| Type | Private (Ltd) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail |
| Founded | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Wakefield, West Yorkshire, WF2 0XG |
| Key people | Dean Hoyle |
| Products | Greeting Cards Calendars |
| Revenue | 168 Million (08-09) |
| Employees | 4,500 |
| Website | http://www.cardfactory.eu.com/ |
Card Factory is a chain of greeting card and gift stores in United Kingdom founded by Dean Hoyle and his wife Janet; the first store opened in 1997. The company currently employs around 4,500 people,[1] mostly in front line positions in its stores. Their advertising claims they have not increased prices for ten years. Year-on-year sales rose 27% from 2008 to 2009 resulting in a £29.4 million pre-tax profit and a turnover of nearly £168 million.[2]
Card Factory has donated one million pounds to Macmillan Cancer Support, the company's chosen charity.[3] In light of this they are currently running a major advertising scheme in stores, which use to include voice overs by Coleen Nolan.
On 28 November 2008 it was announced that Card Factory had purchased about 80 of the 288 stores from failed greetings card company Celebrations Group which trades as Card Warehouse and Cardfair as part of a rescue package securing around 500 of the 1,800 jobs currently at Celebrations.[4]
On 8 April 2010 the sale of Card Factory to London based equity firm Charterhouse was completed for £350 million.[1]
On 14 July 2011, Card Factory purchased gettingpersonal.co.uk for an undisclosed sum.[5]