News & Insights

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Together We Stand: Uniting Against Royal Mail’s Proposed Delivery Reductions

Royal Mail has now confirmed it’s begun trials to end Saturday second class delivery in a number of areas will extend those pilots to more locations next month. Even though Ofcom has not agreed to any changes to Royal Mail’s legal obligations under the USO, these trials will also reduce second class delivery to every…

Petition asking for parliamentary scrutiny of proposals to amend Royal Mail USO

Petition asking for parliamentary scrutiny of proposals to amend Royal Mail USO

As part of the GCA’s Cardmitment campaign to protect and promote the greeting card industry we have launched a parliamentary petition asking for parliamentary scrutiny of any planned changes to Royal Mail’s legal ‘Universal Service Obligations’. What is the Universal Service Obligation (USO)? The Royal Mail is the UK’s largest postal operator and also the…

Spring Fair 2025

Spring Fair 2025

This year marks a remarkable milestone in the world of trade shows as the Spring Fair celebrates it’s 75th anniversary. We share with you the latest information, discounts and marketing opportunities on this February 2025 trade show.

Cardmitment campaign highlights our thriving industry in 2024

Cardmitment campaign highlights our thriving industry in 2024

The GCA’s Cardmitment campaign to protect and promote the greeting card industry has reached nearly 35 million people across the UK in 2024! We have communicated our messages about the joy of sending, and receiving cards and the importance of a reliable and affordable postal service, via social media, in print and online news, and…

‘Use it or Lose it’ GCA members highlight important of postal service to small businesses across the country

‘Use it or Lose it’ GCA members highlight important of postal service to small businesses across the country

GCA members across the UK have been highlighting the importance of an affordable, reliable and national postal service to our industry. The story is being picked up by media across the country, and is also covered by PGBuzz.

Royal Mail attends GCA Conference in Bristol

Royal Mail attends GCA Conference in Bristol

The 2024 GCA Conference in Bristol welcomed Royal Mail’s Fiona Hamilton to the stage. Fiona shared insight into Royal Mail’s modernisations plans, and the need for USO reform and for parcel growth. Fiona also outlined proposed changes to 2nd class delivery, moving to just two or three days a week (every other working day), and…

GCA and Winston’s Wish Workshop

GCA and Winston’s Wish Workshop

GCA members held an inspiring workshop with the Winston’s Wish team, kindly hosted by Moonpig. Winston Wish’s enthusiastic young ambassadors  shared their stories and provided valuable insight into the language and imagery suitable for greeting cards designed for bereaved children. Background to this Workshop Winston’s Wish contacted the GCA saying that their youth ambassadors felt…

10 years of Thinking of You Week!

10 years of Thinking of You Week!

2024 marks the 10th anniversary of Thinking of You Week! This annual event, which takes place the 3rd week in September, was born at a UK Greeting Card Association (GCA) Council Meeting and launched in September 2014! Thinking of you week was inspired by the “heartfelt replies” received by one of the GCA members, Leonard…

The Annual Greeting Card Industry awards – HENRIES

The Annual Greeting Card Industry awards – HENRIES

The GCA is a big supporter of The Henries greeting card awards and urges all members to enter these ultimate accolades in greeting card publishing – our industry ‘Oscars’. The Henries are annual awards that are organised and owned by Max Publishing, which publishes Progressive Greetings magazine and PG Buzz. Why enter? Not only is…

Latest on Ofcom review of the postal service

Latest on Ofcom review of the postal service

Earlier this month the Greeting Card Association provided Ofcom with a detailed response to proposals to weaken the ‘Universal Service Obligation’ (USO) by cutting back letter deliveries to five or even three days per week and giving Royal Mail freedom to raise prices, see more below.   GCA’s #Cardmitment campaign communications around this submission and…