Greetings Today January February 2026

CARDS, BAGS, WRAPS & CALENDAR COLLECTION

Dave

50 Retail Opinion

Agility

Editor

Advertising

Managing

Production

Editor Naomi MacKay

leader

And just like that… a new year is upon us. As we all breathe a collective sigh of relief that the festive season is finally behind us, for greeting retailers and publishers alike there’s no time to pause – because it’s already time to start thinking about Christmas 2026.

The latest figures from NielsenIQ reveal that shoppers spent £19.6bn across the four weeks to 27 December, with total till sales growing by 3%. And according to most of the retailers we spoke to for this issue, Christmas 2025 was very much a game of two halves. For some it was a slow burner, punctuated by a manic last-minute rush, while others enjoyed a steadier sell from as early as September. As Carl Dunne, director and owner

of Cards & Gifts in Dronfield, Derbyshire, explains in our feature on page 44: “Christmas went very well, when all’s said and done. It didn’t really kick in until very late, probably due to the mild weather, but once it did start it was hectic.’’ So hectic, that the team had to make an emergency dash to the cash & carry for more packs of cards! Meanwhile, Sonya Haandrikman Sibbald at Celebrations in Carlisle noticed shoppers spending earlier – and planned accordingly – with a full 24ft of Christmas cards on display from September 1. “Shoppers are starting earlier to spread the cost,” she notes.

Our Diary of an Agent columnist Dave Langdon echoes that positivity, reporting that most of his retailers were citing an impressive 85% sellthrough before January. He even found himself talking about Christmas cards on the radio. Turn to page 33 to find out more.

With festive sales still fresh in mind, it’s perfect timing for retailers heading to Spring Fair to begin placing their Q4 2026 orders. You’ll find plenty of inspiration in our dedicated Christmas feature, as well as our Spring Fair Show Preview (page 20), where we round up the latest launches from a host of exhibitors. We also shine a spotlight on greeting suppliers making their Spring Fair debut – and no doubt those newcomers will be glad to see some of your friendly faces as they make their first foray into the NEC.

After a brief lull in January, Valentine’s Day and the spring seasons will soon be upon us. As our Diary of a Card Shop columnist Elliott Jacobs comments in this issue, ‘’before we dive headfirst into hearts and roses, we’re taking a moment to breathe and reflect’’. Hopefully that pause gives you time to enjoy the rest of the magazine, packed with new products, plus insights from suppliers and retailers in our Trade Talk and Shop Talk features. Here, they share their thoughts on the challenges facing the industry, emerging

Send your views and submissions for the magazine to naomi@lemapublishing.co.uk

trends, and their hopes for their businesses as the year unfolds.

Meanwhile, our Cover Star Danilo showcases a wide-ranging line-up of licensed calendars, cards and gift wrap for 2026 in our Cover Story on page 16. With licences spanning everything from sport to Peaky Blinders, there’s something to suit every fan. And of course, there’s the KPop Demon Hunters calendar – whose popularity will surprise no one who attended a panto over the festive season. Its breakout anthem of Golden became a staple of performances across the country. The show has also just scooped a Golden Globe for best animated feature, with Golden named best song. Another Netflix hit, Stranger Things – which released its final, highly anticipated season over Christmas – also features in the Danilo line-up.

Finally, the Greetings Today team will be at Spring Fair – do stop us to say hello.

And if you’d like to contribute to the magazine –through a Retail Interview, Shop Talk, or Trade Talk, please get in touch at naomi@lemapublishing.co.uk, or connect with me on LinkedIn.

Penny Black

celebrates 11 years in the heart of Glasgow’s West End

Independent retailer and Post O ce Penny Black, based in Glasgow’s West End, celebrated its 11th birthday with a day full of community spirit, creativity, and giving back.

To mark the occasion, the store donated 11% of the day’s takings to Beatson Cancer Charity, raising over £330, alongside hosting a range of fun activities, exclusive discounts, and special treats for customers.

As part of the celebration, local artist Claire Barclay was in-store o ering free personalised portraits, bringing her distinctive creative flair to the event and highlighting Penny Black’s ongoing commitment to supporting local talent. Claire’s 11th birthday artwork also adorned Penny Black’s windows.

Visitors were also treated to freebies, birthday discounts, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere that reflects the shop’s strong community roots.

Postmaster Ryan Marwaha said: “We’re incredibly proud to have reached 11 years, and we love to serve our local community. This celebration isn’t just about looking back – it’s about giving something back. Supporting Beatson Cancer Charity is especially meaningful to us, and our customers joined us in marking the occasion with a bit of fun, creativity, and generosity.”

Penny Black is a multi-award winning independent retailer and Post O ce in Glasgow’s West End, o ering gifts, cards, stationery, and Main Post O ce services. Since opening its doors in 2014, the shop has become a local hub known for its friendly service, community focus, and unique product range.

www.penny-black.co.uk

Figured’Art appoints sales agent trio

Figured’Art has added three highly experienced and well-established sales agents to its team, strengthening nationwide coverage and support for independent retailers, garden centres, tourist attractions and gift stores.

The appointments mark a significant milestone as Figured’Art expands its presence across physical retail, bringing its adult craft kits to a broader UK audience.

Irene Grant (pictured top right) has joined Figured’Art as sales agent for Scotland. With extensive experience in the gift and retail sector, Irene will be supporting Scottish stockists and prospective retailers across the region. Jo Castle (pictured middle right) has been appointed sales agent for Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Wiltshire. Jo brings strong regional knowledge and established relationships within the independent retail sector.

Steve Powell (pictured bottom right) joins as sales agent covering Wales, West Midlands, East Midlands, Gloucestershire and the Channel Islands. Steve’s extensive industry experience provides valuable support to retailers across these key territories.

With this experienced agent network in place, Figured’Art says it is well positioned to support UK retailers with a premium range of Paint by Numbers, Diamond Painting and mindful creative kits designed for gifting, leisure and tourism-led retail.

www.b2b.uk.figuredart.com

Gift of the Year 2026 shortlist unveiled

Greeting card and stationery suppliers including Stormy Knight, Ohh Deer, Joe Davies, and Belly Button Designs have made it onto the shortlist for the Gift of the Year 2026.

The Giftware Association unveiled the shortlist. The trade body said: “After an incredible response from the home and gift industry, our panel of over 115 expert judges has spent weeks reviewing hundreds of entries to select the most innovative, inspiring and commercially brilliant products across all categories.

“Judges described the process as one of the toughest yet, with standards soaring and competition fiercer than ever. From clever design solutions to trend-setting gifts, these products represent the very best our industry has to o er.”

The shortlisted products now move forward to the live judging round, which takes place during Spring Fair, held at the NEC in Birmingham from February 1 to February 4. This round gives the panel the chance to see, touch, and experience the products in person, and is also a fantastic opportunity for brands to shine.

With thousands of buyers, retailers, and industry professionals attending Spring Fair, the shortlisted products will be showcased to a massive audience at one of the biggest events in the show calendar.

Winners will be announced at the Gift Awards 2026: a glamorous black-tie celebration held at London’s Royal Lancaster Hotel in May.

Category shortlists include:

Cards, Wraps & Stationery

Audiobook In A Card

Big Mouth Automatic Bookmark

Designworks Ink A Dopo!

Spiracle Audiobooks

Thinking Gifts Company

Designworks Collective

Flower Pot Pencil Sharpener WITH Creative

Fox Under The Moon Meaningful Stationery Collection

Pencilmark

Pressed & Posted Letterpress Cards

Rainbow Dachshund Markers

Joe Davies

Thinking Gifts Company

Stormy Knight

Kikkerland Europe

Recycled Sari Gift Wrap Namaste

Tea Round Tags IF The Bouquet in a Book: Spring

David & Charles

V&A Neon Floral Stationery Ohh Deer

What’s The Cat Up To Notes Pikkii

For the full shortlist and the latest updates, visit www.giftoftheyear.co.uk

Out of the Blue Studio helps spread a smile at Harrogate

A charity partnership brought smiles and magic to Harrogate Christmas & Gift in January.

Out of the Blue Studios has partnered with the charity Spread a Smile on its Christmas 2026 range in a bid to raise awareness for the charity, which helps seriously ill children and young people.

Amy Berry, visit manager at Spread a Smile, welcomed visitors to the Out of the Blue Studios stand and entertained them with her amazing magic tricks.

Pete Rawlingson, sales director & co-owner, Out of the Blue Studios, said: ‘’The launch of the Christmas 2026 Counter, Boxed & Gift Bags range at Harrogate has been really successful, and our charity partnership with Spread a Smile has been welcomed by all buyers.’’

Spread a Smile, ‘’brings joy and laughter to seriously ill children and young people across the country’’ through in-person hospital visits, virtual sessions and family events. Spread a Smile’s entertainers – from magicians to musicians, artists, fairies and therapy dogs – enhance wellbeing and help young patients and their families cope with the pain and anxiety of serious illness and hospitalisation.

Out of the Blue Studios has carefully chosen this charity partner to enhance its Christmas range and has made a minimum donation of £10,000.

All of the 2026 product range will feature the ‘Spread A Smile’ charity message and donation details.

Find out more at spreadasmile.org

Registered as a Charity No: 1152205 www.outofthebluestudios.co.uk / www.outofthebluedirect.co.uk

Best Kept Secrets appoints new marketing manager

Best Kept Secrets has strengthened its team with the appointment of Jessica Barker as marketing manager. She brings more than 10 years’ experience in brand development, campaign strategy, and consumer engagement across the retail, hospitality, and consumer goods sectors.

Her remit will include driving brand awareness, expanding digital reach, and developing the company’s positioning within the premium gifting and home fragrance category. Jessica will take the lead on a refreshed social media and brand strategy, aiming to increase visibility among both existing customers and new audiences. www.bestkeptsecrets.co.uk

EUDR delayed following vote

EUDR regulations have been delayed by one year, following a vote by the European Parliament on December 17.

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is a landmark law that is designed to curb global deforestation and forest degradation linked to products consumed in the EU. The new compliance obligations required will impact sourcing and supply chains for greeting card publishers, suppliers, and retailers.

Following the vote, and subject to final legal publication, EUDR has been delayed by one year, with large operators having to comply by December 30 2026, and micro and small operators: by June 30 2027.

However, although not confirmed, it looks likely that printed products will be excluded from scope. The GCA states that this could mean (although nothing is final yet), that greeting cards, tags, calendars, books are excluded, while items such as wrap, bags, diaries, and paper tableware will be included.

Final confirmation will come once the amended text is endorsed by the Council and has been published in the EU O cial Journal.

The GCA recommends that members:

• Don’t pause EUDR preparation yet, especially for products that may sit under Chapter 48;

• Check which HS/CN codes your products fall under;

• Watch for publication in the EU O cial Journal for final confirmation.

Keep up to date at www.gca.cards/eu-deforestationregulation-eudr-what-it-means-for-the-greeting-card-industry

Maped Juratoys announces merger

Maped Juratoys, a global leader in stationery and toys, has announced that its UK subsidiaries, Maped Helix and Juratoys UK, are merging. The strategic move follows Maped’s acquisition of Juratoys in 2022, and marks a significant milestone in the company’s long-term growth strategy.

The merger is designed to streamline operations, enhance service delivery, and create a stronger, unified presence in the UK market. By combining resources and expertise, the new entity is expected to deliver greater value to customers, employees and stakeholders.

“This merger represents the next phase of our integration journey,” said Gray Richmond, managing director at Maped Helix. “Since Juratoys joined the Maped Group in 2022, everyone has worked diligently to align our vision and capabilities. Bringing our UK subsidiaries together will allow us to operate more e ciently and innovate at scale. We expect Juratoys customers to benefit from the Helix UK distribution operation to bring products to market much quicker.”

Michelle Probert, sales and marketing manager for Juratoys UK, said “This merger opens up a really exciting new chapter for Maped Helix and Juratoys UK. By joining forces, we’re not only expanding our capabilities, but we’re also bringing together the passion, expertise, and vision of two exceptional teams. The merger strengthens our ability to serve our customers in the best way possible.”

The newly merged company will operate under the name Helix Trading Ltd. with no disruption to services and a seamless transition for customers. Employees from both organisations will also benefit from expanded opportunities and a stronger support network.

Stationery meets creativity

As retail continues to evolve, so too does the demand for products that blend utility with personality, and craftsmanship with creativity. Nowhere is this convergence more visible than in Frankfurt each February, when Creativeworld, Ambiente and Christmasworld open their doors to the global trade. For UK stationery, creative and gifting buyers, the 2026 edition promises not just another sourcing trip, but a genuinely strategic opportunity to understand how their categories are shifting and how to stay ahead of consumer expectations.

A crossroads of fine writing, DIY culture and modern gifting

The beauty of Creativeworld lies in its breadth. It is the only international show that unites the full spectrum of graphic and art supplies, fine writing instruments, DIY materials and creative tools under one roof. From heritage brands such as Faber Castell, Platinum Pen, Da Vinci, Royal Talens and Schmincke, to forward-looking newcomers exploring sustainable or hybrid materials, the fair o ers buyers an unparalleled snapshot of where the creative economy is heading.

But Creativeworld’s real impact becomes clear when experienced alongside Ambiente, particularly the Giving segment in Hall 4.2. Here, design-led giftware, stationery, premium writing products and lifestyle accessories intersect in ways that reflect the way consumers shop fluidly, across categories, driven by aesthetics, function and emotion. For retailers, this combined perspective provides a rare, holistic market view.

Why the co-location matters

The secret to Frankfurt’s success is synergy, not scale. With Creativeworld located in Halls 1.1 and 1.2 and Ambiente’s complementary product worlds just a short walk away, buyers can source art materials, crafting lines, gift items, writing instruments, paper goods and school supplies in a single, coherent visitor journey.

This is particularly valuable for UK retailers looking at diversifying their ranges, as blended assortments have become essential to driving basket spend as well as customer loyalty.

Creativeworld, Ambiente and Christmasworld matter more than ever for UK retailers

For stationery specialists, the proximity to Ambiente’s broader lifestyle o ering also provides inspiration for visual merchandising, seasonal gifting and cross-selling opportunities. Likewise, concept stores and bookshops increasingly find Creativeworld’s crafting and DIY content important for attracting younger customers seeking creative self-expression.

What’s new for 2026?

Expect an expanded roster of global brands and innovative labels. Fine writing aficionados can look forward to Diplomat, Waldmann and Quilling Card, while art supply buyers will find the latest from Kreul, Da Vinci, Royal Talens and Schmincke. In the craft and mixed media sphere, Fedrigoni Fabriano, Rico Design (present at both Ambiente and Creativeworld), Staedtler, and a wide range of boutique material suppliers will spotlight new textures, formats and more sustainable production approaches.

Gift and school product buyers can expect playful and commercially strong collections from Donkey Products, Lebez, Safta and Troika, o ering a broad selection of design-conscious accessories suited to diverse retail formats.

Trend intelligence translates to retail Two dedicated trend areas provide invaluable insight for category planning:

Creativeworld Trends (Hall 1.1): This showcase distils emerging creative behaviours into colour palettes, materials and POS concepts that retailers can translate directly into displays and seasonal edits.

