…PRESS RELEASE 8th April 2024
Improving the quality of postal services in the UK is vital for keeping people connected and maintaining their mental health.
That’s the view of a thriving family-owned greeting card company as it celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Raspberry Blossom, based in Warwick, has a lot to thank the Royal Mail for.
Like thousands of other independent businesses across the UK regular, affordable and reliable postal services have allowed them to – well, blossom.
The firm has employed local people and developed its offer for both individual customers and other businesses through wholesale.
Now however regulators and politicians responsible for the Royal Mail are considering reducing its service obligations while raising postal prices.
Raspberry Blossom is among over 90 members of the Greeting Card Association which have sent letters to their local MPs asking for their help to support their industry.
The GCA, which represents over 500 members and was formed in 1919, is an independent not for profit trade organisation operating for the benefit of greeting card publishers, retailers, individuals and suppliers to the card industry.
Raspberry Blossom owner Rebecca Green said: “I am on the Council for the Greetings Card Association, and this is the hot topic being talked about by members at the moment. People are concerned.
“The postal service, in many areas of the country, is just not great at the moment, and it is a worry that it could get worse.
“Being able to rely on regular, reliable and affordable postal services is absolutely vital for local businesses across the UK, not just in the greeting card industry but in many other sectors too.
“We all need a good quality Royal Mail. It is a public service that is important for so many people.
“But it is not just the viability of businesses that would be put at risk by any potential changes to our postal services, but people’s mental health too.
“It is so important that people receive their birthday cards, Mother’s Day cards, and Christmas cards on time.
“For people who are elderly, people who live alone, and many others, being able to keep in touch with family members and loved ones is an essential lifeline.
“That is a situation that has become even more acute since the Covid pandemic.
“When someone takes the time to choose a card that means something to someone they love, writes a greeting inside and posts it, it means an awful lot to the person who receives it.
“We can’t afford to lose that human contact through any reduction in postal services.
“We have a Post Office just around the corner from where we are based – it is always really busy!
“There is always a queue whenever I go in. There is a real demand there from people that has to be met.”
Raspberry Blossom is based at Trident Park on Poseidon Way in Warwick.
It was founded by wife (Rebecca) and husband (Mark) and was the brainchild of Rebecca, whose love of all things colourful knows no bounds.
And no, the name wasn’t born from Rebecca enjoying a punnet of raspberries sitting under a cherry blossom tree. She simply loves their pinky shades of colour.
This family-led, independent firm is constantly innovating.
The multi award-winning local business is renowned for its colourful, contemporary and smile-inducing designs.
Established in 2014 and with over 400 products, it has built a reputation based on quality of product, beautiful colour palettes and on-trend design.
All of Raspberry Blossom’s products are proudly designed and manufactured in the UK.
Rebecca Green said: “We are proud to have been trading for 10 years now!
“As well as selling cards and prints to customers and to wholesalers, we also offer a hand-writing service which is proving to be very popular.
“We started the service during the Covid pandemic and we have continued it due to demand.
“It saves customers on postage, helps them to get cards out quicker and makes life easier for people.
“We are a small business and enjoy helping people where we can.”
The thousands of people who work in the creative UK greeting card industry know that card sending matters.
The simple act of sending and exchanging cards promotes wellbeing and mental health, lighting up the life of recipients and senders alike.
And what’s more, card sending nurtures local independent businesses on the high streets we all love, supports local charities and organisations in the communities we care for and helps protect the Royal Mail delivery service we all treasure.
That’s why the Greeting Card Association launched its #Cardmitment campaign in the run-up to Christmas 2023, reminding everyone about the joy and importance of sending cards.
But #Cardmitment was never just about Christmas.
Being able to put a smile on someone’s face though a card, relies on a Royal Mail service that delivers on time, all the time, right across the UK – and at a great price.
The GCA is now inviting people to support its #Cardmitment campaign to protect vital Royal Mail services.
For more details about the GCA Cardmitment campaign please visit: www.gca.cards/cardmitment-2024
Further information: Nick Agarwal, +44 (0)7568 101045 // Andrea Ross, +44 (0)7961 776339
gca@arena-pr.com // Andrew Brown +44 (0)7919 112582
Raspberry Blossom: www.raspberryblossom.com
Editors’ Notes:
About the Greeting Card Association
- The Greeting Card Association (GCA) is an independent, not-for-profit trade organisation operating for the benefit of its members and has been the voice of the greeting card industry, providing support to its members since 1919
- The GCA embraces over 500 publishers, retailers, agents, distributors and recommended suppliers of materials and services and is the voice of the British greeting card industry, representing the industry to stakeholders such as postal service providers, government, colleges and schools.
- Greeting cards themselves are part of a world-leading British creative industry worth over £1.5bn to the UK economy, at the forefront of innovative design and delivering important export revenue to the UK.
- Consumers in the UK, spent £1.5 billion on single greeting cards in 2021, excluding packs and boxes of cards and the British send more cards per person than any other nation.
- Greeting cards build relationships. Sending and receiving a greeting card creates a strong connection and the GCA’s members facilitates and celebrates positive communication between people of all backgrounds.
- The GCA’s purpose is to ensure the wellbeing of the greeting card industry and to promote the absolute joy of sending and receiving a well-chosen card. Its mission is to passionately support the growth and promotion of the greeting card industry and its vision is for everyone to feel connected by the sending and receiving of greeting cards.
