Tying in with this being the GCA’s centenary, the theme of The Henries 2019 greeting card awards event is ‘100 Years of Greeting Cards’.
This year’s Henries judging panel (made up of around 50 retail buyers) were set a series of historical challenges, including asking them to pick two famous people of the last century they would like to walk into their shop, as well as their pick of the significant happenings in the greeting card industry’s past and what they feel will help to safeguard its future.
Sarah Moughtin, assistant buyer of John Lewis & Partners:
Choice customers: “Bowie for the glamour and showmanship and Sir David Attenborough as he is just so great.”
Historical happening: “Reducing plastic/glitter – going naked!”
Future proofing: “Ways to re-invent and re-imagine the magic of giving a card without losing the sentiment.”
Sarah Bertram, assistant merchandiser of Scribbler:
Choice customers: “Princess Margaret because she loved a laugh and it would be great to have Royal approval, and Iris Apfel because she’s amazing!”
Historical happening: “Social media has made it easier to send a greeting without sending a physical card. The jury’s out as to whether it’s a big negative impact or not!”
Future proofing: “Continued innovation is the key.”
Nigel Hamilton–Evans, partner of Boroughbridge Post Office:
Choice customers: “Laurel and Hardy, who are still very, very funny to this day. I’m a big fool so I would join in with their antics. I would also love to serve Rob Brydon as he’s Welsh like me and we would share a good laugh in our ‘giggle room’.”
Historical happening: “The cost of postage. I own a card shop and Post Office and I used to sell loads of stamps and cards at Christmas. Now, instead of 100 stamps at a time it’s more like 20.”
Future proofing: “Packaging that is not damaging to the environment. However I am on a main road and the cards get very dusty so stocking naked cards is not an option for me.”
The Henries 2019 awards event will take place on Thursday 3 October at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, overlooking Hyde Park. To add to the fun of the event and to celebrate the heritage of the GCA, guests of the industry’s ‘big night’ will be encouraged to dress in keeping with one of the last ten decades, adopting say an elegant 30s look or in swinging 60s mode.
If you have not booked your tickets for the ‘industry’s big night’ you can do so online via www.max-tickets.net or contact Clare Hollick, our awards manager on T: 01733 294524 M: 07769 905959 or via email: clare@createvents.co.uk
Top: John Lewis’ Sarah Moughtin, Scribbler’s Sarah Bertram and Boroughbridge Post Office’s Nigel Hamilton-Evans.
