About Card Connection
Card Connection, which franchised throughout the UK and Ireland, is the market leader in the distribution of greetings cards, supplying 12,000 retailer outlets from independent shops to a network of over 100 national accounts, including BP (M&S Simply Food), Budgens, Londis, Spar, Nisa, Shell and WH Smith.
As well as greetings cards, Card Connection franchisees also supply party and gift items, wrapping paper and gift bags. Its original card designs are suitable for any kind of outlet and the range is designed for broad appeal — it totals over 900 designs covering everything from birthdays to Christmas cards and from Easter to anniversaries.
Card Connection’s popular model means that customers do not have to buy stock, and only pay for what they sell.
Card Connection has been a member of the British Franchise Association since 1995 and the Irish Franchise Association since 1996. It is also a member of the Greeting Card Association.
Its Oxford and Banbury franchise won the British Franchise Association HSBC Micro-Business Award in 2013 and the company has been a finalist in Franchisee of the Year categories awarded by both the BFA and the IFA.
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.
-
Profiting from a focus on product
Profiting from a focus on product Although Card Connection’s Franchisee for Northampton Rakesh Joshi does not have the largest franchise territory in the greeting card supplier’s network, he certainly knows how to make the best of it when it comes to maxim...
-
New Card Connection Franchisees Recruited for Middlesbrough/Darlington territory.
Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has today announced two of its new franchisees have been recruited. David and Cathy Mason take over the Liverpool area and Bill & Hilary Davies will now run the Middlesbrough/Darlingto...
-
David Roseweir case study
David Roseweir joined Card Connection as their franchisee for Stirling and Perth in 2007. He now supplies Card Connection’s extensive range of greetings cards and accessories to more than 300 retailers in Scotland. David Roseweir joined Card Co...
-
Card Connection is Lifestyle Choice for Scottish Franchisee
Munawar Mohammed took over Card Connection’s Aberdeen territory in 2016 from the outgoing franchisee, Andrew Orr, who ran the area successfully for 18 years. Munawar explains: “Previously, I worked for the well-known, house-hold furniture retailer: DFS, as...
-
Tony Lees Case Study
Having retired from a successful career in the FMCG industry in 2008, Tony Lees was looking for a small business that would allow him to be master of his own destiny and give him an income for the remainder of his working life. Having retired fro...
-
Elaine Anderson: Case Study
Elaine Anderson joined leading greeting card publisher and franchisor Card Connection in 2012 and took over the established territory of Glasgow and Fort William. Name: Elaine Anderson Location: Glasgow & Fort William Franchise: Card Connection Date: joine...
-
David & Sherran Patient: From Shopkeepers to Suppliers
When David & Sherran Patient took over the Card Connection franchise for Chelmsford, they already had a head start. As ex-retailers themselves, they knew the challenges their customers faced. Plus having stocked Card Connection’s greeting cards as ex-cus...
-
12 Good Reasons to Invest in a Card Connection Franchise!
31st August 202212 Good Reasons to Invest in a Card Connection Franchise! In these difficult times, if you’re looking to invest in a new business opportunity that offers you a stable and dependable income, how about a greeting card franchise with Card Connection? Across our...
-
Top Accolade to Card Connection Franchisee who leaves his mark
28th March 2022At an emotional awards ceremony in Dublin, Card Connection franchisee Joe Sweeney posthumously won Retail Franchisee of the Year award at the prestigious Irish Franchise Association Awards. It was a bitter-sweet moment for Joe’s sons Joseph and Trevor, who w...
-
Card Connection Fly High at Franchise Awards
23rd December 2021Whilst on the day Card Connection narrowly missed out on the top spot in both the categories they were shortlisted for, they still ran the front runners a very tight race as finalists in the 2021 Best Franchise Awards. “We came equal second against stiff com...
-
Franchisees Continue to Triumph in Adversity
23rd December 2021To say our world has changed over the past 20 months is probably the biggest understatement ever. Everyone is painfully aware of the difficulties many sectors of the economy have suffered during the Covid pandemic, but there are examples of businesses who have...
-
It’s Good To Talk!
23rd December 2021Card Connection have celebrated a successful year across UK and Ireland by completing their network wide programme of December regional meetings, during which they were able to thank their franchisees for their contribution towards the network’s double-digit...
-
Faith in Humanity
5th October 2021Daryl Perkins, our Nottingham franchisee and his partner Lucy have recently funded a local football team by purchasing their kit and instead of advertising their own business on these shirts, they insisted the Rainbows logo take full pride of place, which it...
