Editor Lewis Eckett
LEADER
Publisher in chief: Malcolm Naish
ay is a time of the year when things One thing
malcolm@lemapublishing.co.uk
M
really take off in the garden. In a sense, card shops
Publisher: Mark Naish
you really can start to see green shoots should do is
mark@lemapublishing.co.uk all around you. try and get as
Editor: Lewis Eckett Whether the same goes for the much sales
lewis@lemapublishing.co.uk economy is another matter. The politicians are all analysis as
Editorial assistant: Jo Cooper desperate to see the green shoots of economic recovery possible to
jo@lemapublishing.co.uk
but are afraid to call anything too early for fear of determine what t
Advertisement manager: John Furlong
looking foolish. So we’re stuck firmly in a recession, or is actually going on. Understanding what actually sells
jfurlong@lemapublishing.co.uk
so we’re told. and why may seem like an obvious suggestion but I’m
Production director: Paul Naish
I’m no economic guru and thank goodness there are constantly amazed by the numbers of retailers that don’t
paul@lemapublishing.co.uk
some smarter brains than mine working on the solutions undertake this basic function.
Circulation manager Jo Wilkinson
to our current economic woes but even I can see that You don’t need sophisticated EpoS systems to tell
jo.w@lemapublishing.co.uk
despite the doom and gloom the world is still turning, you if the balance of your store is right and you have
Circulation Assistant: Sharon Cruz
we are still breathing and people are still spending the ideal blend of age/relations/occasions versus blank/
sharon@lemapublishing.co.uk
money. birthdays. You really only need the ability to count and
Layout/Design: Richard Vickers
We are being bombarded with tales of woe from all anyone in business should have at least a basic grasp of
rick@lemapublishing.co.uk
angles. Bad news is being beamed into our homes on maths.
Graeme Thomas
an hourly basis. The recession may last twenty years is In terms of ranging, independent card shops are one
graeme@lemapublishing.co.uk
Contributors: Terry Harvey
one story I read last week. Another said that Britain will of those businesses that can change their outlook very
Gill Davies
come out of recession later than the rest of Europe. quickly. There are thousands of new card designs out
As a journalist, I defend the right of the media to there and more on the way, so no matter how sure you
tell things how they really are but in the two examples are that your retail offer is the right one, might it be
above you really have to question the need to tell people time to try something a little bit different.
Subscription per annum:
that things might be bad for another two decades. I In-store layout, merchandising systems, window
UK £45, Europe £55 (surface),
mean, what’s the point? displays and promotions are all areas where positive
£65 (airmail)
As it is, anyone in full-time employment still has changes can be made, providing you look at them with
money in their pocket and if they have the right sort of a fresh set of eyes.
mortgage they will actually be better off each month as You may not be able to bend the economy to your
interest rates continue to plumb the depths. will or force green shoots to appear but you can make
What everyone in the UK will have in common a difference within your own retail environment – so
Lema
PUBLISHING LTD.
of course is a birthday. Maybe even an anniversary or what’s holding you back?
another special occasion. Consumers may be cautious
about how and where they spend their money but if the • The show season continues apace with plenty of
Published by:
offer is right they are sensing that prices have never opportunities for card retailers to see new designs and
Lema Publishing Ltd
been so attractive. ranges both in London and Harrogate as the summer
1 Churchgates, The Wilderness,
Berkhamsted, Herts. HP4 2UB
Speaking to card retailers over the last few months unfolds. I wish every show organiser, exhibitor and
Telephone: 01442 289930 I’m struck by their positivity. Valentines and Mothers visitor the very best and hope the wheels of commerce
Fax: 01442 289950
Day have come and gone and sales generally have been continue turning for everyone.
Email: info@lemapublishing.co.uk
good. And as we approach the long run into summer, The need for card retailers to refresh their offer and
confidence that sales will hold up or only show minor seek out product that can help boost sales is obvious so
The views of the Contributors expressed in
fallbacks continues to remain high. make sure you maximise the opportunities to see what’s
this journal are not necessarily those of the
Despite the upsides retailers are struggling, with
publisher. Comments, letters and criticism
are welcome.
tales of many more businesses going to the wall. Again
it’s hard not to feel sympathy for the loss of stores,
Editor’s favourite
whether they are multiple operators or independents.
Taking my theme from our feature on Animal cards
this month, my favourite is this design from Caroline
But in an economic downturn only the strong
Gardner’s 2 by 2 range aimed at children’s ages.
survive and of those businesses that
I like the idea of getting kids to
are failing a fair few will have
associate happiness with pets and
been marginal in the first place. animals and this cute-ish range does
The trick of course is to make sure this simply with sweet, emotive line
Member of the Audit Bureau of your business is on as strong a
drawings. The added pattern and flitter
Circulation. footing as possible and that you are
to the age underlines the fun aspect
and is sure to catch any kids attention.
ABC audited circulation: 6,138 well placed to ride out the storm –
Most of all though I like how concise
(audit May 2008). whether it’s two years or 20.
the overall sentiment is. It isn’t working
Springtime is also time for a
too hard to make a point and the effect is
good clearout and an opportunity to
overwhelmingly feel-good.
take stock and spruce things up a bit.
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