IC&G partners with IG Design Group to offer indies sustainable cards and wrap range
Great customer service to the independents has won International Cards & Gifts a new fan in the shape of IG Design Group – and a collaboration on eco-products into the bargain with its Eco Nature brand.
“We wanted to expand into offering an eco range, but the hoops you have to jump through to get all the Is dotted and Ts crossed is unbelievable,” IC&G sales director Allen Taylor told PG Buzz.
“IG is one of the biggest companies in the world, but doesn’t have an independent sales team as they sell through wholesale and bigger customers – we have a 20-strong sales team throughout the UK and Ireland and they approached us after we won gold at The Henries Awards in October 2023 for the best service to the independents.”
The Eco Nature launch was revealed to IC&G’s sales team at the company’s December sales meeting, but was properly unveiled to the retailer at Spring Fair, where the publisher was part of the Cardgains Village, and IG’s head of commercial David Jackson was also on hand to help Allen.
Alongside the everyday and Christmas product, IC&G also has the wrap and giftbags, with Allen explaining the rollwrap has no packaging, only the tear-down strip which is “folded back on itself so there’s no waste”, while the cards sport a rip-off tab with information to highlight recycling and stand out on the shelf.
Eco Nature is a IG’s sustainable brand its core mission of which is to make a difference through producing carbon neutral, recycled, sustainable and ethical products in the UK. Only recycled materials are used in its creation with no plastic, and all products are packaging are fully recyclable.
Allen added: “We launched it to the sales team at the December meeting and they went out selling on 2 January, and it’s selling strongly already.”
While wholesalers such as Jacksons and multiples like Sainsbury’s also stock the Eco Nature range through IG, they don’t carry every design, and IC&G is offering indies the ability to order small volumes, with the wrap and bags available in fives, and orders can also be linked with the publisher’s own products to make up a minimum order.
And every customer who buys the full assortment receives the shipper free of charge, which would normally cost £40 – and it’s also fully recyclable.