-
Introducing Colin Brattan – our Lake District Franchisee
29th September 2021Imagine spending your days working in the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Lake District, the Scottish borders, the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Eden Valley…. Well Colin & Margaret Brattan do just that. Colin & Margaret purchased ...
-
Women In Franchising – Card Connection
24th September 2021From Card Connection’s beginning in 1992, female franchisees have played a key role in the success of the greeting card franchisor’s brand. As women remain the primary purchasers of greetings cards, perhaps it’s not so surprising that female franchisees ...
-
Card Connection – Carbon Offest Programme Announcement
4th August 2021As part of our parent company UKG Greeting, Card Connection are proud to announce that all its single greeting cards will be offset through the global conservation charity World Land Trust’s Carbon Balanced Paper programme. As part of our parent company UKG ...
-
Card Connection: Franchising – Your Next Step after Redundancy?
4th August 2021Recent impacts on the economy have made redundancy a cruel reality for many people. However, as one door closes, a new one can often open! Franchising can allow you to turn a negative experience into a positive one and to invest in a bright future. The increas...
-
Card Connection helps ‘phoenix store’ rise from the ashes
27th April 2021This temporary structure may remind us of the Nightingale hospitals that sprang up last year, but for the residents of Holt village near Wrexham, this ‘pop up’ Budgens store was in many ways just as much of a lifesaver. “The Budgens that was the only sto...
-
Bigger is Always Better for Card Connection Franchisee
1st April 2021When it comes to growing his business, Robin Brisbourne, Card Connection’s franchisee in North Wales has become the very definition of ‘Mr Consistent.’ In fact, his territory has shown growth in every year since he took on the franchise in 2012. “I cha...
-
16 Years Taking Care of Business
25th March 2021After 16 year as a franchisee with greeting card supplier Card Connection, nothing gives Martin Sweeney more of a buzz than installing new displays, reviewing their sales and then challenging himself on how he can improve them. His drive and enthusiasm has see...
-
Card Connection: Area of the Month – Stirling
12th March 2021The very heart of Scotland could all be yours if you have the ambition and drive to invest in Card Connection’s Stirling franchise. You’ll be taking over an established business with many prestige customers including Spar, BP Simply Fresh, Bestway, Nisa, K...
-
How do you grow business 14% in the same year as losing your largest customer?
24th February 2021That was the challenge facing Thayalan Markandu, Card Connection’s franchisee for Middlesbrough, when through no fault of his own he lost a chain of his most lucrative stores. A relative newcomer to the greeting card franchise network, he took this early blo...
-
Keeping ahead of the competition
9th December 2020Colin and Penny Ellis have been with Card Connection for over 5 years and are still pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved from a well-run, established business. In the past year, with all the challenges that COVID has thrown their way, they have still...
-
The ‘New Normal’ in Greeting Card Sales?
11th November 2020Coronavirus has led to marked changes in people’s behaviour and this extends even to the greeting cards they are choosing to send. “We’ve seen some very obvious changes,” confirms Kelly Courtenay, Creative Director of greeting cards publisher Card Conn...
-
Making it a Great Christmas, Come What May!
11th November 2020In these uncertain Covid times, no matter how different this Christmas might be, one thing is guaranteed to remain reassuringly the same. In these uncertain Covid times, no matter how different this Christmas might be, one thing is guaranteed to remain reassur...
-
bfa Community Hero Nomination: Munawar Mohammed Card Connection’s Greeting Card Franchisee for Aberdeen
2nd October 2020bfa Community Hero Nomination: Munawar Mohammed Card Connection’s Greeting Card Franchisee for Aberdeen From Dundee to the tip of Scotland, Munawar’s franchise territory is huge. However, cards are so important for people to share special moments in their ...
-
Card Connection Franchise Aspires To Greater Things
28th September 2020When Kochchu Udayan took on a new career challenge by purchasing the greeting card franchise for Chesterfield back in July 2019 he did so because he actually wanted to work less! “I’d run a convenience store for 4 years with my wife Gemma, but this was in ...
-
Second Helpings For Merseyside Franchisee
27th August 2020In 2019, Liverpool FC came 2nd in the Premier League and Card Connection franchisee Vinny Robinson also made it a 2nd, when he purchased the Liverpool franchise territory, too. “Back in 1997 I owned a convenience store in Liverpool, and stocked Card Connecti...
