Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has been selected as sole supplier for Netto in the UK. Netto currently have 16 UK stores based around the M62 corridor and plan to add more before the end of the year.
Hannah Woodcock, buyer for non-food, Netto comments: “We had space in our new stores and were considering the best way to utilize that. Card Connection came up with a strong proposal as their network of franchisees manage the displays and merchandising in-store for us so this makes it very easy to maintain. Following a pilot, we have now rolled out Card Connection in all our 16 UK stores.
“Displays are regularly kept up to date by Card Connection’s franchisees and the product range is fantastic,” continues Woodcock. “I have a greetings card background so appreciate the feedback we are getting from customers which has been great. There is a card for every occasion and the ranges and designs resonate with our customers.”
John Coe, regional sales manager, Card Connection confirms: “We supplied Netto before the buyout to Asda in 2010, so it is exciting to be working with the company once again, now own brand stores are being opened once more. Our franchisees have done a super job creating some compelling displays of our greetings cards, and sales are thriving. It's an exciting phase in the Netto/Card Connection relationship.'
Card Connection’s franchisees use a proven system to place quality greeting cards and ancillary products in retail outlets on a ‘consignment’ basis. This means the stock and display equipment are installed on free loan to the retailer. This is one step beyond ‘sale or return’ as Card Connection’s customers never have to buy the stock initially, only paying for what they sell. The award winning merchandising service provided to retailers by local franchisees has proved popular with retailers all over the UK and Ireland.
Card Connection is part of UK Greetings, which is a subsidiary of American Greetings Inc., one of the largest greeting card publishers in the world and has limited vacancies for franchisees that are keen to run an expanding business. Since the franchise network in the UK is complete, the available opportunities now consist of acquiring an already-established territory from an existing franchisee. These vary in price according to their level of development, but start at £7k + Stock + Card Connection fee with earnings potential in excess of £50k per annum.
