Card Connection is the UK's No 1 greeting card franchise, servicing over 12,000 outlets in Britain and Ireland.
Good Money Great Lifestyle!
If you are looking to invest in a franchise with that golden combination of a ‘good money making opportunity’ and ‘balanced 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 franchise distribution of greeting cards. The company was established in 1992 and within a few years grew to be the largest and most successful business supplying greeting cards on a consignment basis. Viewed as one of the UK’s best run franchise operations, the company has been a full member of the British Franchise Association since 1995.
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 retailer 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. There are 60 Card Connection Franchisees servicing 12,000 retail outlets in the UK and Ireland.
Card Connection were fortunate that the vast majority of our customers stayed open (as essential shops) during the Covid-19 pandemic. This meant we continued to sell cards. Even though our franchisees couldn’t initially go out and merchandise during lockdown, they were able to post stock to customers and then once safe, and allowed to do so, re-commenced merchandising their customers displays.
Customers include convenience stores, sub post offices, petrol station forecourts and staff restaurants in large offices. Card Connection’s National Account customer include Spar, Budgens, Londis, Nisa, Costcutter, BP, WH Smith, Shell and many more.
In 2008 Card Connection, became part of UK Greetings Limited (UKG), the UK’s largest card publisher, and the British subsidiary of American Greetings Inc., the world’s largest publicly owned greeting card company.
Good income from well established businesses
Card Connection has had a complete network for over a decade. All territories sales are therefore re-sales, which mean they have a detailed sales history and an income from day 1. All franchisees for sale have had a presale audit by Card Connection and are offered goodwill prices which should ensure a good income and return on capital. Some territories are providing income in excess of £50,000pa.
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 1,100 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 the seasonal ranges, including Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas, plus we supply Gift wrap, Gift Bags and Party.
Training and support
Card Connection offers a comprehensive training programme. 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 on-going basis, every franchisee is supported by their Regional Sales Manager, who 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 that are keen to run an exciting business. Successful candidates would ideally have a strong desire to run their own business and are able to take on an existing business and breathe fresh enthusiasm into it.
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 £12,000 (+ stock).
Territories for Sale?
Card Connection currently has the following territories for sale, goodwill values are shown, please remember stock, fixtures, training and licence fee must be added.
| Territory location |
| North West (Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Roscommon, Leitrim) |
| West/Southwest (Galway, North Tipperary & Clare) |
| Stirling |
| Norwich |
| Chelmsford |
| Ayr |
| Manchester |
If you would like to learn more about a franchise opportunity with Card Connection, please click the button below!
12 Good Reasons to Invest in a Card Connection Franchise!
Across our current franchise network of over 50 franchisees, the average number of years they have run their areas is well over 12 years.
As a franchisor, we think that represents a serious vote of confidence!
But then again, in the 30 years Card Connection has been trading, greeting cards have proven amazingly resilient in the face of tough economic times. Even the Covid Pandemic couldn’t buck this trend, with our sales coming through that crisis with flying colours.
No wonder our franchisees seem to know a good thing when they’ve found it. So much so in fact, that 50% of our network have been with us for over 15 years and 25% of our wonderfully loyal franchisees have held their franchises for over 20 years!
We proud of our franchise network and we believe the length of their commitment to our mutual success speaks volumes about our award-winning business model.
A business opportunity with ‘Staying Power’
Across Card Connection’s current franchise network, the average for a territory ownership is over 12 years.
This vote of confidence in our business model, gets even better, as 50% of our franchisees have been with us for over 15 years, and a massive 1 in 4 franchisees have held onto their franchises over 20 years!
With greeting cards proving such a stable product through decades of tough economic times, it’s no real surprise that our franchisees know when they are onto a good thing, proving it with their loyalty, year after year.
Card Connection currently have a small number of established territories up for sale. For more information about these areas, and to discover more about Card Connection, please click below:
Card Connection Testimonials
"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
"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
Location
Card Connection: Stirling
Investment
£75,996
Date Established
01-01-2007
Turnover
Various
Profile
A unique opportunity to take over an established business with many prestige customers including Spar, BP Simply Fresh, Bestway, Nisa,Keystore and Independent stores.
The territory covers a large geographical area which includes Dundee, Peebles, Stirling and Perth. An area of contrast and a beautiful place to work, Edinburgh the Historic Capital, enjoy the fabulous scenery of Fife and Perthshire and the famous St Andrews the home of Golf. Motorways run through the area giving fast transport links.
