Card Connection

  • Investment: £55,733

Card Connection is the UK’s leading greeting card franchise and is the ideal franchise for those looking for both a money making opportunity and a good lifestyle.

Card Connection

Stirling, Scotland
Seller Ref:FRA0106126566
  • Price: £55,733

Card Connection is the UK’s leading greeting card franchise and is the ideal franchise for those looking for both a money making opportunity and a good lifestyle.

Profile Information

Good Money Great Lifestyle!

If you are looking for a franchise with that golden combination of a ‘good money-making opportunity’ and ‘lifestyle’ look no further than Card Connection.

Card Connection is one of the UK’s largest card publishers and is the market leader in the franchise distribution of greeting cards.  The company was established in 1992 and within a few years grew to be the largest and most successful business supplying greeting cards on a consignment basis.  Viewed as one of the UK’s best run franchise operations, the company has been a full member of the British Franchise Association since 1995.

Using a proven system, franchisees place greeting card ranges in retail outlets on a ‘consignment’ basis.  This means the stock and display equipment is 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 in the first place, only paying for what they sell.  The award-winning merchandising service provided to retailer by local franchisees is second to none and has established the company’s excellent reputation especially within the convenience sector.

Franchisees have their own exclusive territory, calling on their customers typically on a monthly basis.

Customers include convenience stores, sub post offices, petrol station forecourts and staff restaurants in large offices.  There are 64 Card Connection Franchisees servicing 13,000 retail outlets in the UK and Ireland.

Card Connection’s National Account customer include Budgens, Londis, Nisa, Spar, BP, WH Smith, Bargain Booze, Shell and many more.

In 2008 Card Connection, became part of UK Greetings Limited (UKG), the UK’s largest card publisher, and the British subsidiary of American Greetings Inc., the world’s largest publicly owned greeting card company.

Good income from well established businesses

Card Connection has had a complete network for over a decade.  All territories sales are therefore re-sales, which mean they have a detailed sales history and an income from day 1.  All franchisees for sale have had a presale audit by Card Connection and are offered goodwill prices which should ensure a good income and return on capital.  Some territories are providing income in excess of £50,000pa.

Flexible Lifestyle

While your retail customers are trading throughout the day, and often into the night, you can merchandise them at hours convenient to you.

Outstanding Product Ranges

There are around 900 quality greeting cards in our range, which cover virtually every style and taste in the card market.  This means that a franchisee is able to tailor their displays to their retail customer’s requirements.

In addition, there are Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Christmas ranges, plus Gift wrap, Gift Bags and Party.

Training And Support

Card Connection offers a comprehensive training programme.  Training is spread over several weeks and covers every aspect of the business in both the classroom and most importantly in the field.

In an on-going basis, every franchisee is supported by a Regional Sales Manager, who provides support and encouragement, as well as genuine business development within their territories.

Franchisees are encouraged to meet regularly, either through formal meetings/conferences or socially.

Who’s Ideal For Us?

Card Connection has limited vacancies for franchisees that are keen to run an exciting business.  Successful candidates would ideally have a strong desire to run their own business and are able to take on an existing business and breathe fresh enthusiasm into it.

Because the franchise networks in the UK and Ireland are 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 £12,000 (+ stock).

If you’d like to be your own boss by breathing fresh enthusiasm into an existing business, please fill out the enquiry form below.

News / Success stories

SECOND HELPINGS FOR MERSEYSIDE FRANCHISEE

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 mentioned one day that the neighbouring Chester franchise territory was for sale and I decided to take the leap and buy it.  I was immediately able to use my retail experience but from the other side of the counter,” explained Vinny. 

20 years later, the sitting franchisee in Liverpool suddenly departed, and Card Connection found themselves turning to the ever-dependable Vinny for his help.  Fortunately, Vinny agreed to step into the breach and committed himself to being caretaker for Liverpool, covering it in addition to his own territory.

“Card Connection has always been professionally run, but it’s also very friendly,” continues Vinny.  “Over the two decades it’s not lost its family feel, even when it was bought by UKG Greetings, so I was happy to repay their support over the years, by offering mine.  It didn’t take me long to appreciate the potential of the two areas added together and I was in the perfect ‘try before you buy’ scenario.  When I asked to buy the second territory, Card Connection were very helpful and supportive with the financial side of things, so we both saw it as a good investment that I took on the Liverpool territory permanently.”  

Vinny loves continually meeting new faces, so his time as a franchisee has been characterised by him being tireless in his customer and service focus.  His relationships are so strong with his customers, that Vinny has even found himself being best man at a customer’s wedding!  

And the future is looking good for the now combined territories.  In the same period that Liverpool football club have traded their runner up spot for being crowned Premier League Champions, Vinny has reversed the sales decline he’d inherited in Liverpool by growing sales by a massive 24%. It’s all seems somehow fated, for the franchisee who holds the current Card Connection award for teamwork!

As well as getting to grips so successfully with running two areas, somewhere in it all, Vinny has still managed to find time to continue playing guitar in a local band.  Now that’s what you call multi-tasking! 

Card Connection is part of UK Greetings, and has limited vacancies for franchisees keen to run a growing business.  Candidates would ideally be a couple operating from home, or have some management experience as, once established, 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 £10k + Stock + Card Connection fee with earnings potential in excess of £50k per annum.  

 

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Additional Details

BFA Member: Yes
Part-time: No
Home Based: Yes
Finance Available:

Similar Sectors: Retail Franchises ,

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