Welcome to Cardgains
MEMBER UPDATE 23.2.2021
After a year of difficult, often stressful Government press conferences around the UK, it was great to hear that on the 12th April, potentially, all ‘non-essential’ retail will be allowed to open in England. News of dates for our members in Scotland and Wales slightly vary with ‘suggestions’ of a March re-opening in Wales and ‘expected’ end of April date in Scotland!
I know from talking to many members and suppliers over recent weeks everyone is raring to go! Emotions run from relief to sheer excitement with a dose of optimistic positivity thrown in for good measure.
It’s great news that we will have all our members outlets open again. Instore Covid safety measures are still in place from the last lockdown and consumers fully understand the new ’rules of shopping’. For the time being, customer numbers allowed instore at the same time, social distancing, queuing outside and the wearing of masks is the current norm, as is the recent trend of shopping local.
Here at Cardgains, work continues with our reduced home working team, and we are planning to re-open the office on the 12th April. We are currently finalising the sales team return programme in readiness for our 2021 member visits where we have some great trials & promotions, and existing and new suppliers to update you on.
Starting in April your monthly statement will return to be sent as a paper copy and will be accompanied with a ‘restart’ Cardgains newsletter. If you have no transactions on your account you will not receive a statement.
The Cardgains suppliers have also been working hard behind the scenes in readiness for the re-start, with many having fantastic new products ready to launch.
So, it’s time to plan for reopening your store, don’t forget it might be worthwhile to –
- Focus on a positive ‘back to work’ mind set
- Check all Covid safety procedures are in store
- Have some spare paper masks should a customer forget
- Start a social media campaign with a ‘countdown to opening’, over the next few days/weeks
- Make sure your window and instore displays are exciting and relevant
- Welcome your customers back with a smile and open arms
- Thank your customers for shopping local and encourage return visits
- Keep an eye on the Cardgains What’s Hot emails to see supplier updates
- Support any local shop/town retailer re-opening initiatives
- Bring out that independent fighting spirit
Until the office re-opens please contact Steve, Deb or myself on the following -
| Member Support | Chris Dyson | csd@bridewelluk.co.uk | 07802 802564 |
| Accounts | Steve Grocott | Steveg@bridewelluk.co.uk | 07789 980591 |
| Accounts | Debbie Levick | deb@bridewelluk.co.uk | 07792 763778 |
Good luck everyone with your planning and preparation as we look forward to all stores reopening.
FEBRUARY MEMBER UPDATE
Dear Member
As we enter ‘lockdown’ week 5 we hope everyone continues to stay safe and well as we patiently wait for some positive news of our ‘non-essential’ retail members being allowed to reopen across the UK.
Here at Cardgains, we are still working from home supporting members and suppliers alike. Preparation here is underway to ensure we are ‘ready to go’ once the green light to open the shop doors again is given by the Government.
We also have a percentage of members who are classified as ‘essential retail’ who we continue to support as needed.
Conversational feedback from many of you, although tainted with some frustration, is very positive. Everyone is raring to go, hoping to make the most of the consumers who have rediscovered local independent stores and are looking forward to actually physically shopping again. We know many of you are monitoring the situation very closely and working towards re-opening with plenty of optimism and positivity, which is great news.
Whilst following many of you on social media we see you are very proactive keeping customers up to date and showing images of some great window displays featuring great products and promoting website and click and collect options.
Like you, here at Cardgains, work is going on behind the scenes preparing for the re-start and we are working closely with suppliers who are also very focussed going forward.
In line with our 2021 strapline ‘Stronger Together’, we will be launching our marketing campaign ‘The Show Must Go On’. Our team will be commencing the annual member call making sure everyone is up to date with suppliers and products, including the new suppliers to the Cardgains portfolio this year.
In the meantime, we will continue to keep members up to date with supplier news via the ‘What’s Hot’, email system which has been very well received and supported by you especially during the pandemic.
There will be no Cardgains newsletter this month, however a ‘bumper’ edition will be printed to coincide with re-opening.
Members with transactions in January will receive a paper statement and email version next week. All members will be posted a 2020 member bonus notification letter indicating bonus earned last year and requesting instructions of payment of any due funds.
Should you have any questions please feel free to contact us.
Cardgains Latest Coronavirus Update 22th Jan 2021
Following the various Government announcements across the UK on the 4th January regarding the latest lockdown instructions the Cardgains office is currently closed until lockdown restrictions are lifted.
We are still available to all members whether still trading or in forced closure.
The Cardgains support team are working from home and available for members and suppliers as required.
| Member Support | Chris Dyson | csd@bridewelluk.co.uk | 07802 802564 |
| Accounts | Steve Grocott | Steveg@bridewelluk.co.uk | 07789 980591 |
| Accounts | Debbie Levick | deb@bridewelluk.co.uk | 07792 763778 |
We will be keeping members updated via this website, direct member emails and our ‘What’s-Hot’ e-marketing programme.
Stay safe everyone
From all at Cardgains.
UKG Seasonal Update...
UK Greetings Seasonal information letter can be viewed here. I believe it is self-explanatory but should anyone wish for any further clarification please contact UKG direct.
About us...
Cardgains is the largest buying group in the UK catering specifically for independent retailers within the greeting card, gift and associated products marketplace.
Cardgains has been trading since 1989, and has helped 1000’s of independent retailers and membership remains constant.
Factors contributing to the success are the excellent support, relationship building and commitment from existing suppliers and members, as well as improved procedures and efficiency of account handling at Head Office.
More than ever, in difficult retailing conditions, Cardgains strives to assist members by focusing on areas where they can make a point of difference, including greeting cards, gifts and customer service. Cardgains also aims to encourage new members by showing them benefits of the preferential trading terms from within the portfolio and how to use them to optimum potential.
