Latest supplier members span greeting cards, gifts, candles, packaging and stationery
The buying group vibe is expanding with Cardgains continuing to increase its roster of supplier members as a baker’s dozen have joined in recent months.
With more than 1,000 rooftops on the retail side, they can now order from an extra lucky 13 of Afrotouch Design, Alandra Products, Alpha Packaging, Cardology, Gemar UK, Letterbox Love, Lily-Flame, Lola Design, Maped Helix, Meg Hawkins, Tilnar Art, Tracks Publishing, and Wishstrings.
Having already done his homework on the buying group and getting glowing recommendations from existing supplier members, it came down to the people for Cardology co-owner David Falkner as he got to know the Cardgains team a couple of years ago on the Look Out London 25-mile charity challenge.
“It’s about more than just business,” he said, “When you’ve trekked miles, shared blisters and sunk the odd shandy with someone, you know you’re in good company! We’re delighted to be part of a group that values relationships as much as we do.
“With the greeting card sector thriving despite facing strong external headwinds, Cardology is doubling down on its commitment to independent retailers and backing up its leadership on #Cardmitment by officially joining Cardgains.
“When times get tough, you stand by the people who matter. Indie retailers are the heartbeat of this industry, and we’re committed to supporting them not just in words, but in action. Joining Cardgains gives us another way to champion indies, making it easier for them to access our intricate pop-up cards, and new officially licensed stationery and gifting ranges, on great terms.”
And he said the brand has already seen strong business from Cardgains members, who appreciate both the design-led product and the business-friendly approach.
AfroTouch Design is one of the newest members with creative and founder Georgina Fihosy explaining the decision was to help with brand visibility: “We’ve always been on a mission to ensure culturally-inclusive cards are available on the High Street and being able to supply Cardgains members with our card designs is one step in meeting that aspiration.
“The onboarding as a supplier has been really great and MD Penny Shaw and the team have been really supportive. I’m currently following up on a few leads so looking forward to seeing how those pull through.”
Working with the Sheffield-based group is already an “incredibly positive” experience for Lola Designs where co-owner Amanda Mountain said: “Our decision to join Cardgains was driven by our desire to connect with more independent retailers and bring our designs to a wider audience.
“As a small, family-run business, we understand the challenges independent stores face and saw Cardgains as a fantastic way to build relationships and offer our products in a more accessible way.
“The support from the Cardgains team and its members has been truly wonderful, and the opportunity to share our passion for beautiful, high-quality greeting cards and gifts with more retailers has been a rewarding journey. We have received a very positive response to joining and are grateful for the warm welcome from the Cardgains community.”
The Maped Helix stationery offer is a new direction for both the company and Cardgains but a “natural fit” according to the brand’s head of UK sales Scott Goodman.
“Cardgains members embody a spirit of creativity, uniqueness, and personalised service that aligns perfectly with our own values,” Scott added. “By collaborating with this diverse network, we aim to not only expand our reach but also to contribute to the success and vibrancy of local businesses across the country.
“Working with Penny has been fantastic, she’s been super helpful with getting us onboarded at the start of the year and we have already opened accounts with a couple of members in the south-west.”
And it all started at PG Live 2024 for Meg Hawkins Art, where the eponymous owner had been chatting with fellow exhibitors: “We kept hearing brilliant things about Cardgains – everyone highly recommended it! We had some fantastic chats with the team about joining, and it truly feels like being part of a family.
“It’s also opened up great opportunities with new stockists who are Cardgains members. Plus, the easy payment system is a big advantage for retailers. We’re still in the early stages, but everything has been really positive and beneficial so far!”
