While The Henries 2018 greeting card awards celebrate the ‘hot hits’ of the current card publishing world, the theme of the awards event (on October 4) will be a blast back to the 1980s.
To get into the spirit of the event, three retailers reveal what they feel were the best things about the 80s and add their picks of what would be good for the industry right now.
Nigel Williamson, partner of House of Cards, six shops in the Home Counties:
Your 80s Hot Hits
- It has to be the music – the 80s heralded a new generation of sound.
- Margaret Thatcher. She changed the working ethic of the UK.
- The hot hatch – Ford XR2, Golf GTI and the Peugeot 205.
Industry Boosters?
- We need to finalise the industry’s green credentials and get that message out to the public.
- More face to face personal service – both from retailers and publishers.
- Any initiatives to drive footfall would be welcomed by all. More free parking would be a start.
Anne Barber, owner of Heaven at Home, Market Harborough:
Your 80s Hot Hits
- Duran Duran and the Rum Runner in Birmingham – meeting Simon Le Bon there!!!
- Top Gun
- Flash Dance and legwarmers!
Industry Boosters?
- More kindness.
- Anything which encourages customers to buy and send more cards.
- Loyalty schemes and initiatives like Thinking of You Week!
Marion Flaherty, owner of Best Wishes in Garstang:
Your 80s Hot Hits
- Being member of Lancashire Young Farmers Club and partying nearly every night!
- Travelling to Brazil, Finland and Russia with my Young Farmer friends.
- Training as a cafe decorator at Blackpool & Fylde College, working in a chocolate factory, passing my driving test and seeing the world.
Industry Boosters?
- For more retailers to realise that customers will pay for higher quality cards.
- More good weather = lots of tourists.
- A wider range of card titles for birthdays, anniversaries and occasions.
Tickets for The Henries on 4 October are still available – see the Henries website for more details on how to book.
