Magazine’s physical and digital editions are ready to read
The new year is underway good and proper now that Progressive Greetings’ January 2024 edition landed a fair few days ago, and the digital version of the magazine has been uploaded too!
Bursting with industry news and views, retailer perspectives, cracking articles and tons of product newness, it makes for a good read as we embrace 2024.
From Woodmansterne’s significant launch into gift packaging and the sad death of industry stalwart Derek Hanley to Cardfactory’s Christmas marketing campaign and Asda’s card-centric commissioned video, the news pages cover lots of happenings. Click here to see them.
With Christmas being such a crucial trading period, which came good in the end for many, Viewpoints covers the jitters and the encouraging signs from indies. Click here to get a feel.
There’s more indie insights from Stationery Supplies’ Sarah Laker, who relives some of the inventive initiatives that she instigated for her two shops over the last year. To be inspired, click here.
Having been on a growth spurt on two counts, both with Lark’s store openings as well as their family, the indie retail chain’s co-founding couple Priya and Dom Crowe have certainly been busy. Click here to read their story.
The new year is a time of reflection and looking forward to possibilities. As the Year Of The Dragon gets fully underway columnist David Robertson unleashes his musings, highlighting how people born in this year typically symbolise authority, prosperity, and good luck. Click here to read his thoughts.
And there are more takes on what the coming year is likely to bring for our industry, both challenges and opportunities, as several members of the GCA council share their views, with more to follow in the upcoming February edition of the mag. Click here to see what their views are.
“Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be” is the witty headline of Cardsharp’s column which sees him indulge in a few reflections covering the last 33 years – from burning business issues to what Black Sabbath has in common with the UK greeting card industry. Click here to read his musings.
With a career passport crammed with 25 years of stamps from FMCG brands, having worked for Coca-Cola, Premier Foods and Tata, last spring Graeme Karavis moved into the sentiment lane, becoming group managing director of Hallmark and taking on the challenge to make a difference to the UK and Australia arm of the world’s largest privately-owned greeting card company. To read about his take on the trade so far click here.
Another relative newbie in a big chair is Akhtar Zahid, ceo of BGC Wholesale, who’s heading up a total overhaul of its product portfolio to release more margin for customers, significant investment in ecommerce and a rebrand to broaden retailers’ perceptions of what it offers. To read more about the plans click here.
With a job title of chief nitwit, a dog called Captain Ajax and a dedication to create proudly absurd greeting cards, Iain Hamilton stands out from the crowd – well, he is 6’ 8” – with his Bewilderbeest business. To enjoy a ride on a slide with his dad, click here.
Someone else who has very much forged their own path in the industry is Soula Zavacopoulos, founder of The London Studio. “Community over competition” is the mantra for this artistic entrepreneur, which she has brought to life in the new Ryman Design concept stores and the launch of The London Studio Artists’ Collective-dedicated greeting card display which features the work of 38 artists and publishers. To find out more, click here.
The start of the year has seen a wealth of new products blasting on to the scene, and the Innovations section is burgeoning with newness, showcasing loads of lovely stuff, including those launching at this month’s Top Drawer show. To feast your eyes, click here.
And to see what top sellers they’re up against take a look at the What’s Hot? section in which some leading retailers reveal what’s been flying off their shelves, just click here.
While we’ve just got over Christmas 2023, publishers and retailers are already preparing for the 2024 festive season. PG caught up with publishers who shared some of the design and caption nuances that feature in their brand-new festive collections. Click here to jump right back into Christmas.
Ending on a trendy treat, the Art Source section this month sees leading design soothsayers reveal what will be driving our aesthetic tastes in the coming year. Just feast your eyes, by clicking here.
All this and more in the pages of our lovely magazine. Wouldn’t you like to hold it in your hands so you can flick through and read it wherever it takes your fancy? To SUBSCRIBE NOW go to www.max-subscriptions.net
However, if you can’t wait, to read the whole PG January 2024 edition online you can click here.
