‘School’s still out for summer’ for a few weeks longer, so make the most of it! Enjoy that extra ice cream cone, that paddle in the sea, that extra glass of super chilled rosé. And adding to the joy of Summer, the August edition of Progressive Greetings magazine is out now filled with hot news, views and product launches galore.
There is a definite feeling of things getting back to ‘normal’ in a very good way. No where was this more evident than at Progressive Greetings Live, which saw the greeting card community grasping the opportunity of getting back together with full gumption.
You can not only enjoy some of the visual treats of the show (Click to pages 28-29), but also relish in the comments and top product picks from a selection of retailers who visited the show (Click to pages 22-23).
Something of a decorative beacon, UK Greetings’ stand at PG Live beckoned retailers up to its ‘front row’ stand on the mezzanine with some striking contemporary patterning – a fanfare to its new collaboration with internationally renowned artist Kendra Dandy.
The new collection certainly adds pep to the publisher’s Kindred portfolio, set to especially resonate with millennials and Gen Z-ers through Kendra’s distinct style of individuality and self-expression shown in her carefree patterns, clashing colours, carefree patterns and eclectic subject matters. (Click to pages 38-39).
Sometimes in life and business, a fresh new sheet of paper is called for, which means a new alternative can challenge historic practice. At last month’s PG Live, The Imaging Centre sent publishers’ and retailers’ brainwaves into oscillation with its innovative approach of getting greeting cards into shops.
“IC Simplicity Retail allows retailers to buy and access more designs from more new publishers than ever before,” believes Adam Short, managing director of The Imaging Centre encapsulating his ‘elevator pitch’ of the latest industry solution for publisher/retailer logistics.
Find out more about this new approach. (Click to pages 40-41).
Things are hotting up on news front, with loads been happening, from Brainbox’s collaboration with Bold & Bright to the announcement that Spring Fair 2022 will be condensed into four days; from Penmark’s transformation to Pigment diversifying into wall art. It’s all in there in the news pages! (Click to pages 6-7)
As the thousands of new designs that debuted at PG Live testify there is certainly no shortage of new creative ideas. You can feast your eyes on some wonderful new products just launching onto the market in the Innovations section. (Click to pages 32-33).
Meanwhile, the ever popular PG columnist Cardsharp questions whether we are in denial about some the societal changes and the threats these face to the greeting card industry. He highlights findings of a recent survey which includes that 21% of people aged 18-34 say they only have one close friend or none at all, a statistic that has tripled in a decade. The report references an epidemic of loneliness and a deep social disconnection that is present in modern western society. This is really dispiriting on a humanitarian front as well as for those of us whose whole business lives have been based on social interactions and relationships, says Cardsharp. (Click Here to page 20-21)
Hold onto your hats as PG columnist David Robertson, of Scottish Highlands-based JP Pozzi takes us on a exhilarating ride that has become life. As he highlights, every summer, thrill seekers head to amusement parks for a chance to ride the fastest, tallest and scariest rollercoasters. The wind racing, the tracks rumbling, the inverted loops and stomach-churning drops; all of it gets our blood pumping and adrenaline flowing, just like life of an indie retailer these last few months. (Click to pages 18-19)
Someone else who has been embracing the exhilaration of retail challenges is Celia Leeson-Cox, who is part of the team that has totally transformed Yarnton Home & Garden, to include a second contemporary greeting card shop. (Click to pages 42-43)
There is plenty more retail input in PG this month as a host of indies share their best-selling products in the What’s Hot section. (Click to pages 46-47)
And ending on a high, talented surface pattern designer, Maja Lindberg shares her story in the Art Source section in this month’s edition. (Click to pages 44-45)
All this and more in the pages of a lovely glossy magazine. Wouldn’t you like to hold it in your hands so you can flick through and read it wherever it takes your fancy?
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