Clinton Cards

Clinton Cards
Clinton Cards PLC
Type Retail (LSE: CC)
Founded 1968
Headquarters Loughton, Essex,
England
Website www.clintoncards.co.uk

Clinton Cards is a chain of stores in the UK founded in 1968 by Don Lewin. Mostly selling greeting cards, as the name suggests, the chain claims (2004) to be "the largest specialist retailer of greetings cards, plush merchandise (soft toys) and related products in the UK with over 700 shops." They used to be represented by concessions within Debenhams stores but pulled out in 2004. The chain also includes a few service station shops shared with Thorntons the chocolate specialist chain, as well as Birthdays, the party shop. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE Fledgling Index.

History

Clinton Cards shop in Rugby

Clinton Cards was founded in 1968 when Don Lewin OBE, the present Chairman, opened his first shop in Epping, Essex. The business grew to 77 shops by 1988 and was then successfully floated on the London Stock Exchange. This enabled the company to increase its rate of growth and by the summer of 1994 the business comprised 277 shops. In October 1994 Clintons acquired 83 shops from Hallmark Cards and in September 1995 acquired 112 shops from Carlton Cards. In October 1998, the entire share capital of GSG Holdings Limited was purchased, adding a further 211 shops to the portfolio. These two important transactions and continuing organic growth were financed without recourse to shareholders.

Clinton Cards operate shops ranging in size from its typical 1,600 square feet (150 m2) shop to its largest shop situated in White Rose Centre, Leeds. The Leeds shop contains 10,750 square feet (999 m2) of floor space over two floors and features a coffee shop with toilets and babychanging facilities, disabled access and a lift between the ground and first floor. The size of the shop means that it can offer a large selection of greetings cards and gifts as well as wide aisles and the space required to allow a higher volume of customers to fill the store. This shop also has a seating area from which customers can view and order Wedding Stationery.[1]

See also

External links


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