Ambiente Trends (Foyer Hall 4.1): A broader look at global consumer aesthetics, lifestyle movements and cross-category design shifts,

What: Creativeworld

Where: Frankfurt

When: February 6-9

ideal for retailers seeking cohesive narratives across stationery, gifting and home.

Together, they o er actionable forecasting at a level few retail events can match.

From stationery retailers, art supply stores and bookshops, to department stores, concept shops, wholesalers and ecommerce players, the combined fairs serve anyone looking to strengthen their creative, gifting or stationery propositions. With both events running simultaneously – Creativeworld from February 6-9, and Ambiente and Christmasworld from February 6-10, buyers can maximise their time on site and return with a fully-formed sourcing strategy.

As consumer preferences shift towards personalisation, mindful making and higher-quality stationery, the divide between writing, crafting and gifting continues to blur. At Ambiente and Creativeworld 2026, UK retailers will find not only the products, but the context, insight and inspiration needed to curate ranges that resonate. In a competitive retail landscape, this is no longer optional, it is essential.

Get your tickets at https://visitortickets. messefrankfurt.com/ticket/en/index.html

Web: https://visitortickets.messefrankfurt.com/ticket/en/index.html

In the news

Former GA CEO and Bira

launch The Gift & Lifestyle Consortium

A new partnership is launching to support independent businesses across the gift, lifestyle and home sectors, bringing together industry expertise with one of the UK’s most established retail bodies.

The Gift & Lifestyle Consortium has been formed by Sarah Ward, former CEO of The Giftware Association, in collaboration with the British Independent Retailer Association (Bira). The Consortium will meet the evolving needs of retailers, suppliers and manufacturers throughout the sector.

Sarah has 30 years of experience spanning retail, wholesale and trade association leadership within the giftware, lifestyle and fashion industries, while Bira brings a deep understanding of the modern retail landscape, supporting independent retailers across the UK.

Together, this new consortium aims to bring together, support and elevate the businesses working tirelessly to ensure the continued success and creativity of the sector.

The launch press release stated: ‘’The Gift & Lifestyle Consortium has

Sarah Ward, cofounder of The Gift & Lifestyle Consortium

been created in direct response to the gaps and emerging opportunities that businesses tell us they need support with today. Its mission is to offer a fresh, modern, industry-wide hub that empowers companies – regardless of size or category – to navigate challenges, connect with peers and embrace the changing landscape.

‘’While the Consortium does not seek to replicate existing organisations, it recognises the clear demand for a new kind of partnership model – one that is agile, inclusive and built for the future.’’

The team will be present at spring trade shows, where Sarah and Bira representatives look forward to meeting with brands, retailers and stakeholders eager to hear more about this next chapter for the industry.

https://bira.co.uk/sectors/gift-and-lifestyle-consortium

British Garden Centres acquires 74th site

British Garden Centres’ Charles Stubbs with Neil Grant, Helen Watson and Linda Grant of Ferndale

British Garden Centres has announced the successful acquisition of Ferndale Garden Centre, located in North Derbyshire

The centre officially joined the group in early January and will now trade as Dronfield Garden Centre, bringing the group’s total number of sites to 74 – marking another significant step in the company’s ambitious growth across the UK.

2025 was a year of expansion for British Garden Centres, highlighted by the acquisition of key sites, including former Dobbies sites (Shinfield, Gosforth, Heighley Gate, Rugby, Havant, Northampton, and Gloucester), as well as Hayes Garden World, alongside significant reinvestments in its existing operations.

The addition of Ferndale Garden Centre as Dronfield Garden Centre strengthens the group’s presence in Yorkshire and reinforces its position as the UK’s largest family-run garden centre group. British Garden Centres plans to enhance facilities in the coming months to make the centre even more enjoyable for new and returning customers. www.britishgardencentres.com

Enesco renews partnership with Precious Moments

Contemporary giftware supplier Enesco’s USbased parent company Enesco, LLC and Precious Moments, Inc. have confirmed the renewal of their joint licensing partnership.

Enesco will once again be responsible for the development, manufacturing, and distribution of figural and giftware formats for the Precious Moments brand worldwide.

The partnership reunites two companies whose collaboration transformed the giftware industry. It began in 1978, when Gene Freedman, founder and CEO of Enesco Imports, first discovered the heartfelt illustrations of Precious Moments founder, the late Samuel ‘Sam’ J. Butcher. Gene encouraged him to translate those drawings of children with teardrop eyes into three-dimensional porcelain figurines, working alongside master sculptor Yasuhei Fujioka.

What followed was nearly three decades of success, global expansion, and the creation of a passionate collector community. In 2005, Precious Moments moved development and distribution inhouse. After 20 years of operating independently, both organisations view this renewed partnership as a homecoming and a meaningful alignment of shared strengths.

New Precious Moments product will launch globally, including in the UK, in early 2026.

Visit: www.enesco.co.uk

Louise Mulgrew x The Art File

Building on success

Introducing The Art File x Louise Mulgrew Card Collection at Spring Fair

The Art File team is overjoyed to launch its new collection with Louise Mulgrew at Spring Fair for the first time. This new collection includes 247 designs across Everyday and 62 designs across Christmas – with something for everyone looking to celebrate an occasion.

Louise Mulgrew is a talented and award-winning artist who specialises in creating adorable nature and animal designs. Having grown her business for over 10 years, Louise has connected people from all over the world with her beautiful cards. She won four Louies awards in the US in 2023, and was also named Artist Of The Year in the same year. Louise’s work has always been meaningful, with her business donating 2% of annual turnover to wildlife conservation charities, equating to over £140,000, as well as funding the planting of more than 500,000 trees.

After 10 successful years, in 2025 Louise decided to take her business in a di erent direction, and so an exclusive licensing agreement with The Art File was born.

“For 10 years my business has been my full priority,” Louise says. “It’s taken all my love and energy and focus, and never in my wildest imagination could I have dreamed we would have achieved some of the things we have.

“Best of all, I’ve been able to be creative for a living, and experience people all over the world connecting with my illustrations. But, as time has gone on, the joy of creating has been overshadowed by the compounding pressure and responsibility of the business side of things, which has felt like a huge weight on my shoulders. To be honest, it’s become completely unsustainable for me to continue on this trajectory.”

Louise contacted The Art File to explore the possibility of a licence, and The Art File team is thrilled to say that this new collection is now launching at Spring Fair for the first time. Ged Mace, managing director of The Art File, comments: “Our businesses share similar values, we serve like-minded, forward-thinking customers, and our collections complement one another perfectly. This is a wonderful addition, and we are all very excited to build on the success of this established British brand within The Art File family.”

The Louise Mulgrew everyday collection features 247 designs, featuring her bestselling card designs. Including collections such as Mini Cards, Furry Friends and Safari, every card is full of joy, character and beautiful design. Alongside Louise’s bestselling card designs, The Art File team is delighted to add that there will also be eight new designs in the Mini Cards collection and three new designs in the Furry Friends collection.

Alongside the Everyday designs, the Art File will also be launching its new collection of Christmas cards with Louise Mulgrew at Spring Fair. Featuring 40 mini-cards, six square festive cards and 16 designs in the Furry Friends collection, there’s something for everyone looking to buy a special card for Christmas 2026. Every card is full of adorable festive cheer paired with stunning illustrations.

See all of The Art File x Louise Mulgrew Collections at Spring Fair for the first time, February 1-4. Visit The Art File at Hall 3, Stand P11, to be the first to see all of The Art File Christmas 2026 collections.

‘’This is a wonderful addition, and we are all very excited to build on the success of this established British brand within The Art File family’’ Ged Mace, MD, The Art File

The Art File 0115 850 7490 sales@theartfile.com www.theartfiletrade.com

spotlight

Getting fruity!

Get ready to boost your spring/summer sales with the vibrant Equilibrium Juicy Gems Collection from Joe Davies, (Spring Fair, Hall 4, stand C10-D11) inspired by one of this season’s strongest fashion trends. Fresh, colourful and irresistibly eyecatching fruit-inspired jewellery, this range showcases lemons, raspberries, apples, pears and much more in a mix of bold enamel designs and elegant gemstone accented styles. Each bracelet, pair of earrings and necklace is plated in genuine silver or gold and offers strong visual appeal. Fun, fashionable and instantly giftable, Juicy Gems bring a pop of colour to your displays while offering something new and uplifting to your customers. Full of colour, creativity and warm hospitality, the Joe Davies stand offers a great place to explore what’s new at Spring Fair. The easy ‘little and often’ ordering system and low £100 minimum order – complete with free nationwide delivery, make buying effortless and reassuring.  Whether you’re dreaming up your 2026 Christmas displays or searching for something new, this is a stand you shouldn’t miss.

Joe Davies 0161 975 6300 | sales@joedavies.co.uk | www.joedavies.co.uk

And all that Jazzy!

Jazzy by Nature is the bold, joy-led illustration brand of Manchester-based artist and designer Jasmin Issaka, who creates vibrant greeting cards, stationery and paper goods that celebrate colour, culture, and connection.

Known for her afro-psychedelic style and retro-inspired palettes, Jasmin’s work blends playful storytelling with soulful visual energy – designed to uplift everyday moments and spark genuine emotional connection.

With over a decade of experience working across illustration, branding and visual art, Jasmin brings a distinctive hand-drawn feel to commercially-savvy designs that translate beautifully across greeting cards, giftware and lifestyle products. Each piece is rooted in positivity, inclusivity and self-expression, making Jazzy by Nature a natural fit for modern retailers seeking standout designs with heart.

Following a successful presence at PG Live 2024, Jazzy by Nature continues to grow its wholesale range, offering eye-catching collections that feel both contemporary and timeless – vibrant art for everyday people.

Jazzy by Nature 07471195573

hello@jasminissaka.com JasminIssaka.com

On the Shelf(ie)

The girls at Kali Stileman are thrilled with their latest greeting card collection: Shelfies. Inspired by the many lovely things adorning Kali’s shelves, this collection features delightful flowers, plants, pencils and produce on pretty shelves. With 24 designs in the range, there is a card for any occasion.

Then there’s Kali’s project – National Trust landmarks. These greeting cards are inspired by beautiful Dorset landmarks and the nature that surrounds them, from breathtaking properties such as Kingston Lacy to iconic landmarks including Corfe Castle and Brownsea Island. Kali says she had so much fun creating this collection!

Kali Stileman Publishing 01305 848899

info@kalistileman.co.uk www.kalistileman.co.uk

Keeping it cute

Heritage stationery brand Stabilo is kicking o the new year with a product range extension; introducing The Cute Edition – Animal Vibes, the perfect pencil case refresh for schoolchildren. The Cute Edition range comprises new designs for BOSS mini, point 88 & Pen 68 and Trio thick, all of which have been designed based on animal characters, each representing a specific emotion.

Featuring characters including the Sleepy Sloth and Curious Meerkat, the range has been designed to create excitement for children but also to engage with emotions that are easy to recognise. By incorporating emotions and characters, Stabilo is encouraging a fun way for children to interact with their emotions, while making the creative experience fun and educational.

Stabilo

07925 427600

stabilopr@bwpgroup.com | www.stabilo.com/uk

A positive attitude

Start your journey towards a better self with this beautiful guided journal on developing a positive and grateful outlook. Positive Mental Gratitude: A Guided Journal is full of interesting tips and thoughtfully crafted prompts, which encourage deep self-reflection and emotional growth.

Whether new to journalling or looking to enhance current practice, this interactive guide will help the user cope with the daily stress of life more e ectively, feel more productive, build stronger relationships and nurture a positive mindset.

Summersdale Publishers 01243 771107 enquiries@summersdale.com https://summersdale.com

Calming and creative

Whether you’re notetaking, doodling or relaxing with a creative journal, the fashionable Sarasa Clip gel ink rollerball from Zebra pen is now available in a serene Calming Moments themed set.

Combining premium Japanese quality and performance, this limited edition set includes five di erent barrel wrap designs that help to inspire tranquillity and a peaceful train of thought. The Sarasa Clip gel ink pens feature a retractable 0.5mm nib, cushioned non-slip grip and strong binder clip. They also benefit from a smooth flowing and rapid dry, archival-quality, water-based ink that resists smudging and ensures an e ortless writing experience.

Each pen within the collection incorporates a floral pattern that takes inspiration from Zebra’s rich oriental heritage, with the colour of the ink also matching that of the barrel. These include Black, Bordeaux Purple, Blue Grey, Red Black and Sepia Black.

Zebra Pen UK

020 8974 2202 | info@zebrapen.co.uk

Your guide to 2026’s

Danilo’s newest calendar and card collections bring together the biggest entertainment launches, landmark anniversaries and standout favourites, supporting retailers across the seasons

With a rich mix of film, TV, gaming, music and sport, Danilo’s line-up is designed to spark excitement across every aisle – including the booming kidult category, where adult fans continue to drive strong purchasing of nostalgic and collectible ranges.

Expanding worlds: new launches for this year

Beyond established favourites, Danilo continues to champion rising genres and emerging fan communities. One of the most exciting additions is KPop Demon Hunters, which will see a 2027 calendar supported by a greeting card and gift wrap range. With K-pop’s influence accelerating across younger audiences and mainstream culture, this new brand o ers retailers an opportunity to tap into a fastgrowing, trend-led market.

A blockbuster year for film and TV fans

A packed schedule of film and TV releases sets the scene for a year driven by storytelling, nostalgia and fan anticipation. Danilo’s calendar portfolio mirrors this strong slate, led by Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man movie in March Spring ignites with cosmic colour when The Super Mario

Danilo continues to champion rising genres and emerging fan communities

Galaxy Movie launches in April, followed swiftly by a return to the Star Wars universe with The Mandalorian & Grogu in May. June brings the long-awaited arrival of Toy Story 5, adding another chapter to one of Disney and Pixar’s most enduring franchises.

The summer blockbuster season sees Minions 3, Disney’s live-action version of Moana, and PAW Patrol movie, arriving in July and August – a

biggest calendar hits

trio guaranteed to attract families, collectors and the gifting market alike.

Building on that momentum, The Angry Birds Movie 3 swoops into cinemas in December, bringing a fresh burst of energy in the run-up to Christmas.

Celebrating the legends

A rich mix of milestone moments delivers strong nostalgia and established fan demand, making these ranges ideal for both collectors and kidult buyers looking to reconnect with favourites.

Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings celebrate their 25th anniversaries, Shrek reaches its own 25-year milestone, Stranger Things marks 10 years, and Winnie the Pooh turns 100.

Danilo’s collection honours these franchises with premium artwork, collectible calendar formats, and designs that capture the heart of what fans love: epic storytelling, iconic characters and global pop-culture heritage.

Sport highlights for every fan

Sport remains a core strength for Danilo, supported by a packed schedule of major fixtures and fan passion, including the Rugby Union Six Nations, the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup, the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

With o cial Premier League team calendars and an expansive sport-led o ering, retailers can expect dependable footfall and strong repeat purchasing from dedicated supporters and gift buyers.

