What's New?
The Apprentice Challenge
Like every other person in the greeting card industry I was gripped by the recent Apprentice episode where the contestants had to come up with a new sending event. Now this has really got me thinking; not only from a greeting card perspective but also looking from a life style view. Do Valentine's, Mother's and Father's Day add something to our lives or are they for retailer's financial gain alone?
I think these events are the perfect way to tell the most important people in our lives what they mean to us. And that was the starting point for my suggestion. Apart from a loved one and family the 3rd corner of my life support structure are my friends. They cheer me, warm me and entertain me. When did you last tell your best friend what a difference it makes having them in your life? So I would like a "Celebrate Friends Day" (and that is without an apostrophe!) Yes, I would send them a card but it would also make me pause and take the time to just tell them how precious they are. I'd meet them for lunch or a drink (particularly if restaurants supported the day with special offers) and just enjoy some time together. I'd celebrate it on the 18th September. The date, I have to admit has a card buyer's perspective on it. The summer holidays are over, Christmas is still a long way away, and September is the peak month for Birthdays, (all those Christmas conceptions).
And my best friend, well she is a Geordie policewoman who claims the biggest difference between us is that while I was doing ballet lesson growing up in Brazil she was jumping off bus shelters in Cramlington. She is the most genuine, caring and joyful person I have ever met and she has brightened my life for the last 10 years. Surely that has to be worth celebrating.
What do you think? I'd love to hear your ideas please use the contact form below if you have a comment.
Squashed Tomato on Amazon
Did you know you can also buy our greeting card selections through Amazon.co.uk? You will always find the latest range here at www.squashed-tomato.co.uk and for your purchase to support charity then the Squashed Tomato site is the place to shop. 10% from every Taster pack sale goes to your chosen charity but our account option makes the biggest difference. Not only do you get a 3 monthly delivery of great designs at a great price but £1.50 from every £10 purchase goes straight to charity.
At our Amazon storefront you will find a bigger range of £10 collections to choose from and the convenience of stocking up on greeting cards as you buy books, electronics or gifts. We have also recently launched a range offabulous gifts by Catseye from Jellycat. These quirky designs make the perfect gift for both teenagers and grown ups. If you are interested in opening a Squashed Tomato account then take a quick look at our card range on Amazon. The cards shown there have previously featured on www.squashed-tomato.co.uk and this will give you a good guide to the quality of greeting cards you can expect in your quarterly packs.
Buy to suit you and enjoy the convenience of Squashed Tomato cards.
Would you like a free Party Time pack of Squashed Tomato cards? We have teamed up with Tish Tash Toys who sell wonderful toys for babies and young children. These lovely wooden toys are sold through agents. Hold a toy party in April, May or June and you'll receive a Squashed Tomato Party Time pack totally free as a thank you. Like us Tish Tash Toys supports the Rainbow Trust. To find your nearest agent visit www.tishtashtoys.com
How are we doing?
We are only happy if you are. I would love to hear your comments; what we do right, what could be better, what you would like us to offer in the future….Please use the contact box above if there is anything you think we should know.
Here are a few of the lovely things you have told us in the past:
“I haven’t missed a birthday or special occasion in the last year, because of Squashed Tomato! It might seem like a small thing at first, but having a quality selection of cards to hand when my diary pops up a reminder for a birthday or special occasion is just fantastic! I don’t have to worry about going to the shops to buy an over-priced and dubiously messaged card, in a panic. I just open up my draw, choose a beautiful Squashed Tomato card, pop it in the post and everyone loves me!”
Alex Stone, Managing Director, Just Too Busy
http://www.justtoobusy.co.uk
“Been meaning to write and thank you for the beautiful cards - just perfect for what I wanted - and the amazing service. The cards came the very next day, and I loved the funky packaging. This is a fab service and I'll definitely be signing up for regular packs. That'll be one less thing to worry about when all those birthdays and events roll around! Pretty unbeatable, I'd say!” Louisa
"It's wonderful to have such a lovely selection of cards always to hand. The children being invited to a party at short notice or me suddenly remembering a birthday at the last minute has become a pleasure instead of a logistical nightmare! Thank you!" Tricia
“The cards have just arrived. They are fantastic thank you so much. The girls have all "oohed & aahed" over them so probably won't see them for long as they will pinch them all! Also a good mix for teenage boy birthdays, which can be very tricky. It was lovely to get them all through the post, like a present.....so nice.” Janet
"Having cards arrive in the post has been wonderful - it means there is one less thing to think about in an already complicated world! Having forgotten a neighbour's birthday, it was so easy just to run upstairs and find I had the perfect card at my fingertips. In fact I was spoilt for choice since all the cards in my pack were so gorgeous." Maria
“Fantastic service, brilliant cards, great value and loved the packaging!!!”Pauline
“This is such a good idea! I love the fact that I'm getting really good quality cards at a great price while helping a charity of my choice. It goes a long way towards me reaching my New Years Resolution of keeping in touch with friends more and never forgetting birthdays. Now, why didn't I think of this idea?” Francis
“I love your cards, the smile mix definitely makes me smile, can’t wait to see what’s in my next pack.” Selina
A recipe for success
Squashed Tomato sells premium greeting cards in support of charity. Based in beautiful Northumberland, the company was launched by Zoë Hiles after 16 years experience as the greeting card buyer for one of the UK’s largest department stores. Up to 15% of proceeds are given to charity.
The essential ingredients
The driving force for the business came from a gap in the greeting card market. Supermarkets are taking a bigger share of high street trade and charities are generally only benefiting from greeting cards sales during the Christmas period. It may be convenient to pick up a few cards with the food shopping but choice is limited and there is a whole top tier of quality cards not represented on the shelves. Squashed Tomato has access to these famous brand designs and offers the convenience of home delivery, whilst enabling customers to support a charity of their choice through card buying all year round.
“I am passionate about greeting cards”, says Zoë. “The UK is respected as the greeting card design capital of the world. Using my buying experience, I cherry pick across different suppliers and mix the greeting cards into themed selections making choosing easy for Squashed Tomato customers. The other benefit of buying from Squashed Tomato is the substantial savings we can pass on to our customers. The £10 selections give up to a 35% saving compared to buying the same cards individually.”
Stock up on greeting cards one pack at a time or for absolute convenience, open an account and a new selection of cards will automatically be sent every 3 months. For account customers, orders are sent quarterly, not monthly and there is no minimum sign up time because Squashed Tomato is about easing life’s stresses, not adding to them.
The icing on the cake
Ordering is easy. Choose the packs of cards that suit you, choose the charity you would like to benefit and Squashed Tomato takes care of everything else.
