Growing international demand for British stationery and greeting cards

Exports of greeting cards from the UK rose by 1.5% last year to a total value of nearly £63 million.

One Midlands firm tapping into this global demand is Stamford based Old English Company – named Small Business of the Year at the 2019 Mercury Business Awards.

For Old English Company, exports to the US alone have increased by nearly 100% since 2016. The company has also recently signed a three-year contract with American card giant Papyrus, which will see them design an array of greeting cards for the retailer.

As the largest consumer market on the globe, the US presents huge opportunities for Midlands businesses. In 2018, goods exports from the West Midlands to the US alone totalled £6.6 million.

Also benefitting from the growing demand for stationery and greeting cards is Loughborough based Ohh Deer. The stationery company works with more than 100 new and upcoming illustrators to create quirky, arty and funny illustrated products.

Ohh Deer exports to 51 countries, with overseas sales accounting for 37% of the company’s annual turnover.

Ian Harrison, Department for International Trade’s Director of Exports in The Midlands said, “It is great to see innovative brands like Old English Company and Ohh Deer capitalising on seasonal trade overseas.

“Success stories such as these illustrate just how profitable exporting globally can be with overseas consumers increasingly looking for British products and premium quality brands.

“DIT has a network of expert trade advisers on the ground in the Midlands to support businesses as they look to start or build their exports.”

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