Greetings Today magazine (GT) covers all aspects of the UK greetings
card industry - from art and design to publishing and print and of
course retailing across both independent and multiple sectors. As a
business magazine we get under the skin of the industry to see what's
really happening. Whether it's new card designs and ranges or retail
initiatives, we provide all the news, views and opinions to keep
everyone involved in Greetings up to speed.
Here at GT we're always keen to hear from the industry and build a
dialogue between the various elements that make up this great business.
The humble greetings card is much more complicated than first appears,
so there's always something to talk about, whether it's a new design
style, print process or retail innovation. That's why GT plays a key
role in keeping the marketplace informed with business-building
editorial coverage.
For editorial queries please contact:
Lewis Eckett
Editor, Greetings Today
1 Churchgates, The Wilderness
Berkhamsted HP4 2UB
lewis@lemapublishing.co.uk
01442 289941
Latest Figures from the GCA Market Report 2009 The average retail price of a card last year in the UK was £1.17.
- Everyday cards accounted for 70% (£1,200 million) of the value and 51% (768.1 million cards) of the volume of all cards bought last year.
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Christmas cards (for 2007 Christmas) accounted for 43% of the volume (some 641 million cards) and 19% of the value (£324 million)
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Spring Season sales were worth £188 million with a total of almost 84 million cards being sent for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Easter and Father’s Day. Mother’s Day was the most popular event, accounting for almost 29 million cards sent (worth collectively £67.7 million)
Key facts
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85% of all cards are bought by women!
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The UK card industry is acknowledged to be ten years ahead of the rest of the world in terms of design.
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There are approximately 800 publishers in the UK, most of which are small businesses with fewer than five employees. Out of the 400 members of the GCA over 280 are small/micro businesses.
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Charities estimate that £50m is raised for good causes through the sales of charity Christmas cards.
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It’s a creative industry with strong bases in London, Nottinghamshire and the North, especially Yorkshire and Lancashire, where it has replaced many of the heavy manufacturing industries as a major employers.
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Greeting cards are stocked in more types of outlet than any other product – with one in six retailers stocking greeting cards.
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No other country has such a tradition of card sending or card display in the home - the sending and receiving of cards is an important part of our culture.
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The commercial Christmas card was invented in 1846 by Sir Henry Cole, the chief organiser of the Great Exhibition, pioneer of the penny post and founder of the V&A Museum.
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One of Sir Henry’s first Christmas cards, sent to his Grandmother was recently sold at auction for £22,500.
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Greeting card making is also the number one craft hobby, according to Crafts Beautiful, the top consumer craft magazine, which receives more enquiries about greeting cards than any other subject.