design and first classcustomer service, so Imreally excited to be workingwith her.

Saffron has now takenover the production anddistribution of The LondonStudios card and gift ranges,providing complete

continuity of supply andensuring full stock availabilityfrom the start, with the rangebeing a major focus on itsstand at PG Live.

On the new set up withSaffron, Soula commented: Ilove designing card ranges, butmy time is often eaten up withso many other jobs," she

admits. "However, with Paul and his teamtaking over the sales and publishing side ofThe London Studio it will allow me moretime to concentrate on the creative side ofthe business and on designing new ranges,which is the part I love the most!

Extra Spice For SaffronPortfolio Bolstered By The London Studio

Tullis Russell InAdministrationScottish papermakers Tullis Russell in Fife(which has supplied the card trade withboard for years) went into administrationat the end of April. Some 325 staff wereimmediately made redundant while afurther 149 staff were retained tocomplete orders, although their jobs toowere at risk. The employee-owned papermaker, which was founded in 1809, is oneof the last remaining papermanufacturers in the UK. It has incurredcumulative losses of 18.5m over the lastfive years.

The reasons cited for the companysdemise included that its Europeanexports had dropped as a result of thevalue of sterling in relation to the euroand had also been hit by rising rawmaterial costs. It had also investedconsiderably in a new biomass plant,which was only officially opened at Tullis'Markinch site in March.

Following the company's collapse,Scotlands First Minister Nicola Sturgeonannounced that a task force had been setup to look at ways of supporting Fifeseconomy and jobs.

l Brighton Open House, taking place in May, willsee PG Live exhibitor Ilona Drew, founder of I DrewThis, taking part for the second consecutive year.Ilona will showingher own colourfultake on the BrightonPavilion andbandstand assigned, limitededition giclee prints."I will also have awide selection of A4 signed giclee prints from my IDrew This collection. They will all be available to buyon the day, either framed or unframed." Ilona will beexhibiting on May 3, 17 and 24.

Above: Ilona Drew's Brighton Pavilion and bandstand print.

Thunderbirds RevisitedThe recent lift off of the new Thunderbirds series hasbrought back memories for industry veteran WilliamMcCracken, the former md of Gordon Fraser, Ling andone of the first card retail multiples, whose eponymousshops bore his surname. (William is also a special advisorto the GCA).

"In the early 60's, I was the circulation rep forScotland for City Magazines, a subsidiary of the News of the World Organisation," William recalls. "Welaunched a new comic called TV21 which featured Thunderbirds are Go! and, as part of our promotion,I was asked to pick up the original Thunderbirds creators Gerry and Sylvia Anderson at Edinburghairport and drive them to Glasgow for some media work."

William recalls that when he met the couple they were carrying an oblongbox. I led them to my car - a Morris 1000 Traveller with the wooden sides -which had seat belts fitted to the front seats even though they were not yet alegal requirement. Gerry asked me if I would strap the box into the frontpassenger seat and they would sit in the back. We drove from Edinburgh toGlasgow with Gerry and Sylvia holding hands in the back seat and LadyPenelope accompanying me in the front!"

Above: William McCracken, aka Parker, drove Lady Penelope.Left:William McCracken

PG LIVE NIBS

Below: Two of The London Studiosdesigns now available from Saffron.

GCA AGM Venue In The SkyThe date, stunning venue and one of thekeynote speakers have been confirmed forthe GCA AGM thisyear. On September30, GCA members andassociate memberswill be able to attend amemorable AGMevent that will takeplace in Altitude 360 inMilbank Tower (whichoffers 360 degreeviews of London from on high) inWestminster. Dominique Schurman(pictured), the ceo of Clintons, hasconfirmed that she would be delighted tospeak, sharing her experiences and viewson the card trade.

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The next show we are exhibiting at is:

Harrogate Home and Gift, 19th-22nd July 2015(Design Point 1, STAND DP126)

For Christmas 2015 our brand new Neon range

JanieWilson ltd

GREETING CARDS HANDMADE IN ENGLAND

EMAIL: enquiries@janiewilson.co.uk I www.janiewilson.co.ukTEL: 0113 256 6331 I FAX: 0113 255 6577

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 21

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NEWS

A Blossoming Young RoseProviding proof to other art and designgraduates that the greeting card industryis a great career choice for getting theirwork out into themarket, within amatter of months ofjoining GBCC, MikiRose (pictured) hasnot only created thebranding for thenow internationalThinking of YouWeek initiative, butis also underway onher first greetingcard and giftwrapcollection for GBCC."Miki was so thrilled to hear that her workwas to be used for the new TOYW andwe are really excited about thepossibilities of the new collection she isdeveloping," commented Nick Adsett,creative head at GBCC. "Miki and JessicaJohnson, our other new illustrator recruit,have both brought a youthful femininevibe to the studio as we seek tostrengthen our presence in the UKcontemporary card market."

Get Thinking BiggerSet to build on its fantastic debut in 2014,new livery and a heighted awareness willsee Thinking of You Week - the GCAinstigated initiative to encourage peopleto send an extra card a day for a week -really go up a notch this September. Plansare already well underway for this yearsThinking Of You Week, which will run 21-27 September, with graduate illustratorMiki Rose, who recently joined The GreatBritish Card Company (GBCC), creatingfresh new branding.

"The brief was for something reallybright and joyful, something Miki graspedimmediately," explains Sharon Little, chiefexecutive at the GCA. "This year the word'national has been dropped as the eventwill be going international as we have hadinterest already from elsewhere in theworld wanting to get involved."

A toolkit flyer, posters in different sizes,social media cover photos, plus add-onssuch as email sign offs and stickertemplates, are all being designed and willbe freely available from the GCA websitefor publishers, retailers, suppliers and thoseoutside the trade to download and use.www.gca.cardsAbove: The re-branded Thinking Of You Week flyer and bannerdesigned by Miki Rose at GBCC.

WHSmith Sales Fall, Profits Rise WHSmith saw its sales fall by 4%, but saw a rise in its pre-tax profits to 72m from 69m in the sixmonth period to February 28. The company's travel business saw an increase of 3%.

