Scribbler is planning to expand the reach of its own brand greeting cards and possibly other products by supplying a select number of other UK retailers on a wholesale basis.
The successful retail chain, owned by John and Jennie Procter, which trades from 37 stores, started publishing its own brand designs four years ago, selling them alongside branded publishers. The plan is to offer a curated collection of some of the successful designs to other UK retailers on a wholesale basis from this Autumn.
The multiple retailer is looking to start discussions with interested potential stockists at PG Live (June 5 and 6) at which it will have a ‘camp’ in the lunchroom in the Gallery Hall, which Scribbler is sponsoring this year.
“We have a great number of designs that only saw the light of day in our shops. Many were very successful so we felt it was logical to give them a wider audience,” said John Procter explaining the rationale behind the planned expansion into wholesale.
Scribbler has developed an average of 160 own brand card designs annually for the last four years, released in batches of 40 designs a season, but not all of these will be included in the wholesale collection.
“We intend to cherry pick designs that sold well to offer to other retailers, so it will be a smaller curated offer,” explained John.
While other UK retailers will be offered designs from previous collections, John says that its current ranges “may well be offered to the international market as there is no conflict.”
While the initial plan is to start with the own brand greeting card designs, John confirms that the same arrangement could well be extended to include its own brand giftbag and wrap collections as well as possibly its stationery lines.
And taking the concept even wider John said that the team is also open to the idea of franchising a whole Scribbler store or as a concession within a store if the opportunity was right for both parties.
Having recently opened its 37th store in London’s Bishopsgate (opposite Liverpool Street Station), the Scribbler team is now full steam ahead readying to open a prime sited shop in London’s Bond Street West One Shopping Centre on June 8.
