Greetings industry sees buyout of 163-store estate as ‘great news’
Yesterday’s breaking news that Clintons has been taken into the Cardzone portfolio has been welcomed by the greeting card community, as publishers, retailers and the GCA all cheered the deal.
“This is probably the biggest news in greeting card retailing for a long, long time,” fellow retailer Miles Robinson told PG Buzz, which revealed the deal between Cardzone’s Paul and James Taylor and the Weiss family, founders of UK Greetings’ parent company American Greetings, late yesterday, 4 March.
The acquisition by Cardzone’s parent company Pillarbox Designs sees the retailer add Clintons’ 163 trading stores to its own 180-strong portfolio to form what Paul, who has assumed the role of ceo of his group’s latest brand, is proud to describe as “now the only national specialist chain selling quality cards”.
Miles, who co-owns seven House of Cards stores in the Home Counties with partner Nigel Williamson, added: “I’m thrilled to bits for Paul and James – knowing how passionate they are about the industry this will hopefully bode well for the future of greeting card retailing.
“It will potentially give publishers access to a much bigger store estate which can only be a good thing for the industry. An exciting ride and time for sure, but many congratulations to the Cardzone team.”
Graeme Karavis, group md of Hallmark UKI and ANZ, commented: “We see this as very good news for the industry. Jobs will be protected, it supports the High Street and, most important of all, it provides access for consumers to great greeting cards!
“Paul and the team have a track record of success and we look forward to supporting him in growing the business and differentiating his proposition from the grocers.”
David Byk, ceo of Ling Design, GBCC, Penny Kennedy and Swan Mill, joked: “My first reaction was ‘****ing hell’, which is what I said to Paul when he called me from the car to tell me!
“My second reaction was to congratulate him and James on something that they have wanted for a long time. I hope they got it at a good price.
“My third reaction was to reflect on the fact it’s great for the industry that someone is supporting the High Street and the card market as a whole when the sector is under pressure and that Clintons isn’t going into receivership in the way that has been predicted – and also the way of Paperchase – which does no good for the wider card industry.
“This is good news in terms of wider optics for everyone including the public and the existing and prospective card senders.”
Allen Taylor, sales director of publisher IC&G, said: “It’s so refreshing to hear good news. This a great acquisition. Paul, James and the team are great operators, and I’m sure they will reinvigorate this sleeping giant of our industry.
“It’s great news for the High Street and will help to keep our public engaged in sending cards, which is key for all publishers.”
GCA ceo Amanda Fergusson sent congratulations to Paul, Cardzone trading director James, and the team, adding: “With over 81% of cards bought in a bricks and mortar store, according to the GCA 2023 Market Report in the UK, it’s great to see further investment in our wonderful industry.
“The British continue to send more cards per capita than any other country, due both to the wonderful diversity and design innovation in our industry and our High Street retailers who do such an inspiring job promoting and selling greeting cards.”
For Abacus Cards md Nick Carey it’s “absolutely great news”, and he said the growth of an independent retailer on UK High Streets” is just what we all need”, adding: “This will cement the card and gift market for years to come. Truly fab news.”
David Greaves, director of Emotional Rescue, enthused: “Wow! What interesting news – Paul and his team are taking on a big retail name and an even bigger retail challenge!
“Having worked with Paul as a retail colleague and supplier for over 25 years and been a Clintons’ supplier for over 30 years, my fellow directors Jen Rutter, Brett Smith and I are confident the two businesses will go from strength to strength and wish everyone involved much success.”
And a “delighted” Daniel Prince, managing director of Danilo, welcomed the “fantastic news”. He said: “I know how hard Paul has been working to get the deal completed, so it’s great that it finally happened. Clintons is a massive part of UK greeting card history, and a strong brand that’s now in safe hands with Paul and the Cardzone team.”
Pillarbox’s acquisition of the retail chain comes after several attempts over the years to buy it, with the two parties getting really close to sealing a deal just before Covid struck.
“We met again last September and have been to-ing and fro-ing ever since then but, yes, it’s a relief to get it over the line this time,” James said.
Paul confirmed the plan is to retain the Clintons brand: “Absolutely. The name is still synonymous with quality greeting card retailing,” and he added it is highly likely some Cardzone stores will be converted to Clintons’ branding in time.
“There will be some changes, but we are very excited to be growing our family business with Clintons joining our portfolio,” added Paul.
The Cardzone group already trades under several brands, including Mooch for its more gift-based retail concept, and it also forged a joint venture with Postmark’s co-owners Mark and Leona Janson-Smith in 2021 for future stores.
