The nation may be in lockdown, but the heart of the greeting card community is still beating strongly, despite the fact that so many of the physical card shops have been forced online and the vast majority of card publishing are now working from their ‘home office’.
Publishers are continuing to come up with ways of helping retail stockists, retailers/online operators are being equally inventive in ensuring that the all-important sending of greeting cards continues to bring benefits, not just for the senders and recipients, but for many good causes too.
In a message of support to its retail stockists, Caroline Gardner team acknowledges that: “the Covid-19 virus outbreak is the last thing any of us needs, and people are understandable worried from a number of standpoints. But, however it is important for us all to remain positive and to remember we are all in it together.”
In addition to offering a 15% on all orders, extending its terms to 60 days and reduce its carriage paid to £120, the company has also devised artwork for gift vouchers that retailers can use for their customers to redeem once they are up and running again.
Bex Hassett, founder of Bexy Boo has been helping in a different way, turning her design talents towards supporting her local Knutsford retail community. Bex created the artwork for a poster which is being used to encourage people to ‘shop small, shop local and support the indies’
The poster is being distributed across all local businesses for use on social media and in their shops so if they are closed people can still order and buy from their local ‘High Street’. Bex is featured in the Knutsford Guardian explaining why she felt compelled to create the poster. “I drew the picture because I felt I had to do something to help the High Streets. By shopping local you support these lovely people, their livelihoods and families. My business is designing greeting cards and supplying to independent shops across the country. Without them, I won’t be able to continue to do what I love to do,” said Bex.
Lucy Maggie of Lucy Maggie Designs has come up with a way of creating solidarity among so many that now find themselves working from home while raising much needed funds for animal shelter and animal protection charities. Lucy is donating 70% of the profits from the sale of a specially created ‘Stay Home Club’ range of stationery and mugs to animal charities. As she points out: “lack of food for animals due to panic buying and people abandoning pets in fear of them carrying the virus means that these organisations are really struggling. As a pet owner, this really hits home, and I really want to do something to help.”
Meanwhile card publisher Gabrielle Izen of Gabrielle Izen Designs is looking to help raise funds for her Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust through the sale of a specially created collection of personalised cards under the brand of Post Your Love that can be sent direct to the recipient.
“During this time of country-wide self-isolation, I have had the opportunity to think about my business, what I can do for the community and what I can give back. Watching the news and seeing how this crisis is developing and what it means for all of us, is of course deeply concerning, “ says Gabrielle. “Like most people, I have been amazed and humbled by what our doctors, nurses, support staff and care workers are doing to look after patients, the vulnerable and elderly so wanted to give something back.”
Gabrielle is to donate 50% of profits from the sales of all items in the ‘Post Your Love’ collection.
Top: Some of the items in the Lucy Maggie Stay Home Club range.