The high street multiple had a good first half, with an increase in trading profit to 50m(compared to 49m in 2014), up 2% on the previous year, with a strategy of actively managingits space to optimise core categories, gross margin growth and tight cost control continuing todeliver sustainable profit and good cash generation. Cost savings amounted to 6m, with afurther 5m identified for the second half, putting the company on track for 11m of costsavings for the full year.

High street sales were down 5% in total and down 4% on a like-for-like basis.Chief executive Stephen Clarke said that the company's strategy to build on its market leading

position in stationery (which includes greeting cards) remains unchanged. Like-for-like sales wereup 1%, with gross margin also up compared tolast year. The company saw a strongperformance from several of its Christmasranges, in particular, boxed cards and wrap,which showed good year-on-year growth.

There was an increased focus on newrange development, quality and latest designto further differentiate the WHSmith stationeryoffer on the high street.

Making reference to its trial of theCardmarket value concept, (the first of its 20stores was opened in November 2014),Stephen Clarke said that performance variedfrom store to store.

Left: WHSmiths Funky Pigeon stores now trade from 12 units.

Funky Pigeon has a new sibling now thatWHSmith has opened its first two Paper &Script greeting card stores.

Debuting last month in LondonsCharing Cross and Liverpool Street stations,both the fixtures and the product mixwithin the Paper & Script stores are moreupmarket than Funky Pigeon, WHSmithsother specialist card retailing concept.

As Sophie Greenwood, senior buyer forcards & gifting of WHSmith Travel, FunkyPigeon and now Paper & Script, explained:Funky Pigeon has been a great success forus but as a business we always want tochallenge ourselves and continue to deliverfor our customers. Within Paper & Script wehave created a more upmarket and uniqueproduct offering and a much widerbreadth of range for our customers.

The new stores include products fromover 50 suppliers to create a diverse rangethat offers a point of difference to ourcompetitors, according to Sophie. Theranges we have created appeals to a moreaffluent demographic and is aligned tothose travelling through our locations,whether they be commuters or people onleisure trips, she adds.

While Funky Pigeon stores use blackfixtures and fittings, those in Paper &

Script are white, enabling the new rangesand designs to stand out.

At present there are no definite plansto roll out the new brand into morestores. Like any business we are keen tosee the results before committing to anyfurther roll outs, but so far sales are very encouraging and we are excitedabout what the future may bring,confirmed Sophie.

In a first extension of theFunkypigeon.com brand, the companysuccessfully launched Funkyparty.com, anew party website with over 20,000products, ranging from themedtableware, balloons and decorations tofancy dress and accessories. Below: The new Paper & Script store in Charing Cross station in London.

Less Funky More StylishWHSmiths New Upmarket Card Shop Concept

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NEWS

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 23

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Providing uplifting proof that the stationerysector is very much alive and kicking in thisdigital age, Paperchase's chief operatingand financial director David Bateman andstationery buyer Pamela Cartwrightdelivered a keynote speech at last monthsLondon Stationery Show in London, whichreassured that old media is in no fear ofdying out.

Their lively talk not only gave an insightinto how Paperchase is continuing to blazea trail, both in the UK and internationally,but also, on why stationery remains sopopular in a digital age.

Paperchase has sold 1.8m notebooksand journals in the last year, the length of24,000 London buses. Plus, quippedPamela, "the sales of our diaries andorganisers would fill The British Library. Lastyear, we also sold 3m pens, which tip to tipwould cover 10 London Marathons!"

Stationery Award Winners AnnouncedThe first day of the fifth London Stationery Show culminated in the presentation of the prestigiousStationery Awards, which saw Lime Stationery & Art win three category awards - Notebooks &Journals for its The Happily Ever Bendy Notebook; Novelty for its Magic Pencils - Koh i Noor andSocial Stationery for its The Original Crown Mill Writing Set. The company was also presented withthe 2015 Judges Award.

Other winners included the Woodland Trust Range from Go Stationery in the Licensed category,Tombow Monograph Mechanical Pencil from Stone Marketing in the Everyday Writing category andLamy Studio Wild Rubin from C Josef Lamy in the Writing Instruments over 25 category.

"This was definitely the most exciting year so far for the London Stationery Awards,"commented independent retail advisor Henri Davies, who chaired the judging panel for the fifthconsecutive year. "We saw a great cross-section of products and suppliers which made the wholejudging process very interesting for the judges."

On the Awards panel this year were Pamela Cartwright, stationery buyer at Paperchase; JoanneBarber of The Stationery & Gift Boutique inAmpthill; Katy Golden, category manager forstationery and gifts at WHSmith Direct; JoIrons, buying director of Bureau Direct andAbel Dos Santos, gifts and stationery buyerat Foyles Bookshop.

The show took place at the LondonBusiness Design Centre in Islington at theend of April.Left: The London Stationery Shows Awards winners.

A key growth area for Paperchase hasbeen social stationery, such as shoppinglist pads, wellbeing journals, menuplanners, desk planners and wine journals.

"People are individuals and wantstationery products that they canpersonalise, which is why stationeryendures," stated David.

As Pamela pointed out: It's notintrusive, it's tactile, and proves thatsometimes, no technology is best. Thatsaid, sales through its website haveexperienced huge growth, with over150,000 visitors a week.

Paperchase, which trades in sevencountries, opened 15 new stores last year,and are planning to open a further 15 in2015. The company also operatesinternationally online. Left: Paperchase's David Bateman and Pamela Cartwright were thekeynote speakers at the London Stationery Show.Above: The London Stationery Show and National Stationery Week set outto 'Get Britain Writing'.

No Death From Digital Paperchase Talks Stationery

l To celebrate NationalStationery Week (April 27-May3)Paperchase offered customers a10% discount through its JustWrite campaign which was seenby over 1 million people.Right: The Paperchase offer to customers.

l KissMeKwik recently opened a pop-up VintageLadybird shop in Rye to coincide with the centenaryof Ladybird Books. The shop showcases all of thecompany's cards and products, plus books both oldand new and exclusive prints.

l Humorous Americangreeting card companyNobleWorks is currentlycelebrating its 35th anniversary.Selected designs are licensed byRecycled Paper Greetings and sold through UKGreetings. To celebrate its milestone anniversary,wholesale customers are being given $35 off of theirpurchase of $350 or more until December 31.

