Winners of The Retas 2018 Revealed

The winners of The Retas 2018 greeting card retailing awards were revealed today (July 11) at a glamorous afternoon event held at The Dorchester Hotel, in London.

Over 400 members of the greeting card community attended the awards ceremony, which this year took on an Into The Blue oceanic theme. Comedian Tania Edwards hosted The Retas awards ceremony.

The Retas, now in their 14^th year, are organised and owned by Max Publishing, publishers of Progressive Greetings. The award categories recognise excellence across the greeting card retailing spectrum, from independent specialists, multiples, department stores, supermarkets and non-specialists.

Paperchase, in the retailer’s 50^th year, was presented with the ultimate accolade of Greeting Card Retailer of the Year.

In the welcome speech, PG’s co-owner Jakki Brown said: “This year’s Into The Blue oceanic theme for The Retas embraces the commitment our industry is making to further improve its high environmental credentials and safeguard this wonderful trade and our beautiful planet.” Paying tribute to The Retas winners and finalists, she added that: “Although there are plenty of fish in the retailing sea, it takes courage, determination and fortitude to maintain a steady course given the turbulent waters in retail and life.” 

The Retas 2018 Winners 

Greeting Card Retail Employee of the Year

Jan Dowell, manager of three Card Factory stores, Merry Hill, Birmingham

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer – London

Northwood Cards and Gifts, Northwood

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer – Home Counties

Cardies, Stevenage

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer – East Anglia

Snape Maltings, Aldeburgh

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer – South West

Southbourne Cards, Bournemouth

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer – Wales and the Midlands

The Little Card and Gift Company, Newport

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer – North & Northern Ireland

Hallmark Widnes, Widnes

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer – Scotland

Kairds, Kirkwall

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer Newcomer or New Branch – South

Bromley & Co, Ipswich

Best Independent Greeting Card Retailer Newcomer or New Branch – North

Bailey’s Cards & Gifts (Hallmark), Ainsdale

Best Independent Bookstore Retailer of Greeting Cards

Gerrards Cross & Chorleywood Bookshops, Gerrards Cross and Chorleywood

Best Non-Specialist Independent Retailer of Greeting Cards – North

Blaby Post Office, Blaby

Best Non-Specialist Independent Retailer of Greeting Cards – South

Cadeaux & Co, Chipping Sodbury and Wells

Best Greeting Card Small Multiple

House of Cards, six stores in the Home Counties

Best Department Store Retailer of Greeting Cards

Morleys Department Stores

Best Supermarket Retailer of Greeting Cards

Sainsbury’s

Best Non-Specialist Multiple Retailer of Greeting Cards

Gee Tee’s, five stores in the North

Specialist Multiple Retailer of Greeting Cards

Paperchase

Best Garden Centre Retailer of Greeting Cards

Garsons, Esher and Titchfield

Best Greeting Card Retailer Initiative

Blue Rose Gifts & Balloons, Heywood for its 1940s celebration and Armed Forces Day initiative

Best Greeting Card Wholesaler

Jacksons, Sheffield

Greeting Card Retailer of the Year

Paperchase

TAGS max publishing, progressive greetings, The Retas 2018, Winners