Asda, Sainsbury’s, Paperchase and Card Factory are the major multiple retailer names to have pledged their support for this year’s Thinking of You Week (September 21-27) through various initiatives instore and on social media. They join Cardzone, which was quick off the blocks to commit to getting behind the GCA-instigated card sending event this year. (https://www.pgbuzz.net/cardzone-leads-the-way-for-retailers-to-get-on-board-for-thinking-of-you-week/)
In addition, Royal Mail has confirmed that it will be raising consumer awareness of TOYW with a special stamp cancellation mark in the run up to the event, while various publishers are putting plans in place for their own takes on supporting the initiative.
“The level of engagement for Thinking of You Week is unprecedented, such is the poignancy of sending greeting cards to show you care and appreciate having people in our lives in these challenging times,” commented Amanda Fergusson, ceo of the GCA.
As she highlighted: “It is really exciting that so many leading retailers have already pledged their support, some for the first time ever. With almost two months still to go until the official week, going by the conversations I am having, many more publishers and retailers are currently working on their respective plans to get involved too.”
Card Factory has revealed its plans to promote the event in around 600 of its stores. It is creating some special PoS, using the vibrant Thinking of You Week branding (that was created by Paper Salad). This will include a spinner header which will sit above Card Factory’s sentiment cards and gifts, a title finder which will sit near its open cards and an epos screen which will be on display at till points. The support will extend to Card Factory’s website and social media channels.
“We are thrilled to be supporting the Thinking of You Week campaign this year,” said Jo Bennett, studio director. “At Card Factory we know that a small gesture, like sending a card, can really put a smile on someone’s face and make them feel valued and loved. This year, more than any, has really highlighted how much our friends, family, neighbours and people in the community mean to us and we feel it’s important to show just how much they are loved and appreciated. We feel that our customers will really resonate with the campaign message – send a card, deliver a smile.”
Today (July 31) Carte Blanche Greetings has launched a generous Thinking of You Week promotion. All UK independent retailers who place an order of over £150 with CBG during August will receive five free packs of cards across its Me to You, Wishing Well, Hotchpotch, Emotional Rescue and Blue Mountain Arts brands that can be used by retailers for their own initiatives.
“We would like to encourage retailers to offer a free card (while stocks last) to anyone buying one of our cards during Thinking of You Week. This card can then be sent with the card the customer purchased to encourage the recipient to ‘pay it forward’ and send the free card to another friend or loved one. We hope that this initiative will spark a wave of card sending and offer another reason for customers to shop locally and to send cards,” commented Grace Elphinstone, marketing manager of Carte Blanche.
The free downloadable toolkit (which comprises PoS, social media graphics and a PR template), to support Thinking of You Week activities is now hosted on the dedicated website (https://www.thinkingofyouweek.cards/). The Gallery section of the website, where publishers and retailers have posted Thinking of You cards is gaining great traction, within the industry as well as at consumer level.
Anyone wishing to have a design included in the Gallery or is planning to get involved in Thinking Of You Week should contact Amanda on amanda@gca.cards.
