Plush
With consumer spend being
squeezed card retailers need
to work harder to make the
most of their plush offer.
Soft Sell
any card retailers have
Retailers
displays, which she refreshes often. “We built a Snoopy window display in the
M
enjoyed the fruits of “You really need to capitalise on the run up to Christmas and because it was so
additional sales from
should look
opportunity of plush as an ‘add on’ purchase successful we modifi ed it and left it up - it had
plush lines in their stores when someone is buying a card,” says Tina. a big impact on sales,” says Coralie.
over the good times. But at plush as Coralie Keech from Daisychain in Stratford Daisychain’s plush offer includes Miffy, The
now that consumers are is another independent retailer that has Very Hungry Caterpillar, Wallace & Gromit and
feeling the pinch, there’s a danger that those
an extension
benefi ted from creative window displays. Snoopy.
revenues may drop unless action is taken.
“Retailers should be looking at plush as an
to their core
extension to their core market,” says Anthony
market and a
Expressions
Temple, Managing Director of character gift,
The cute and cuddly Elephant & Mouse
toy and nursery specialist Rainbow Designs.
means to offer duo that retailers have come to know and
“Their customer demographic provides
love – Elliot & Buttons is being added to
them with the perfect opportunity to offer
complementary
with new additions to the everyday
complementary merchandise along side
greeting cards.
merchandise
range.
The Juvenile collection is
“Customers are attracted to cute
characters and contemporary quality gifts.
alongside
intended as a line of birthday
gifts for the younger age range.
What works really well for greetings card
greeting cards
The new releases feature
retailers are the plush in a gift bag, plush
bold, bright , even zany
keyrings and bean toys that come
colourways, complemented
aged
with a message swing tag that can
by a combination of high quality
items, also
cover every gift giving situation.
fabrics such felt and satin to ensure
sporting spotty party
“We offer these product lines
the all important feel factor.
hats, offering messages such as Someone
in all our key ranges including
Key juvenile age pieces include a small
Special, Sweet 16 and Happy 18th/21st
Paddington, Beatrix Potter, Miffy,
pocket money size, wearing cheerful spotty
Birthday, all in a more soft and cuddly,
Snoopy and the Softest Spot. This
party hats holding fabric numbers, from 1-6.
huggable size.
allows retailers the option to either
Additionally, there are some slightly higher
Tel: 0208 260 1200
offer the same type of product
from several well-known brands or
to focus on one or two particular
ranges and offer a selection of
Ranbow Designs
products which create perfect eye
catching displays.
Rainbow Design’s new Beatrix Potter extensive development. We are delighted
“Our quality nursery ranges
‘Signature’ collection features four timeless with the results and confi dent that fans of
such as Miffy Little Star and Peter
Beatrix Potter characters; Peter these much-loved characters will do so too,”
Rabbit also work extremely well
Rabbit, Mrs Rabbit, Benjamin Bunny says MD Anthony Temple.
in this sector as it provides a
and Mrs Tiggywinkle. The collection The new ‘Classic’ Paddington Bear collection
one-stop-shop for customers
features exceptional attention to features a Rainbow-developed fresher
who are looking for a gift to
detail including brass buttons on look featuring rich new fabrics including
celebrate a birth.”
the characters’ linen clothes, a velveteen coat and suedette hat. New
Independent retailer,
leatherette shoes and each products include the Classic Paddington with
Cool! Cards and Gifts’
character has a sew-in label and Boots and Suitcase available in three sizes,
in Oswaldtwistle Mills,
holds a mini book. the Classic Cuddly Paddington will and the
Accrington, Lancs has
Also on show from Rainbow Designs Classic Bean Toy in a Bag.
certainly taken this advice
are the new 40th anniversary additions Rainbow’s refreshment of the Miffy ‘Classic’
to heart.
to The Very Hungry Caterpillar gift range of gifts features Dick Bruna’s signature
Cool! owner, Tina
range, the new My First Paddington and distinctive labelling. The range includes
Botteril started with a card
range, Flower Fairies Collectable Dolls and Bean Toy Miffy in Gift Bag, a 30cm standing
shop, saw the opportunity of
the Softest Spot. Plush Miffy and an embossed Mug in a Gift
plush and opened a gift shop.
“The 2009 launches and refreshments Box.
She merchandises products
are the result of much hard work and Tel: 01329 227300
imaginatively using multiform
36 Greetings Today
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