Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection, has today announced that greeting card industry specialist, Kevin Miles, has purchased the company’s Southend-on-Sea franchise. Card Connection is part of UK Greetings (UKG), where Kevin held various previous roles. Kevin will now supply Card Connection’s extensive range of quality greetings cards and accessories to more than 200 retailers in Essex.

“Essentially I’ve had just one job since leaving school, although with many different responsibilities,” explains Kevin Miles. “From warehousing to customer service management, I am familiar with many of the aspects of a Card Connection franchisee’s daily work and anticipate this will help me now I have become self-employed for the first time.

“During my time at UKG I got to know Card Connection’s management team and was impressed with their professional approach,” continues Kevin. “In addition, the product range is fantastic and so although I did look at a few other opportunities, purchasing a Card Connection franchise made complete sense.

“The greeting card industry itself is also established,” confirms Miles. “People will always send cards and often they are not organised enough to ‘plan ahead’ and this is where the Card Connection model can attract these so called ‘distress purchasers’ with a quality product sold in a convenient location. I am really excited about becoming my ‘own boss’ and seeing how I can develop my franchise with Card Connection’s help.”

Card Connection, which last year celebrated its 21st year in operation as a franchisor, is one of the UK’s largest card publishers and is the market leader in the franchised distribution of greeting cards. The business’ unique model of consignment sales has resulted in a strong brand and established reputation which has been proven over many years. Through its franchisees Card Connection supplies about 12,000 retailers throughout the UK.