Greeting card publishers Wendy Jones-Blackett and Carte Blanche Greetings are participating with Widdop and Co by showcasing their new 2019 collections alongside the major gift company’s offerring at its annual January Show that takes place at its Manchester showrooms.
Always attracting a high retail attendance, keen to see the company’s start of the year launches, Widdop and Co is hosting its annual January Show from January 2-23, with Wendy Jones-Blackett and Carte Blanche Greetings showcasing their respective new 2019 collections during the week beginning Monday January 7, for one week only.
A key attraction of participating in the show, Wendy Jones-Blackett, who co-owns the card publishing business with her husband Steve is that it coincides with a major launch of Quicksilver mugs, being produced under licence by Widdop and Co.
“I am a firm believer in working in collaboration with companies who specialise in their specific gift areas rather than trying to do it ourselves, which is why we also work with Glick for wrapped gift bags,” Wendy told PG Buzz. “We’ve also got around 300 new card designs coming out between now and Christmas that the timing of a show which attracts independent gift shops is just perfect,” she added.
It was a licensing link-up that also prompted Carte Blanche to recognise the potential of participating with the Widdop and Co January Show. “Following our successful licensing collaboration with Widdop on our Hotchpotch brand, we’re thrilled to be exhibiting at the Widdop show this year with our wider range of products and brands,” said Grace Elphinstone, marketing manager of Carte Blanche Greetings. “Very simply it’s a chance for us to connect with our independent customers based in the north. As the show is a non-traditional one we are treating it very much as our ‘home from home’ and bringing our showroom to Widdop, as well as showcasing some of the creative ‘magic’ that makes our Me to You brand so special.”
In addition to Me to You, Carte Blanche will also be fanfaring its portfolio of brands, including Wishing Well Studios, Hotchpotch, Blue Mountain Arts, All Creatures as well as Emotional Rescue, which it distributes to Indies customers on behalf of the publisher.
* The participation with Widdop and Co comes hot on the paws of Carte Blanche’s collaboration with Build-A-Bear Workshop. From the middle of November, consumers can Make-Your-Own Tatty Teddy furry friend at Build-A-Bear Workshop stores across the UK.
The bear will also be available online at buildabear.co.uk.
Top and left: Carte Blanche has started inviting retailers to the Widdop and Co show and publicising its Build-A-Bear collab.