Featuring strong film releases, cultural anniversaries, dynamic new licences and the undeniable draw of sport, Danilo’s calendar programme is crafted to deliver impact across all retail channels. Expect eye-catching design, powerful brand recognition and ranges that resonate with fans of all ages.

This is shaping up to be an exceptional year for the category – and your biggest calendar hits truly start here.

Enjoy a virtual cuppa!

The GCA’s virtual co ee mornings o er a great opportunity to learn more about the greetings industry and connect with GCA members, without leaving your studio or o ce!

These informal sessions last around 45-60 minutes and are hosted by a GCA council member.

Upcoming events include:

February 17, 11am, hosted by Rebecca Green, Raspberry Blossom, who will share insights into her journey in the greeting card industry, licensing, and her role on the GCA Council.

April 14, 11am, hosted by Seth Woodmansterne, from Woodmansterne Publications, who will share how Woodmansterne works with leading licensing partners, its role as a broker publisher, and his perspective as a GCA Council member. See www.gca.cards/events for these and more events.

Conference heads to MK

The GCA annual Conference & AGM will take place on Sept 24 at Unity Place, in Milton Keynes, Bucks.

Drinks the night before will be hosted by Woodmansterne Publications. Booking should be open on the GCA website by the time you read this!

Getting the message across

The GCA’s Cardmitment campaign reached an estimated 88 million people over 2025.

The campaign’s mission is protecting and promoting the joy of card sending. And in 2025 it reminded millions of people about the importance of greeting cards – especially at Christmas.

GCA members and their businesses came under the spotlight as they brought the spirit of Christmas to life at local events and in care homes, in the press, on radio and TV. Greeting card publisher Wendy Jones-Blackett (pictured) shared her passion for cards with a national audience on BBC Breakfast, just before Christmas –just one of the 1,047 pieces of coverage across all media.

Last few spaces for Dragons!

Tickets are selling fast for this year’s popular Dragons Speed Dating event.

The event allows card publishers to get in front of at least three buyers, and supply sample cards to all buyers taking part.

Retailers taking part this year include Scribbler, WH Smith - now TGJones, Postmark, LoveOne, Stationery Supplies, More Than Just a Gift / Smart Shopkeepers Club, along with Objectables.

A panel discussion at this event will include Yvette Clarkson from Heyyy Cards, and Perlina Pierre-Davis at Paper Rose, who also sits on the GCA Diversity & Inclusion committee. Dragons Speed Dating starts at 12.45pm on Monday March 16 at the Business Design Centre, Islington.

Changing places on GCA Council

Ashton Duckitt, strategic account director – High Street at UK Greetings, has joined the Council following the recent resignation of Darren Cave, UK Greetings’ commercial director and past GCA President.

Darren served on the Council for six years, and during that time he made a significant contribution to the industry. The Council agreed it was important for UK Greetings to remain represented, and Ashton’s appointment ensures that continuity.

Brett Smith, MD of Emotional Rescue, will step down from the Council in 2026 as he moves away from the business. During his time on the Council, Brett played a key role on the Royal Mail Sub-committee and led the GCA’s work with Temu on IP infringement, resulting in the creation of the infringement takedown guide.

In order to maintain expertise in these areas, Pip Heywood, MD of Thortful, will join in 2026. Pip has already contributed significantly, most recently leading the GCA Council’s submission to Ofcom’s Call for Action.

Temu pilot programme success

Many GCA members have seen their cards being sold without permission on online marketplaces, particularly Temu. Following complaints by GCA members about copied designs being used, the GCA has been working with Temu on a pilot progamme aimed at getting infringed designs removed.

So far, more than 212,000 cards have been protected proactively through Temu’s Proactive Monitoring Programme.

There have also been more than 35,000 proactive removals (additional potentially infringing listings addressed without requiring further reports from the rights owner).

The GCA says that members who have been taking part in the programme for two months or more have submitted very limited additional reports, showing that proactive monitoring is helping to reduce repeat issues.

The GCA has also spoken to Temu about a 2026 Temu Webinar, but wants to gauge the level of interest first.

If you are interested in attending a GCA Temu webinar please register your interest at www.gca.cards/contact

The webinar would enable attendees to:

1. Learn more before deciding to take part in the scheme

2. Understand how the pilot would work for your business

3. Hear directly from Temu about safeguards, process and technology

4. Reduce the time and emotional e ort spent managing infringement.

From greeting to gallery

Bare Cards co-founder Ceri Seal explains how the publisher is redefining the art of sustainable cards

When we first introduced our self-sealing cards, our goal was clear – to reduce unnecessary single-use paper and plastic waste within the greetings industry. By removing the need for separate envelopes and plastic wrapping, we reimagined what a greeting card could be: beautifully simple, eco-friendly, and e ortless to use.

Now, we’re taking that vision even further. Introducing our two captivating new ranges – The John L Harris Collection and Portals of Wonder — designed to transform from greeting cards into collectible pieces of art. Each range has been thoughtfully created to be cherished long after the message inside has been read. These aren’t just cards; they’re miniature works of art – elegant, sustainable, and made to be displayed. We have crafted every detail with this transformation in mind. Each card unfolds into a full trifold masterpiece, spanning an impressive 39cm. The triptych-style layouts feature three seamlessly connected images – o ering three exquisite scenes in one card. Whether it’s the ethereal charm of Portals of Wonder or the timeless artistry of The John L Harris Collection, every piece tells a story that extends far beyond the moment it’s opened. And sustainability remains at the heart of it all. The only by-product from these cards is a tiny peel-o strip – the small section removed to reveal our signature self-sealing adhesive. There’s no envelope to discard, no plastic wrap, and no need to recycle when you’re done. The card simply becomes part of your home, your wall, or your keepsake collection – a gentle reminder that beauty and sustainability can exist in perfect harmony. You can watch a short demonstration video on our website, and experience the moment when an ordinary card transforms into something truly extraordinary – a gift, a display, and a piece of art, all in one. Because with us, a greeting is never just a card – it’s the beginning of something beautiful.

Bare Cards

07842 197276

info@bare-cards.co.uk

https://bare-cards.co.uk

FOCUS ON... BARE CARDS

Bold new

Spring Fair returns to the NEC Birmingham from February 1-4 with renewed energy, a bold creative direction and more reasons than ever for buyers to attend

Under its new theme, Retail Alchemists – Masters of the Mix, Spring Fair 2026 marks a significant evolution of the show, blending product discovery with inspiration, insight and experience.

In 2026, the show builds on its 75-year heritage with an expanded footprint, refreshed sectors, new feature spaces, and a content programme designed to support buyers navigating an increasingly complex retail landscape.

With more than 1,200 exhibitors, 38% of products exclusive to the show, and a 16% year-on-year increase in new brands, Spring Fair 2026 is set to deliver an injection of innovation, creativity and commercial opportunity.

Buyers can explore more than one million products across 12 curated destinations, discovering emerging brands, new launches and future bestsellers that will define the 2026 retail landscape.

Meet the newcomers

Returning destinations including Greetings, Party & Celebration, Gift, Home, Living & Décor, The Summer House Edit, Christmas, Festive & Floral, Beauty & Wellbeing, Fashion and Everyday are joined by the launch of Design at Spring Fair, a major new destination for interiors, alongside the return of Glee @ Spring Fair and a new Fashion at Spring Fair space.

In Greetings, Party & Celebration, newcomers such as The Blues Group, Stormy Knight, Otter House, Folat, Grace Jackson Design, Crumpet Prints, Lucky Alice, Ornament Art, Lil Wabbit and In Real Life Store bring fresh design and playful innovation to cards, wrap and party product.

Across the Gift sector, new exhibitors include Ark Colour Design, Max Benjamin, Julie Childs Glass Artist, Rosemullion Distillery, The Edgie Company, Alice Caroline, OakiWay Gifts, Amuseko Boompods Chapel House Fragrances, Daisy Street, Dog & Bond, Hames Chocolates, Kenro, Momolio, Olee Cosmetics, Peckish Goose, Popsy And Plum, Portland Living, Sow Easy, The White Peacock Company, Neon Magpie, The Tipsy Candle Co, and The New Forest Candle Company, o ering buyers everything from design-led home accessories and fragrance to ethical gifting and artisanal craft.

The show welcomes the launch of CQ Gardens, a new lifestyle brand created by actress, author and gardening personality Caroline Quentin and her husband Sam Farmer. CQ Gardens reflects Caroline’s lifelong passion for gardening, illustration and creative living, connecting audiences with beautifully designed products inspired by her own horticultural journey and artistic vision, from illustrated homewares and tea towels to gardening accessories and her Sunday Times-bestselling book Drawn to the Garden. Buyers will have the opportunity to meet Caroline in person during the show, as she showcases the CQ Gardens collection, shares insights into her creative process, and celebrates the launch in an immersive live setting.

Licensing continues to be a major driver for retail, and Spring Fair 2026 reflects that momentum. A highlight for 2026 is the launch of The Licensing Lab in Hall 4, a new content and discovery hub connecting retailers, licensors, designers and agencies. Buyers can explore licensing strategy, discover emerging IP and see how storytelling and brand partnerships translate into commercially successful ranges.

Brands appearing in the Licensing Lab include Pink Pig, Emma Lawrence Designs, Crumble & Core, Peers Hardy, Difuzed, Jehane, Este Macleod Art & Design, plus speaking on the stage are Aardman – creators of Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep, Chicken Run and Morph; Joules; Fabacus; and Products of Change, alongside heritage licensing partner and legacy production studio Threewise Entertainment, celebrating 52 years of Bagpuss.

The fast-growing Taste sector welcomes new brands including Buckingham Cakes Popaball Gardiners of Scotland Kandy Kandy KatKin, and Sweet Souvenirs, alongside household favourites such as Joe & Seph’s Gourmet Popcorn, Cocoba Chocolate, Fudge Kitchen, and Spice Kitchen

Outdoor living is no longer seasonal, it’s a lifestyle. That’s why Glee has joined forces with Spring Fair, o ering the very best in garden, outdoor living, décor and

directions

leisure. Positioned at the start of the buying season, this refreshed earlyseason edition gives retailers and suppliers a powerful new opportunity to connect, source and grow.

Five new feature spaces transform the show into a fully immersive experience, including The Merchant’s Corner for independent retail strategy, The Design Studio for interiors and design insight, The Hidden Forum for leadership conversations, The Licensing Lab, and The Buyers Retreat – a space to recharge and connect.

The Merchant’s Corner

The Merchant’s Corner brings retail’s future into sharp focus, o ering independent retailers, brands, and buyers practical insights, databacked strategies and future-facing inspiration across three transformative days.

Designed as an indie-shopfront-inspired space at the heart of Hall 3, The Merchant’s Corner brings together leading independents, retail strategists and high-street champions to share what’s really working in today’s market.

Topics include

• eCommerce Best Practices for 2026

• Hard Times, Smart Retail – the tactics keeping independent retailers profitable, blending digital tools, alternative revenue streams and smarter margin management.

• Future Vision: Charting Your ‘26 Direction – the powerful macro-shifts shaping retail and how to lead change instead of chasing it.

• Independent and Irreplaceable – leaders from Lark London and Jumping Bean share people-first strategies that turn shops into beloved community anchors.

• The Faire Forecast 2026 – data-backed trends shaping next year’s buying landscape.

• The Growth Map: scaling from One Shop to Seven – Doodie Stark, Paper Tiger and Vinegar Hill reveal the realities of successful multi-site expansion.

• The High Street Comeback – how independents are driving local revival and attracting younger shoppers

• Retail Ahead of the Curve – how retailers can stay ahead with experience-led environments, omnichannel agility and smart use of AI.

Full details of talks are available on the website.

What: Spring Fair

Where: NEC Birmingham

When: February 1-4 2026 Web: www.springfair.com

Buyers’ view

We ask retailers what they are looking for and forward to at Spring Fair…

I love Spring Fair, my Mum and I walk every single aisle in every single hall as there has been the odd time we have found a gem of a company in a location you may not think to check out. My Mum loves to visit the card stands to see what’s new and have a catch-up with friends in the industry. The greeting card industry is such a fantastic and sociable industry to be a part of and we are very blessed to know so many lovely people.

While she is chatting away, however, I get a bit anxious that we are not making progress so I will do a few more isles and meet her later! Gifting is our main priority when we visit Spring Fair; I am always on the lookout for something new. I love to see and feel the product; it’s just not the same when you are ordering online or from a catalogue. I am a bit old-fashioned that way, but that’s why it is so important to support the trade shows, as nothing compares to seeing the product in the flesh.

Sonya Haandrikman Sibbald Celebrations, Carlisle

I can’t wait – I’ve already bought my new outfit for the show!

I need to look at new gifts and any very unusual items that will make our customers say wow!

I love visiting my current suppliers – it’s so nice to see the faces of people we only ever chat to on the phone, never in person.

I’ll also be looking for what may jump out at me and looks di erent for Christmas. I love this Hall – I’ll be re-stocking the Christmas light-ups . I’d usually visit Kontsmide but I'm not sure they are there this year.

Carl Dunne

Cards & Gifts, Dronfi eld, Derbyshire

I love going to Spring Fair! I get so excited about finding wonderful new products to o er my customers. It’s a huge-scale shopping opportunity for me, and a great day or two out from my usual day’s work at the shop.

I’m also excited about being a judge for Gift of The Year 2026. It will be fantastic to see the entries on display at the NEC, many of which I already stock at Daisy Daisy – and I may connect with any new ones I love the look of.

Rebekah Mudie

Daisy Daisy - Beautiful Cards & Gifts

Llanishen, Cardi

Not just for Christmas…

Discover more than 530 new designs in The Art File Everyday and Christmas 2026 Collection on Stand 3P11

The Art File team is thrilled to be attending Spring Fair, where they will launch their Christmas 2026 Collections for the first time, alongside their new Everyday 2026 Collections. With more than 340 new designs across Everyday cards, wrap, stationery and gifts, there’s so much to see in this stunning collection.

Two notable card collections include Tidal Ink and Happy Things. Tidal Ink was created by talented in-house designer, Millie. Every card in this collection is made with Kelp Ink, a biomass ink that has a carbon-negative footprint. Featuring arty birthday messages and lovely illustrations, these cards are printed on recycled board and finished with deboss, giving them a beautiful, highquality finish.

Happy Things is a joyful new collection of birthday mini cards. Created by talented head designer Lucie, every design features fun and playful characters surrounded by colour. This collection is printed on recycled board and is tastefully finished with emboss, UV and Pantone, giving it a bright and glossy finish.

The Art File is also launching its new collection with Louise Mulgrew. Showing for the first time at Spring Fair, this includes 247 designs across Everyday and 62 designs across Christmas – with something for everyone looking to celebrate an occasion. Louise Mulgrew is a talented and award-winning designer who specialises in creating adorable nature and animal designs. The Art File is thrilled to be publishing her bestselling Mini Cards Collection, Furry Friends, Flora and Safari Party ranges.

Among the Louise Mulgrew range, there are 10 new card collections, with more than 80 new extensions to The Art File’s current collections. The Art File is also launching 17 new gift bag looks, 18 new gift wrap designs, 12 new tissue paper packs, along with new collections of ribbon, featuring 24 colours to choose from in three di erent styles.