The company, whose slogan is Dare to Laugh,made its debut at the National Stationery Show inNew York in 1980.

Above: Still having a laugh, NobleWorks first employee and nowits president and chief 'cardologist' Ron Kanfi.

l Greeting card and giftretailers are invited to WiddopBinghams annual SummerShow next month. The showtakes place from Monday June22 Friday June 26, as well ason Sunday June 28, at thecompany's showrooms in North Manchester. Theshowroom will be open from 8.30am to 5pmMonday to Friday and 10am 2pm on Sunday.

Andrew Illingworth, sales director, said "Theemphasis on new product development at WiddopBingham ensures that we are constantly bringingfresh and creative products to the market place."Above: Widdop Bingham's showroom.

l After a nationwide search,Maped Helix, which was an officialsponsor of National Stationery Weekin April, has found the oldest OxfordMaths set tin which is owned byKaye Radford, whose maths setdates back to the 1950s. Shereceived a 50 voucher and a hugebundle of Maped Helix stationery.

The company was also on thelook-out for people who use itsstationery for more quirky purposes, such as its pensto clip up hair, pencils to stir tea or pencil tins forstoring sewing kits.

l The Mayor of Leicester, Peter Soulsby, ShadowMinister for Care and Older People, Leicester West MPLiz Kendall and Northampton Saints rugby player, PhilDowson, attended the launch of Taylor Bloxham'snew Heidelberg Speedmaster XL 105 press at thecompany's Leicester premises on Friday 1 May.

l Somerset wholesaler Card and Stationery SouthWest in Wellington has gone into liquidation.

NEWS IN BRIEF

Above: Kaye Radfordwith her winningOxford Maths set tin.

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Eggs-cellent NewsKim Poskitt, owner of Special Thoughts, Doncaster, was thelucky winner of International Cards & Gifts Egg-cellentEaster Giveaway. During March, anyone who made anonline order with a minimum spend of 350 was enteredinto the competition with the chance to win an Eastergoodies hamper. "Were extremely passionate about ourcustomer service and hope this helps to bring a smile toour lovely customers, as a token of our appreciation!" saysthe design department's Megan Corness. "We hope to berunning many more similar competitions in the future."Left: Kim Poskitt with her IC&G Easter goodies hamper.

l As a long-standing supporter of St Margaret'sHospice, employees of envelope company Blake wereat Portsmouth harbour to watch the St Margaret'sHospice Atlantic Challenge Yacht finally dock afterseven months of navigating the Atlantic Ocean.

l As a real Formula 1 fan,Julie Kay (right) is raring togo in her new role withPeartree Heybridge. Shehas joined the Harrogate-based card company as area sales manager for Scotland.

l One of the industryspioneers, Andrew Brownsword,whose eponymous cardpublishing business broughtForever Friends into the world,may no longer have any businessinterests in the card trade (he soldhis business to Hallmark nearly 20years ago), however he recentlyreaffirmed a connection to thetrade. Last month he was made aLiveryman of The Worshipful Company of Stationersand Newspaper Makers at the traditional cloathingceremony held on April 7 at Stationers Hall in the City of London.

The Stationers' Company, with a total membershipof around 880, is the City of London Livery Company forthe communications and content industries. Above: Andrew Brownsword 'cloathed' as a Liveryman of TheWorshipful Company of Stationers.

l Andy Armitage (far right)agent/rep for Paperlink, whocovers the North East, received ahuge trophy for Sales Person ofthe Year which was presented tohim by Bill Greeno, Paperlinksbusiness development manager.In addition, Andy received abonus and a holiday for two toNew York.

Right: Andy Armitage (far right) and Bill Greeno.

l Smiling as broadly as everall through the 26.2 miles, TrudiMarsh of The Lynn Tait Galleryin Leigh-on-Sea, completed therecent London Marathon, herfirst ever marathon, in just overfive hours. She raised 2,500 forAction Medical Research.Right: The smiling Trudi Marsh.

Sad LossOne of the founding fathers of the UK giftwrap industry,Giuliano Scamponi, passed away recently. Giuliano wasthe founder of giftwrap company Italpapers in the1980s and then went on to launch Collage Designs inthe 1990s, before selling the business to UK Greetings. Afew years later, together with his family, he founded theUnique giftwrap company that still trades to this day.

Giuliano was generally recognised as the pioneerof continental style giftwrap in to the UK market,infusing Italian style into what had hitherto been arather parochial sector in the UK.

PEOPLE

For many independentgreeting card retailers,Easter didn't disappoint thisyear, with most shopsreporting increased sales forcards and gifts.

It was a surprisinglygood Easter for JoanneBarber, owner of TheStationery & Gift Boutique,Ampthill. "Historically, Easterhas always been the 'also ran'of the Spring Seasons for us,"she confirms. "So this year, wethought, let's go for it, and itreally was very successful. Wehad a lot more gift offeringsand we sold more cards thanwe have ever sold at Easter.That could have been down topeople celebrating Easter moreor the selection of cards thatwe were selling. Our best sellersincluded designs from RuthJackson and Caroline Gardner,as well as Cinnamon Aitch for its packs offive cards, which was exactly the rightnumber. People didn't seem to wantpacks that were any bigger."

For Rachel Loubser, owner ofMortimer Common Post Office and GiftShop in Reading, Easter sales alsoincreased this year. "Cardwise it wasfantastic. We had more product and itpaid dividends. We also increased ourstockists. Publisher Noel Tatt is alwaysbrilliant, and we also did well with NigelQuiney, Cherry Orchard and UKG."

Rachel highlighted that customers werebuying more single Easter cards than usual,and that, surprisingly, she also sold fewercharity cards. "Customers were still buyingEaster cards in packs but not necessarilythe charity ones," she pointed out.

