IN BRIEF
Description:
Card Connection is the UK's No 1 greeting card franchise, servicing over 15,000 outlets in Britain and Ireland.
Opportunities:
Re-sale franchises now available in the UK. Export opportunities elsewhere.
Business Type:
Franchise.
Minimum Investment:
£40,000.
Training Provided:
Yes.
Home-based:
Yes.
Testimonials
"We knew that buying the Card Connection in Cornwall was the right decision because the franchise had all the benefits of being self-employed, yet with the support of a professional, national and reputable organisation right behind us. This means ongoing training and support is always available including access to Card Connection’s network of national retail accounts: Costcutter, Budgens, Spar, Shell and of course Londis. We started full-time in December 2007 – the busiest month of the year for greeting cards – and that was a challenge! However, the Card Connection head office support staff couldn’t have been more friendly and helpful to ensure our business got off to a flying start."
David Clements, Card Connection Franchisee
"When we met Card Connection franchisees and the staff at Card Connection’s head office we were immediately impressed with the professionalism. This gave us confidence to know that we would have the back up of a professional organisation behind us. The business is now doing brilliantly and we are very confident we can continue to grow and make a sound living out of not only something that we enjoy but an enterprise that has a bright future ahead. I would also happily recommend the franchise to others. A Card Connection franchise will offer all the flexibility of running your own business yet it takes advantage of what is essentially a recession-proof industry."
Di Tudor, Card Connection Franchisee
About Us
If you are looking for a franchise with that golden combination of a ‘good money making opportunity’ and ‘lifestyle’ look no further than Card Connection.
Card Connection is one of the UK’s largest card publishers and is the market leader in the franchised distribution of greeting cards. The company was established in 1992 and within a few years grew to be the largest and most successful organisation supplying greeting cards on a consignment basis. Viewed as one of the UK’s best run franchise operations, the company has been a full British Franchise Association since 1994.
Using a proven system, franchisees place greeting card ranges 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 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.
Franchisees have their own exclusive territory, calling on their customers typically on a monthly basis. Customers include convenience stores, sub post offices, petrol station forecourts and staff restaurants in large offices. There are around 85 Card Connection franchisees servicing around 15,000 retail outlets in the UK and Ireland. Card Connection’s national account customers include Budgens, Londis, Nisa, Spar, Palmer & Harvey, Bestway, Bargain Booze, Shell, Texaco, Total… and many, many more.
In 2008, Card Connection, became part of UK Greetings Limited (UKG), the British subsidiary of American Greetings Inc AG, the world’s largest publicly owned greeting card company and the largest direct to retail greeting card publisher in the UK.
Good Income from Well Established Businesses
Card Connection has had national distribution for over a decade. All territories are therefore re-sales, which means they have a detailed sales history and an income ‘Day 1’. All franchises for sale have been inspected by Card Connection and are offered at goodwill prices which should ensure a good income and return on capital. Some territories are providing income in excess of £50,000 p.a.
Flexible Lifestyle
While your retail customers are trading throughout the day, and often into the night, you can merchandise them at hours convenient to you.
Outstanding Product Ranges
There are around 1,200 quality greeting cards in our range, which cover virtually every style and taste in the card market. This means that a franchisee is able to tailor their displays to their retail customer’s requirements.
In addition, there are Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Christmas ranges, plus Gift wrap and Gift Bags and other ‘impulse buy’ gifts.
Card Connection franchisees have recently also started to supply retail outlets with the popular Voltz energy shot drink.
Training and Support
Card Connection offers a comprehensive training programme lasting 18 days. Training is spread over several weeks and covers every aspect of the business in both the classroom and most importantly in the field.
On an ongoing basis, every franchisee is supported by a Franchise Manager. This person provides support and encouragement, as well as genuine business development within their territories.
Franchisees are encouraged to meet regularly, either through formal meetings/conferences or socially.
Who’s Ideal for Us
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).
GREAT! WHAT'S MY NEXT STEP?
Find out more about Card Connection by submitting the form below.
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