“We predict that the UK greeting card market will grow between 0.6% and 2% in value over the next couple of years,” Karen Hubbard, ceo of Card Factory told PG Buzz, based on the findings of the research undertaken by OC&C. However, the head honcho of the UK’s largest greeting card retailer added the proviso that this anticipated increase would be achieved as a result of rising retail prices as card volumes, at best, are likely to remain static.
“It is in the whole industry’s interest to look at ways of encouraging people to buy and send cards for more of life’s moments,” implored Karen. She is however encouraged by Card Factory’s increasing sales of “minor occasions, such as Thank You Teacher,” as well as support, friendship and blank cards.
Karen highlights how the positive upward card sending trend among 18-24 year olds is part of a “movement among young people to share personal messages with friends and loved ones to show they care in these uncertain times.”
Two and half years into the role as chief executive of Card Factory, Karen Hubbard has recently been proclaimed one of the top ten women in the UK retail sector right now.
Karen appeared in The Power List 100, which highlights the top hundred most influential people in UK retail (both online and bricks and mortar), coming at 73rd, three places higher than she featured in the previous year’s league table. Other high ranking females from the UK retail scene featured include Veronique Laury, chief executive of Kingfisher (11th) and Paula Nickolds, md of John Lewis (12th).
A self-confessed “greeting card addict” herself, Karen has also recently spearheaded an internal initiative to encourage Card Factory staff to send cards to each other.
The Card Factory Colleague Collection of greeting cards, which are available free of charge for all staff to send, includes designs to cover occasions (such as new baby, wedding, new job) as well as general sends.
Card Factory now trades from 928 stores, including its latest flagship, which opened recently in the prestigious Cribbs Causeway centre in Bristol (pictured at top of page).
- Card Factory’s Spring Seasons’ sales have grown this year, supported by more active social media and YouTube activity, such as this Father’s Day video.