For those looking for stationery products, The Art File o ers a new collection of sticker rolls and bookmarks, along with extensions to wall calendars, notebooks in A5 and A4, notecard packs and magnetic list pads. There’s an extensive gift collection, and 2026 sees new tote bag designs, new bear plush toys and keychains, and stunning pin badges.

The Art File Christmas 2026 is launching at Spring Fair for the first time. This collection has been curated to make your festive gift-giving even more magical. This season, The Art File is o ering an exclusive mix of traditional and contemporary designs, with seven new card collections, five new gift bag looks, new luxury box designs, relation cards and much more. Featuring themes such as wintry landscapes, nostalgic Christmas and adorable animals, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful collection.

Notable collections from the card collections include Pavilion, a bold Christmas collection with traditional themes; Happy Things, a fun and contemporary collection; and Merry Little Christmas, a contemporary collection of four landscape cards featuring golden typography and festive botanicals. Bestselling ranges such as Storybook Christmas, Bear and Rock On also have new designs added to their collections.

The Art File is launching its new collection of Christmas cards with Louise Mulgrew. Featuring 40 minicards, six square festive cards and 16 designs in the Furry Friends collection, there’s something for everyone looking to buy a special card this Christmas. Every card is full of adorable festive cheer paired with stunning illustrations.

The Art File team is also pleased to release new designs for charity packs, wax wallets, luxury boxes, relations and a variety of wrap and gift packaging options.

The publisher continues innovating the packaging on its Christmas collections through completely plastic-free luxury boxed cards, charity packs, and new gift bags that are completely recyclable – including the handles. All The Art File cards are printed in the UK, and all of the cards, gift bag and gift wrap board are sustainably sourced, plastic-free and recyclable.

With more than 190 new designs to choose from, this collection has been designed to turn the heads of even the most discerning of retailers, and of course, look fantastic under the tree for Christmas 2026.

Led by design

Cinnamon Aitch brings everything from ditsy florals, polka dots, and quirky animal designs for the young and young at heart, to garden scenes, cats and dinosaurs travelling across concertina cards on Stand 3P44

Cinnamon Aitch has many stunning new greeting card launches for January 2026, which continue to drive the business forward with beautiful, considered designs that resonate with today’s design-led, eco-savvy consumer.

There are three new stunning ranges alongside many new additions to favourites, all of which will be on display at Spring Fair, stand 3P44.

Meadow Blossom is a new, 18-strong, C6 floral range, which takes the artwork from esteemed designer Nicola Evans (also known as Peony Rose) and sprinkles it with a little Cinnamon Aitch magic. Perfect for spring, the range sees ditsy florals and pretty patterns punctuated with birds, butterflies and bees. Each design is carefully hand-finished with bespoke flowers and sparkly gems in the UK, with love.

Hu alumpa is a colourful, playful range that explores shape alongside quirky animals. Each of the 16 designs is die-cut, bold and aimed for the young or simply young at heart. With 16 designs, this fun, square format range is sure to delight and bring a smile on the cloudiest of days.

Alice’s Garden launched a year ago and continues to go from strength to strength. Celebrating nature with sensitively hand-painted illustrations that travel across concertina cards, navigating intricately die-cut shapes and apertures, this range sees 12 stunning new designs added featuring pretty garden scenes, cats, dinosaurs and underwater life. Mainly blank with the occasional birthday caption, this range is not to be missed.

Dinky Daisy sees the addition of 20 stunning new designs, contemporary and modern – the range now covers ages and key occasions. Pretty florals combine with contemporary polka dots throughout with a bright and cheerful colour palette. Each design

is embossed and sees intricately die-cut areas and edges creating a visually joyful and tactile range.

Bestselling hand-finished range Primrose Hill sees new additions as well as similar beautiful, handpainted illustrations in a larger format. Large Primrose Hill is 165mm square, and continues to feature sensitive illustrations carefully hand-finished with understated sparkly gems and flowers, larger for those extra-special sends. Each card is supplied with a bespoke, quality envelope. Gorgeousness!

The lovely Gypsy and contemporary men’s range Cobalt Extreme also see new designs added. With newness across the little card packs, notebooks and hand-made eco soaps, there’s lots to see on Stand 3P44.

All Cinnamon Aitch cards continue to be designed, hand-finished and printed entirely in the UK. Call or email to request a catalogue.

Cinnamon Aitch 0121 773 6833

Variety and creativity

With a collection of giftware, home decor, jewellery and accessories, Joe Davies returns to Spring Fair on Stand 4C10-D11, offering inspiration, innovation and opportunity

The Joe Davies team is delighted to return to the show with an exciting lineup of new collections, ready to welcome familiar faces and first-time visitors to its extensive stand.

Situated in Hall 4, Stand C10-D11, the expansive Joe Davies display is a true showcase of variety and creativity. Retailers will discover an impressive selection of celebration giftware, stylish home décor, timeless general gifts, contemporary jewellery and fashion accessories, all carefully chosen to offer strong appeal and standout sales potential. A visit promises fresh ideas, bestselling favourites and plenty to inspire the retail year.

Responding to the continued demand for mindful gifting and feel-good products, the Crystal Healing range offers retailers an accessible way to tap into a growing lifestyle trend. The collection includes an appealing mix of bracelets, glass jars of healing crystals, bookmarks, keyrings and bag charms, making it ideal for both considered purchases and impulse gifting. Featuring some of the most popular and recognisable stones, such as rose quartz for love and wellbeing, and amethyst for calm and clarity. Retail-ready presentation is a key strength of the range, with wooden display stands and kraft CDU units designed to make merchandising simple and effective.

Joe Davies introduces its new ceramic home décor ranges in two beautifully coordinated colour stories: Natural Garden, featuring soft greens and warm taupe tones inspired by the outdoors, and Misty Pink Garden, a delicate and feminine pink floral that brings a lighter, decorative feel to the collection. Featuring consistently bestselling shapes such as the classic bottle vase, elegant plum-shaped vase, versatile jug, tapered vase, and both small and large planters, the range offers flexibility for retailers to create cohesive displays or mix-and-match statements.

The Equilibrium Collection is a firm favourite among retailers and customers alike, and Spring Fair will see the launch of no less than three new ranges,

all with a fresh new look for the Spring/Summer season. If you’re looking to bring a touch of natureinspired charm into your displays then the Equilibrium Secret Garden Collection is one for you! Designed with garden-lovers and nature-lovers in mind, this delightful range features florals, pretty watering cans and fun sparkly wellies, all plated with genuine silver and gold. The collection includes bracelets, necklaces, earrings, keyrings and modern pin brooches, and offers a gift-ready style for your customers. Luxury branded packaging, including luxury keepsake boxes for the keyring and brooch, adds premium appeal and helps to drive both impulse and repeat sales.

Welcome the warm days of spring/summer with the Equilibrium collection of Reversible Tote Bags, handcrafted to bring a touch of glamour and colour to your day. Soft, quilted and wonderfully lightweight, each tote blooms with florals, sways with palm trees or dances with modern patterns… whatever suits the mood of the day! Turn it inside out to reveal a fresh striped contrasting lining, offering a second look as carefree as the first. Spacious yet easy to fold away, these bags are made for holidays, long afternoons out and all the little moments in between. A playful companion for life on the go!

The Joe Davies retailer-friendly ‘little and often’ ordering system keeps stock levels flexible and manageable, while the industry-leading £100 minimum order, complete with free nationwide delivery makes topping up affordable and effortless. With clever buying solutions and a stand full of fresh inspiration, Joe Davies is the ideal place to discover what’s new, what sells and what will keep your customers coming back.

Joe Davies 0161 975 6300 sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk

Fresh looks and licences

Museums & Galleries brings new licences, including mouth artist Henry Fraser, whose designs reflect his love of nature and wildlife on Stand 3L30-M31, 3M34

The Museums & Galleries (M&G) team is looking forward to Spring Fair with a host of new licensed card ranges, refreshes and extensions, and new formats for 2026.

M&G’s headline new announcement is an exclusive signing of the highly lauded and loved printmaker and painter Angela Harding for greeting cards, notelets and Advent calendars. Angela Harding is a printmaker working from her rural studio in Rutland. Her works are inspired by her love of birds, animals and the beauty of the British countryside.

For several years now, M&G has produced gift packaging, tote bags, and gift and homewares items from Angela, so adding the greeting card licence seemed the obvious next step for both artist and M&G. Eddie Clarke, licensing manager at M&G, says: ‘’At M&G we specialise in licensing brands and building artist and designers’ brands, and an extended relationship with Angela just seemed like a great fit for us both at the perfect time. Ben Dorney, our creative director, and I have admired Angela’s work for over a decade, and her vote of confidence in M&G is very special to us. Particularly, we are thrilled to be publishing Angela’s first-ever fully-branded range of Christmas cards”.

The 24 fine art blank cards come in a square and a rectangular format, each with branded envelopes. There is also a selection of six die-cut cards and two notelet wallets. The Christmas collection contains 12 packs of eight, and a large square theme box. In addition, M&G is publishing four of Angela’s die-cut Advent calendars.

M&G is also launching a giftware licence with Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit – the first products are a small collection of the iconic and historic artworks on premium fine art cards (in M&G’s Illustrators range) and Christmas cards in

January, with further launches of gift products following throughout 2026. This year marks the children’s classic’s 125th anniversary of its first publication, and the aim of the cards is to remain true to the artist’s original vision.

Also launching January 2026 is a curated fine art card range of the art of contemporary artist Henry Fraser. Henry is a mouth artist and inspirational author and speaker. Paralysed from the shoulders down after dislocating his neck in 2009, he now paints using only his mouth. He taught himself how to draw and paint with pencils and paint by attaching utensils to a mouth stick – reigniting his childhood love for art. He says: “Adversity has given me a gift''. There are 12 designs in the launch range, showcasing Henry’s love of nature and wildlife.

M&G’s prestigious national Museum licence, the V&A, benefits from a new side range, The Cabinet of Curiosities. The 15 small rectangular cards in this range comprise a carefully selected kaleidoscope of patterns, prints and colour from across the museum’s archives. Featuring intricate embossing and both blank and birthday designs, they make beautiful, tactile, sendable cards (SRP £3.10).

The Natural History Museum also has a new-look card range, focusing strongly on British coastal and countryside wildlife. Freshly styled in delicate pastels and stripes, the designs are presented in a smaller rectangle size with Kraft envelopes (SRP £2.83).

Finally, M&G’s art department has achieved a major overhaul of the company’s Relations, Birthday and Occasions range, with more than 100 new designs added at a variety of price points.

Museums & Galleries

01373 462165

sales@mgml.co.uk

www.museumsgalleries.co.uk

Thoughtful and elegant design

Rosanna Rossi brings a fresh new selection of greeting cards designs to Stand 3Q34

With the arrival of a new year comes a fresh selection of new additions and collections. Rosanna Rossi presents a beautiful range of o erings to begin 2026 in style.

Leading the launch is Mini Moments, a thoughtfully designed new collection of 32 designs celebrating relations, sentiments, and milestones from ages 18 to 80. Each card features charming miniature illustrations scattered across a 150mm square format, finished with striking deep embossing, satin gold foil detailing, and paired with a complementing coloured envelope.

Alongside this debut are elegant additions to the award-winning Florini collection, showcasing joyful floral illustrations that continue to delight. The Simpatia range also expands with heartfelt sympathy and thinking of you titles, thoughtfully designed to complement the empathetic artwork.

Newness is also introduced within the Journey collection, featuring general birthday titles that continue its narrative of outdoor adventure and travel. Designs explore scenes including a train journey through the mountains, lakeside camping, and a day on the golf course.

Completing the launch is further newness from the ever-popular Sunny Side range, featuring a fun and uplifting selection of designs across Get Well, New Baby, Birthday, Engagement, and Wedding.

The Rosanna Rossi team look forward to showcasing all new designs exclusively at Spring Fair at the NEC, Stand 3Q34. See you there!

Freshly Drawn designs

Stand 4J88

Living up to its name, Draw UK is once again bringing its refreshing creativity to Spring Fair 2026, with a host of innovative handdrawn designs and new greeting card ranges by its own artists.

Draw has been producing fun, fresh, humorous, personality-driven ideas for the greeting card sector for 23 years. All the designs within Draw’s ranges are conceived in-house by the company’s team of talented artists.

The artists at Draw work daily to sketch, devise and deliver new characters. Each design is hand-drawn and coloured using pencils, pen and ink or watercolour paints before being printed in the UK on NAPMapproved sustainable card with vegetable inks.

The Compost Heap range is at the heart of Draw’s identity. It is a bestselling collection of hand-drawn, charming characters, which are designed to delight customers with their vibrant humour. The awardwinning range of more than 160 greeting card designs for 2026 is firmly rooted in the natural world, with amusing puns that continue to brighten your day.

Draw artist Lorna Cook comments: “We’re never far from the drawing board, sketching and developing new ideas. With innovations across all our ranges and a launch of more than 100 designs for Spring 2026, we work to ensure retailers remain ahead of the curve when it comes to the look, feel and direction of great greeting card design.”

Orders are taken online, by phone or face-to-face in store. With competitive pricing (Compost Heap cards are £1.10 and Cockadoodle cards are 96p each, sold in packs of six) orders are hand-packed with care, using recycled packaging and distributed to retail customers within five days of order.

With ease of ordering and a personal approach to sales support, customers are assured of premium-quality products and expert advice right through from ordering, to the cards arriving for display on the shopfloor.

Give it a twirl!

Stand 3R51

Cute characters, fun puns and an extensive Christmas collection will be among the colourful contemporary cards showcased by Painted Parasol at Spring Fair.

Making its first appearance at the show in the GCA debut section, the brand is the brainchild of illustrator Ellie Norbert-Munns, who draws all the artwork among the rolling hills of rural Dorset.

Spring Fair will be her second trade show, after dipping her feet into the wholesale sphere at last year’s PG Live and gaining stockists throughout the UK. Look out for Ellie’s gentle family-friendly humour, detailed characters, rich colour palette, and her bestselling men’s sports range (as well as her hand-painted parasols, which visitors are welcome to give a twirl!).

A new foiled age range will be among the 40-plus designs being launched at the show.

Pretty in pink

Stand 4J25 and Cardgains stand 3M10/N11

Rainbow Designs is bringing a host of gift-ready character launches to Spring Fair 2026, with Pembe the Pink Cat, Care Bears Baby and Disney Dumbo joining its established portfolio of much-loved licensed collections including Paddington, Peter Rabbit, Disney Winnie the Pooh, and Mr. Men Little Miss.

Making its Spring Fair debut is viral sensation Pembe the Pink Cat, a character rooted in emotion, positivity and self-expression. Rainbow’s adorable new Pembe collectible plush range includes six 15cm characters, each paired with an affirmation such as Be You, Thank You and Happy Birthday, alongside plush keychains and larger Pembe cuddly toys. Designed to resonate with tweens and adults, Pembe radiates kindness and encourages emotional connection, making these cute plush a thoughtful gift for all occasions.