The territory would ideally suit a couple or an individual who is happy to employ help within the business.
The right person will have the scope to open new sites and build sales. You will be supported in developing your business by our Scottish based Regional Sales Manager and staff at head office.
The territory covers a large geographical area which includes Dundee, Peebles, Stirling and Perth. An area of contrast and a beautiful place to work, Edinburgh the Historic Capital, enjoy the fabulous scenery of Fife and Perthshire and the famous St Andrews the home of Golf. Motorways run through the area giving fast transport links.
The territory would ideally suit a couple or an individual who is happy to employ help within the business.
The right person will have the scope to open new sites and build sales. You will be supported in developing your business by our Scottish based Regional Sales Manager and staff at head office.
Status
Active
Location
Norwich
Investment
£135,332.20
Turnover
£85,170
Profile
Overview
A great opportunity has arisen for someone to operate the Norwich territory.
The heart of this area is the great Norwich City. You're surrounded by lots of beautiful towns and villages, including Holt and Hunstanton in north Norfolk to Aylsham, Dereham and Wymondham in mid Norfolk. Further south you have towns such as Southwold, Halesworth, Beccles and Bungay.
Not forgetting all the amazing coastline towns of Sheringham, Wells, Cromer, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
Norwich is a well-managed territory and offers the right person the chance to manage and develop the territory.
A great opportunity has arisen for someone to operate the Norwich territory.
The heart of this area is the great Norwich City. You're surrounded by lots of beautiful towns and villages, including Holt and Hunstanton in north Norfolk to Aylsham, Dereham and Wymondham in mid Norfolk. Further south you have towns such as Southwold, Halesworth, Beccles and Bungay.
Not forgetting all the amazing coastline towns of Sheringham, Wells, Cromer, Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
Norwich is a well-managed territory and offers the right person the chance to manage and develop the territory.
Status
Active
Location
North West (Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Roscommon, Leitrim)
Investment
€220,257
Status
Active
Location
West/Southwest (Galway, North Tipperary & Clare)
Investment
€219,852
Status
Active
Location
Chelmsford
Investment
£105,042
Profile
A Fantastic well established developed territory with high performance and covers the following locations; mid-east and west Essex and the southern part of Suffolk area. Main towns are Harlow, Chelmsford and Colchester and Clacton. In Suffolk - Ipswich and Felixstowe. All locations contain many high value national accounts and independents.
Selling due to retirement.
Selling due to retirement.
Status
Active
Location
Card Connection: Ayr
Investment
£65,281
Profile
A Fantastic opportunity to purchase this growing area. The Franchisee supplies quality retailers Spar, Nisa, One O One Convenience stores, BP M&S Simply food stores as well as local independent stores.
Reluctant sale due to family health issues. The area extends from the South of Glasgow and Paisley. Ayrshire with the towns of Kilmarnock and Ayr.
The beautiful coastal areas including Largs & Troon. Continue south to Stranraer and then along the Galloway coast. An area with a great variety of stores and countryside no two days will be the same. For the right person there is the opportunity to grow from the 106 outlets the current franchisee supplies.
Reluctant sale due to family health issues. The area extends from the South of Glasgow and Paisley. Ayrshire with the towns of Kilmarnock and Ayr.
The beautiful coastal areas including Largs & Troon. Continue south to Stranraer and then along the Galloway coast. An area with a great variety of stores and countryside no two days will be the same. For the right person there is the opportunity to grow from the 106 outlets the current franchisee supplies.
Status
Active
Location
Manchester
Investment
£43,938
Profile
Based around Greater Manchester, this area holds plenty of potential for a hardworking individual.
Relatively compact geographically, making it accessible and manageable, the business is teeming with development possibilities.
The well-established area contains a welcome mix of store types including esteemed National Account partners and thriving convenience stores.
The current franchisee has run the territory for the past 10 years.
Relatively compact geographically, making it accessible and manageable, the business is teeming with development possibilities.
The well-established area contains a welcome mix of store types including esteemed National Account partners and thriving convenience stores.
The current franchisee has run the territory for the past 10 years.
Status
Active
Available Locations:
Re-sale franchises now available in the UK.
Business Type:
Franchise
Minimum Investment:
£40,000
Financing Assistance
None