This is a major milestone year for buying group Cardgains as its celebrate 30 years of trading and as such is cooking up a whole roster of activities to mark the event, including monthly competitions, prize draws and special initiatives on the Cardgains Village stand at the imminent Spring Fair.
“We have come a long way since 1989 when the concept was launched. Some 30 years on we have helped and assisted hundreds of independent retailers and suppliers develop in the independent sector and intend to do so for many years to come,” said Chris Dyson, joint managing director of Cardgains.
Cardgains’ mascot Cyril Service has been treated to a special rebrand, incorporating the iconic image of evolution and the strapline ‘Cardgains…still evolving and celebrating 30 years’.
The 30th celebrations will officially begin at the Spring Fair (February 3-7, NEC) on the Cardgains Village (located at the front of Hall 3 stand L10/M11). A new wheel of fortune style game will enable members to win £30 vouchers from Cardgains and its participating suppliers, which can be used against orders placed at the show.
The Monday of Spring Fair (4 February) will also see Cardgains presenting a cheque for £20,000 to representatives from MND Association, the buying group’s chosen charity for last year. The bulk of this money was raised as a result of a 27½ mile sponsored walk in the Lake District entitled ‘Kumbaya Cumbria’ undertaken by a tenacious bunch of the Cardgains’ suppliers, members as well as members of the Cardgains team.
Over the years Cardgains has raised well over £300,000 for different charities through various events and challenges. The buying group’s chosen charity for 2019 as well as the main fundraising challenge for the year will be announced on the Village at Spring Fair.
“All I can say at this point, is that there will be a 3 and a zero in the distance we walk,” teased Penny Shaw, Cardgains’ marketing director.
* Joining the Cardgains’ supplier portfolio for 2019 are Brandwell Group, Champfleet Bindery, Heart of the Country, Portmeirion Group, Pubstops, Quire Collections, Really Wild Cards and Sass & Belle. Cardgains remains the largest buying group in the UK (representing over 750 rooftops), catering specifically for independent retailers within the greeting card and gift sector, across many store categories from garden centres to art galleries, and post offices to bookshops.
Top: Spring Fair marks the official start of Cardgains’ 30th anniversary celebrations.
