Planet Sal is a quirky, slightly bonkers, card and gift shop, based in the market town of Honiton in East Devon, that’s just coming into its third year. Owned by Sally Wilde, who used to be a sales agent and rep in the industry, she prioritises stocking greeting cards from the smaller UK publishers as a priority, with humour being its main category.
Planet Sal was recently awarded South West Card and Gift Shop Of The Year 2020/21 in the Prestige Awards.
Here, Sally shares some of her best sellers…
Everyday
Furry Friends from Louise Mulgrew
“I stocked Louise when I very first opened three years ago, but then gave it a rest. My agent John encouraged me to look at the new releases and I noticed how fast her range was growing, so gave him a large order early last year. Very pleased I did as they are now consistently selling out, thus proving the value of a good agent!”
Humour
Across the board from Dean Morris Cards and Brainbox Candy
“I worked for both companies when I was an agent and what a pleasure that was. So happy to find that Honiton loves a cheeky card enabling me to now have a whole wall dedicated to the category. Customers do love them and they sell and sell.”
Across the board from Rosie Made A Thing
“Rosie is my overall best-selling company by a long way. I stock just about everything she produces, in every category, plus the mugs and stationery. I always know that a customer is near the Rosie stand when I hear the giggling and then they come to the till with a handful of the cards. I am full of admiration for the amount of newness and topical cards she produces.”
Multipuns from Jelly Armchair
“I had my eye on this range for a while as I thought they would be bright and cheerful for my ‘new in’ display. My customers like the play on words and the gentle humour. Always good to have cow designs too as there are lots of farmers around the area!”
Relations and Occasions
Piccadilly from Cinnamon Aitch
“This range is so beautifully crafted and stylish. It’s the only one I keep which is embellished, as I don’t stock overly-patterned cards. The simple line drawing beneath gives it the space on my shelves, Customers always comment on them and pick them for very special relations or occasions. Plus, Cinnamon Aitch is a lovely company to deal with.”
Art
Nature Trail by Kate Heiss from The Art File
“Customers are drawn to these. The designs are bold, bright and with a bit of countryside in them. I like to look at them on the spinner, too, which is in front of the till.”
Across the board from Relief Press
“Really unusual cards of a lovely quality. A nice mix of quirky and traditional designs.”
Children’s
Across The Board from Hype Associates
“This is another fab company that I was an agent for. I always have a spinner of Hype cards outside the shop. The Moomin and Peanuts ranges take people down memory lane and they love looking through them. They also publish Mr Benn designs, which was made in Honiton. Customers come in to pay for them and then see everything else!”
Children’s age cards from Rachel Ellen Designs
“I have stocked Rachel Ellen since I first opened and still love to open the deliveries, which are always colourful and sparkly. The age cards sell very well for me and they include designs for the hard-to-find 7 to 12 sends.”
Gifwrappings
Peter Rabbit from Hype
“Peter Rabbit is so popular and the perfect wrap for a new baby gift. I sell loads of it!”
Gifts
Designs For The Discerning from Art Wow
“Recommended by another retail friend, I just love the company’s design selection. It’s good to support the individual artists, too. They fit in really well with my Planet Sal ethos, so I have them in the window. Great quality too.”
Jewellery
Across the board from POM (Peace of Mind)
“All my jewellery sells well, but POM has lovely Sterling Silver pieces, which are top sellers for me. Its little, simple hook earrings, with a tiny crystal, fly out, as do the sea-themed necklaces. All supplied with good packaging too.”
