The buying group Cardgains, which once again will host a large group stand within Greetings & Gift at Spring Fair, has unveiled a new strapline for 2016: “Passionate about Independent Retailing.”
Chris Dyson, Joint Managing Director states, “Over several years we have seen a shift in our core membership of greeting card shops and see that more space has been created for ‘other’ necessary products. Historically many card shops were 90% cards, where now our surveys show it to be a lot less%!
“This is great news for the ancillary product suppliers and consequently Cardgains and the members have seen growth in these areas, particularly in candles and home fragrance, and also gifts, party and jewellery”.
“Interestingly the shift has also meant growth for greeting cards”, Chris continues, “as the consumer is drawn to shops offering more product diversity where they can also still buy quality, value for money cards at good prices, and can buy their gifts and self-purchases too!”
The Cardgains team will remain focussed on customer service and supporting its loyal greeting card retailers, yet now feels its advantages, trading terms, bonus opportunities and marketing offer great benefits to other retail sectors outside ‘traditional’ greeting card stores.
This has become apparent in the type of outlets wanting to join the group and Cardgains feel that their portfolio now offers so much more choice than even just a few years ago with some really big names, as well as some fantastic new niche products and suppliers offering a great product portfolio for all.
Chris explains, “Part of our strategy for 2016 is our intention to develop all the store types of our existing membership. The strength and breadth of the 2016 portfolio will also make Cardgains effective to non-traditional retailers”.
The by now quite famous Cardgains character Cyril Service – who has been popping up at industry events all over the country for the past five years – will still play his part in 2016. Cyril now has his own direct email address and has taken on the important role of social media communication so is very active on both Twitter (@CyrilService) and Facebook (Cyril Service at Cardgains).
In 2016 Cardgains will continue its social media development programme and move on to social media training courses for members. Regional courses are planned up and down the country later in the year. Any members wishing to register for a place on one of the courses can email Cyril on cyril@cardgains.co.uk