Another card shopthat reported a recordEaster was Fawcett Cards& Gifts in Brighouse. "Wewere really up this year,"stated owner JohnGilroy. "Our best cardsellers came from SecondNature and UKG. We are aThorntons franchisee andEaster eggs also sold very

well for us."Down in Weybridge,

Russell Glass, owner ofNot Just Silver, also had agood Easter. "It wassurprisingly good, anextremely busy one forus," he confirmed. "Ourconsistent best sellers arecards from Five DollarShake, Woodmansterneand Ling; they were allpopular. In fact, we had to

order in extra cards from Ling."At Celebrations in Stourbridge,

directors Roger Eames and LauraDidehvar said that single Easter cards,especially family cards, sold better thanpacks, which was a first for the shop."The most popular publishers were Ling,UKG and IC&G," confirmed Roger."Cardwise, Easter was definitely betterthan previous years."

Tina Botterill, owner of Cool! Cards& Gifts in Skipton, cited Len Smith'sLen's Ideas photographic range as awinner for her this Easter: "They reallycaptured the essence of Easter and wesold more of these cards than any otherpublishers. I also tend to sell morereligious cards at Easter than I do at anyother time of the year includingChristmas," Tina highlighted.

Eggs-cellent EasterSome Unexpected Best Sellers

Below: Lambs and bunnies were popular on Eastercards. A design from Noel Tatt (top) and Hallmark.

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NEWS

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 27

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Schoolchildren all over the UK will belearning to say thank you through thesending of cards as part of a brand newlesson plan programme that is beingmade available free of charge to teachers.

The GCA is expanding its schoolsresources with the launch of Key Stage 2:Hurrah for Ra!, a gratitude-based projectfor children aged 8-9 years. The projectwas created by an education expertcommissioned by the GCA and theimagery which fronts it is from paper-cutdesigner Yasmin Brooks showing AncientEgyptians giving thanks to Ra, the sun god.

The ancient Egyptians gave thanks tothe sun god Ra, for life, sun and water, andwe use this theme to explore what thechildren feel thankful for and to helpexpress that through making a card," saysSharon Little, ceo of the GCA. She is alsourging everyone in the card industry withprimary school aged children to flag upthe project to teachers they know.

The project (which comprises threelesson plans) is fully mapped into the KeyStage 2 curriculum for English, maths,history, geography, art and design anddesign technology. The project is availablefree of charge in the Schools Resourcesarea of the GCA website(www.greetingcardcardassociation.org.uk)

and will also be available through TeachersPost, Royal Mails education website.

The lesson plans for Hurrah for Ra!include lots of fun activities includingpractical papyrus/paper-making, cardmaking and how to write a message inthe hieroglyph alphabet. It also covers theorigins of writing and Ancient Egyptianculture, expressed through the art andartefacts discovered in KingTutankhamuns tomb. It includes a sessionon Ancient Egyptian history, stylised artand paper-making, which sets up thehistorical context and the craft project.There are four options provided forpapermaking depending on the amountof time the teacher wishes to devote tothis. The final lesson covers Egyptianhieroglyphs and the card-making project.

Hurrah For Ra!School Children Learn To Say Thank You With Cards

Fairytale FinalistsOnce upon a time a search began to find the best greetingcard stockists in the land and then were revealed as thefinalists of The Retas 2015 (see pages 29 and 31 for the full list).

The Retas awards recognise and celebrate the best ingreeting card retailing in the UK across all sectors of the industry.

This years Retas will be especially magical with a classicfairytale theme to the proceedings.

The 11th Retas award event will take place at theprestigious Dorchester Hotel in London on the afternoon ofWednesday July 8.

This years Retas finalists represent the crme de la crmeof greeting card retailing. It really is a fairytale line-up come true!commented Jakki Brown, editor of Progressive Greetings, whichorganises and owns the awards.

The Retas awards event brings together all sectors of the greeting card landscape - publishers,wholesalers and multiple and independent retailers.l For tickets for The Retas contact Clare Davies of Createvents on 0118 3340085 or Email: Clare@createvents.co.uk

Cherry Orchard Enjoys TheFruits Of 20 YearsIt may be 'Fool's Day' for some, but for CherryOrchard, April 1 commemorated the company'ssignificant 20th anniversary. Combiningbusiness with pleasure, a sales conference tookplace on April 2, followed by a dinner and a funquiz night.

"We also had a 'guess the cumulativeyears' served by 13 current employees,"explains md Jackie Collins. "It was won by ourSouth East rep, Jo Bennett, who has beenenjoying her bottle of Bombay Sapphire!"

A specially commissioned celebrationanniversary cake was enjoyed by the CherryOrchard team the following day.

As a 20th wedding anniversary is china,Cherry Orchard is launching bone china mugs to match its Memory Lane card rangein December.Below: The Cherry Orchard gang at the company's 20th anniversary celebrations.

Apologies To Brainbox CandyThere were definitely gremlins at work as PGwas going to press in April. Instead ofincluding the right ad for Brainbox Candy,showing all the company's lovely new 2015designs, an old ad was featured in error.

PG would like to offer huge apologiesto Brainbox Candy, which will be exhibitingat PG Live on stand 334.

Below: The GCA has commissioned the Hurrah for Ra!lesson plan to take greeting cards into the classroom.

Sherwood Fanfares A Rebrand Known simply as 'Sherwood' to most of its greeting card publishercustomers, PG Live will give the former The Sherwood Press Group the opportunity to reinforce its recentrebranding to The Sherwood Group. The word 'Press' has been dropped to emphasise that Sherwood isnot 'just' a printing company, being also involved in packaging and innovative design services.

The rebranding has also included a change of logo typeface to match the company's purapackaginglogo, an important part of Sherwoods business. In addition, to help to balance the company's heritageand history, the oak leaf has been retained and modernised. The company's new website address is:www.sherwoodgroupuk.com

Above: Last year's Retas'winner of the Greeting cardRetailer of The Year category,M&P Cards, owner ofOccasions Cards & Gifts, Fareham.

Card Indie Switches PartyAt the time of going to press (at the end ofApril), The Sun newspaper was backing DavidCameron to stay on as PM, believing that EdMiliband "will be very bad for business."

