Clinton Cards might acquire rival firm Greeting Card Group, which went into administration earlier this month....
Clinton Cards might acquire rival firm Greeting Card Group, which went into administration earlier this month.

Clinton Card group managing director Clinton Lewin said it made sense to buy its ailing competitor,which owns 470 stores under the brands Cardfair and Card Warehouse.

Lewin said that most stores would be sold, while more than 100 would be rebranded under the Clinton Cards or Birthdays brands.

He said: 'In some of the towns where they have stores and we did not, we will be looking to fill in the gap. But, overall, with less card shops on the high street, it clearly gives us the advantage. It is less about store numbers and more about getting into strategic areas that we are not currently in. We will be focusing on these towns.'

Christmas like-for-like sales were up at both Clinton Cards and Birthdays chains in the five weeks to December 24 by 1.8 per cent and 3.3 per cent respectively. Group sales increased 2.1 per cent.

The group has 732 Clinton Cards stores and 368 Birthdays outlets.

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