Summer 2020 - 11

Making a Diff erence
CARDTHARTIC
a true partner to retailers
Saying a Lot
with a Little
Back in April, when the whole nation was sheltering in place, a consumer
placed an $822 order for cards, art prints and magnets at cardthartic.com.
At checkout, she was asked to name the store where she normally purchased
Cardthartic and, because she designated Browseabout Books in Rehoboth
Beach, Delaware, the company posted a $411 credit to Browseabout's account.
" It makes me happy to know that you'll be giving half this income to Browseabout, "
the customer commented on the order. " It's such a great independent
book and giſt store; I've literally spent hours at a time there. And, as always, " she
added, " thank you for providing us with words and ways to put positivity and
caring into our fragile world. While you couldn't have envisioned circumstances
like this, I have to believe that Cardthartic was built for this moment! "
According to Browseabout's manager Noemy Tudos, " Cardthartic is really versatile and meets important needs. Especially when
customers aren't sure what they're looking for, " she said, " I send them to Cardthartic! " Th e 15,000-square-foot store has three of the
company's branded 96-pocket card fi xtures and a magnet display, their crowns all proclaiming in an understated way, " Made in the
USA using Soy Ink on Recycled Paper. "
Splitting its online income is just one example of how Cardthartic looks out for
the stores that carry its lines. Th e company zip-code protects, ensuring that no
competing retailer will carry the same products. A Guaranteed Trial program
off ers tentative buyers a no-risk way to test how well the cards will sell for the
store: 24 pockets are fi lled with half-dozens for 90 days. At that point, sales
will have either exceeded expectations and the store will want to bring in a full
fi xture, or pay only for what has sold.
Cardthartic provides its spinners at no charge and, knowing retail space is always
at a premium, designed them to have the industry's smallest footprint. As the
company's reps service the racks, they actively pull cards that are not selling as
well as expected and give the store credit toward better-selling replacements.
And, more than ever, the company is working with its retailers on payment terms.
During the shutdown, Books & Co. in Hampden, Connecticut, actively
sent its customers to cardthartic.com and, to support their favorite
store, fans spent $616. With its account credit, Books & Co. restocked
and added a magnet fi xture for reopening.
" We know our customers well, " said Books & Co. owner Linda Mooser,
" We are part of their lives. We've held everything from weddings to
memorial services here. And those customers LOVE Cardthartic -
our most consistently loved line, year aſt er year - oſt en buying a
stockpile of them. "
" Th ey appreciate the line's simple,
thoughtful expressions paired with the
engaging art and images, " Mooser said.
" Our sympathy selection is considered
top-of-the-line. Customers also love the
birthday and humor. And CATS, " she
laughs. " Our customers love cats! "
ADVERTISEMENT | © 2020 Cardthartic
Circle 406
To apply to become a Cardthartic Retail Partner,
go to cardthartic.com or call 800.814.8145
Giſt ed's Megan Stockton
" Cardthartic provides the
words when words are
hardest to come by. "
" Th e cards are personal without being cheesy, "
Stockton said. " Reading these cards is like
hearing a dear friend talking to you. "
Th e company's 700 message-driven designs
have long been featured on cards, boxed notes
and magnets. In January 2020, the company
introduced art prints and minicards.
" I started carrying Cardthartic six years ago, "
Stockton said. " As soon as I saw how well the
cards were doing, I added magnets and boxed
notes. Now my customers love Cardthartic so,
naturally, we've added art prints and minicards.
" We have wonderfully loyal customers, " said
Stockton, " and we love hearing them say,
'Th at's because you have Th e Best!' "
Cardthartic is perhaps best known for packing
so much meaning into so few words. Especially
with challenging categories like condolence and
grief support, " Cardthartic provides the words
when words are hardest to come by, " described
Megan Stockton, owner of the successful shop
Giſt ed in Lake Forest, Illinois.

http://www.cardthartic.com http://www.cardthartic.com http://www.cardthartic.com

Summer 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Summer 2020