A self-confessed greeting card and stationery passionista, indie retailer Sarah Laker, owner of Marple Stationery Supplies (pictured above) is spearheading a campaign to establish Saturday 4 May as #StationeryShopSaturday, a day to celebrate all stores, especially indies, that sell stationery in the UK.
This special Saturday comes at the end of National Stationery Week, which this year takes place 29 April-5 May. The Stationery Show London trade exhibition, which launched National Stationery Week takes place within that week (on April 30 and May 1).
“I am a fan of National Stationery Week. While I was happy to see that both Paperchase and Ryman are each sponsoring a day within the week, I also thought that it was important that us indies had a special day too, so I contacted the organisers to share my views – and have ended up agreeing to front it!” Sarah told PG Buzz.
As Sarah elaborated: “This is a great opportunity for us to encourage the public to visit their local indie who sells stationery, treat themselves to a new notebook and pen, write a letter or a card and celebrate the wonderful products and the act of writing. Retailers should ask their customers to post on social media where they like to buy their stationery and what they have bought.”
She is urging all independent stationery stockists, whether card retailers, giftshops or stationery specialists to get involved. “This is a great opportunity for us all!” Sarah believes.
Sarah, who sells a great number of cards as well as stationery and gifts is well underway with a host of promotions and giveaways for customers to tie in with Stationery Week, building up to a crescendo of StationeryShopStaurday.
News of StationeryShopSaturday has already received a surge of positive support from fellow indies and retail bodies, such as the Small Business Federation.
Retailers can pledge their support here www.nationalstationeryweek.com/retailer-sign-up/
Sarah can be contacted on sarah@marplestationerysupplies.co.uk
Paperchase, Ryman and Derwent Art are among the official sponsors of National Stationery Week.
www.nationalstationeryweek.com www.stationeryshowlondon.co.uk