In a double page spread on April 13,the newspaper invited small businesses togive their views on why they were switchingfrom Labour to Conservative, withindependent card shop owner AlisonLambert of Box of Cards in Leeds among thesmall business owners interviewed. Havingalways voted Labour, Alison revealed thatshe would be voting Tory this time. "It wasbad under Labour," she told The Sun. "TheConservatives have helped my business todevelop. Things have started to get betterunder this government so it makes sense tostick with what we have."Below: Card shop owner Alison Lambert was featured in The Sunin the run up to the election.

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 29

The Retas Rollcall

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - London (inside the M25)l All Good Gifts - Batterseal Card Bureau - Holland Parkl Gift - Crouch Endl Paperlane - Chislehurstl Postmark - Balham, Dulwich and Turnham Greenl Presence - Watford

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - Home Countiesl 1st Stop Stationers - Reigatel Box of Delights - Flitwick l Cards & Gifts for You - Princes Risborough l Creased Cards - Brightonl Panda Cards - St Albansl The Secret Garden - Borough Green

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - East Anglial Cards R Us - South Woodham Ferrers l Just Cards - St Ives, Cambridgshirel Pedlars Gold - Swaffhaml Simply Cards - Wymondham l Sincerely Yours - Shenfield l Thoughtful Expressions - Holt

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - South Westl Card Gallery - Wimborne l Saltash Cards - Saltashl Sentiments - Burnham on Seal Skoops Cards - Cinderfordl Soukous - Bristoll Tidings - Cirencester

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - Wales and the Midlandsl Every Occasion - three stores in Bedworth,

Kingstanding and Wigston

l Nice Thoughts - Coleshilll Sentiments - Whitchurchl Set - Leicesterl Something Special - Prestatyn and Moldl The Tutbury Present Company - Tutbury

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - North and Northern Irelandl The Card Gallery - Pontefractl Dragonfly Cards & Gifts - Knaresboroughl Gorgeous Gifts and Cards - Birkenshaw l Mantons - Isle of Manl More Than Cards - Sheffieldl Unit 7 and Presentation - Manchester, Birmingham

and Barrowford

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer - Scotlandl Clocktower Cards - Lerwick l Everyone's Designs - Edinburghl The Gift Boutique - Fraserburghl Hallmark Gold Crown - Parkhead Forgel Kairds - Kirkwall l Strachans - Inverurie

Best Greeting Card Retailer Newcomer Southl ETC - Islington, Londonl Hallmark Celebrate - Chigwell, Essexl Maythers - Westminster, London l Memories - Twickenhaml Rhymes with Orange - Central London l Temptation Gifts - Beaconsfield

Best Greeting Card Retailer Newcomer Northl Cool! Cards & Gifts - Skiptonl Little Paperie - Ashbourne l Love Letters - Anlaby, Hulll Penny Black - Glasgowl Quirky Coo - Dundeel Signatures From The Heart - Preston

The UK's greeting card retailing 'legends' will be once again celebrated at The Retas Awards.Recognising the 'giant' contribution that card retailers, large and small, make to the success of the greeting card industry, The

Retas Awards will be honouring card retailers and stockists whose activities in the last year have been magical. The Retas winners will be unveiled at a lavish Fairytale Ball themed afternoon event at The Dorchester Hotel on Wednesday July 8.

The Retas 2015 Finalists

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 31

Best Independent Bookstore Retailer ofGreeting Cardsl Barnes Bookshop - Barnes, Kew and East Sheenl Bookends - Christchurchl The Bookshop - Loughton l Chorleywood Bookshop - Chorleywoodl St. Paul's Bookshop - Ramsey l Walkers Bookshops - Stamford and Oakham

Best -Non Specialist Independent Retailer ofGreeting Cards - Northl Church Gallery - Kirby Stephenl Harriet & Dee - Manchester and Chesterl Pippin - Edinburghl Polka Dot - Castle Douglas and Dumfriesl Tippecanoe - Portree, Skyel Westmorland - Penrith

Best Non-Specialist Independent Retailer ofGreeting Cards - Southl Art For Arts Sake - Muswell Hilll Calladoodles - Carshaltonl Calliope Gifts - Dorking and Altonl The Country House Gift Company - Winscombel Darts Farm Village - Topshaml KP News and Stationers - Wallingford

Best Greeting Card Small Multiple (4-20 stores)l 3 Wishes - Lymington, West Moors, Verwood

and Ringwood l All Wrapped Up - Thame, Heathfield, Uckfield, Crawleyl Funky Pigeon/Paper & Script - 12 storesl House of Cards - seven stores in the Home Countiesl iCandy - 14 stores in Essex and Hertsl Occasions Cards & Gifts/M&P Cards - 8 stores in

the Home Counties and the south

Best Department Store Retailer of Greeting Cardsl Barkers - Northallertonl Beales - Bournemouthl Fenwick - Newcastlel Jarrold - Norwichl John Lewis - Oxford Street, Londonl Tynwald Mills - Isle of Man

Best Supermarket Retailer of Greeting Cardsl Asdal Boothsl Morrisonsl Sainsburys l Tesco l Waitrose

Best Non-Specialist Multiple Retailer ofGreeting Cards (4+ stores)l Blackwells - 46 stores nationwidel Foyles - five stores in London and Bristoll The Lemon Tree - Seven stores in Surrey and Kent

l National Trust - 200+ stores nationwidel Oliver Bonas - 42 stores nationwidel Utility - Four stores in Liverpool and London

Best Specialist Multiple Retailer of GreetingCards (20+ stores)l Card Factoryl Cardlandl Cardzone l Clintonsl Paperchasel Scribbler

Best Garden Centre Retailer of Greeting Cardsl Frosts - Woburn Sandsl Gordale Garden and Home Centre - South Wirrall Grosvenor Garden Centre - Chesterl Hawley Garden Centre - Canterburyl Klondyke/Strikes - 24 branches nationwidel Longacres - Bagshot

Best Greeting Card Retailer Initiative (for a specificproject or initiative undertaken by a retailer topromote card sales)l Austin & Co, Malvern - for its dog friendly promotionl Forget Me Not, Stubbington - for its WW1

centenary activitiesl The Gift Box, Peebles - for its Thinking of You

Week promotionl House of Cards, Home Counties - for its Ladder

Club promotion l The Lynn Tait Gallery, Leigh-on-Sea - for its WW1

design competitionl Red Card, Petworth - for its Valentines

calligraphy event

Best Greeting Card Service Based Wholesalerl Archway Cards - Norwichl Budget Greeting Cards - Seven Branchesl CAPS - Buryl Crosswear Trading - Enfield l Greetings House - Walsalll Jacksons - Sheffield

Greeting Card Retailer of the YearTo be announced at The Retas Awards. The winners ofthe other categories are finalists in this category.

