Following the Henries greeting card judging last week, (1 August), a Greeting Card Association (GCA) retailer round table took place on the subject of reminding people how important it is to send and receive Christmas cards. The initiative was sparked by Kaye Thurgood, owner of Sincerely Yours in Hornchurch and Shenfield, who was among those calling for industry action following last year’s long running postal strikes.
Among those sharing their thoughts were a host of gift and greeting card retailers that included Nilou Noorbaksh, co-owner of three Jumping Bean shops in South London; Jo Barber, owner of No. 14 Ampthill; Julian Moore, owner of MiMi, Hartley Wintney and Wokingham; Sally Matson, owner of Red Card, Petworth; Andrea Pinder, owner of Presentation in Barrowford, and Aga Marsden, owner of Highworth Emporium in Highworth.
Marking a significant step for the greeting card industry, the GCA’s #Cardmittment PR and marketing campaign will run from now until the end of the year and into 2024. The multi-faceted programme will remind UK consumers that greeting cards build connections, as well as how much they love sending and receiving cards. It will also amplify local cardies’ initiatives.
The GCA is urging those in the industry to get behind the initiative, both financially and by participating, and is looking to raise a total of £50,000 with over £26,000 already pledged by several GCA council members.
“A major PR campaign will enable us to get on the front foot on the industry’s behalf, leading the discussion that cards continue to play a key role in today’s society and are integral in building connections between people,” states the GCA’s ceo Amanda Fergusson.
Click on #Cardmitment or email: amanda@gca.cards.
Top: Last week’s GCA retailer round table was held at London’s Business Design Centre.
