When it comes to threats to a greeting card indie’s business, it is supermarkets that top the poll, with over half (52%) of independent card retailers viewing them as a bane to their business, and an additional 20% go so far as to describe grocers as a ‘serious threat’.
How do you view the supermarkets’ expansion on the greeting card front?
These statistics came to light in the recent PG Retail Barometer, the only annual research into the business patterns and views of independent greeting card stockists.
Continuing a pattern of the last few years’ Barometer findings, supermarkets are seen as the bête noir by indies, due to their enviable footfall, invariably free parking as well as the grocers’ improvements in greeting card selection and display.
As to other business dampeners, not unexpectedly Card Factory ranks highly, cited as as a threat by 48% of independent card retailers, though just over one in ten of indies view the ever-growing value multiple as a ‘serious threat’.
How do you currently view Card Factory?
Moreover, seemingly indies have become more confident in the co-existence with Card Factory, with almost half (49%) now feeling neutral about the UK’s largest card retailer.
Interestingly, unable to match the countless personalised design permutation and ‘touch of a keypad’ convenience, Moonpig, Thortful, Funky Pigeon and other print-on-demand operators are viewed by 32% of indies as a threat to their business.
How do you view Moonpig, Funky Pigeon, Thortful and other print-on-demand operators?
Other than Card Factory, other specialist card multiples are not viewed as a significant threat to an independents business, most seeing merit in the high prominence that national operators such as Paperchase, Clintons and Scribbler give greeting cards.
How do you currently view Paperchase?
8% Serious Threat
15% Threat
72% Neutral
5% Bonus
How do you currently view Clintons?
3% Serious Threat
18% Threat
74% Neutral
5% Bonus
More findings of the recent PG Retail Barometer, an extensive research survey involving all Cardgains’ members (which account for 1,000 rooftops) as well as an additional 1,000+ non-Cardgains’ members can be seen in the February edition of Progressive Greetings (click to pages 43-49).
Top: Supermarkets’ improved offer and huge footfall has made them the number one threat for indies.
