Hallmark is looking to strengthen its presence in Ireland by making the brand available from distributor P&G Cards as well as through the publisher’s dedicated sales force.
P&G Cards is a well established family business, founded by Pauline and Gerry Naughton back in 1988 but their two daughters Michelle Daly and Aisling Naughton are heavily involved in the day to day running of the business as deputy managing director and operations director respectively.
Roscommon-based P&G Cards has built up a strong customer base, notably in the convenience sector, for its portfolio of products, which includes cards it publishes as well as those it distributes from other pubishers. Its activities have also included publishing a range of own brand cards for Aldi.
The signing of Hallmark adds another string to P&G’s bow while giving Hallmark the opportunity for incremental sales in the Republic.
Explaining the rationale, Ciaran Leonard, Hallmark’s head of sales for UK & Ireland said: “P&G Cards have a longstanding, trustworthy reputation in the trade and are focused on providing the best solutions for their customers, which is something we at Hallmark value greatly. We are confident P&G will be great custodians of the Hallmark brand and we are looking forward to a long and successful partnership delivering a great proposition for their customers”.
Ciaran assures that Hallmark will continue with its own dedicated sales force in Ireland. “We are doing well in Ireland and have 27 Gold Crown stores there. Our sales force will continue to develop our brand’s presence, especially with the specialist card retailers.”
Commenting from P&G’s perspective, deputy managing director Michelle Daly (pictured top) believes that “Together we are well positioned to grow and compete in the greeting card market. We will be able to offer a broader range that will enable our customers to capitalise on their greeting card business”.
Top: Michelle Daly, deputy managing director of P&G Cards is delighted by the distribution deal with Hallmark.
