Indie greetings retailer awards success starts publicity blast
Proof that winning awards brings good things has already come for Retas’ winner Red Card as the Petworth indie made the front page of the local newspaper!
Just a few days after lifting the trophy at the glitzy ceremony, owner Sally Matson featured in prime position at the top of the paper along with a longer story and image inside, and was very happy to say: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be awarded this prestigious accolade!
“We love being part of the greeting card retail community in the UK and we also love being part of the independent business community in Petworth.”
The award winner was among the 400 attendees from the greetings community who enjoyed the Van Gogh-themed awards ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel last Thursday, 6 July, at which the best of 2023’s indie card retailers were celebrated and honoured, with proceedings hosted by comedian Jake Lambert.
Sally works with team mates Karen West and Jo Collis who were both absolutely delighted with lifting the Home Counties & South East title, to add to the 2013 Best Newcomer and 2019 and 2021 Home Counties trophies.
Karen said: “At Red Card we all work hard, have lots of laughs and the three of us really complement each other with our enthusiasm and ideas to keep the shop looking beautiful, in trend and something for everyone – and wow, we won another Reta, how fantastic is that!”
The Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer North East title went to Artichoke in Tynemouth and joint owners Cilena Easton and Dawn White were jubilant: “We did it! Can’t quite believe that we won – thank you, thank you, thank you to Progressive Greetings, all of our fabulous suppliers and all of our amazing customers for supporting and loving what we do. It was such an honour to even be nominated! We’re so proud of our fabulous little store.”
The Best Non-Specialist North title was won by Archerfield Walled Garden where retail manager Kerri Sorbie exclaimed: “I’m absolutely over the moon! It mees so much to both myself and the dedicated team at AWG who all play their part in making our cards such a massive success within the business.
“We’re delighted to have received recognition from the industry – also a huge thank you to our wonderful customers as, without their continued support and loyalty, we wouldn’t be here!”
The Oliver Bonas team said they “thoroughly enjoyed” the whole Retas ceremony experience, and Lucy Cornwall, assistant buyer home and gift, added: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have won the award for Best Non-Specialist Multiple Retailer of Greeting Cards, it was the icing on the cake to a wonderful day and, to be honest, year.
“We work with so many amazing and innovative card brands that make our job a joy and, without their talents and hard work, we wouldn’t have been able to put together such a great range.”
Multi-award-winning retailer House of Cards added to its trophy collection, as the Home Counties group clinched the Best Retailer Initiative award for its Thinking Of You Week activities.
Co-owner Nigel Williamson beamed: “What a lovely Retas event it was with so many positive vibes. The host Jake Lambert was very good and the whole day was wonderful.
“I was more tired the next day than the previous Friday after walking 25 miles in the Cardgains Look Out London charity walk, but we did have a great day and evening!
“It really was a total surprise winning the Best Retailer Initiative category because there were some very worthy nominations raising awareness and support for people in need. We’ve enjoyed winning all our trophies over the years. They are all special and spur us on to be even better.”
Kim Lewis is the card buyer at Longacres, and admitted: “I was in complete shock when Longacres was read out as the winner of Best Garden Centre Retailer Of Greeting Cards award. I found it all very overwhelming and when I came up to get the award my whole body was shaking.
“It was an amazing day – to be honest I can’t remember much of being on stage! But I feel so proud that we won. I had a few happy tears and a few glasses of wine. I’m still in shock!
“It’s an amazing feeling to think that people vote for you and I thank them so much. I wouldn’t be able to do my job without the help and support from all my amazing reps and agents who I thank so much.”
For The Bus Stop Cards & Gifts it was a double celebration as owner Maura Quinn and her team were also marking the Castlederg shop’s 10th anniversary and were very happy with the extra hand-luggage needed to keep Reta safe on the trip home to Northern Ireland.
“We’d like to thank all our wonderful customers this past 10 years,” Maura told PG Buzz, “and here’s to the next 10. What better way to celebrate that attending the Reta Awards – and we won, the Best Greeting Card Retailer North West & Northern Ireland! What a day!”
The full list of The Retas Awards 2023 winners can be found here, and more comments and photos from the happy trophy holders will be featured in the next edition of Progressive Greetings Buzz. All the photos from the day’s festivities can be found and downloaded here.
