Greeting card publisher James Ellis Publishing and Retas-award winning indie, Stationery Supplies (in Marple and Wilmslow) are turning Black Friday on its head with a major charity giveback initiative.
The activity, which continues both companies’ philanthropic alternative action to Black Friday, sees James Ellis donating a whole batch of its greeting cards which are being sold in both Stationery Supplies’ shops this week, with 100% of the money from their sale being donated to Moors for the Future, a charity that helps to protect and promote the Peak District.
“This is my fourth year of ‘giving back’ instead of indulging in Black Friday consumerism,” explained Sarah Laker, owner of Stationery Supplies, which won Best Non-Specialist Independent Retailer of Greeting Cards – North in last week’s Retas awards. “Previously we’ve collected for food banks and stationery for inner city low income families, so I’m excited to take this to another level. Instead of Black Friday madness we are giving back to the planet for future generations,” added Sarah.
This charitable drive very much is in line with the James Ellis ethos, which donates 1% of its annual turnover to the sustainable charity movement, 1% For The Planet.
As James Stevens, md of the publishing business elaborated, “I’ve never been a fan of Black Friday and the mayhem it produces in shops, business and on our roads, so last November we decided to donate 100% of the sales we made on Black Friday from both the retail and trade sides of our business. Our sales on that day were £3,536 and gave it all to Avon Needs Trees. Our customers really appreciated it so we wanted to something for this year’s Black Friday too and the tie-up with Sarah is perfect.”
The collaboration, is being promoted in store as well as on social media.
‘What would you say to buying a greeting card from us that was not only plastic-free and 100% recyclable, but also that 100% of the money from the sale went to charity?’ is the message that is being shared.
The cards are on sale in both Stationery Supplies shops until Saturday 27, but the offer is not available on its online shop.
Top: The proceeds from the James Ellis sales this week in Stationery Supplies will be donated to Moors of the Future, which protects the Peak District.
