Two leading small group multiples – House of Cards and Postmark – have both opened brand new shops recently, each signalling a confidence in greeting card retailing.
House of Cards has opened a ‘magnificent seven’ the store in Woodley, a suburb of Reading while Postmark has recently opened its sixth store, in Wimbledon, South West London.
“The local high street is not dead yet – we have had a tremendous response!” exclaimed Miles Robinson, co-owner of House of Cards on opening day of the Woodley branch.
The impressive double fronted store is ideally located, opposite the entrance to a Waitrose.
“Woodley has always been on our watch list, but it has been well carded for years and now we feel there is a gap there. A good unit opposite Waitrose entrance became available and a suitably sweet deal was done!” revealed Miles.
Mark Janson-Smith, managing director of Postmark has also been delighted by the response to its new store in Wimbledon Village, South London. “The reaction has been out of this world. It has had the most positive reaction to date, with one customer even telling us we were all the talk of the golf club!” Mark told PG Buzz.
At 600 sq ft, the new addition is one of Postmark’s largest shops. “We’ve taken little bits from each of our stores for this one and we are so happy with the results,” says Mark. Similar to its Greenwich store, providing a central focus in the Wimbledon shop is a ‘tree’ surrounded by a Jellycat plush display, while giant pencils in the company blue also make a statement.
“One of my favourite bits is the writing snug for people to sit and write their cards before posting them in the instore post box,” reveals Mark.
The Wimbledon store follows hot on the heels of a new branch in Blackheath, which opened in June fanfaring Postmark’s new branding. (https://www.pgbuzz.net/new-blackheath-store-sees-postmark-stamp-out-fresh-branding/)
“Trade has been excellent in both the new stores and we are trading well above expectations in our existing ones too so there is plenty to be positive about right now,” says Mark. “We would like to get one more new store open before Christmas, but only if the right location comes along. We are looking!”
Top: The Woodley branch takes House of Cards up to seven stores in the Home Counties.
