In line with its stated plan, Paperchase has re-opened almost of the stores in its estate, with the last remaining handful set to re-open in the next few weeks.
“We have re-opened a further 40 stores in the last week, which leaves us with only six stores which remain closed, but these are due to re-open during August,” confirmed Joe Guest, senior buyer at Paperchase.
In addition, the specialist card and stationery retailer has opened its first standalone store in Dublin, Eire in the Dundrum shopping centre.
“It’s great to have our own standalone store in Dundrum. We had a concession in the House of Fraser in the centre, but as that has not re-opened it made sense to safeguard our presence with our own name above the door,” Joe told PG Buzz.
Under the banner of ‘Happy Days’ Paperchase spread the news of 30 of its stores re-opening on Monday via social media and emailers to its Treat Me customers, detailing the locations. Included are several stores in travel locations, such as those in Paddington, Canary Wharf, Cannon Street, Embankment, Birmingham Grand Central and Leeds stations as well as several in prime site shopping malls and city centres, such as Meadowhall, Gateshead Metro Centre and London’s Marble Arch.
Paperchase only opened 18 out of its 126 standalone stores on June 15 (the date when non-essential retailers in England were allowed to start trading again), adopting a three-phased re-opening strategy. Its concessions in other stores (such as in Next) have re-opened as and when those branches started trading again.
Its shops located in many city centres were always planned to be the last to open, in line with footfall expectations.
Paperchase’s product director Frances Burkle revealed to PG Buzz recently that its re-opened stores have been “trading ahead of expectations” but stressed that, given the unsettled times, it is “taking a cautious approach to the rest of the year.”
Frances also paid tribute to the retailer’s many greeting card publishers and other suppliers for their financial support and understanding over the last few months. “We cannot thank them enough for working with us on this.”
https://www.pgbuzz.net/paperchase-is-on-course-to-re-open-70-further-stores-by-july-13/
Top: Having had a concession in HoF in Dundrum, the new store gives the Paperchase brand a higher profile.
