Tying in with this being the GCA’s centenary, the theme of The Henries 2019 greeting card awards event is ‘100 Years of Greeting Cards’.
The members of this year’s Henries judging panel, which was made up of around 50 top retail buyers, were each set a series of historical challenges, including asking them to pick famous people of the last century they would like to walk into their shop, as well as highlight a significant happening in the greeting card industry’s past as well what they feel will help to safeguard the sector’s future.
(Emma, what follows are a trio of people’s views. Can you embolden the names and the questions in each case please.)
Hazel Walker, senior buyer of Waterstones:
Who do most wish were Waterstones’ greeting card customers?
“Frida Kahlo because she was so inspirational, and Anthony Bourdain because of our shared love for food and travel.”
How do you feel the industry can be future proofed?
“Further eco-friendly innovations, both on the cards and finishes, as well as packaging etc.”
Kate Neligan, group buyer of Morley Stores:
Who do most wish was a Morley’s greeting card customer?
“David Bowie as he was born in Brixton, near one of our stores.”
What do you feel has been pivotal to the card industry’s continued heritage?
“The advent of digital printing as this has enabled smaller publishers to grow.”
Sally Matson, owner of Red Card, Petworth:
Who do most wish were Red Card’s greeting card customers?
“Barack and Michelle Obama – because they send cards and write letters and I think they might think my shop was pretty cool!”
What do you feel has been pivotal to the card industry’s continued heritage?
“Cellowrapping cards! When I was growing up my parents owned a very large newsagency with a whole aisle of cards, none of them cellowrapped. Now, after great cost to the planet, the wheel is coming full circle.”
How do you feel the industry can be future proofed?
“Hmm, cheaper postage for cards and for plastic packaging on deliveries to be banned.”
The Henries 2019 awards event will take place on Thursday 3 October at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, overlooking Hyde Park. To add to the fun of the event and to celebrate the heritage of the GCA, guests of the industry’s ‘big night’ will be encouraged to dress in keeping with one of the last ten decades, adopting say an elegant 30s look, a swinging 60s mode or glitz it up 80s-style.
If you have not booked your tickets for the ‘industry’s big night’ you can do so online via www.max-tickets.net or contact awards manager Clare Hollick via email: clare@createvents.co.uk or by phone on 01733 294524 or 07769 905959.
#Henries19 @Prog_Greetings
