Fast-growing forecourt operator Ascona Retail has entered into a sole supply agreement with Riverside Greetings for its 62 retail sites, including Aberdeen and Grangemouth.
Riverside Greetings offers convenience store owners no upfront costs, stock on consignment, display equipment free on loan, new designs each month, displays actively serviced, maintained and category managed by Riverside.
Paul Stoddart, Trading Director at Ascona Retail added: “Having the correct mix of seasonal and everyday cards is crucial to the performance of the greeting card category. Riverside have shown us that their approach to the category adds value, and we are looking forward to developing the category for our shoppers.”
Andrew Glen, Managing Director of Riverside, said: “We are passionate about growing the greeting card category in forecourt sites and convenience stores and it is great to see Ascona wanting the best category solution for their shoppers. The group is highly ambitious just as we are, and we are looking forward to driving the performance of the category for them.
“We began activating our category offering in Ascona sites in April and will have mobilised the entire estate by mid-July. We are confident that our service and investment in innovation will drive significant sales and profitability improvements for Ascona along with delighting their shoppers.”
The greeting card market is growing and is currently worth £1.4bn in the UK.