-
Unlocking Sales During Lockdown
12th August 2020A crisis has a way of bringing out the best in some people. Greeting Card Publishers Card Connection are proud to extend that accolade to every one of their franchisees and members of staff across the UK and Ireland. Quick to adapt The shock of lockdown left m...
-
Joe-The Radio Star on the Go!
13th March 2020Son of Card Connections’s franchisee makes appearance on RTE 2fm. Joe Junior, son of Card Connection’s franchisee for Ireland West & Midlands Joe Sweeney, was merchandising stores in Sligo when he landed himself a starring role on national Radio! A...
-
Making a Difference
18th February 2020After 27 years working in the same place, James Bird was ready to make the step up to running his own business. After 27 years working in the same place, James Bird was ready to make the step up to running his own business. Investing in a Card Connection franc...
-
Card Connection Keep the Fun in Christmas
4th December 2019Scrooge may have coined the phrase “Bah Humbug” but it also seems to have been adopted by sections of the media who, it seems, would rather see Christmas cancelled! Greeting card and gift wrap publisher Card Connection, who are very much in the business of...
-
New Card Connection Franchisee Hits The Ground Running!
13th November 2019When Thayalan Markandu took over the Card Connection franchise for Middlesbrough, he already had a head start on most of the new franchisees that had gone before him. “I bought part of an area owned by long-standing franchisees Vicki and Andy Thompson, and t...
-
Card Connection Franchisee of the Year Proves He’s One in a Million!
21st May 2019On Friday May 17th 2019, Gabriel McGeown scooped the top prize at Card Connection’s 2019 annual conference. The award was presented during a gala dinner by Managing Director Michael Johnson and Creative Director Kelly Courtenay. ‘Gabe,’ as he’s known b...
-
Card Connection Put the Joy Back into Christmas Giftwrap
3rd December 2018Recycling is rightly top of everybody’s minds right now and Christmas is the time of year that brings more products into our households than ever, that we then need to consider. This includes Christmas giftwrap. “Let’s admit it – it’s not just childr...
-
Card Connection’s Franchisee Becomes ‘Mr Northern Ireland’
11th September 2018Card Connection has today announced that franchisee Gabriel McGeown (Gabe) has now expanded his franchise territory to cover the whole of Northern Ireland. McGeown joined Card Connection in 2008, investing in Armagh/South Tyrone, plus part of the Country Down ...
-
Card Connection Territory of the Month
10th September 2018Card Connection Territory of the Month A great investment opportunity has arisen in Gloucestershire, featuring the beautiful cathedral city of Gloucester and set at the edge of the picturesque Cotswolds, an area of outstanding beauty. Currently turning over £...
-
From Employee to Card Connection Franchisee!
23rd August 2018Former Card Connection Regional Sales Manager Penny Ellis becomes Card Connection franchise owner! Former Card Connection Regional Sales Manager, Penny Ellis and her husband Colin, invested in the Card Connection Windsor/Reading territory in 2017. With Penny...
-
Paper Straws – Bringing Environmental Issue to the Party
17th August 2018Card Connection does its part to reduce plastic waste. Looking at our product range we identified the plastic straws in our Party range as an obvious disposable item that we needed to take a responsible stance on. We immediately stopped orders for any more of ...
-
Featured Territory for August – Birmingham
1st August 2018For sale is this exclusive Card Connection territory with a current turnover of over £70k, generated from over 140 outlets. This good balance of national accounts and independent stores includes well-known brands like Spar, Nisa and Costcutter to name but a f...
-
Franchising – Your Next Step after Redundancy?
24th July 2018The current turbulent economy means redundancy has become a cruel reality for many people. However, not all is doom and gloom! As one door closes, a new one can open, as franchising allows you to turn a negative experience into a positive one and allows you to...
-
Card Connection Franchisee Buys First Home
16th July 2018Oxford regional franchisee Gayan Weerakkody and his wife Anjana have enjoyed such success that they have been able to purchase their first house. Andy Bull, Regional Sales Manager at Card Connection explains: “This week has been an exciting week for Gayan an...
-
Happy 10th Birthday Boofle!
26th June 2018Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection recently celebrated Boofle’s 10th birthday at their annual conference. Made from 100% love and cuddles, oh and lots of wool and a little button, Boofle has quickly become a star in the greeting ...
