Progressive Greetings’ Latest Edition Is Out Now

It was Boris Johnson rather than the Easter Bunny who delivered the ‘golden egg’ – with his confirmation yesterday that all non-essential shops in England can indeed reopen their doors next Monday. Yippee!

Above: The Easter display in JP Pozzi.
Above: The Easter display in JP Pozzi.

Ideally timed to coincide with the grand retail reopening, the latest edition of Progressive Greetings is full of industry news (click to pages 10-11), views, retailer revelations, insightful columns and fresh product launches.

As Cardsharp highlights in his column, the ‘greeting card race’ is most definitely primed and ready to go, with everyone now waiting for the chequered flag to come down. He ponders as to who will be the greeting card winners as we return to a level of normal retailing conditions.

(Click to 22-23)

Above: The industry is all revved up for the grand reopening!
Above: The industry is all revved up for the grand reopening!

While it is likely to take a bit time for things to settle down into a new pattern, one area of common interest for retailers and publishers alike is what share of card sales will continue to be made online, be they from the print on demand operators, retailers’ sites or indeed direct from publishers. A selection of leading indies log on to share their opinions in Viewpoints.

(Click to 24-25)

Above: While Pamela Ness of Bearing Gifts in Troon says the shop’s website has exceeded expectations her customers have stressed they so prefer to shop physically.
Above: While Pamela Ness of Bearing Gifts in Troon says the shop’s website has exceeded expectations her customers have stressed they so prefer to shop physically.

In his column, David Robertson of JP Pozzi shares how he is in no doubt that reinforcing relationships will be key to getting us through the next months, both in our working and personal lives. Drawn to an ancient African proverb ‘It takes a whole village to raise a child’ David purports that having had no trade shows, face to face meetings or real interaction with customers and staff, that we all need to go into a relationship rebuild anchored by honest conversations, clear expectations and an understanding that everyone has had their own battles.

(Click to 20-21)

Above: David Robertson with the new member of the family, Hiro.
Above: David Robertson with the new member of the family, Hiro.

Playing an important role in the industry’s relationship business are independent sales agents. A selection share how they have been ‘digging deep’ over the last year, how they have been tending their respective patches, rejoicing in the green shoots and seeing to the weeds and thorns.

(Click to 40-41)

Above: London agent Fiona Lychehan in her garden.
Above: London agent Fiona Lychehan in her garden.

Certainly, publishers have been busy, with plenty of ‘green shoots’ in the form of fresh new ranges to pep up those card racks, as showcased in the Innovations pages.

(Click to 32-33)

Above: There is lots of newness from Heritage Art & Design, including its Wild Life collection.
Above: There is lots of newness from Heritage Art & Design, including its Wild Life collection.

And this creativity extends into giftwrappings as PG’s annual delve into the wonders of wrap, bags and accessories celebrates in abundance, including the latest design trends, new launches as well as the strides being made on the sustainability front.

(Click to 46-47)

Above: New bags from Globe Enterprises.
Above: New bags from Globe Enterprises.

Meanwhile a handful of retailers share what ranges of cards, wrap and gifts have been hitting the mark for their customers of late, in PG’s popular What’s Hot section.

(Click to 56-57)

Above: Emma Bridgewater cards from Woodmansterne are among the faves of Daisy Park’s customers in South Molton.
Above: Emma Bridgewater cards from Woodmansterne are among the faves of Daisy Park’s customers in South Molton.

Not only has IC&G given its Barley Bear brand a fluffy revamp during lockdown, but it has also been able to work closely with many retailers looking to make the most of the forced closure and install a new planned display. Read all about the plucky publisher’s ‘grand plan’ to install 50 planned displays into retailers by the end of the year.

(Click to 38-39)

Above: One of the IC&G planned displays in situ.
Above: One of the IC&G planned displays in situ.

With this being a time for reflection as well as looking to the future, PG tracks two key developments that have played a crucial role in the industry’s evolution – that of digital printing as well as the environmental concerns. While Adam Short of The Imaging Centre has his finger on the pulse of digital printing, Sue Morrish of The Eco-friendly Card Company has long been the ‘green goddess’ in the card trade.

(Click to 30-31)

Above: Sue Morrish of The Eco-friendly Card Company with the company’s FSC accreditation in 2011.
Above: Sue Morrish of The Eco-friendly Card Company with the company’s FSC accreditation in 2011.

And, providing a feast for the eyes, in Art Source, artist Tracey English and collage queen extraordinaire reveals some of the projects she has been working on as well as a flavour of her creative life.

(Click to 54-55)

Above: Tracey English is a ‘cut above’ on the paper collage front!
Above: Tracey English is a ‘cut above’ on the paper collage front!

All this and more in the pages of a lovely glossy 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 March  2021 edition, you can click here.

 

 

 

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