Card Connection to Create New ‘Gold’ Territory

“Sheila has run Southport and Wigan since 2007,” explains Michael Johnson, managing director, Card Connection.  “On its own, it is a fairly compact area, therefore we have now decided to merge and market it with Liverpool for the first time. 

“We name territories over a certain size ‘gold’ areas and the new opportunity created is substantial, incorporating both independent retail customers as well as many of our national accounts,” continues Johnson.  “In addition to the main towns, the geography contains a good mix of rural and urban customers within areas such as Widnes, Runcorn, Chorley, Bolton and St Helens.  There is also plenty of scope for expansion and the franchise could ideally suit a couple living in the Merseyside area, looking to take on a well-established business which will earn income from day one.”

Card Connection franchisees place quality greetings cards in retail outlets on a ‘consignment’ basis.  This means the stock and display equipment is installed on free loan to the retailer.  This is one step beyond ‘sale or return’ as Card Connection retail customers never have to buy the stock in the first place, only paying for what they sell.  The award winning merchandising service provided to retailers by local franchisees is second to none and has established the company’s excellent reputation especially within the convenience sector.

Card Connection which last year celebrated its 21^st year in operation as a franchisor is one of the UK’s largest card publishers and is the market leader in the franchised distribution of greeting cards.  The business’ unique model of consignment sales has resulted in a strong brand and established reputation which has been proven over many years.   Through its franchisees Card Connection supplies about 12,000 retailers throughout the UK.

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.