Greeting Card Retail Employee of the Yearl Matthew Anderson, manager of 1st Stop Stationers,

Reigatel Kym Baker, manager of Cardzone, Farnsfieldl Lynda Hilbert, manager of Just Write, North Finchleyl Lauren Keen, manager of Sentiments, Burnham on Seal Vivian Laing, sales assistant of Signatures From The

Heart, Prestonl Sharon McMahon, manager of Nice Thoughts, Coleshilll Lynda Wells, manager of Love It, Stamfordl Kerry Young, manager of Thoughtful Expressions, Holt

The Retas Rollcall

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 33

Over The Counter

Da-da, da-da, DA-DA,

dadadadadadDADADADAAAA!!!!

Now those of you of a certain age might

get the opening line of this article and others

might be thinking that I am practicing my

singing scales! It is of course, the theme tune

to one of the top 10 movies of all time... Jaws.

Unbelievably, Jaws is 40 years old this

year (on June 20). It broke all box office

records in 1975 when it was released, grossing

an amazing $470 million dollars worldwide in

the process. More importantly it was the first

of what we now know as the

summer blockbuster.

Traditionally back then the

months of June, July and August

were regarded as the low season in

the film industry and the studios

relied on cheap summer drive-in

movies to keep them going. Film

studios stacked their big movie

releases around the winter months

where it was assumed the public

wanted to escape the weather and

darkness by buying a ticket for the

movie theatre.

Its director, Steven Spielberg and the

film studio (Universal) however decided to

hold back Jaws until everyone was on the

beach, reckoning the ultimate thrill ride

would play better if the audience had been

experiencing what they were watching. This

trick worked perfectly and not only did

people enjoy it the first time, but with word

of mouth the film became a must see and

indeed a repeat watch!

Jaws was also the first film which

decided to do its marketing in a different way.

They spent three times the amount normal

pictures did at that time. Its trailer shocked

and teased, the adverts highlighted the classic

silhouette of the shark and swimmer in the

water, even its press tours were held on

beaches, and publicity stunts such as Jaws ice

creams with strawberry sauce, doubling up as

blood, added to the excitement further! And

so the summer blockbuster was born and the

film world has never looked back.

While not quite on the level of Jaws, our

summer blockbuster arrives this month, PG

Live 2015. It is now in its seventh year and

continues to grow.

Like the makers of Jaws, the organisers of

PG Live set out to do something different.

They wanted to make all buyers feel like VIPs.

They wanted to bring all elements of our

industry under one roof, and create a different

experience for any of us who had been jaded

by years and years of trade fairs. They also

wanted to make it affordable to small

publishers, yet give them the same chance of

exposure to the major card buyers in the UK.

They wanted to showcase the best Britain,

and indeed the world, had to offer in terms of

Independent cards and gift retailer, David Robertson,co-owner of JP Pozzi in Scotland, cuts into the deepwaters of PG Live.

Card SharksLookout

Top: The iconic Jaws movie poster.Above: The Avatar film amazed viewers with its 3D effects.Below: Last year David Robertson spent his Retas Golden Ticket on PocketTypewriter's stand at PG Live.

33-34-35.qxd_Grid 23/04/2015 08:21 Page 33

design, board and captions.

Indeed, they wanted to make

a blockbuster of a card show.

And they have certainly

d o n e t h i s b y b r i n g i n g

practically all the major players

in the card and stationery

world under the Business

Design Centres roof - and with

a free lunch and free watering

stations thrown in!

They have also created an

excellent networking event on

the Tuesday night with an after party, and

continue to recognise those who are at the

top of their greeting card game throughout

the UK. But what the show has also done,

very successfully in my opinion, is continue

to evolve and show us more with each

annual sequel.

Think of the movies and the surprise

when we saw ET for the first time, or the

wonderment when the dinosaurs walked in

Jurassic Park. These were amazing summer

cinema moments, but they have now been

topped when the blue race of Pandora in

Avatar leapt from your screen in 3D or when

the Avengers first got together. In the same

manner as these films, each year PG Live will

need to keep raising the bar to keep the

audience queuing for tickets.

My point being that PG Live cannot

simply say, well all the main stars (companies)

are present. PG Live has to be the place that

buyers see it first. It has to be where card

companies large and small have their

worldwide premiere of new products. It has to

be the place where everyone feels they have

to be and be seen.

Thinking about this years show, then

that is certainly the case:

UKG and Hallmark, the Spielberg and

Cameron of the blockbuster card directors

world, are both launching a raft of new

product at the show. UKG will debut a vast

array of comedy to totally refresh its offering,

and everyone loves a bit of humour. UKG, is

also making the most of its licence for

established long-term blockbusting

favourites, Disney and Marvel, taking them

into humour for the first time, and the hunger

for these characters never seems to abate.

While there are also rumbles of

humorous launches from Hallmark too at the

show (a relaunch of its Shoebox line for

starters), and the publisher is really banking

on some of the 35 million viewers of the Star

Wars: Episode Vll The Force Awakens trailer

to buy its brand new card range based on this

mega movie franchise.

These huge franchises are one thing, but

PG Live has a lot more than that to offer.

Paperlink this year will celebrate three

decades of greeting card hits with its largest

ever single launch of product at the show, and

Gemma will go all Jurassic on us as it brings

out a card range that is far from pre-historic.

