We’re now into the fifth glorious day since thousands of greeting card retail stockists in England and Wales have been able to fling open their doors and welcome back their lovely customers – and number of greeting card publishers have gone all out to champion the grand re-opening by sending messages of support, instigating promotions and delivering unexpected treats for their retail customers.
Hundreds of Five Dollar Shake’s independent customers received a Hamper of Happiness, filled with uplifting and thoughtful items and lovely messages.
‘With 2020 (and a bit of 2021) now on the naughty step, the time has come to welcome a springtime like no other’ reads the colourful note on the box lid. ‘And remember, you proved more than ever in the last few months that…though you may be little, you are fierce’.
![Above: The outside of the Hamper of Happiness from Five Dollar/Counting Stars.](https://www.pgbuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/4B.-Screenshot-2021-04-16-at-13.42.19-1024x781.png)
As well as wildflower seeds, a Brazilian wish bracelet, a fortune telling miracle fish, a ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ candle, tube of Love Hearts sweets and a ‘holiday in a can’ (a tinned cocktail’ the most striking item was a syringe-shaped iced biscuit with the date of April 12.
![Above: The contents of the box of cheer from 5$.](https://www.pgbuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/4C.-IMG_9440-1024x768.jpg)
When it came to ‘the crunch’, Five Dollar Shake co-owner Matt Genower saw this as the perfect opportunity to show off his biscuit making skills with his wife (and 5$ creative supremo) doing the honours on the decorating front. A trained chef in a former life, Matt took to the kitchen to get baking the ‘shot in the arm’ biscuit base while Beth was at the ready with the edible glitter.
“It’s Five Dollar Shake’s vaccine roll-out with a difference!” quipped Matt.
Click below to join the biscuit makers Matt and Beth…
Carte Blanche meanwhile came up with a whole suite of Back in Business initiatives and support for its indie customers from additional discounts and specific POS to a Buy One Get One Free ‘Penny Pinchers’ Promotion for retailers to greet their customers with.
The Penny Pinchers Promotion enables any consumer spending £15 on Me to You plush and gifts the opportunity to receive a Dress Up Tatty Teddy Fox for just a penny.
Indies received a free pack of Dress Up Tatty Teddy Fox items for every pack of qualifying plush and gift items they order.
![Above: The Penny Pincher promotion poster.](https://www.pgbuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/4E.-Screenshot-2021-04-16-at-13.49.45-730x1024.png)
To support the promotion, Carte Blanche has created a special poster which participating retailers have been using to great effect in their windows and on social media.
The company is also teeing up an ‘All Wrapped Up Promotion’ for May 2021 where retailers will receive either a Me to You or Hotchpotch dressings pack for free when they spend over £250 at trade on qualifying everyday products.
![Above: The window of Balloons, Cards N All in Narborough is one of the CBG customers to have embraced the promotion.](https://www.pgbuzz.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/4F.-crafty1.jpg)
Top: Some of the Five Dollar ‘Shot in the Arm’ biscuits.