House of Cards, STL Agency, Eco-Friendly Card Co and Enveco work out pips
The first quarter of 2023 may have been fairly juicy for the greetings industry, there were still a few pips that proved troublesome.
With the coronation and bonus bank holiday on the horizon, PG Buzz checked in with some of those in card community to find out how the first chunk of the year panned out for them and what their expectations are for this current quarter – as well as what would put a spring in their step right now.
In the latest in this series, we hear from House of Cards’ Miles Robinson, Richard Pass of STL Agency, Sue Morrish from The Eco-Friendly Card Company, and Enveco’s John Jones…
Miles Robinson, co-owner of House of Cards seven Home Counties stores
First quarter
“It was quite mixed quarter coming after a less-than-sparkling Christmas and dealing with the residual stock, to a fair Valentine’s Day, excellent Mother’s Day and Easter was a little up, and steady. Overall, extremely positive given the challenges we’re all dealing with.”
Second quarter hunch
“I think the coronation should be very good for trade, with its extra bank holiday it’s an unknown but a great opportunity for extra sales of royal/party product. This will be countered by the rather large National Minimum Wage increase kicking in and the business rates hike hitting those larger retailers that don’t get the generous retail discounts smaller businesses will enjoy this year.”
What would put a spring in your step?
“For Royal Mail to sort themselves out and reduce the cost of postage – in fact scrub that…actually give us a postal service that works first!”
Your happy business news
“I think for us it was moving our Chalfont St Peter store, a very well-established branch, last autumn, taking a fair risk in doing so although it was a sweet deal in my words, and then to see it pay off and completely exceed our expectations. The confidence it’s given the whole company is really very thrilling to see. We’re also concentrating on the detail, lots of in-store training on product, merchandising and IT systems, all in an effort to be as efficient as possible.”
Richard Pass, independent sales agent, founder of STL Agency in the north of England
First quarter
“Generally, all the retailers commented that, while it’s been tough, they’re doing OK. which is a strong message that, as an industry, we’re in a good place. The low has been the constant negative news about the cost-of-living crisis and the new price of stamps.
“The highs have been the fantastic new designs and ranges publishers have been bringing out. Redback Cards’ Moji range, the new designs from Dandelion Stationery. and Alljoy Design’s 3D card selections are three that immediately come to mind.”
Second quarter hunch
“I have a feeling the industry will do very well across Easter, the coronation and Father’s Day. Everyone loves to celebrate and the more reasons we can give for people to buy and send cards the better. Crucially these three events are spaced rather well, allowing retailers to maximise their displays and really entice the consumer.”
What would put a spring in your step?
“Apart from winning the lottery…sunshine, to help people feel more positive and hopefully bring them out to spend!”
Your happy business news
“There’s a new range coming out from Alljoy Design, called Paper Theatre, and Flame Tree Publishing is moving its distribution from 1 May, which will help ensure these fabulous products get in to store even faster.”
Sue Morrish, md of The Eco-Friendly Card Company
First quarter
“Our first two trade shows of the year – Exeter Giving & Living and Spring Fair – were both incredibly buoyant. The post-Covid hangover seemed to have cleared and retailers were out there looking for new product which is great.
“It felt very different to all the doom-and-gloom there was about the economy on the news – I guess the lesson there is take the news with a pinch of salt! I think a low has to be stamp prices going up so much again, it’s frustrating, especially coming after the strikes.”
Second quarter hunch
“A lot of our stockists are in touristy areas such as coastal and national parks, so an extra bank holiday and extra tourism is always good for them. The second quarter of the year is always pretty busy for us – we don’t do Father’s Day or Easter cards so we benefit from the extra space being freed up on the shelves after these events, as retailers look for something different to put out in those spaces.”
What would put a spring in your step?
“Although paper prices have settled, some of the price rises we saw last year were astronomical, with some of my papers going up by over 40% in just the last quarter of 2022. I’d like the paper mills and paper merchants to review those increases that were decided at quite a turbulent time, rather than setting them in stone. More options for 100% recycled papers would increase competition and help with this.”
Your happy business news
“We’ve increased the amount of own-label work we’re producing for charities and retailers, including calendars, notecard stationery, Christmas cards and advent calendars. Some of this has included dedicated photography from my husband Scott. It’s always really special to create a beautiful product for a client who shares our passion for strong environmental credentials.”
John Jones, sales director of specialist envelope company Enveco
First quarter
“Steady, very steady, but after the last couple of years we’ll take steady! We had a really successful Spring Fair with the launch of new colours and recycled papers which has put us in a good position for the year ahead. Not receiving notifications of paper price increases for three months has been a massive relief while the announcement of postage price increases is a real concern.”
Second quarter hunch
“I’ve been really looking forward to the second quarter…some nicer weather, PG Live and lots of Christmas production.”
What would put a spring in your step?
“Any news that inflation, interest rates, and energy prices are reversing and, if it’s not too much to ask, Watford making it to the Championship play-offs would be great.”
Your happy business news
“We are very proud of the installation of a new cutting press which will increase capacity and looking forward to the arrival of a recently-purchased envelope machine which will increase our window and peel-&-seal production.”
These Viewpoints also appeared in the April edition of Progressive Greetings magazine which can be read online here, or you can subscribe here to receive the magazine by post each month.
Top: Miles Robinson, Richard Pass, Sue Morrish and John Jones speak up
