New business is no-problem for Card Connection’s Worthing and Portsmouth Franchisee, Eric Knight. Leading greeting card publisher and franchisor, Card Connection has announced Eric Knight opened seven new retail customer accounts in a single day last month. Eric will now supply Card Connection’s extensive range of greeting cards and accessories to the outlets on a regular basis.

Eric Knight commenting on his 100% new business hit rate said: “My merchandisers were putting Mother’s Day cards in the last few stores and so I had a little extra time with my Card Connection business development manager. I asked him to spend the day with me looking for new retail accounts. Armed with my presenter and a selection of samples we set off and by the end of the day we had agreement to supply every single store we visited!

“The great point about Card Connection is that the model sets up a win-win situation,” continues Knight. “Retailers only pay for the stock they sell and the products are great quality so always sell well. It can be daunting going into a new call but as soon as you explain the concept the products sell themselves. It was also a lovely sunny day which I think always puts people in a great mood, everyone we visited was so positive!”

Eric Knight worked for WHSmith for 30 years before running his own newsagents in Newton Abbot in Devon for seven years, prior to joining Card Connection as a franchisee.

Card Connection’s franchisees use a proven system to place quality greeting cards and gifts in retail outlets on a ‘consignment’ basis. This means the stock and display equipment are 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 initially, only paying for what they sell.

Card Connection’s award winning merchandising service provided to retailers by local franchisees has proved popular with retailers all over the UK and Ireland including Card Connection’s key national accounts such as Total, Costcutter, Londis, Spar and BP.

Card Connection is part of UK Greetings, which is a subsidiary of the largest publicly owned greeting card publisher in the world and has limited vacancies for franchisees that are keen to run an expanding business. Suitable candidates would ideally have some management experience as, once established, and depending on the size of the territory, they could be expected to employ a small team, operate a small warehouse and have several liveried vans on the road.

Since the franchise network in the UK is 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 £7k + Stock + Card Connection fee with earnings potential in excess of £50k per annum.

Territories currently available include: Southend-on-Sea, Plymouth, Nottingham/Grantham, Manchester, Cardiff, Southport/Wigan, Macclesfield/Buxton, Dundee/Kirkcaldy.