March 14, 2008 // Franchising.com // : Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has this week been celebrating its sixteenth successful year in business with results that managing director Robina Every describes as: "even stronger than expected".
"Card Connection has had an excellent year in business," Every, continues. "Sales of our quality greeting cards through our franchisee network continue to be exceptional and the take up of our new Gift Connection range, which was launched last year, has been significant."
The Gift Connection products include; Heartwarmers – sentimental verses on credit card keepsakes, Card Connection's own unique designs of flashing badges, mini collectable bears that can be attached to belts, bags and mobiles, in addition to magnets and key rings incorporating the unique animal designs of Rachel Hale. They are distributed with Card Connection's extensive range of greeting cards through its network of franchisees around the country.
"Additional highlights from the past year include the addition of numerous new greeting cards, such as extensions to the Tall Humour and Handmade ranges, which are created by our dedicated in-house design team," continues Every. The franchise territories also continue to remain particularly popular. We have taken on thirteen new franchisees in the past six months alone and in addition, several of our experienced franchisees have expanded their businesses by snapping-up additional territories."
Card Connection itself is one of the UK's largest card publishers and is the market leader in the franchised distribution of greeting cards. Using a proven system, franchisees place greeting card ranges in retail outlets on a 'consignment' basis. 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 supplies numerous national accounts, which include the likes of Total, Costcutter, Budgens, Londis, Spar and Shell.
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.
"The continued growth in popularity of Card Connection's product range is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our network of franchisees backed up by the creativity of our in-house design and franchise support team," confirms Every. "We have had a great year being 'sweet sixteen,' however, we are all very much looking forward to making next year: sizzling seventeen!"
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