The up and coming films trailer is second

only to Star Wars in terms of views, so be sure

that Gemma will be making a mighty roar

about it. Avanti too has a new director in the

form of GBCC (its now distributing Avantis

cards within the UK) and this reboot may be

good value for both established brands.

So like every movie experience, to really

enjoy it the way it was intended and to really

get the most from it, you have to see it on

the big screen, and by that I mean attend PG

Live. Reading about it or

hearing about it is ok, but it in

no way will inspire you when it

comes to the product in your

store. I am not a lover of DVDs

or watching films on a tablet. I

want to be immersed in the

screen and be taken to a

different world. In much the

same way, the show transports

you and focuses you on finding

what you really need to stand

out in your store.

Last year I went looking for

specific niche card captions and

found them and more with

IC&G. Couple this with the

publishers leading personal touch and

service, and you will perhaps see why it now

has 25% of my ticketed space in two of my

stores. IC&Gs owners reached off the screen

and arranged a meeting with me last year and

now the business relationship has gone from

strength to strength. These types of

experiences can only be gained from actually

going to the trade shows.

Also one of my main focuses at last years

show was to discover if Amscan had changed

its policy of wanting to deal directly with

indies. Again, a positive meeting, a good order

and everything was tied up, with the company

winging my order North. This account is also

serviced through Cardgains and means we

benefit from the terms that it provides.

I think of these two meetings as being

akin to viewing a film where you know what

to expect. Its like watching the new Fast &

Furious 7 film, you know there are going to be

amazing cars, crazy stunts and good looking

girls, but equally, sometimes you go to a

movie and are surprised at what works and

what keeps you going back to watch.

Speaking of good looking girls, publisher

Molly Mae is in attendance at PG Live with its

34 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Above: Hallmark 'feels the force' at PGLive this year with its Star Warsbrand. The film is out later this year.Right: The Marvel Comics brand has alarge fan base. UKG highlights someof its superheroes on its card designs.Below left: A bonnie hot seller in David's stores, a wedding card from Molly Mae. Below right: Bexy Boo will be one of the fresh, rising talents exhibiting at PG Live this year.

Over The Counter

33-34-35.qxd_Grid 23/04/2015 08:21 Page 34

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 35

Over The Counter

quirky greeting cards, but I find its foreign

language ones the best! Its Scottish dialect

cards, especially its wedding kilt design, are an

outright smash, and have kept my shop

audience coming back time and again.

Bexy Boo is another leading lady just

now that the customers cant get enough of,

and established stars such as Five Dollar and

Belly Button continue to shine.

The beauty of PG Live is that it is packed

full of card companies where you know what

you are going to get, but there are also lots of

companies that may tempt you with that

allusive card title.

Death by Tea, Designed by Mrs Lovesy,

Whale and Bird and Bonnie Blackbird are all

card publishers at PG Live that are on my

must view list this year. In truth, it is these

quirky newbies that really get me interested

and Im watching them closely.

PG Live is actually becoming very well

known as the place to source these fresh and

unusual card publishers, and it is coveted as

the place where new companies can

break out hits in an affordable way on a

national stage. These publishers should

think of PG Live as their film trailer. This

exhibition is their two minutes in which

they have the opportunity to make an

impression on buyers large and small.

They are able to build the anticipation,

perhaps of future ranges, and tempt us

the viewer (buyer) into becoming a fan of

their particular design or product.

The Springboard area at PG Live

allows the new enthused fresh

designers to come to the fore. It gives

them the screen time to allow their

product to be seen and to get as many eyes

on it as possible. Eyes and buys can then

mean word of mouth, and as all businesses

know, that is really the way you grow

properly and organically.

Great films, like greeting cards, can stir

many strong emotions. In particular it is these

new publishing stars that can make me really

excited and emotional! In fact, it is merely

some dust from Tatooine (a fictional desert

planet in the Star Wars movies) in my eye, not

an excited tear!

Visitor numbers for PG Live continue to

grow, but as I said in my prequel column to

this last year, there are still not enough visitors

from further North.

So come on fellow retailersmovies are

best experienced on the big screen. You want

to be there in the cinema with the smell of

the popcorn and the excited anticipation and

chatter, and it is the same at PG Live.

At trade shows I always look to see

what stands are causing a stir. It is a real

indicator if its a hot item if you watch the

way others react to product. Not everyone

can be wrong though may be its not for you

and your shop.

This year is regarded as the year of the

blockbuster, with everything from Bond,

Avengers and Star Wars to ferocious dinosaurs

and trash talking teddy bears. PG Live is our

industry blockbuster, where the stars of the

card world for this year, stretching into next,

will be born - but of course not all of

them will be smash hits earning massive

returns. Some publisher stars will wane,

while some may just go tired and end

up as a bad remake of past glories. The

point is that if you are not there then

you cant make up your mind for

yourself. The point is that if you dont

watch you cant judge. So the message

from this film reviewer is get your ticket

and get along to the show (June 2-3), it

really is a 10/10 experience!

To contact David email:jppozzi@btconnect.com

Top: With this Bonnie Blackbirddesign, showing at PG Live, you canpost hugs in a card.Above right: A ferociously fabulous(and apologetic) Death By Tea card.See the whole range at PG Live.Inset: The new Jurassic World film orPG Live, the summer crowds will beafter a ticket.

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Its easy when you are successful to think

that every so-called victory and

achievement is down to you and that

somehow you are walking on water, or as in

Icarus case, flying high. You believe you/your

company are invincible, somehow blessed.

You have a special talent! You are unique!

But ultimately, it is important to realise that if

you think this way you are just being

delusional and should, like Icarus, be mindful

not too get too close to the sun!

Some few very lucky people actually

go through life without ever experiencing

reverses. The fortunate just have more ups

than downs. Hard work and drive

undoubtedly plays a big part in financial and

personal success. Cardsharp concurs with

what the legendary golfer Arnold Palmer

said once: Its really funny, the harder I

practice, the luckier I get!

And as politician Enoch Powell,

famously pointed out, that all political

careers ultimately end in failure.

