Just over a year into her stride as card and wrap buyer for Sainsbury’s, Carly Pearson has led the team which has seen the grocer massively overhaul its greeting card selection, introduce new bespoke branding and is now underway on trials with new fixturing which gives cards full facing.
Carly was put on the spot by PG Buzz to reveal a bit more about herself and her insights.
How do you start the day/end the day? “A deep breath and a big stretch!”
What three words would your friends use to describe you? “To the point.”
You came into cards following other buying jobs on technology and homewares, what attracted you to your current role? “I have always been a greeting card fan on a personal level. Having seen the rise and fall of so many products in the ‘new technology’ field, it is great to have a role that is in such a robust product area, but where there is still growth potential.”
What is your fave card sending occasion or event? “Wedding – a great opportunity to send beautiful cards with real meaning.”
What is your guilty pleasure? “Watching back to back episodes of ‘Say yes to the dress’ – and I’m not even engaged!”
Sainsbury’s is growing its share about the card market. Do you think this will harm independents? “We might have 26 million transactions in our stores every week, but they are not all buying greeting cards, far from it! Our customers buy their cards from many different places. I personally am a big supporter of independent shops, they offer something different to us. The British public spent £1.7 billion on cards last year – there is room for us all. The main thing is that the consumer is offered a fabulous selection so that they will carry on this great British tradition.”
Who do you wish you could receive a card from? “The Queen… fingers crossed I get to 100!”
Where do you most like to escape to? “Honfleur in France.”
How do you ‘switch off’? “With a large glass of Sauvignon followed by another one!”
