Retailers acknowledge awards importance and reveal hopes for the industry
Picking great greeting cards is a skill retailers have honed over the years and can apply to judging the Henries Awards too, utilising their expertise and keen eye for winning concepts.
And the 35 retail buyers – from the largest multiples to leading indies – who came together for the recent Henries live judging event, used their skills to make wishes come true for those publishers and designers reaching the finals.
PG also asked them to cast their votes on what their three wishes would be for the industry as a whole, as well as sharing their views on the importance of the Henries Awards themselves.
Today’s comments are from Scribbler, Jane Armour Trading, John Lewis & Partners, In Heaven At Home, Jumping Bean, Card Centre and LoveOne…
Tori Heath-Smith, buying manager of Scribbler
Three wishes
“No more cellowrap! Continue the reduction of plastic in our industry.
“No more strikes that will affect seasonal sales.
“An amazing Christmas, full of card sending.”
Judge’s verdict
“The Henries are extremely important as they’re a great way of motivating and inspiring new designers in that they reward the truly talented.”
Jane Armour, owner of Jane Armour Trading, Taunton
Three wishes
“For us to appreciate what we have. We’re very lucky in the UK with the breadth and quality of greeting cards available to us – we’re ahead of the world. I love what we have and what we do as an industry. We need to acknowledge that.
“We could do with no more postal rises!”
Judge’s verdict
“The Henries Awards season gives publishers the opportunity to effectively pitch to retail buyers in an environment other than at trade shows. It is a fabulous opportunity for new publishers and designers to launch themselves to retailers.
“As a judge it’s been really good to discover companies I have not seen before.”
Jason Billings-Cray, buyer at John Lewis & Partners
Three Wishes
“A continued collaboration between publishers and retailers.
“More diversity and inclusion in main ranges.
“More support for students and new artists in helping them to find work/exposure in our industry.”
Judge’s verdict
“I believe the awards are a great part of the industry. The open-to-all free entry means they recognise the unwavering commitment from established publishers while also championing up-and-coming and new businesses and artists.”
Anne Barber, owner of In Heaven At Home, Market Harborough
Three wishes
“Lower the cost of postage for Christmas cards, indeed, all cards.
“Lots of PR about the delight of writing and receiving a special handwritten card and what a difference it makes to that person.
“Some celebrity involvement in sending a card.”
Judge’s verdict
“The Henries are super important. There’s so much inspirational creativity in the industry, but it’s important to recognise and reward both brand-new range concepts as well as all-time classics, and The Henries Awards do both.”
Niloufar Noorbakhsh, director of Jumping Bean, Beckenham, East Dulwich, & Honor Oak
Three wishes
“To inspire more new designers, illustrators and artists to join our industry.
“To keep the magic current and alive in the joy of sending and receiving cards.
“To give more support to the new talent in the industry.”
Judge’s verdict
“These awards are vital to keep the industry alive and kicking. Not only do they inspire upcoming talent, but they reinforce to all those involved in the industry the importance of spreading love by sending cards.”
John Barratt, director of Card Centre, Felixstowe
Three wishes
“To get across to the public, especially the younger generations, how much it means to send, receive and keep a greeting card rather than a hastily-sent text or email.
“To keep innovating.
“To reduce postal rates, especially around Christmas.”
Judge’s verdict
“The Henries are extremely important, especially as they are free to enter it means that even the smallest companies can participate and bring their designs to the fore.”
Cathy Frost, owner of LoveOne, Ipswich
Three wishes
“Keep innovating.
“Keep sending cards.
“Keep celebrating creativity.”
Judge’s verdict
“The Henries are a great way to celebrate this amazing creative industry as well as encourage designers and publisher to strive for ever-higher standards that lead the world in card and wrap design.”
The full list of Henries Awards finalists can be found here, with the Best Service To The Industry finalists here, and all the winners will be revealed at the industry’s Mardi Gras-themed big night on 5 October, at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel. Tickets for the event can be bought here.
These views also appeared in the September edition of Progressive Greetings magazine which can be read online here, or you can subscribe here to receive the magazine by post each month.