All of this made Cardsharp think

the same could be said of all

business careers. Ultimately as an

entrepreneur, you either sell out, pass

the business on to your kids, or go

bust! And then of course death is the

great equaliser.

Cardsharps philosophical mood

was prompted by considering the

financial performances of some big retail

names, which made him think that however

successful you are as an organisation it can

all go horribly wrong.

Take Tesco, which up to a couple of

years ago, and before the rise of Card

Factory, was the largest retailer of greeting

cards in the UK. The noughties was a decade

where it looked as if Tesco was intent

on world domination. It was a global

monolith that looked as though it was

extending its brand into every aspect of

our life, not just our weekly shop, but our

local one as well. And our garden centre

shop. And our banking. And our insurance

and our mortgage requirements. Terry

Leahy, its head honcho at the time, was

feted by politicians and the media as a

genius as he whizzed around the globe in

his Tesco company jet. Its international

expansion suggested Tesco was seeking

global domination.

Not so now! Last month Tesco reported

one of the largest losses in biggest

corporate history and the biggest ever in

retail, a staggering 6.4 billion loss in one

year - almost four times the annual turnover

CARDSHARP

36 PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE

Before A Fall?Perhaps prompted by thewarmer climes and the hottingup on the industry front,Cardsharp found himselfthinking about the ancientGreek fable of Icarus recently.Icarus, having mastered theart of flying with the aid ofartificial wings made offeathers and bees wax, is soeuphoric at his achievementthat he flies higher and higher,only to see the sun melt thewax content of the wings andhe crashes to his death.

Cardsharp mused abouthow everybody suffers fromhubris at some stage in theirlife, however humble andmodest we all pretend to be.

Hubris Or Pride

Above: Jacob Peter Gowy's The Flight of Icarus.

36-37.qxd_Layout 1 28/04/2015 10:42 Page 36

of the whole of the UKs greeting card sales.

Admittedly some of Tescos losses were

technical and reflected a change in the

value of its property assets, but still a

considerable chunk was down to its general

retail trading. With new managing director

David Lewis throwing every bit of bad news

into the figures, the implication is that

Tescos current plight was a result of

previous bad management decisions taken

in the Leahy era - from hero to villain all in

the space of three years!

Despite no longer being number one

when it comes to greeting card sales in the

UK, Tesco is still a huge player in the

greeting card market and so when it

catches a cold, the entire greeting card

industry sneezes with it.

Tescos plight reminded Cardsharp of

another former market leader of greeting

card retailing, Clintons. Looking back to 15

years ago, Clintons seemed to be heading

towards total domination of specialist card

retailing. Over the 1990s it had gradually

swallowed up all of its competitors. It had

opened a prestigious greeting card

superstore in Londons Oxford Street and

was heading towards 1,000 stores. Its

chairman and founder Don Lewin OBE was

seen as an iconic figure. There was even a

campaign underway for him to be awarded

a knighthood. Dons autobiography, that

traces his rise from a humble squaddie and

son of a chimney sweep to millionaire

greeting card mogul, was displayed in the

window of hundreds of its shops. Yet within

a few years, after the acquisition of

Birthdays, which was one acquisition too

far, the whole edifice came crumbling

down with Clintons going bust, ironically a

move facilitated by its biggest supplier,

American Greetings. And so just like Terry

Leahy, Don Lewins huge achievements

over decades were overshadowed by the

final chapter in the story.

Both Tescos and Clintons fall from

grace stemmed from over ambition or flying

too close to the sun. Perhaps sometimes a

bit of retail pragmatism, although not eye-

catching or headlining grabbing, can bring

sustainable success as the example of

WHSmith aptly demonstrates. For as long as

Cardsharp can remember, he has been

reading the headline Profits rise

despite falling sales every six

months as the stationer reports

its financials. And last months

interim results are no exception.

Sales in its high street stores fell

by 5% in the six months until the

end of February, but profits were

up, buoyed by a good

performance in its travel division.

Smiths, like Tesco and

Clintons, has also held the

distinction of one time being the

market leader in greeting card

retail sales, although admittedly it was over a

generation ago. And it has never quite

forgotten that fact, hence its repeated

attempts to re-establish its greeting card

credentials. Cardmarket, WHSmiths attempt

to do a Card Factory type value operation,

was launched in a blaze of publicity last

autumn and now trades from 20 stores, but

reading behind the lines of its financial

reports Performance varies by store and

the trial is ongoing - it does not seem to

have set the world alight. It is too soon to

declare victory and way too soon to admit

defeat, commented WHS chief executive

Stephen Clarke about Cardmarket when

questioned about its value chain, before

swiftly moving on to enthuse about its new

local independent franchise type operation.

Funnily enough there was little mention of

its more trendy greeting card retail

operation Funky Pigeon, which Cardsharp

hears on the greeting card grapevine is

performing quite well. This to Cardsharps

mind makes it even more surprising that

Smiths has not, as yet, made a move on the

market retail chain Paperchase, especially as

Stephen Clarke identified stationery as the

one of the key growth areas for the plc.

Hubris is not a word one would

associate with WHSmith (although

Cardsharp remembers Private Eyes

nickname for the stationer, rechristening it

WH Smug 20 years ago). Consistent, steady,

pragmatic are words that more readily

come to mind about dear old WHSmith. But

those virtues have seen it adapt and evolve

over its near 200 year history. And that is

why it will probably never fail as a business

like Clintons did or report the largest loss in

retail history like Tesco has just done.

Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned there.

If you do fly, make sure your wings are made

of a heat resistant material, concluded

Cardsharp, waxing lyrically!

CARDSHARP

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 37

Above: The old facia of Clinton Cards when run by Don Lewin.Below right: Pragmatic and steady are words best used to describe WHSmiths.Bottom: Tesco has recently suffered a staggering 6.4 billion loss.

36-37.qxd_Layout 1 28/04/2015 10:42 Page 37

Mint Publishing presents...

Visit us on Stand 217at PG Live 2015!

(e) sales@mint-publishing.co.uk (t) 0116 230 4197 (f) 01536 401 031

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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 39

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