Last week, Clintons was acquired by Pillarbox Designs, the parent company of Cardzone. The deal sees Clintons’ 163 trading stores join with Cardzone’s 180 stores to form what Paul Taylor, founder, of the family business, is proud to describe as “now the only national specialist chain selling quality cards.”
The Cardzone group already trades under several brands, including Mooch, a more gift-based retail concept, and it also forged a joint venture with Postmark’s co-owners Mark and Leona Janson-Smith in 2021 for future stores.
Pillarbox’s acquisition of Clintons – owned by the Weiss family, founders of UK Greetings’ parent company American Greetings since 2012 – comes after several attempts over the years to buy it, with the two parties getting really close to sealing a deal just before Covid.
“We met again last September and have been to-ing and fro-ing ever since then but, yes, it’s a relief to get it over the line this time,” added Cardzone’s trading director James Taylor.
Paul confirmed the plan is to retain the Clintons brand. “The name is still synonymous with quality greeting card retailing,” adding that it is highly likely some Cardzone stores will be converted to Clintons’ branding in time.
“There will be some changes, but we are very excited to be growing our family business with Clintons joining our portfolio,” added Paul, who has also assumed the role as ceo of Clintons, with Eddie Shepard, its former ceo, having now left the business.
Top: Clintons has been acquired by Pillarbox Designs, the parent company of Cardzone.
