PG Live spending spree brings plenty of design delights at indie store
Going buying crazy at PG Live has given Matt Simpson plenty to offer customers at The Letter Arty in the Manchester suburb of Ancoats.
Having moved from an online-only store to recently opening his own shop in a converted shipping container that’s part of the Pollard Yard affordable workspace in the neighbourhood – and becoming a Best Newcomer finalist in this year’s Retas awards – he’s very happy to have been kept busy with all the deliveries over the weeks since the show, with loads of the new designs going down well with customers.
PG regularly puts the What’s Hot? question to retailers and here the typography and design fan, who also sells vintage and found posters, advertising, and framed original bus destination blinds alongside greeting cards and stationery, reveals some of the current bestsellers…
Adult ages
“I’ve definitely been busy with lots of new cards since going a bit buying crazy at PG Live. The new foiled milestone range from Ricicle Cards has been selling really well, I love the sheer amount of foiling used and the glorious designs and colour palettes. I always know when Ricicle’s David Nicols-Rice brings out a new range, it’s going to be really popular!
“Another new adult age range that has been doing well is Cath Tate’s Birthday Blocks range, it’s great to see such imaginative use of die cutting in adult cards, proving that shaped cards aren’t just for kids!”
Everyday
“Talking of die-cut cards, Stormy Knight‘s Marylou die-cut range has been going down a storm – pun intended – since I finally placed my first order with them at PG Live. They look fantastic stood up on a sunny shelf in the shop, and have attracted some great comments.
“Also doing well has been Kinshipped‘s latest abstract range, with simple foiled typography and abstract painterly designs in gorgeous neutral contemporary tones, it’s bang on trend and sits well in contemporary interiors, of which there are lots near my shop in central Manchester!”
Cute
“They don’t come much cuter than Penguin Ink‘s gorgeous letterpress printed animal cards and their Cuddle Time Cats card continues to fly out the door, along with the latest addition to their party hats range – the guinea pig!”
These views also appeared in the July edition of Progressive Greetings magazine which can be read online here, or you can subscribe here to receive the magazine by post each month.