-
Card Connection Celebrates Chairman’s Award and Franchisee 25th Anniversary
30th May 2018Card Connection Celebrates Chairman’s Award and Franchisee 25th Anniversary Card Connection, the leading franchised greeting card publisher in the UK and Ireland, presented two special awards at their recent conference. Kevin Vaux, retiring Chairman of Card ...
-
Happy Endings…
30th May 2018Card Connection brings franchisee Martin Sweeney the job satisfaction he never had as an employee. Each year, almost half a million people in the UK start their own businesses and with its reduced risk, franchising has become particularly popular. Card Connect...
-
Overall and Regional Franchisee of The Year Winners Announced at Card Connection Annual Conference
22nd May 2018Card Connection the leading franchised Greeting Card publisher in the UK and Ireland, recently held its annual conference at Forest of Arden, Birmingham. The excited group of franchisees, along with Card Connection staff and some colleagues from UK Greetings e...
-
Card Connection Recruits New Birmingham Franchisee
12th April 2018Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has today (4th March ’09) announced that it has recruited a new franchisee for the Birmingham area. Former convenience store owner, As… Leading greeting card publisher and franchiso...
-
Card Connection Franchisee Set on Growth Strategy
21st March 2018Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has today announced that its franchisee for the Chesterfield area is set on growing his business despite the widely publicised economic downturn. Paul Du Toit has recently purchased the neighbo...
-
Franchisee Support is Key for Card Connection’s New Business Development Manager
21st February 2018Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has today announced it has appointed Penny Gelman as its new Business Development Manager for East Anglia, East Midlands and the South East. Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card C...
-
Card Connection Appoints New Sales Director
1st February 2018Card Connection, market leader for the franchise distribution of greeting cards in the UK, has announced the appointment of Graham Staff as its new Sales Director following the retirement of Stuart West who has served Card Connection for over 20 years. Graham,...
-
Card Connection is Worth the Wait for Croydon Franchisee
11th January 2018Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has announced its franchisee for Croydon, Nishan Jeyakumar, has grown the number of retail clients he supplies by 10% since he joined the Company at the end of last year. Leading greeting card pu...
-
New Card Connection Franchisees Recruited
21st December 2017Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has today announced two of its new franchisees have been recruited. David and Cathy Mason take over the Liverpool area and Bill & Hilary Davies will now run the Middlesbrough/Darlingto...
-
Card Connection Appoints New Franchise Manager
4th October 2017Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has announced the appointment of Andy Byskup as its new franchise manager covering the South East. Byskup, who previously spent 10 years as a franchisor in South Africa, returns to the UK with hi...
-
Card Connection Supports Sales in Scotland
8th September 2017Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has confirmed that Scottish franchisee Munawar Mohammed’s year-to-date, like-for-like sales are up significantly. Munawar joined Card Connection in 2016, purchasing the Aberdeen franchised terr...
-
Card Connection Completes Roll out in Gilletts Spar Stores
24th August 2017Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has confirmed that it has completed the successful roll out of its extensive range of greeting cards and accessories in 30 Gilletts branded Spar Stores in the South West. “We have worked with A...
-
Card Connection’s New Collection is Sales Success
15th August 2017Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has confirmed that its major new range of greeting cards, launched in April this year, is already a significant sales success. More than a year in development, 122 new designs were created by Car...
-
Card Connection Appoints New Operations Manager
24th July 2017Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has appointed Iona Binfield as its new Operations Manager following the recent retirement of Sandra Pavitt after 12 years’ service. Michael Johnson, managing director for Card Connection com...
-
""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 ..." Read More...
Di Tudor (Card Connection Franchisee)
-
""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 ..." Read More...
David Clements (Card Connection Franchisee)
Would You Like to Know More?
Receive more information about this franchise opportunity direct from the franchisor by clicking the link below:
Add to Request List There is no cost or obligation associated with this service.Key Facts:
- Re-sale franchises now available in the UK. Export opportunities elsewhere.
- Franchise
- £40,000
- Yes
- Yes
- Yes
- 1992
- Yes
- Member - Established
Popular Franchise Searches
If you are not sure where to begin on your search for the ideal franchise opportunity, try one of these popular searches.
In order for the franchisor to get in touch with you after you have found a franchise for sale that interests you, simply click on the "Add to Request List" button, click "Complete Request" and let us do the rest!
One Form, Multiple Opportunities: Your Franchise Search Simplified!
© 2023 - FIND MY FRANCHISE