Believing in indies

IC&G’s golden campaign sees retailers collect great prizes

Believing in IC&G has proved a golden opportunity for five lucky retailers as they’ve just been announced at the latest winners of the publisher’s Believe campaign.

Balloons At Hallmark, Card Gallery, Card Heaven, Celtic Company and Charlton Cards were each picked out for a golden ticket meaning they got their entire order free of charge in the latest round of the campaign – and Cards For All Occasions in Hythe has also scooped a bespoke Christmas POS kit.

Above & top: Balloons At Hallmark’s Ashley (left) and Hayley with IC&G agent Barley Bear: “We were so delighted to win the Believe competition. Another great range from a great company! We just love IC&G.”

“Believing in our industry, and our card ranges that are 100% created and manufactured in the UK and Ireland, is key to survival for our independents,” IC&G sales director Allen Taylor told PG Buzz.

**Above: IC&G agent Matt Cleary presents the ticket to Celtic Company owner Rachel Bates**

The latest winners were spread across Scotland, where Balloons At Hallmark has three stores around Dunfermline; England’s winner was the Celtic Company in Welshpool, while Tenby’s Charlton Cards won in Wales. Northern Ireland saw a golden ticket go to Card Heaven in Craigavon, and the Republic of Ireland winner was Dublin’s Card Gallery.

**Above: “It was a lovely surprise, thanks to all at IC&G,” Anna Bolton said at Charlton Cards, where she’s pictured with IC&G agent Gordon Walsh, and her mum and great niece.**

The Believe campaign was unveiled in December at the Polar Express-themed Christmas 2024 sales launch, with golden tickets hidden in sales orders for various prizes to give something back to loyal customers, and there are still more offers to come.

Above: William Gorman (left) owns Card Heaven and he and Orlagh were thrilled to receive a golden ticket from IC&G agent Brian McCartney. William said: “To have IC&G stock is a win in itself, so I was delighted when was fortunate enough to win a golden ticket.”

Allen added: “As a small family business, we acknowledge footfall continues to be tough on our High Streets and suburbs, every penny our retail partners spend is more considered than ever before and to survive they have to offer fresh and new ranges to excite the buying public.”

Above: At Card Gallery, agent Mark Delaney presented the prize to manager Linda Reid, who said: “I was so happy to win the Golden Ticket – it’s a great promotion and, as I always say, IC&G are the best!”

Explaining that change is key with greetings being akin to a fashion industry, 35% of its ranges are refreshed over the year, and Allen said that the Believe campaign offers retail partners a chance of receiving new the new designs free of charge by supporting the brand.