Progressive Greetings’ physical and digital editions all ready to read
The conkers are ripe, the autumnal colours all ablaze and Progressive Greetings’ October 2023 edition has landed, plus the digital version of the magazine has been uploaded too.
Bursting with industry news and views, retailer perspectives, cracking articles and tons of product newness, it makes for a warming read on a chilly day!
The news section covers recent developments from all aspects of the trade, from the GCA’s coup in getting greeting cards featured prominently on BBC Breakfast to Peartree Heybridge ceasing trading at the end of this month.
It also includes a rundown on some of the great initiatives that came into play for Thinking Of You Week, the industry’s relief at Hyve’s decision to ditch Connect for Spring Fair and Autumn Fair as well as profits soaring at Cardfactory. Click here to read all about it.
It was something of a facts and figures fest at the recent GCA Conference & AGM. Sounds a bit dreary? Not at all as, with colourful brushstrokes, they each helped to paint a true picture of the greeting card industry today and it is indeed a very pleasant scene.
Presentations from consumer insights agency Kantar, card retailing market leader Cardfactory and the GCA’s own annual Market Report highlighted how the industry is worth £1.5billion, how card buying penetration is growing, that consumers are turning away from online back towards bricks-and-mortar and, encouragingly, how the youth of today really are embracing card buying. Read all about it by clicking here.
PG’s retailer columnist David Robertson acknowledges there are invariably several ways of viewing a situation, sometimes down to whether you’re a glass half-full or glass half-empty type of a person. He shares his own perspective on several topics which have come into view of late. To read what he has to say, click here
Meanwhile Cardsharp, although ever keen to also share his perspective, this month draws on the accounting expertise of his mate Beany for his realistic take on Moonpig’s latest set of financials as well as amplying a rally call for a review of business rates. Click here to read more.
It’s a saddening view held by many in the industry that copying generally is on the rise in this industry. In the Viewpoints section of this issue, PG canvassed opinion on this thorny topic from leading publishers, a notable brand creative and stalwart retailer. Click here to read their views.
After a break of four years, The Ladder Club is being resurrected. The one-day seminar aimed at helping would-be and fledgling greeting card publishers being organised by Progressive Greetings is to take place on 1 December at London’s Business Design Centre.
With hundreds of greeting card publishers joining the alumni over the last 20-plus years, a handful of these Ladder Clubbies shared what attending meant to them and their business. To see some of these ladder climbers, click here.
With incoming legislation set to change the environmental landscape upon which businesses operate – from EPR and CSRD to the European Green Deal – that will force firms to act more responsibly or pay the hefty price, Rob Hutchins, editor and community manager of sustainable membership organisation Products Of Change, fronts PG’s Focus On Sustainability section, by considering what this might all mean for the greeting card sector.
Enjoy his insightful take by clicking here while you can also read just some of the recent sustainable developments put in place by publishers and suppliers in the Paths To Progress article, by clicking here.
Sentiment is at the heart of all greeting cards – it’s the very reason for the send. While the images attract the eye, it’s invariably the words that clinch the sale, encapsulating the feeling the sender wants to convey to the recipient.
From traditional lengthy verses through to succinct contemporary phrasing which boil sentiments down to just a few words, PG asked publishers to pick one of their greeting card designs which they feel says it the best…feast your eyes and your soul by clicking here.
The ever-popular What’s Hot section reveals the top-selling ranges for a quad of leading retailers. Click here to find out what products are coming out tops for them.
And, as ever, the Innovations section showcases a selection of treats that have just been launched. Click here to see the newness.
Ending with some aesthetic loveliness, Maria Matos is the focus of Art Source this month. Click here to read her creative story.
All this and more in the pages of our lovely magazine. Wouldn’t you like to hold it in your hands so you can flick through and read it wherever it takes your fancy? To SUBSCRIBE NOW go to www.max-subscriptions.net
However, if you can’t wait, to read the whole PG October 2023 edition online you can click here.
