Greeting card sales to top $30.4 bn by 2015

Monday, 10 January 2011 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The global sales of greeting cards is set to exceed $30.4 billion by 2015 despite the growing popularity of social networking sites and other online communities, said an expert citing a recent study.

“Greeting cards are an essential part of all our lives,” said Michael Dehn, group exhibitions director of German trade fair and conference organiser, Epoc Messe Frankfurt, which is set to launch ‘Paperworld Middle East’ expo from 7 - 9 March in Dubai.

Paperworld Middle East, a leading showcase of office supplies, school articles, office paper and films, wrapping paper, household paper and stationery products, will be co-located with Playworld Middle East.

Greeting cards, said Dehn, played a vital part in conveying ‘our feelings, emotions, condolences or good wishes on occasions that matter to our near and dear ones.’

‘Sharing in one another’s moments of happiness, comforting friends and family during hard times, congratulating friends and colleagues on achievements and other notable occasions — these are an essential part of what makes us a well-knit, caring society.’

While the US is currently the largest market for greeting cards in the world, EU countries form the second largest pool of consumers. It is the Asia-Pacific region that is growing in significance however, with this rapidly growing part of the world’s appetite for greeting cards expected to grow at over 4 per cent annually until 2015.

“The Middle East region is no different with a large inclination for cards of all kinds meaning the demand in this region is also on the upsurge,’ he added.

Hallmark, a market leader in the greeting cards industry, has announced plans to join hands with the Paperworld as launch partner.

The company will display a host of its products besides paper party supplies, gifts and wrapping paper, picture frames, albums, scrapbooks and ornaments for the home at Paperworld Middle East.

In business for over 100 years, Hallmark products can be found in 100 countries. As the exclusive representative for Hallmark in the GCC, Gulf Greetings General Trading has operated for over 25 years and currently retails from over 50 stores in the region.

Designed as a trade platform of choice for the office and paper products industry, Paperworld Middle East will feature a range of greeting cards, picture calendars and gift articles by the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers. - TradeArabia News Service