If there’s a blueprint of how to get to grips with a new business challenge, Kirikaran Navaratnam definitely has a copy. Kiri’s first step in becoming one of the greeting card publishers top franchisees was by helping out the areas previous franchisee. This was to prove the ultimate ‘try before you buy’ experience, when in… Read more »

In these socially distance times, The Greeting Card Association’s Thinking of You Week, now in its seventh Year, seems more relevant than ever before!The very act of taking time to choose a card, write it and send it, makes the person receiving it feel far more special and cared about than receiving a text, email… Read more »

Offered for sale is this exclusive Card Connection territory with a current turnover of over £68k. Taking in profitable locations either side of the Firth of Forth, this newly independent Card Connection territory has been created from a previously larger territory. Its compact size covers 78 trading outlets, including names like Spar, BP Simply Fresh,… Read more »

In 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 Connection cards, which always seemed to sell well. The Liverpool franchisee at the time… Read more »

“My father, Bob, bought this Card Connection territory way back in 2006,” smiles a nostalgic Simon Parker. They ran the area as a family affair until 2014, when Simon took over the reins, deciding to keep things in the family, Simon had been running a Post Office which he closed last year. He immediately looked… Read more »

A 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 adaptThe shock of lockdown left many companies like rabbits caught in the headlights. Not… Read more »

Linda Whitney writes about six ways a franchise can help you survive the peaks and troughs of being your own boss.

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-customers, they knew the range and had total confidence in the product they would be supplying. Offer highest… Read more »

Offered for sale is this exclusive Card Connection territory with a current turnover of over £68k. Taking in profitable locations either side of the Firth of Forth, this newly independent Card Connection territory has been created from a previously larger territory. Its compact size covers 78 trading outlets, including names like Spar, BP Simply Fresh,… Read more »

Pip Wilkins, CEO of the British Franchise Association, gives her top points you should consider.  The following article appeared in the May 2020 issue of Business Franchise. Franchising presents variety of business opportunities across an eclectic mix of industries, with more than 900 brands using the model in the UK, so there is something for… Read more »

Individual countries have celebrated friendship days since the 1930s, but in 2011 The United Nations created the first International Day of friendship. Now, as we approach the 10th anniversary of this beautiful celebration, what better time to get involved?  Though social media has in some ways shrunk the world, nothing beats the very real personal… Read more »

Linda Whitney writing about financing which appeared in What Franchise.                    The economic picture is changing all the time.  Many lenders are likely to have been in the same position, but hopefully lending has resumed.  they will be happy to tell you and give advice about when… Read more »

Pip Wilkins, CEO of the British Franchise Association explaining why franchising is a proven model when going into business for yourself.  Explaining everything from resilience as a measure of success to a problem shared is a problem halved and checks and measures matter. To read the full article go to What Franchise Volume 16 Issue… Read more »

Card Connection are excited to release this striking new birthday design featuring Batman. Over the years, the card publisher has teamed up with many superheroes from Marvel and DC Comics, like Spider-man, The Avengers and Superman but this is the first time they’ve called on the caped crusader. The ever-popular Batman character first appeared in… Read more »

This is a brilliant opportunity to invest in a well-run territory covering Bournemouth and a number of the most popular seaside towns and villages in Dorset. Currently turning over £75k and benefits from a customer base of over 94 outlets and a strong National Account customer base consisting of Spar and Costcutter to name just… Read more »

Offered for sale is this exclusive Card Connection owned territory with a current turnover of over £86k generated from over 100 outlets. There is a good balance of National Accounts and independent stores which includes well-known brands like BP, Booker & CJ Lang to name but a few. Ayr is a town situated on the… Read more »

Dad’s across the country will be depending on Card Connection to make sure they receive a Father’s Day Card on June 21st. That’s because, while many card shops may have remained closed during lockdown, the bulk of greeting card publisher Card Connection’s customers have been very much open for business. It’s presented the company with… Read more »

Staying in touch has never been more important in these socially-distanced times. Fortunately Greeting Card Publisher Card Connection has been able to keep life’s most positive occasions catered for. As most of their customer base is convenience stores that have remained open during lockdown, the company have managed to keep the general public supplied with… Read more »

Card Connection is one of Ireland & the UK’s most successful greeting card publisher and franchisor. It uses a proven, award winning merchandising system to place quality cards, gift wrap, gift bags and party product in retail outlets on a ‘consignment’ basis. This means the stock and display equipment are installed on free loan to… Read more »

Subramaniam Suganthan (Sugan) has grown his franchise since  purchasing the Coventry territory.  Sugan has been delivering the company’s extensive range of quality greeting cards and accessories to around 340 retailers in the cities and surrounding areas of Birmingham, Leicester and Coventry. “I joined Card Connection as a franchisee in 2014” confirms former Card Connection customer… Read more »

When father and son team Karsan Naran & Avneesh Sangani invested in the Card Connection area of Macclesfield back in 2018, it was hardly a step in the dark. That’s because Avneesh is the brother of Dilip Sanghani, who has been successfully running the Manchester franchise of Card Connection since 2014.Karsan had watched Dilip’s development… Read more »

The following article appeared in What Franchise, written by Pip Wilkins CEO of the British Franchise Association. This is a good reflection of the Card Connection business because at least 50% of our Franchise Network falls into the “Olderpreneurs” bracket, age has no boundaries or limitations. All that is required is the natural ability to… Read more »

Maintaining your drive and focus in business over the course of a dozen years is never easy, but it’s something Card Connection franchisees Dave and Di Tudor have worked hard on. They took on the Hereford territory back in 2006 and the husband and wife team work seamlessly as a unit. Di spends most of… Read more »

“I challenge you to look at the designs in our two Easter 2019 ranges without feeling uplifted,” enthuses Card Connection’s Creative Director, Kelly Courtenay. “The positive sentiments just shine through!”The trend for sending cards at Easter time began way back in the 1890’s, firstly with postcards but then as greeting cards, when they became the… Read more »

Wednesday 4th March and scores of store owner and mangers descended on the Lyrath Estate in Ireland for the first of this year’s Spring Season Trade Shows with Musgraves Day Break Event.  Publisher and franchisor Card Connection had pride of place with their stand of greeting cards, giftwrap and giftbags.  Interest was further sparked by… Read more »

Royal Mail is reassuring people that they should not be concerned about posting Mother’s Day presents, as Public Health England says coronavirus Covid-19 cannot survive for long on objects such as letters and parcels. Posting home presents is a safe way to celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday, in light of the Government’s new advice against… Read more »

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! As well as performing admirably under pressure during the station’s popular ‘Pump Up The Slump’ competition, Joe was able to get in a plug for his… Read more »

Early in 2019, Kevin Field and Jane Pitt decided they’d had enough working for other people. As an HGV driver for Costa Coffee, Kevin was travelling all over Somerset, Dorset, Devon & Cornwall, while Jane was working as a manger in Clinton Cards, when they spotted a perfect opportunity to combine their experience into one… Read more »

Customers dig deeper into their purses and wallets for a Mother’s Day card than they do for either Valentine’s Day or Father’s Day, which, considering everything they do for us, is exactly how it should be! For Mother’s Day 2020 Card Connection offer 60 very varied new designs, spread across two different ranges.   “Contemporary… Read more »