2026 also marks 100 years of Winnie the Pooh, and to celebrate, Rainbow Designs will launch a beautiful commemorative plush toy featuring a bespoke anniversary tag, plus an adorable boxed gift set including a baby-soft Winnie the Pooh toy, illustrated Comforter and engaging Ring Rattle.

Further new additions include the adorable Care Bears Baby range and a Disney Dumbo infant collection, both offering soft, sentimental gifting options that pair perfectly with greetings for new arrivals and special occasions.

On your toes!

Stand 3K28

Twenty Birds is taking a playful leap with a new range the birds themselves might not approve of. Introducing Nose to Toes, an irresistibly tactile collection of eight greeting cards starring six charismatic cats and two cheeky ferrets. Four designs feature embossed noses and toes for a delightful touch-and-feel moment, while the other four shimmer with elegant rose gold foil.

Debuting in the Greetings Lab catalogue at Spring Fair, this charming collection covers key occasions including Christmas and birthdays, along with friendship, love and get-well wishes.

Printed on 120x170mm cards and paired with bright canary-yellow envelopes, each card also features a playful tail illustration on the back – a perfect finishing touch for animal lovers. Nose to Toes is a fresh, fun addition to the Twenty Birds family – designed to charm from first glance to final touch.

Going Quackers

Stand 3Q24

Quackers is the new eclectic humour range from Earlybird for 2026 featuring the fab artwork of queen of kitsch Amy Hastings.

“We worked with Amy on Little Trinkets, and her work is so fun and kitsch – she was perfect for this range”, says creative director Dom Early. “Seeing them in the flesh is essential because the foil really adds an extra dimension.”

Sassy, cute and fun puns feature across the range, which is printed on recycled board with a spot UV and foil finish.

Earlybird’s new additions to its popular art range Honey are right on trend with shrimps, lobsters and crabs, along with new floral and fruit designs. Honey is the gorgeous artwork of fabric designer Linsey Kelly and is beautifully set onto recycled textured board.

Collab characters

Stand 3R37

Grace Jackson Design is set to launch its first-ever licensed greeting card range in collaboration with British artist Emily Smith, and debuting at Spring Fair.

The partnership grew from two years of exhibiting side-by-side at Harrogate Home & Gift, where the pair bonded over their shared love of colour. Emily’s expressive animal characters have now been brought into a vibrant new 20-design A6 card collection featuring gold hot foil, FSC board and plastic-free packaging.

The range spans birthdays, everyday sending, seasonal occasions and Valentine’s Day, with favourites such as Camilla Ostrich, Bella Bee and Hermione Hummingbird appearing throughout. Grace created the layouts and wording to complement Emily’s artwork, resulting in a bright and cohesive addition to her catalogue.

Post

Stand 3K28

La hug

ucky Alice is set to unveil its inaugural greeting card collections at Spring Fair. Founded by artist Anna Tjan, the brand is illustration-led and values-driven, championing diversity and sustainability with bold and colourful designs at its heart.

Lucky Alice’s four debut collections, which range between eight and 20 cards each, cover occasions and sentiments such as birthdays, seasonal greetings and sympathy. Defined by their unique, sometimes quirky, always colourful illustrations, the cards finely balance playfulness and emotional depth. The designs focus on bold female characters as well as whimsical floral imagery.

Founder Anna Tjan says: “Lucky Alice began at my kitchen table in the isolating months of a global pandemic. By playing with colour, texture, shape and heartfelt messages, I created designs that quickly resonated with people around me. Those ideas have since grown into little postable hugs in the form of greeting cards.”

Anna populates many of her designs with a cast of powerful women with a variety of skin tones, hair colours and styles, tattoos and expressive, bendy limbs. Production is entirely UK-based using recyclable and FSC-certified materials.

Diary of an agent

Dave Langdon on why Christmas cards are still king, as he reports back on festive sales, and looks ahead to this year’s standout ranges, and of course, the trade shows…

Istarted getting Christmas fat in April last year, so this year I’m proud to say I didn’t really start until November. That is a marked improvement, and one I feel deserves at least a polite round of applause.

Hello again, it’s Dave here, reporting from the East. I really hope you all had an excellent Christmas and New Year, both personally and professionally. It’s a great time of year to see so many of your stores bustling with customers, and I would like to extend my thanks from the supplier side for the monster shifts you have all put in over the past six weeks.

I don’t speak for all reps and agents, but December usually isn’t a busy time for customer visits. You’ve already sold in the Spring seasons, and frankly, it’s your customers’ time to shine. If a customer still asks to see me in December, I feel obliged to bake them some mince pies or bread, to really emphasise how much I appreciate their custom, and also don’t want to be a hindrance. The reality is that an agent is mostly in the way at their most crucial time of year. So during a quieter period, imagine my surprise to be asked by BBC Radio Cambridgeshire to talk about Christmas cards through the eyes of a salesperson.

Bearing in mind my section was recorded live just before the school run, the first question I was hit with was: “Are Christmas card sales doomed?”.

Now, we can all agree that I am clearly the nominated spokesperson for a billion-pound industry! I did my best on the fly to represent the importance of what we all do, mostly because that 'doomed' narrative simply doesn’t align with what I’m seeing on the ground.

The post-festive verdict

As the dust settles on another festive season, the standout story from my conversations with customers has been just how well Christmas cards actually performed. For a category that’s been written off more times than I’ve had parking fines, the early reports are genuinely encouraging.

Several retailers are already telling me they saw around 85% sell-through before the January sales even began. I was even receiving regular top-up orders right up into the first week of December, showing just how much momentum there was on the high street. One customer even tried to reorder Christmas roll wrap that wouldn’t arrive until the 23rd, with me meekly suggesting maybe it was a

bit too late. Never doubt the confidence of the independent trade!

What’s been particularly striking is the heavy lifting done by charity box cards. Again and again, retailers told me these ranges formed the backbone of their season. Customers understand them, trust them, and feel good buying them – which is no small thing when wallets are under pressure.

‘’I was even receiving regular topup orders right up into the first week of December, showing just how much momentum there was on the high street’’

Looking ahead: The class of 2026

From a sales agent’s point of view, this makes planning for the year ahead far more enjoyable. Rather than firefighting, we’re talking about refining ranges and adding in fantastic new artists. I’m especially excited to be working with three new ranges:

Angela Harding (Museums & Galleries): I once posted an M&G Angela Harding cushion to an Instagram story, which Angela generously reposted. The influx of DMs I received afterwards can only be compared to the antelope scene in The Lion King! I am so excited Angela has decided to continue her greeting card journey with M&G.

Meg Fatharly (Ohh Deer): I’ve followed Meg on Instagram for yonks, so when I saw her style in our new system, I accused Ohh Deer of ripping her off... only to find out she’s our new licensee and I’m just an idiot! Her new humour range displays a stunning use of gold foil.

Alchemy Ages (Paper Salad): I asked Ellie and Jack for a 5x7in Age range to companion our flying Hunky Dory cards. They told me to “say less” and

It in Stamford, Lincolnshire

wait for the sales meeting. The result is a brilliant extension to the Alchemy range, showing they really listen to the indie trade.

On the road and at the shows

I want to wish all my retailers the very best of luck with getting Valentine’s Day cards out. I’m looking forward to catching up with you at the Harrogate Christmas & Gift Fair (which will have happened by the time you read this), or at Spring Fair, where I’ll be representing Paper Salad, Museums & Galleries, Ohh Deer, CGB Giftware, Global Journey, and WPL Gift via Widdop & Co. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go and practice some restraint, because January is far too early to start on the Easter chocolate.

SHOP TALK

Greetings Today catches up with retailers to find out how they feel about trading at the start of a new year, and what’s on their business to-do list for 2026. Want to get involved in the next issue? Email naomi@lemapublishing.co.uk

Carl Dunne Director/owner

Cards & Gifts

Dronfield, Derbyshire

How are you feeling about your business as we begin 2026?

Heading into 2026 i have to say I’m a little sceptical as we have more increases including another rates increase in April (out of order). However, we listen to our customers and get what they want, not what I want to stock. After all, it’s the customers that keep us going!

We did find this Christmas that they were still buying cards but in a di erent way – so instead of sending from/to each person in the household, it was to All of You and From All Of Us, which we haven’t seen before, and we kept having to re-stock those titles.

Also we saw a huge increase in sales of loose chocolates from House of Sarunds, and the Custom Brand Co with Dairy Milk Bars with personalised sleeves with sayings such as Happy Christmas.

‘’There was a HUGE increase in stamp sales in December with an increase of £1,500’’

We were very shocked, but there was a HUGE increase in stamp sales in December, with an increase of £1,500 for that month alone. It could be because I insist that all sta ask customers if they need stamps, to save them going elsewhere to buy them.

What’s the top thing on your business to-do list for 2026?

I’d like to increase my (a ordable) gifts o ering. I also want to upgrade the EPOS system.

Any other issues you wish to highlight?

I feel for us all this year, as I can see many sadly closing their doors. With the April increases coming, someone needs to look at the independents and help us more, as we can’t keep a ording all the increases government put on us. This year I have to find an extra £3,000 just to cover increases on bills.

Rebekah Mudie Owner

Daisy DaisyBeautiful Cards & Gifts

Llanishen,

Cardi

How are you feeling about business as we begin 2026?

‘’One area we know needs attention is engaging and encouraging younger generations – especially those around my own children’s ages (17 and 20) – to buy and send cards’’

Looking forward, one area we know needs attention is engaging and encouraging younger generations –especially those around my own children’s ages (17 and 20) – to buy and send cards. A social media message or digital gesture just doesn’t carry the same meaning as a physical greeting card, but this generation has grown up entirely in a digital world. Helping them rediscover the value of something tangible feels like an important challenge for the future. However, seeing such positive results in 2025 gives me a much stronger sense of confidence as we look ahead to 2026. We’re incredibly fortunate to work with such a wide range of talented card publishers, both independent and larger names, so sourcing new and inspiring designs is never an issue. That said, there’s always an underlying concern around Royal Mail in terms of further stamp price increases or service reductions. I’m keeping everything crossed for some much-needed stability, because we all understand the simple joy that comes from receiving a thoughtful card.

What’s the top thing on your business to-do list for 2026?

One area I’m keen to reassess soon is my buying group membership. I want to take a closer look at which group truly o ers the best value for my independent business –whether that’s through discounts, payment terms or overall support. Buying groups can be incredibly helpful, but I’m not convinced I’m making the most of those benefits as things stand, and it feels like the right time for a review.

I’ll also be turning my attention to introducing new products and refreshing the shelves with updated designs to keep things feeling exciting for customers. Spring will be here before we know it, and with that comes Valentine’s Day, St David’s Day, Mother’s Day and Easter ranges to prepare and display. In the card and gift world, being organised well in advance is essential, so I’ll also need to ensure that most of my Christmas 2026 orders are already planned and confirmed.

Unfortunately, after working almost daily in the lead-up to the festive period, my body finally said enough and I was hit hard by a flu virus that completely wiped me out. I’ve been out of action for the past two weeks, which means there’s plenty waiting for me at Daisy Daisy now that I’m on the mend. My to-do list is certainly looking lengthy!

Cathy Frost Owner

Loveone

Ipswich, Su olk

How are you feeling about business as we start 2026?

Quietly optimistic. I am confident with my product range and selection, just cautious about customer spend.

What’s the top thing on your business to-do list for 2026?

I will be looking at social media more including doing more videos, and will also be looking at trying to collaborate more with other local businesses and artists.

Janet RossJordan Owner and

illustrator

Cards and Gift Wrap

Isle of Lewis

How are you feeling about business as we start 2026? Heading into 2026, the main focus is on growing the selection of inhouse designs, especially Scottish Gaelic cards, which have seen very strong sales in 2025, up on the previous year. Creating original illustrations was completely outside my comfort zone at first, but the positive response has been a real confidence boost and has made it clear that more time needs to be dedicated to painting and designing new work.

What’s the top thing on your business to-do list for 2026?

A key priority is to continue developing the subscription side of the business, which now o ers a range of options from simple cardonly boxes to boxes that include cards, gift wrap and accessories.

‘’I’m attending this year’s SBS Winners event hosted by Theo Paphitis, after winning the SBS award back in 2022, and I’m really hoping to network and be inspired by meeting fellow small business owners like myself’’

A new seasonal card box is launching in mid February, designed to keep subscribers well stocked so they always have a suitable card to hand, whatever the occasion. Supporting other independent artists through these subscription boxes is a particular joy, and the aim is to curate a unique mix of designs that feel both useful and inspiring for subscribers.

A trip to Spring Fair sadly isn’t on the cards for me this year, much as I’d love to go, as the cost and logistics of travelling from the Outer Hebrides are just too much for a wee business based in a garage. Instead, I’m combining a trip south with my Mum to visit family and friends with attending this year’s SBS Winners event hosted by Theo Paphitis, after winning the SBS award back in 2022, and I’m really hoping to network and be inspired by meeting fellow small business owners like myself.

Sonya

Haandrikman Sibbald Director Celebrations Carlisle

How are you feeling about business as we start 2026?

I think 2026 could be an interesting year; I don’t think it’s going to be a walk in the park. Not because of the amazing products our suppliers are producing, and not because of all the fabulous retailers who work so hard across the country to create a wonderful shopping experience for their customers, but because of the challenges the government are putting on business. Business rates, NMW increase, tax and employers’ NI contributions – it just seems to be one thing after the other to make it more di cult for us hard-working retailers just trying to do our best. But hey, it certainly won’t beat us, and I am looking forward to working on how we can continually grow and improve our business throughout 2026.

Chris Beards

Director

Mantons Cards

Port Erin, Isle of Man

How are you feeling about business as we begin 2026? We are really excited for 2026. We invested in a new shop front at the end of last year and have received amazing feedback from our customers. We are also always adding new suppliers and new ranges and can’t wait to see our customers’ reaction. The only worry we have for 2026 is the increased costs of running a store.

What’s the top thing on your business to-do list for 2026? 2025 started with Theo Paphitis presenting us with our SBS win and ended with us winning Christmas Window Display of the Year (see picture) so hopefully we will win more awards this year! We are also looking for new suppliers to stock at Mantons.

A new dawn for

Naomi MacKay chats to Hannah Sharman, as she takes over the helm at the Earlybird card shop in Stoke Newington, London

What inspired you to work at a greeting card shop, and how has your journey evolved since then?

I have always loved cards and card shops – owning one isn’t something I’d ever thought about but now that it’s happening it feels so right for me.

I started looking for a part-time job after lockdown and thought a card shop would be a nice place to work, and I was so right! I grew up in Stoke Newington, and Earlybird has been my local card shop since I was seven, so it was the natural place to apply to.

Earlybird has been such a uniquely brilliant place to work, mostly due to the incredible owners Heidi and Dom Early, who have made it such a welcoming, easy-going and creative place to work. My love for the job was noticed, and Heidi started to bring me in on more and more of the shop duties. Then a couple of years ago I became the shop manager.

This year, after 22 years in retail, Heidi and Dom decided they would be stepping back from the shop and putting all their focus into their card publishing business, Earlybird Designs, and they asked if I would take over as owner of the shop. After a lot of support and encouragement we’ve spent the past six months working together on getting everything ready.

