With the 2018 Retas Awards only five weeks away, some of the finalists are already reaping the rewards with some fantastic media coverage in local press.
Owner of Just Cards in Honiton, Devon, Maggie Wynn appeared in her local paper – The Paper for Honiton – saying of her nomination: “It was a wonderful surprise. But I couldn’t do this without all my valued customers. Honiton is a lovely town to be running a business in – with all its independent shops – and all the customers who support us.”
Maggie prides herself on offering a range to suit all tastes. She told the press: “We should be able to provide everyone with the cards they are looking for. Some customers come here once a year when they are on holiday in Devon with a list of cards they need to buy that will meet their needs for the whole year!”
Jo and Martin Johnstone, owners of Paper Moon in Sidmouth also received valuable column inches in their local paper – The Sidmouth Herald. Jo, who is recovering from cancer treatment told the Sidmouth Herald that the secret to the shop’s success being able to cherry pick the cards for the shop. “Unlike the big chains that are governed by head office and what stock they have, I can cherrypick the cards we have. We can offer a friendly service with a smile. If people come in with an unusual request we can put our hands straight on it. I won’t sell crude or nasty cards – I don’t see any reason why anyone would send a crude card.”
Linda Bygrave of Hallmark in Aylsham was delighted to feature in the glossy Just Aylsham magazine, which is distributed widely in the Norfolk area where the shop is based. The Hallmark store is a finalist in the Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer – East Anglia category.
Other Retas finalists have been celebrating making the finalist list with their customers. Roger Eames, co-owner of Celebrations of Stourbridge held a joint Royal Wedding and Retas celebration in store over the weekend of the Royal Wedding.
Roger says of the celebration weekend: “It was a very successful two day promotion with free cupcakes, balloons and bunting galore and lots of great offers. It all went down really well with lots of customers getting excited about us reaching the finals in The Retas.”
The winners of The Retas Awards will be unveiled at a fabulous awards event on Wednesday 11 July at The Dorchester Hotel in London. Tickets are still available – more information on www.theretasawards.co.uk
Find out which retailers have made the shortlist for the Retas – see The Finalists brochure here.
