Card Connection's New Franchisees Hit the Ground Running
June 23, 2009 // Franchising.com // Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has today announced that its new franchisees for Devon and East Sussex have hit the ground running in their first months of trading. Jess Thompson has taken over the Plymouth and Torquay area and Nic Hardy has been recruited to run the Brighton and Eastbourne region. Both are now responsible for delivering and merchandising Card Connection's extensive range of quality greeting cards and gifts to retailers in their regions which include the likes of Netto, Budgens, Londis, Spar and Shell.
Ex newsagent proprietor Jess Thompson said: "Before joining Card Connection I researched three greetings cards suppliers. However, I felt – from a retailer's perspective - that Card Connection offered the better range and quality of cards. After visiting Card Connection's head office, I also felt the company had the infrastructure in place to offer the support I required to set up and grow my new business.
"Card Connection's initial training was comprehensive and I am already keen to expand the potential of my territory further," continues Jess Thompson. "I have certainly hit the ground running but will also be looking to Card Connection to help me obtain new customers to fuel a continued expansion drive."
Nic Hardy, also from a retail background, was previously a Card Connection customer in his garden centre business. Nic was attracted to Card Connection when he sold his old business, "as the company had a very good reputation in the consignment greetings card sector." After his induction and a month long handover from the outgoing franchisee, Nic is already merchandising 159 stores and is aiming to grow this to almost 200 within two years.
"Card Connection franchises remain some of the most popular in the industry," confirms Andrew Cutler, franchise & sales director for Card Connection. "Our new franchisees will now be able to take advantage of what is essentially a recession-proof business delivering a top quality product to the retail sector. We wish both our new franchisees every success over the coming months and aim to provide the level of support which will enable them to maximise the profits of their respective businesses."
Card Connection has limited vacancies for franchisees who are keen to run an expanding business. Successful candidates would ideally have some management experience as, once established, they would be expected to employ a small team, operate a warehouse and have several liveried vans on the road.
Because the franchise networks in the UK and Ireland are 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 £20,000 (+ stock) with earnings potential in excess of £50,000 per annum.
Notes to Editor
Card Connection is one of the UK's most successful card publishers and is the market leader in the franchised distribution of greeting cards. The company was established in 1992 and became a Full Member of the British Franchise Association in 1995. It now distributes greeting cards to around 15,000 outlets through its network of franchisees.
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