Sales rise by 11%, £1.5bn spent on single cards – more revealed at GCA annual conference
The GCA UK Greeting Card Market Report confirms that greeting card sales are bouncing back in bricks-and-mortar retail.
The annual research report reveals that retail sales of greeting cards are up on pre-pandemic levels from 2019, with the UK public having spent more than £1.5 billion on single cards alone, over the last year (2021), an increase of 11% on the year previous, reinforcing the population’s continuing engagement with greeting cards.
Full details of this significant Market Report, which also delves into sales of Spring Seasons and other occasions cards by volume and value will be revealed at the GCA annual Conference next week, at Nottingham Trent University, on Thursday 29 September.
In the survey, based largely on data from GCA publisher members, for the first time the research included questions on sustainability, with 88% of respondents taking/or planning to take some action to reduce their respective company’s environmental impact.
Adding to this invaluable trade insight there will also be a presentation by leading consumer market research specialist Kantar, who will be sharing its latest consumer insights in relation to greeting cards, important at a time when consumer behaviour is continuing to change post-Covid.
To hear all details of the annual Market Report and Kantar’s Consumer insight, this is your last chance to book your ticket for the Conference and AGM as there are just 10 places remaining.
To book your ticket click here while more information is available here.
The Conference will also feature the Graduate Open Call, showcasing at least 10 illustration graduates picked by former Hallmark, Moonpig and Tigerprint/M&S creative director Geoff Sanderson, who is leading the bid to show just how brilliant the industry can be for students, to find out more and book to meet the students click here.
Geoff will also be addressing the Conference, while key issues affecting the industry, such as sustainability, diversity, supply chain challenges, and the impact of cost-of-living increases and changes in consumer behaviour will be touched on by speakers including The Art File’s Ged Mace; The Sherwood Group’s Richard Bacon; Jon May of Mooch Gifts & Home; and Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire Sir John Peace.
On the social front, anyone in the area the evening before is invited to join Paul and James Taylor, md and trading director of multiple retailer Cardzone, as they host a meet-up drink in the city centre from 5.30pm on September 28. The Art File’s James Mace will be organising this event and there will also be the opportunity to order food.
To enjoy the fun opportunity to network ahead of the conference, please email James on james@theartfile.com so he can share full details of the evening’s plans.
Top: The UK public’s love of cards continues with gusto.
