“We’re on a mission to strengthen our card range!” Natalia Kosterska, assistant buyer – Home & Gift of Oliver Bonas told PG Buzz.
In pursuit of its more ambitious greeting card aspirations, Natalia has been promoted to assistant buyer, looking after greeting cards, packaging and books, reporting into buyer Hannah Tait who oversees these categories.
Further bolstering the greeting card team, Siobhain Watkins has recently become the senior merchandiser for the categories covered by Natalia, and Rachael Pearson covers the admin side as the buyers’ admin assistant.
This development comes at a time when Oliver Bonas, now in its 25th year, is continuing its store expansion, with founder Oliver Tress confirming in March that the multiple has plans to open 10 stores during 2018 taking it to 80 stores by the end of the year.
The Oliver Bonas buying team was out in force at the recent PG Live.
Natalia was full of praise for three exhibiting publishers in particular at the show Stormy Knight, Cardi Cards and Jolly Awesome.
Stormy Knight’s Good as Gold range was one of Natalia’s top picks. “Although these cards feature no colour, their distinctive use of black and white on a craft board give this range a distinctive signature, the muted tones also allow for the gold detailing to really pop on these designs. They’re simple in design yet still remain fun and punchy!”
Jolly Awesome’s new die cut range, Cut Outs also attracted Natalia’s attention, feeling that the fun range is testament to the “die-cut trend coming in for SS19.”
Meanwhile, a new supplier that caught her eye was Cardi Club. “Its tongue-in-cheek designs and use of bold colours definitely stood out,” said Natalia.
