Progressive Greetings Live 2024 took place at London’s Business Design Centre this week (4-5 June) to great acclaim, fanfaring the newest launches from some 220 greeting card publishers. They ranged from established names such as Rosie Made A Thing, Belly Button, Five Dollar Shake, Wendy Jones-Blackett and Paper Salad, to a myriad of newbie companies.
Among the gift retailer earlybirds at the show was Andrea Pinder, owner of gift shop Presentation in Barrowford. “PG Live is the crème de la crème of trade shows,” she enthused. “I was there for the ribbon cutting ceremony at 9.30am on the first day and my first order was with three new companies for Presentation, Five Dollar Shake, Ink & Ivy and Cheeky Legends. I placed orders with all my regulars too, to include Wendy Jones-Blackett, Rush and UKG. I also headed to the Springboard area where I placed orders with some newbie publishers, to help to build their confidence.”
Also fast off the mark were PG Live regulars Debbie and Jerry Brown, owners of two gift and greeting card shops, 1st Class Greetings in Hadleigh. “I’ve been to every single show,” confirmed Debbie. “We placed orders straightaway – as soon as we came through the doors!”
Maybugs’ co-owner Greg Rose, who has gift shops in Bexhill, Eastbourne and Hailsham commented: “We were so impressed with PG Live. The ranges and suppliers seemed to be more commercial middle market and not too contemporary for the mass market. We placed orders with ten suppliers at the show, ranging from test orders in one shop to going big in all three stores. My particular favourites were Ginger Betty and Heyyy Cards. However the surprise of the show was discovering Cambridge Confectionery who we placed orders with to add to our festive food gift range.”
Added Nilou Noorbakhsh, owner of four Jumping Bean gift stores in London:“I love PG Live. It’s busy and vibrant, with lots of newness. I saw so many great companies, to include Stormy Night and Heyy Cards,” while Tracey and Chris Bryant, owners of Polkadot in Kensham, Expressions Cards & Gifts in Swindon and the Cat’s Whiskers in Bishops Cleve, said: “we very quickly found some new suppliers.”
Caroline Ranwell, owner of Hugs & Kisses in Tettenhall, another huge fan of PG Live, said she saw lots of the big suppliers, while on the look out for new ones too. “I like to walk the show first before placing orders,” she explained, while Jo Webber, owner of Jo Amor in Tiverton, said she went to the show with a list and stayed very focused. “I bought from my favourites but was looking for new companies as well,” she commented.
Added Sonya Adams, owner of Serendipity in Hale: “I love the show – this year was my second visit. It’s so warm and welcoming and easy to navigate.”
Top: The ribbon cutting ceremony on the first day of PG Live (4 June).
