The good news travelled fast following the announcement of this year’s Retas finalists of on PG Buzz on Tuesday (April 30) https://www.pgbuzz.net/revealing-the-retas-2019-finalists-the-uks-greeting-card-retailer-awards/
“Wow. I actually cried when I saw on PG Buzz that I had made it to The Retas finals,” confessed Carl Dunne, co-owner of Cards & Gifts in Sheffield, which has reached the finals in the Best Greeting Card Retailer Newcomer – North category. ”It’s been a hard year and then yesterday I was assaulted in the shop by a shoplifter who had a knife on him. So to see that we had reached the finals makes you realise all your hard work is so worth it.”
Another worthy indie finalist, Beverley Heyworth, owner of Blue Rose Cards and Gifts in Heywood didn’t waste anytime in sharing her delight in reaching the finals of the Best Greeting Card Retail Initiative category for its Make A Pudsey activity this year. ”Hip hop hooray, I’m in the finals!” exclaimed Beverley, who was “bursting with excitement” as soon as she heard the news.
“This means so much to us, not just as owners and staff, but the customers too who get just as excited. In the volatile state that retail is in at present, it is a massive achievement to be a finalists in a national award. The Retas provide a brilliant outlet to promoting the industry’s finest and we are very, very proud to be part of it. Roll on the awards ceremony!!!”
It is a busy year for Beverley as she is re-sitting her GCSEs in a few weeks time, 35 years after she last did them. “I am training for a medical degree in neuroscience…yes I know, totally bonkers but something I am interested in. It will take me years as I am only doing it a few hours a week as Blue Rose is my priority.”
However, in between her revision and running the shop, ever the marketer, Beverley has already made contact with her local press and sent out a press release about The Retas.
The Retas winners will be unveiled at a lavish afternoon Frida Kahlo-themed event on Wednesday 10 July, which will take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London’s Park Lane, not at The Dorchester as initially announced (the move was made in protest to anti-human rights laws. https://www.pgbuzz.net/the-retas-2019-move-from-the-dorchester-to-the-grosvenor-house-hotel-in-protest/)
To secure your Retas ticket to this great networking event at which the top retailers will rub shoulders with publishers and trade suppliers, contact Clare Hollick on clare@keystonecomms.co.uk or on 01733 294524 or 07769 905959.