Tell us a little about the shop itself, where it’s located and your customer demographic.

Earlybird is a small but bright card-haven in the heart of Stoke Newington, in North London. The shop first opened in 2003 and is a core part of the high street. We sell cards, gifts, partyware and gift wrap, all lovingly handpicked and curated with the Stokey locals in mind.

We’ve always had a very varied customer base; our regulars range from ages five to 85, but we are particularly popular with families, especially during the week. In recent years, Stokey has become a weekend attraction for Londoners, so we’re seeing more and more new faces every week.

What kinds of greeting cards are most popular right now, and how have customer preferences shifted over the years?

Kitsch is definitely in! Earlybird’s new collaboration with artist Amy Hastings, Little Trinkets, has given us some of our top-selling designs over the past few months, and the new Quackers range by the same artist has already been really well received as it adds to the ever-popular humorous edge.

Recently we’ve noticed that people are more willing to splash out for special, higher-value cards, with intricate 3D designs such as those by Me&McQ (Paper D’Art) selling really well, especially over Christmas. Another more premium style that has been popular is letter press cards, which we’ve recently had from Little Paper Soul and Penguin Ink. We’re looking forward to getting in the new Stormy Knight letter press range to follow on this trend. Customers definitely appreciate the quality and artistry of these cards.

Overall, I think there is more and more interest in speciality cards; the idea of a card and gift in one gets a lot of interest. I’m seeing loads of publishers getting on board with this too, o ering really creative and exciting ranges, like Jolly Awesome’s friendship bracelet cards, which our customers loved. I’m looking forward to what more there is to come in 2026.

Which holidays or life events drive the most sales, and are you noticing growth in any non-traditional occasions/diverse/ inclusive demand?

Christmas is always going to be our biggest occasion; around 20-25% of our annual sales are in December alone. Outside of that, Mother’s Day is by far the most popular of the spring seasons for us, and it’s getting bigger every year.

Cards for non-traditional occasions are definitely on the rise, and we’ve noticed every year we’re getting new requests to try to track down. This year, after some solid searching, we finally found

a great Thanksgiving card from Jolly Awesome. Halloween is the newest occasion that has really taken o , and each year we’re selling more and more cards.

‘’We sell cards, gifts, partyware and gift wrap, all lovingly handpicked and curated with the Stokey locals in mind’’

How do you curate your card selection, and what role do independent or local artists play in your shop’s o erings?

Loving cards makes the buying side of the job so much easier, and I love handpicking all our products. Knowing what our customers love, and what sells is the key to getting a great selection, but mostly I order what I would actually buy.

I find trade shows are the best way to get a fresh look at what there is on o er; they’re perfect for finding new suppliers, new designs and getting some valuable input from the publishers themselves.

Outside of the shows we regularly meet with fantastic sales agents who are always great at guiding our buying and keeping us up to date with current and potential suppliers.

We try to work with as many independent companies and artists as

Earlybird

we can, and it’s so special to be able to work directly with the creatives behind the cards. There has been a big rise in the popularity of specifically local-themed cards and gifts in recent years, so working locally is something I’d love to do more of.

Do you have a memorable story of a customer finding ‘the perfect card’ that really stuck with you?

It is so satisfying when, together with a customer, we can find the perfect card.

There have been countless stories throughout the years but often it’s the little things that really stick with me, like the anniversary card that matched a customer’s wife’s tattoo or the ‘you’re the tits’ card sent to a friend who was having treatment for breast cancer. The care and thought put into who is receiving the card is so great

These small personal touches remind me how easily cards can become meaningful.

How important is ecofriendly production – such as recycled paper, soy inks, or sustainable packaging – in your business decisions?

Sustainability is very important to me, and minimising our environmental impact as a company is something I try to keep in mind when ordering. Sustainable packaging, or in the case of cards, going completely packaging-free not only cuts down on singleuse plastic but I think also looks much better in the shop. There have

also been such big leaps in the quality of recycled paper recently that you no longer have to sacrifice style when choosing the eco-friendly option.

Most of our suppliers are already using soy inks, sustainable packaging and have FSC accreditations, so luckily I don’t have to search far for environmentally responsible companies.

What are the biggest challenges facing a greeting card retailer today, and how do you navigate them?

I think a challenge is staying in demand and making cards something people are willing to spend their money on in this di cult financial climate.

One thing I think is so important is a ordability; it’s good to always have a range of prices and tiers of products available to make card sending as approachable as possible.

Mini cards are a great way to introduce cards to a young generation who might be using up their pocket money, and multibuy promotions can really help parents who are bulk buying for a year of school parties.

I also think it’s key is to make sure sending cards is not a chore, we want people to want to send them! We’re really big on emphasising the emotional impact of cards and how much weight they can carry. When all that is taken into account, cards become a rare ‘luxury item’ you can get for less than a fiver, stamp included!

How does your shop connect with the local community – and do you see a return in sales/ footfall from this?

We are lucky to be in the heart of an incredible, active community, and take part in regular area-wide events. The Stoke Newington Business Association is excellent and works tirelessly to bring together several annual events. Last November we took part in the second winter puzzle trail where customers collected a puzzle piece from 20 local businesses, and we saw one of our busiest days in November to date.

Local charity events also pay a big part in our year. For example, every year we take part in the Local Buyers Club’s Halloween Trick or Eat trail that collects for Hackney Food Bank.

As we are in close proximity to several schools, we try to work with them where we can, and two years ago we started the Happy Card Project, where we hold a card-designing competition for Thinking of You Week. The pupils at one local school per year design ‘cards to make someone happy’. These get proudly displayed in the window, voted on by our customers, and the winning design is then printed and sold for charity. Heidi worked really hard to make an accessible model for this project so that other retailers can join us each year, and I would encourage anyone who can to get on board!

Every time we take part in a local event we see a clear boost in footfall and sales. They’re a great way to get your name known and to build a strong presence in your community.

What advice would you give to someone who dreams of setting up their own greeting card shop?

Although my experience was very unique, I think having the opportunity to really get to know the greeting card industry in advance has prepared me so well. Having the chance to work in an established card shop taught me so much that can’t be learned through theory.

Present perfect

Up basket spend and o er a one-stop shopping experience by expanding your pick-up gift range. We’ve gathered together a few new ideas that are perfect for greeting card shops...

The Art File

The Art File o ers a number of gifts for card shops that go hand-in-hand with its cards, gift bags and gift wrap ranges. These items are the perfect gifts to pair with cards, and include tote bags, A5 notebooks, magnetic list pads, guest books and calendars.

This year, The Art File introduces new gifts perfect for card shops, including pin badges, new Bear plush and keychains. The Art File pin badges feature 24 di erent designs, with every badge thoughtfully crafted by the talented in-house design team to match The Art File’s bestselling and beloved card collections. These pin badges are made from either zinc metal or MDF board, have a cardboard backing and come ready to attach to a favourite jacket, tote bag, or scarf.

Another notable new gift collection is Bear Plush, a super soft and huggable plush toy that has sustainability in mind. Every Bear is produced from 100% post-consumer recycled PET plastic bottles – that includes both outer fabric and inner stu ng. Each Bear also comes with an embroidered colourful logo, stitched into one foot, giving it a touch of charm. Bear Plush has four new designs, coming in two sizes, along with a new Bear keychain. These plush toys are adorable, fun and perfect for gifting. Alongside gifts, The Art File has added new stationery collections and designs to its o ering, including new bookmarks in seven designs. Featuring stunning illustrations from talented in-house designers, these bookmarks are perfect for books of all sizes. Every bookmark is made with rigid board and is tastefully finished with die-cut, gold foil and a coloured ribbon.

These new stationery and gift collections feature striking designs created by The Art File in-house designers. Every item contains thoughtful added touches that elevate the design and add a higher-quality finish.

0115 850 7490

sales@theartfile.com www.theartfiletrade.com

Joe Davies

Discover the new Equilibrium Captured with Love Bracelet Collection from Joe Davies – this attractive new range has been created to build on the success of the Captured with Love earrings collection. Each bracelet is presented in a miniature glass bottle and is displayed on a colourful backing card, complete with a sentimental verse and modern artwork to match its caption.

Featuring nine charming silver-plated bracelet designs to go with all the bestselling captions including Friend, Mum, A little Hug, and Guardian Angel, this pretty collection o ers meaningful, light-hearted gifting that is just perfect for card shops, o ering customers a little something to go with their card purchase.

An attractive acrylic counter display stand showcases the range beautifully while taking up minimal space, making a strong, eye-catching display.

Packed with new ideas and bestselling lines, the Joe Davies stand at Spring Fair is the perfect spot to find exciting additions that will lift your ranges for the season ahead.

0161 975 6300 | sales@joedavies.co.uk

www.joedavies.co.uk

Tiger Feet

Tiger Feet is launching a number of gifts suitable for card shops. A new range of Milestone Mugs launched in January. Designed in the UK, they come in Pink, Blue and Art Deco designs – great gifts to complement the existing milestone age cards. In March, a glassware milestone age range is being launched to complement these.  New everyday male and female cards, as well as occasions and baby cards, are launching in January. Tiger Feet has worked with its customers to deliver the traditional designs and cute bears that sell well in their stores, alongside a small range of new, more contemporary square designs

There’s also a new range of Tiger Feet branded everyday gift bags; some are designed to complement the card ranges, especially in seasons such as Valentine’s, Mother’s Day and back to school.

0113 2000262 | help@tigerfeet.com www.tigerfeet.com

Half-Moon Bay

Founded over 25 years ago, this familyowned wholesale gift business creates thoughtfully designed products that bring joy to both retailers and consumers. With an in-house design studio, its team works closely with illustrators and brand partners to develop creative, high-quality collections that balance originality with commercial appeal.

New additions to the Paddington range offer cheerful, instantly recognisable souvenirs inspired by one of Britain’s most loved characters. The collection features designs combining Paddington with iconic London landmarks, creating products that feel both classic and contemporary.

Then, inspired by the timeless novel and classic illustrations of The Secret Garden, this new range brings a fresh, spring-ready feel to gifting and lifestyle retail. The collection is built around a soft cream base, layered with fresh green tones and vibrant yellow florals, creating a light, botanical look that feels both nostalgic and contemporary.

At the heart of the range are a series of ceramic pieces, including a mug and coordinating ceramic jug. Complementing the ceramics is a premium, custom-shaped bookmark, designed especially for book lovers and finished with a decorative metal charm and tassel.

With its delicate colour palette and floral design, the range is particularly well suited to spring promotions in bookshops, garden centres and gift shops seeking decorative, premium-feel products that are easy to merchandise.

For 2026, retailers can also explore new formats across stationery, including writing sets, vinyl stickers and washi tape, with an emphasis on upgraded, premium-quality finishes.  01225 473873

sales@halfmoonbay.co.uk www.halfmoonbay.co.uk

Keel Toys

Keel Toys designs soft toys that customers fall in love with. Highlights include the evolved Keeleco Wildlife, Farm, Sealife, and Dinosaur collections.

Since launching this range – made from plastic bottles – five years ago, the company has recycled over one billion water bottles in the manufacture of this remarkable collection.

The Keeleco Enchanted World range is crafted from what the company describes as the most luxurious eco-polyester ever seen on a soft toy. The collection features 12 captivating animal friends – from tigers and snow leopards to foxes and Highland cows – and also includes a bag charm version.

Keeleco Greenhouse is a range of 12 botanical designs made from the softest velvet fabrics, from snowdrops and pansies to succulents and cherry blossoms.

Finally, Keeleco Bag Charms offer a comprehensive collection of bag charms. From Keeleco Sealife and Wildlife to Food and Plants, these mini masterpieces include an exclusive Keel Toys logo spinner. Paired with the specially designed display spinner stand, they’re guaranteed to steal the spotlight in any store. 01233 506363 | sales@keeltoys.com www.keeltoys.com

Rainbow Designs

Greetings retailers will be spoilt for choice with Rainbow Designs’ extensive range of beautiful licensed character gifts that complement any greeting card store display. Perfect for both adult and infant gifting, Rainbow’s bestselling collections include Paddington, Peter Rabbit, Disney, Winnie the Pooh and Mr. Men Little Miss, alongside exciting new additions for 2026, Pembe the Pink Cat, Care Bears Baby and Disney Dumbo.

At the heart of Rainbow Designs’ range are its timeless British heritage brands. The much-loved Paddington collection continues to perform strongly, offering charming plush and gift items that are appreciated and loved by all ages. While the adored Peter Rabbit remains a popular choice for new baby, christening and early years gifting, with beautifully crafted baby-soft toys and keepsakes that resonate with all generations.

The cheerful Mr. Men Little Miss range brings fun, personality and humour to greeting card displays, making it ideal for impulse gifting across birthdays, celebrations and everyday occasions. With Mr. Happy, Mr Bump, Mr. Strong and Mr. Tickle, along side Little Miss Sunshine, Little Miss Hug, Little Miss Chatterbox and Little Miss Princess there is a Mr. Men Little Miss for everyone!

Alongside new Disney Dumbo and Care Bears Baby collections, that make perfect gifts for new arrivals, Rainbow will launch the cute new Pembe the Pink Cat plush collectibles range. Pembe is centred around emotion, positivity and self-expression and appeals to both tweens and adults. Featuring plush collectibles paired with affirmations such as Be You, Hug and Thank You, Pembe fosters kindness, encourages emotional resilience and is perfect for both special occasions and ‘just because’ gifting.

01329 227300

www.rainbowdesigns.co.uk

Trade talk

Greetings

suppliers talk to Greetings

Today about their forecasted trends for 2026, their plans for the new year, and the challenges the industry might face in this new year. If you would like to share your opinions in the next issue, email

Dom Early

Creative director

Earlybird Designs

What’s hot/what’s next for 2026?

Shrimps, lobsters and sealife seem to be on the rise. Hence we have extended our Honey range with the help of brilliant Artist Linsey Kelly.

Stripes and checks are still popular. We’ll have more of an idea when we do the two spring trade shows. They give us a good measure. Also, design trends are often started in the fashion world so I’m off to buy the latest copy of Vogue! Also puns. We have launched a new humour range with spot UV and foil with kitsch illustrations and funny puns – you can’t beat a good pun on a greeting card! They are still so popular.

Oh and don’t forget cats! Always cats.

If you had three new year’s resolutions for your business what would they be?

To focus in on what makes our brand a success and expand the ranges and designs that work best for us.

We did a big stock sort out in our warehouse in 2025 but we now need to do the same in the office. Help! It is so easy to carry so much stock when it either needs moving on or pulping. That will be on the list.

Personally to cut down on chocolate, but I’ll definitely save that until after the trade shows! There’s no point me showing up to Top Drawer or Spring Fair without a vast chocolate stash.

What’s going to be the biggest challenge for the greetings industry in 2026 – and why?

The biggest challenge will be making sure we keep prices down from printer to publisher to shop.

Talk about the economy can seem all doom and gloom, but we know our industry is one of connection and positivity. We have all proved we can overcome the challenges. It is so important that we all support our high street shops, but they also need to be helped by this government. Business rates should be scrapped – they are so dated and out of touch.

I also think that, when minimum wage is being increased, there has to be some relief for small businesses. You can’t expect small to medium businesses to constantly find the money time after time to pay staff. It is all well and good a government saying they are helping people on minimum wage, when it is every business that foots the bill. Not them.

However, I believe we have the best indie shops in the UK, and the creativity and design always shines through.

From our point of view, 2025, and the Christmas period, has been very good, so it is promising going into 2026.

Any other issue you’d like to highlight?

To end on a positive we have had fantastic Christmas trading in our retail shop in Stoke Newington, and we are delighted to hand the keys over to our shop manager Hannah Sharman.

After nearly 23 years in retail we have decided to concentrate on the publishing and design side of the business. Hannah is Stoke Newington born and bred and has been in the industry with us for five years, so she is perfect to take over.

So we end 2025 on a high and, as I write this is December, we are looking forward to seeing everyone in 2026 at Top Drawer and Spring Fair.

Jemima Stileman Director of operations

Kali Stileman Publishing

What trends should we be looking out for 2026?  Colour! As we enter 2026, we think that people will want to inject colour and joy into dreary winter.

How are you feeling about trading as we start 2026?

Despite worrying news regarding the postal service, rising costs and the problems facing the high street, we’re thankful that trading has remained steady. We really believe in the strength and resilience of small businesses and the fact that greeting cards are still very much in demand with customers. We’re hopeful for a positive 2026!

‘’Despite economic pressures and digital options, the sector continues to innovate, collaborate and adapt’’

Ceri Seal Owner/Co-founder Bare Cards

What’s hot/next for 2026?

2026 marks a transformative year for Bare Cards as the brand takes bold steps toward reshaping sustainability in the greeting card industry. I have taken the leap to focus fulltime on the family’s mission to significantly reduce waste and champion better environmental practices across the sector.

Building on co-founder Derren’s patented self-sealing card concept – which removes the need for a separate envelope – Bare Cards is now pushing sustainability even further. This year sees the launch of two innovative card ranges designed to be enjoyed long after a celebration has passed. With artwork crafted to be framed and cherished, the only disposable element is a small peel-off adhesive strip. Instead of heading straight for the recycling bin (or worse, landfill), these cards can live on as beautiful pieces of art.

The first range, The John L Harris Collection, showcases captivating imagery across 24 designs from the award-winning Wiltshire-based artist himself. Alongside it comes Portals of Wonder – a mystical set of 12 designs inspired by the creative trends and consumer interests highlighted by Waterstones at the GCA Conference last September.

Both new ranges feature stunning trifold and triptych formats, measuring 39x19 cm when fully opened, offering a statement aesthetic that stands apart from traditional greetings cards.

With innovation, sustainability and art at the heart of everything we do, Bare Cards is poised to make 2026 its most pivotal – and impactful – year yet.

If you had three new year’s resolutions for your business what would they be?

1. Build greater brand awareness – To make sure more consumers know there is a sustainable alternative to traditional greeting cards and envelopes – and to inspire more people to choose better for the planet.

2. Stay true to our sustainability values – Even when operating on a tight budget, we’re committed to making decisions that minimise waste and protect the environment. Sustainability isn’t just a marketing message for us – it’s our foundation.

3. Give back and lift others up – As we grow, we aim to reach a point where we can actively support fellow small businesses and charities. And if financial donations aren’t always possible, we’ll contribute through our time, skills, and collaborative support.

What’s going to be the biggest challenge for the greetings industry in 2026 – and why?

I’m writing this mid-December and am slightly concerned that, as a family, we have only received two Christmas cards and one of those was from the GCA! As discussed at the GCA Conference, I think that publishers need to work together collaboratively to ensure that we continue to harness the demand of the consumer. This may mean thinking outside the box and ‘pushing the envelope’ (pardon the pun). Lots of publishers are already launching new initiatives to support this, and one of the little-known benefits of selfsealing cards is that they could be pre-franked so that the end user purchases the card and stamp in one.

Any other issue you’d like to highlight?

I was recently shocked to find our cards available on Temu, especially as some of them were me just dabbling with design! But others used designs we had purchased from a local artist, and so I felt justified in asking Temu to take them down. I followed the advice on the GCA website and they were removed straight away. However, my advice to any publisher is that you’re not too small to be targeted!

Zara Grindrod Sales and brand manager

Rainbow Designs

What’s hot/what’s next for 2026?

2026 marks Rainbow’s 55th anniversary, and we have an exciting year ahead, full of new brands and range extensions. New additions include our new Care Bears Baby collection and the viral sensation Pembe the Pink Cat collectible plush range, which couples cuteness with positive affirmations to offer the perfect gift for tweens and adults.

In addition to our new ranges, our much-loved Classic Characters continue to be a major driver for gifting in the greetings sector, particularly those with strong storytelling, nostalgia and multigenerational appeal such as Paddington, Peter Rabbit, and Guess How Much I Love You. And with Winnie the Pooh celebrating a massive 100year anniversary this year, this also feeds into the growing demand for keepsake and forever gifts.

If you had three new year’s resolutions for your business what would they be?

1. Ongoing investment in our valued brand partnerships, to build collections that customers return to year after year.

2. To continue to listen and work closely with our retailers, to understand what is, and isn’t working for them, and respond quickly with relevant options.

‘’I think that publishers need to work together collaboratively to ensure that we continue to harness the demand of the consumer’’

3. To stay focused on quality over quantity – refining ranges so that every design has a clear purpose, audience and point of difference, and we continue to deliver Forever Toys for consumers to cherish for multiple generations.

What’s going to be the biggest challenge for the greetings industry in 2026 – and why?

The biggest challenge will be maintaining value in a price-sensitive market. Rising costs, shifting consumer spend and competition from digital alternatives mean the greetings industry must continue to communicate why physical cards and gifts still matter. The challenge, and opportunity, is to remind consumers that a considered and thoughtfully chosen card and present is a significant aspect of the gift, helping to create a treasured memory, and often delivering the most personal element.

Any other issue you’d like to highlight?

One positive definitely worth highlighting is the resilience and creativity of the greetings industry. Despite economic pressures and digital options, the sector continues to innovate, collaborate and adapt.

Happy new designs!

New year, new products! Enjoy this bundle of fresh designs, o ering more choice for your stock displays in 2026

The Art File

The Art File introduces Planted, a new card collection featuring nine designs. This colourful new card collection features wild fruits and flowers in pastel scenes. Every card in this collection is bright and playful, and the cards are tastefully finished with deboss, and come with a kraft envelope.

Then there’s Oh Hi – a sunny collection of mini birthday cards. Every card features a playful message bathed in pastel colours. Created by The Art File’s talented in-house designer Kerry, this collection is perfect for birthdays and celebrations. Every card is printed on recycled board and is finished with emboss, UV and gold foil, giving the collection a bright and glossy look.

Finally, Scrapbook of Glory is a bold and eccentric card collection featuring timeless birthday scenes paired with witty messages. Created by talented external designer Daisy Loescher, there are six designs in this unique collection. Printed on recycled board and finished with emboss, every card is paired with a lovely ivory envelope. 0115 850 7490

sales@theartfile.com

www.theartfiletrade.com

Joe Davies

Perfectly aligned with the ongoing fun food décor trend, Joe Davies’ Foodie Fun collection delivers playful, giftable ceramics that shoppers will love. Choose from salt and pepper sets, characterful mugs and money boxes featuring irresistible designs such as egg on toast, avocado, fruit, burgers, hotdogs and the ever-popular fun co ee cup. Each piece combines humour with everyday practicality, adding personality to kitchen shelves, desks, and student spaces, and making them ideal choices for impulse buys and novelty gifting. Food-themed products continue to be proven bestsellers across Joe Davies’ wider collections, o ering retailers confidence in both style and sell-through.

Supported by Joe Davies’ award-winning customer service team, the Foodie Fun range is easy to buy and easy to sell. 0161 975 6300 sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk

Heather Trefusis Art

Following the huge success of Hats O – a finalist in the Best Male Range category at the 2025 Henries Awards – Heather has expanded the collection with eight new hand-painted designs. Covering an array of popular sports and hobbies, the vibrant colours and beautifully textured board are sure to stand out on the shelves. All 150mm square, the cards are accompanied by recycled kraft envelopes. Available nested or cellowrapped.

Heather says: “I was blown away by the popularity of the range when it first launched last year, and many of the designs are consistent bestsellers. I’m so pleased to have added more designs, and can’t wait to see them on the shelves!” 07946 605564 www.heathertrefusisart.com

Kali Stileman Publishing

Babies, babies, babies! Kali Stileman’s favourite stork design has had a gorgeous new refresh – bold, blocky scandi-style storks against pink, blue or putty backgrounds. Find this design on square cards, tiddly widdlies and on lovely, thick flat wrapping paper.

07344 707167 info@kalistileman.co.uk | www.kalistileman.co.uk

Holy Mackerel

Holy Mackerel continues to push creative boundaries with a vibrant wave of new additions to its popular One Lump or Two range by the ever-brilliant Erica Sturla. Known for her cheerful clay-figure characters and playful wit, Erica’s latest designs bring humour, personality and bags of charm to the greeting card aisle.

Developed directly in response to customer demand, the newest releases celebrate some of Britain’s favourite pastimes and personalities. New birder cards – available in him, her, and anniversary versions – tap into the growing love for wildlife spotting, while guitarist, guitar god, and guitar goddess designs strike a chord with music lovers.

One of the standout innovations is Erica’s hilarious new ninja card, inspired by the craze for Ninja air fryers. Featuring a black-clad clay ninja and the line – Here’s that ninja you were after – it’s already proving a crowd-pleaser.

The range also expands into everyday passions and relatable moments, including a charming new bookworm card, pool swimming designs (for both him and her), and a thoughtful speedy recovery card for those recovering from cataract surgery.

New sailing star cards – again in both male and female versions –celebrate life on the water, while the addition of a female co ee lover card now perfectly complements one of Holy Mackerel’s bestselling male designs. 01395 578571

sales@holy-mackerel.co.uk

www.holy-mackerel.co.uk

UK Greetings

...And Relax! is a humour range cunningly disguised in conventional clothing, and features relatable funny references to Britain’s favourite hobbies and pastimes. Illustrated in a contemporary style, it is visually versatile and can sit happily alongside either humour or conventional product.

Hits The Spot is a fresh collection of modern lifestyle cartoon humour, full of funny takes on di erent aspects of mid-2020s life. Pets, online shopping, hybrid working and dating all feature in this fantastic new look.

Four A Laugh is a new humour look featuring funnies in a fourframe format. Popular themes are given a fresh treatment in this clever but appealing look illustrated in a current style.

Finally, Oh Snap is a refreshing new modern photo humour look that features smart, stylish and attention-grabbing colour photos paired with fun edit. The range has an accessible and easy purchase vibe. 01924 436384

salesandservice@ ukgreetings.co.uk www.ukgreetings.co.uk

Glad tidings we bring…

As retailers get set to start their festive orders for 2026, we ask greetings retailers across the country about their Christmas season experience in 2025...

If there was one defining theme to Christmas 2025 for independent greetings retailers, it was unpredictability. Across the UK, shop owners reported late starts, cautious customers and shifting buying habits – but also strong finishes, standout ranges and reassuring signs that the love of cards and thoughtful gifting remains firmly intact.

For Carl Dunne, director and owner of Cards & Gifts in Dronfield, Derbyshire, Christmas was very much a tale of patience rewarded. “Christmas went very well when all was said and done,” he explains. “It didn’t really kick in until very late this year, probably due to the mild weather, but once it did start it was hectic with all our lovely customers.” That late rush proved intense, particularly for packs of Christmas cards. Carl saw a significant increase in pack sales, especially charity packs, with Tracks Publishing, Noel Tatt and Ling Design performing strongly. Demand was so high that the shop sold out of around 2,500 packs two weeks before Christmas, prompting emergency restocks from the cash & carry – which also sold through within minutes of hitting the shelves.

That strong appetite for meaningful purchases was echoed further north. On the Isle of Lewis, Janet RossJordan of Cards and Gift Wrap describes Christmas trading as “encouraging overall”, with customers continuing to value well-made, thoughtful products. Advent calendars were a particular highlight, with Lilac Tree Designs’ Reindeer Stables by Amanda Loverseed once again proving a firm favourite.

“Christmas cards are definitely still thriving’’

Hannah

Sharman, owner, Earlybird in Stoke Newington

Planning ahead was a key factor for Sonya Haandrikman Sibbald, director of Celebrations in Carlisle. Learning from previous years, she had 24ft of Christmas cards out by September 1, expanding to a full 84ft plan alongside boxed cards, wrap and gifting as the season progressed.

“Shoppers are starting earlier to spread the cost,” she notes, a trend that delivered steady sales throughout the festive period rather than a single December frenzy. Ling Design and the Great British Card Company (GBCC) were standout performers, while Velvet by Jonny Javelin has now reached “askfor-by-name” status, with customers arriving armed with lists and specific requests.

In Cardi , Rebekah Mudie of Daisy Daisy – Beautiful Cards & Gifts admits she felt nervous early on. “Christmas card sales took their time getting going this year,” she says, particularly against the backdrop of Royal Mail price rises and reduced second-class postal services. Having increased stock levels after a near sell-out the year before, she feared she might have overcommitted. Instead, Christmas card sales matched 2024 and overall trade was up just under 5%. “In a challenging climate for both our industry and independent retailers, being able to share positive growth feels incredibly fortunate,” Rebekah reflects.

Single cards remained her store’s strength, with IC&G, Jonny Javelin, GBCC, Ling Design and Me&MQ

(Paper D’Art) all performing well, while customers favoured smaller packs over larger boxed sets.

Elsewhere, Cathy Frost of Loveone in Ipswich describes a very late Christmas following a poor November, but with a busy final week and an unusually strong Christmas Eve. While overall sales didn’t quite reach 2024 levels, the season ended on a positive note, driven by brands such as Ohh Deer, Studio Boketto and Laura Stoddart, alongside the consistently popular Jellycat and strong gifting ranges including Plum & Ashby candles, East End Press paper garlands and sweet treats from Pump Street Chocolate and Otherly

On the Isle of Man, Chris Beards of Mantons Cards reports an excellent Christmas, “well up on last year”, with the only dip being in Christmas pack sales, again likely linked to postage costs. Meanwhile in London, Hannah Sharman, the new owner of Earlybird in Stoke Newington, was encouraged by both pack and single card sales. “Christmas cards are definitely still thriving,” she says, noting fewer complaints than usual about early festive displays and a customer base clearly ready to embrace the season.

Taken together, Christmas 2025 paints a picture of a sector adapting to economic pressures, changing habits and logistical challenges – yet still buoyed by loyal customers, strong design and the enduring ritual of sending cards. For independents, resilience, flexibility and careful curation once again proved to be the greatest gifts of all.

The Art File

The Art File

The Art File team is thrilled to o er a brilliant selection of Advent calendars in their 2026 Christmas collection.

Celebrating Christmas remains a popular UK tradition, which grows stronger each year. The Art File team have found Advents to continue to hold a strong presence at Christmas, with some designs proving incredibly popular year on year. Festive nature scenes and continuous Advent designs are very popular, and The Art File has introduced four new designs to Advent calendars and cards for 2026.

To be among the first to see The Art File 2026 Christmas Collections head to Spring Fair, Hall 3, Stand P11. 0115 850 7490 sales@theartfile.com www.theartfiletrade.com

Joe Davies

Bringing together charm, nostalgia and giftable appeal, Joe Davies’ Christmas water balls are a festive favourite that continues to perform year after year.

Featuring cute and fun character designs in traditional Christmas colours, these classic decorations are perfect for seasonal displays, stocking fillers and impulse gifting. With ever-popular Santas and snowmen proving to be consistent bestsellers, the range o ers retailers an eye-catching printed countertop display to sell from.

The collection includes waterballs with decorative Christmas bow bases for a traditional feel, alongside playful teacup bases that add a quirky twist – ideal for customers looking for something a little di erent. Available in two sizes, they o er excellent value, with small designs retailing at under £4 and larger styles at around £6, making them accessible gifts with broad appeal.

Ordering with Joe Davies is straightforward, thanks to a £100 minimum order, carriage-paid delivery, and a flexible ‘little and often’ policy that helps retailers stay topped up through the season.

Supported by award-winning customer service, the range can be bought with confidence. Discover the full collection at Spring Fair, NEC, this February – Hall 4, Stand C10–D11. 0161 975 6300

sales@joedavies.co.uk www.joedavies.co.uk

Bare Cards

The Bare Cards team is excited to o er a unique opportunity for independent retailers to champion their local identity this festive season. The bespoke, self-sealing Christmas cards combine sustainability with strong community appeal, making them a standout addition to any retail range.

Each card is specially designed to showcase iconic local landmarks or picturesque town views, helping shoppers share the unique character of their hometown with friends and family near and far.

Bare Cards’ patented trifold format eliminates the need for a separate envelope –instead revealing three stunning scenes in one card for added value and visual impact. Produced using responsibly sourced materials, the cards reflect increasing consumer demand for more sustainable choices.

The Bare Cards team understands, however, that some customers may still prefer a traditional format. For retailers who feel their audience isn’t quite ready for the selfsealing design, they can supply matching envelopes as an option – though Bare Cards is committed to encouraging the more environmentally friendly envelope-free experience wherever possible.

Custom branding is also available, allowing the inclusion of town logos or local messaging that strengthens community connection and pride.

Already proven to be a local success – with stock selling out rapidly in parish settings – these cards bring festive flair and hometown spirit to gift shops, tourist venues and Christmas markets alike.

Give customers a greener way to celebrate home this holiday season – and let your town shine.

07842 197 276 | info@bare-cards.co.uk https://bare-cards.co.uk

UK Greetings

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and UK Greetings (UKG) is back with its Christmas card collection for 2026. With more than 800 designs printed on premium boards and accompanied by a wealth of finishes, there’s more choice than a chocolate selection box.

The opulent RHS cards showcase foliage icons against rich festive colour palettes that are an evolution of the classic colours of Christmas. Carlton, meanwhile, provides contemporary looks that include stylised lettering and bows alongside Jolly Holly-Days’ premium Christmas iconography and gold-foiled detailing. Finally, Camden Signature’s Gallery Wild celebrates the wonder and whimsy of winter wildlife.

UKG also continues to cover a multitude of captions from Mum, Wife and Husband right through to Granddaughter’s 1st Christmas and even From the Dog. The design team has reworked captions to feel fresher, such as Love You at Christmas and Always, versus the more traditional To The One I Love.

All cards are 100% sustainable, allowing customers to help protect their world while also spreading joy.

Plus, gift dressings include a host of fun and festive looks. Snowmen motifs, gold-foiled lettering and opulent patterns all adorn various gift bag sizes. To perfectly complement these are cards that include contemporary looks, heartfelt messages and cosy wintry imagery. 01924 436384 salesandservice@ukgreetings.co.uk www.ukgreetings.co.uk

Diary of a card shop

Elliot Jacobs, CEO/Postmaster of UOE Post O ces and stores, reflects on what he learned from Christmas sales, before taking a deep breath and rushing headlong into the spring seasons

Well, here we are – a fresh calendar, a clean diary, the faint scent of pine needles (or that faux Christmas plug-in at least) is still lingering in the air and the Christmas jumper has been packed away for another year. Christmas has come and gone, and if you’re anything like us here at UOE, you were already thinking about Valentine’s and Mother’s Day before ‘Merry Christmas’ was even being said out loud by anyone!

The festive season is always a whirlwind in store: especially with our combined Post O ce and card retailing model. The buzz of the store, the rush of last-minute shoppers, the endless restocking of Merry Christmas to a Special Someone cards, and the annual debate over whether we ordered too many robins or not enough snowmen. This year was even busier for us with the expansion to more than 40 stores, which brought greater complexity and a need for army-precision in our logistics. Customers seemed to begin their Christmas shopping even earlier this year – perhaps trying to spread the load as the cost of Christmas continues to climb – or maybe it was the sheer appetite for the tradition of sending a card after a few unpredictable years. Whatever the reason, card sales were up dramatically with like-forlike card and wrap sales up 7% vs 2024. We saw a real return to handwritten messages, which warmed our hearts (and our tills). There’s something magical about watching people pause, pen in hand, thinking about what to write. In a world of instant messages and emojis, that moment of reflection feels like a gift in itself. For us it’s all about life’s moments and how you mark them.

Of course, Christmas isn’t without its quirks. We had the usual flurry of requests for cards featuring very specific things; my favourite being: “Do you have one with a dachshund wearing a Santa hat?” (we had a few “daschund through the snow” jokes with that one! Come on, it was Christmas.) And then there’s the annual panic when someone realises

‘’Even in a fast-paced world, people still crave connection – and a card is often the simplest, most heartfelt way to give it’’

they’ve forgotten Aunt Margaret and needs a card that says, “I didn’t forget you, honestly!” – preferably with eco-glitter and can they send it to arrive guaranteed tomorrow?

“Yes, Yes and Yes,” was our answer! Now, as January settles in, the shop feels a bit calmer – the lull after the mad rush of returns to Amazon and unwanted gifts to online stores, and just before the Valentine’s storm begins. But before we dive headfirst into hearts and roses, we’re taking a moment to breathe and reflect. Christmas 2025 reminded us that even in a fast-paced world, people still crave connection – and a card is often the simplest, most heartfelt way to give it. And long may that continue.

From co ee

Kirsty Brookes, owner of The Guisborough Bookshop, North Yorkshire, a former

Retas winner

and 2025 finalist, explains how she and husband Lloyd made the transition from running a café to taking on a shop selling cards, gifts and books

My love of books, cards and stationery started when I was a little girl. I call myself a ‘cardy’ as I love both sending and receiving greeting cards.

We – myself and the hubster Lloyd – started our business journey when we bought a café at the age of 25. We shopped very regularly in the bookshop next door, and the card & gift shop next door to that. When an opportunity arose six years later for its potential purchase we jumped at the chance. Running both businesses side by side was a big task as they were both so busy. We decided after three years to concentrate on one, so sold our beloved co ee shop to put all of our best e orts into one business.

When we first took over we had to amalgamate the bookshop and the card shop into one, so we had lots of stock and fixtures to move. As sales of cards and gifts started to increase, so did the footfall of the bookshop. Six months later, in 2013, we entered into a fixture agreement with UK Greetings (UKG) to overhaul the store and give it a fresh new look. It worked, and we loved it.

The shop is located in an ancient market town in the North East, close to the coast and moors, and our customers are incredibly supportive of our store. We o er a one-to-one service that you don’t get in the chain high street stores, and our customers know they are appreciated and valued.

This Christmas, we were busier than ever. As with fashion, card trends change, but we’ve seen an increase in sales over the years, despite the increase in the price of stamps. Ling Design is a customer favourite for boxed and single Christmas cards, as is Noel Tatt and IC&G, but our firm fave is UK Greetings. Being a ‘Clintons shopper’ since my early teens, Boofle is always a good buy, and we

have lots of customers who shop with us for this lovable character alone.

We have 1,000 sq ft of card and gift space within the back third of our store. We have 75ft of card racks with an additional 16ft at Christmas, along with an 8ft wall and a huge table of boxed cards. We are brimming with every caption you can think of!

We have seen an increase in demand for Communion and Confirmation as well as nontraditional captions such as Daughter & Wife. Although we are a book store, I mainly concentrate on the cards and gifts, as this where I feel my skill set is best used. I love the greeting card industry and my passion shows when looking for something

‘’To give a little something back to customers we run two loyalty schemes’’

di erent to add to our displays. I’m like a child in a sweet shop!

To give a little something back to customers we run two loyalty schemes. The first is supported by UK Greetings: you get a loyalty stamp for every single greeting card and 10 stamps equates to a free card.

The other is a store card, where every £10 spent in-store gets you a loyalty stamp and 10 stamps equates to a £5 voucher. It works incredibly well for us and our customers love the idea of getting a little reward.

to cards

We are also part of a local committee with members from 10 other businesses on our street, where we run artisan markets. There is free face painting, glitter tattoos, music, character parades (eg Bluey, Peppa Pig), street entertainers and, at our most recent Christmas market, a grotto with a free visit to Santa and gift for each child. We see these events as a ‘window’ to all stores in the town, and it works. All Guisborough businesses gain from these events, which is exactly what we wanted. Our town also has a Santa parade event in the first week of December, which helps boost footfall to the town. Of course, competing with national and internet stores is a challenge. Sometimes convenience wins, which is a shame as it doesn’t give you that experience we all crave when shopping.

‘’It’s all about community for us; we really do enjoy helping our customers find exactly what they are looking for’’

Going back to greeting cards, we work hard to handpick and display our products. It may be convenient to stop at a chain store on the way home from work but they’re all the same. Independent stores like ours o er customers an experience. We are happy to spend time with customers, listening to their stories, helping them find the ‘perfect’ card with the sentiment they want to relay. We become invested in their search and we have even gone to other independent stores to collect items if we haven’t had it in stock. It’s all about community for us; we really enjoy helping our customers find exactly what they are looking for.

We are having a refurb and new agreement this January too. It’s all looking very exciting.

Ready, set… go into 2026!

From the accelerated spring season to a sports-driven summer and consumers doubling down on value and sustainability, 2026 will demand agility, says Retail100 Consulting director and co-founder Sara Allbright

Sadly, I didn’t get a crystal ball for Christmas, so being sure of what the future holds is still partly guesswork. But I do have some clear views on what 2026 might hold for retail.

One of the first things to note is an early Easter (Friday April 3 to Monday April 6), which by default means Mother’s Day arrives sooner, falling on Sunday March 15. Combined with Valentine’s Day on Saturday February 14, this ‘magic trio’ of events are key sales peaks in the first half of the year. It means there’s barely any time to catch your breath post-Christmas, so you need to be prepared and ready to go with the jingle bells still ringing in your ears.

With this in mind, it’s worth considering how you can make more of the late spring-to-summer season which – aside from Father’s Day on Sunday June 21 – can be a somewhat slower period for sales.

June and July will see Canada, Mexico and the US co-host the FIFA World Cup 2026, and many of us will be hoping we’re in for a barbecue-worthy British summer to enjoy the matches (time zones permitting!). The opening match takes place on June 11 in Mexico City, with the final scheduled for July 19 in New Jersey.

While World Cups tend to boost sales of TVs, barbecue products, picnicware, and party-related goods, they can be tricky to judge – especially if the home nations exit the tournament early. However, they can often spark interest in the host nations’ cultures, so perhaps the perennially popular artwork of Mexican painter Frieda Kahlo will once again boom on greetings merchandise, given her links to the region.

If sport isn’t your thing, the IGD’s (Institute of Grocery Distribution) Shopper Perspective suggests that health, sustainability and affordability will be top priorities for UK consumers in 2026. Shoppers will be increasingly value-driven, seeking promotions, loyalty rewards, and eco-friendly products.

There is a real opportunity to use true sustainability as a differentiator, as eco-conscious customers will reward brands that demonstrate genuine environmental responsibility. Provenance has to be watertight though: shoppers are becoming fatigued by the overuse of terms such as

eco and sustainable when brands don’t live up to their claims or promises.

Aligning sustainability with the ongoing trends for wellbeing and health gives retailers a strong angle to connect with consumers in key gifting categories such as home fragrance and beauty –and provides the chance to spotlight the makers and stories behind the brands that lead the way in these themes.

‘‘Eco-conscious customers will reward brands that demonstrate genuine environmental responsibility’’

For buyers, 2026 also brings a new trade show into the mix, with another category-focused, shorter-format event joining the ranks of the Business Design Centre’s summer roster: The London Home Fragrance Show on July 9 and July 10.  Is this a sign of things to come – on the back of the already popular stationery- and greeting cardsfocused offerings of The London International Stationery Show on May 12-13, and PG Live on June 2-3 – and a shift away from large-scale, multi-category, multi-day exhibitions? Only time will

tell, but personally I’m excited by the opportunity to spend a scented summer day or two at this new event.

Hopefully, 2026 will be a year of cautious optimism for UK retail. Consumers may be tightening their budgets, but they still seem willing to spend on value, sustainability, and experiences. Retailers that adapt through digital-first strategies, eco-conscious offerings, and seasonal promotions will be best placed to thrive.

Sara Allbright is a director and co-founder of Retail100 Consulting, which is a consultancy firm with 100 years of cumulative retail experience that helps retailers and brands grow.

Prior to Retail100 Consulting, Sara worked in buying roles at John Lewis for 18 years, predominantly for home and seasonal categories, including eight years leading gift and home fragrance buying.

She specialised in brand relationships and in growing small emerging brands into market leaders, and is also experienced in own-label sourcing across multiple categories and countries.

hello@retail100consulting.co.uk

www.retail100consulting.co.uk; www.linkedin.com/company/retail100-consulting

The

With 5 trophies up for winning, plus nearest the pin in one and two plus the longest drive. Our golf day is a fun golf day for all golfers good or very average (that’s me). Ladies are also most welcome. The morning nine hole Texas Scramble begins the day, followed by lunch, The afternoon round includes the team four-ball Babystyle trophy – a handsome trophy held for a year by the winning team and won last year by Red Kite. JMDA supply the trophy for our Yellow Ball competition won by Red Kite. For the less gifted golfers we also have a cup for the 24-28 handicap golfers. For full details contact Malcolm Naish on 0788 9991513 or email malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk to book your team’s place.

A barbeque for the presentation of trophies concludes the day and to keep the occasion as relaxed as possible the dress code is casual allowing those wanting to leave for home after the presentation a reasonably early evening journey, leaving those of us staying over able to discuss the day at the bar till closing time. Whilst most teams come as team four-balls, individual golfers are very welcome. Any team/ player NOT staying for the presentation will not receive any prizes they might have won had they stayed.

Cost £110

(t) 0116 230 4197 (w) www.mint-publishing.co.uk (e) sales@mint-publishing.co.uk