{{short description|Retailer of greeting cards and gifts in the United Kingdom}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Use British English|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox company | name = Card Factory plc | trading_name = | logo = Card Factory logo (updated).png | area_served = United Kingdom | logo_size = 200px | former_name = {{Ubl | CF Listco Limited 17{{endash}}30 April 2014)<ref name="CompaniesHouse">{{cite web |date=17 April 2014 |title=Card Factory plc overview – Find and update company information – GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/09002747 |access-date=16 February 2024 |website=Companies House }}</ref> | Card Factory Limited (30 Apr 2014)<ref name="CompaniesHouse" /> }} | type = Public company | traded_as = {{lse|CARD}} | foundation = {{Start date and age|1997|df=yes}} | fate = | successor = | defunct = | founders = Dean & Janet Hoyle | location = Wakefield, West Yorkshire | key_people = {{Ubl | Geoff Cooper (Chairman) | Darcy Willson-Rymer (CEO) }} | industry = Retail | products = Greeting Cards, Calendars | brands = Funky Pigeon | revenue = {{increase}} £582.7 million (2026)<ref name=results>{{cite web|url=https://www.cardfactoryinvestors.com/media/rzapjpel/cardfactoryfy26prelimsrns-final.pdf|title=Annual Results for the year ended 31 January 2026|publisher=Card Factory|accessdate=8 May 2026}}</ref> | operating_income = {{decrease}} £59.4 million (2026)<ref name=results/> | net_income = {{decrease}} £31.2 million (2026)<ref name=results/> | num_employees = | owner = {{Ubl | Invesco (27%) | Artemis (fund managers) (12%) | Old Mutual Global Investors (10%) }} | homepage = {{URL|https://cardfactory.co.uk}}| }}
[[File:Card Factory, Southside Wandsworth.jpg|thumbnail|Card Factory, Southside Wandsworth, London]] [[File:Card Factory - The Piazza Centre - geograph.org.uk - 1701112.jpg|thumb|Card Factory store in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire]] [[File:Card Factory store, Mullingar.png|thumb|Card Factory store in Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland]]
'''Card Factory plc''' is a retailer of greeting cards and gifts in the United Kingdom founded in Wakefield by Dean Hoyle and his wife Janet. The first store opened in 1997, and by 2020 the company had over 1,000 stores.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/statistics/485108/card-factory-store-numbers-united-kingdom-uk/|title=Number of Card Factory stores in the United Kingdom (UK) 2012–2020|access-date=8 February 2021|work=statista}}</ref> The company also operates two retail websites and has mobile apps for both iPhone and Android. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
==History== ===Origins to 2009=== Dean Hoyle left school with no qualifications, having a self confessed greater interest in football.<ref name=RWHarrison/> With his wife Janet, from 1993 they began buying cards wholesale, and selling them from the back of their van at car boot sales and public open air events.<ref name=RWHarrison>{{cite news|url=http://www.retail-week.com/people/profiles/dean-and-janet-hoyle-the-husband-and-wife-team-behind-card-factory/5011601.article|title=Dean and Janet Hoyle|first=Nicola |last=Harrison|work=Retail Week|date=26 March 2010|accessdate=21 May 2014}}</ref>
In 1997, they opened their first shop under within the holding company Sportswift Ltd, purposefully choosing secondary retail locations which were cheaper.<ref name=RWHarrison/> After opening a few stores, whilst Janet founded and headed up the internal design and print function, Dean concentrated on expanding the business, with a nominal target of 500 retail outlets.<ref name=RWHarrison/> This gave the company a profit margin advantage over rivals, including Clinton Cards.<ref name=RWIPOBubb>{{cite news|url=http://www.retail-week.com/city-and-finance/nick-bubbs-verdict-are-the-card-factory-and-game-ipos-growth-stories/5060382.article|title=Nick Bubb's verdict: Are the Card Factory and Game IPOs growth stories?|first=Nick |last=Bubb|work=Retail Week|date=19 May 2014|accessdate=21 May 2014}}</ref>
The couple built a board to expand the business, including: Keith Pacey (chairman of Maplin); Richard Hayes (managing director, their ex bank manager); Chris Beck (commercial director, ex Grant Thornton); Darren Bryant (group finance director, ex PricewaterhouseCoopers).<ref name=RWHarrison/> On 28 November 2008, Card Factory purchased about 80 of the 288 stores from failed greetings card company Celebrations Group (which traded as Card Warehouse and Cardfair), as part of a rescue package, securing around 500 of the 1,800 jobs at Celebrations.<ref> {{cite news | title = Wakefield card firm Card Factory's rescue package saves 500 jobs | newspaper = Yorkshire Evening Post | date = 28 November 2008 | url = http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/business-news/business-headlines/wakefield-card-firm-card-factory-s-rescue-package-saves-500-jobs-1-2198793 | accessdate = 15 July 2011 }}</ref>
===2010s=== The couple put the business up for sale in January 2010<ref name=RWHarrison/> and on 8 April 2010, Charterhouse completed the £350 million purchase of the company which at the time operated 480 stores.<ref name="yorkshirepost1">{{cite news | title = Card Factory's £350m Private Equity Sale Completed | newspaper = Yorkshire Evening Post | date = 8 April 2010 | url = https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/card-factorys-ps350m-private-equity-sale-completed-1979251 | accessdate = 5 May 2020}}</ref> This enabled Dean Hoyle to later buy Huddersfield Town F.C.<ref name=RWHarrison/>
On 14 July 2011, Card Factory purchased gettingpersonal.co.uk, an online retailer of personalised gifts, for an undisclosed sum.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/news/business/s/1426706_gettingpersonalcouk-is-sold-to-card-factory-for-undisclosed-sum|title=GettingPersonal.co.uk (Online retailer of Personalised Gifts) is sold to Card Factory for undisclosed sum|date=14 July 2011|work=Manchester Evening News|accessdate=14 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517142116/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/gettingpersonalcouk-sold-card-factory-undisclosed-865538|archive-date=17 May 2017}}</ref>
In May 2014, the company floated via an initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange.<ref name=RWIPOBubb/>
In April 2015, the company launched its own website, cardfactory.co.uk.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2015/08/card-factory-sales-boosted-by-new-stores/|title=Card Factory sales boosted by new stores|date=11 August 2015|access-date=8 February 2021|work=Retail Gazette}}</ref>
In 2019, the company began supplying cards to Aldi, Matalan and The Reject Shop.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pgbuzz.net/card-factory-to-supply-400-aldi-stores-with-cards-matalan-trial-extended-to-15-stores/|title=Card Factory To Supply 400 Aldi Stores With Cards, Matalan Trial Extended To 15 Stores|date=24 September 2019|access-date=8 February 2021|work=PGBUZZ.net}}</ref>
===2020s=== Card Factory shops were shut for much of 2020 and the beginning of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Revenue from the website more than doubled during this period,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/a557a1a0-f5ae-4ee2-b3ce-9a69a12dd5e5|title=Moonpig float set for lift-off|date=8 January 2021|access-date=8 February 2021|work=Financial Times}}</ref> and the website was relaunched in August 2020 to enable cards to be personalised,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.essentialretail.com/news/card-factory-new-mobile-app/|title=Card Factory website launches, new mobile app on way|date=20 August 2020|access-date=8 February 2021|work=Essential Retail}}</ref> matching similar offerings to Moonpig and Funky Pigeon. In late 2020, the company launched mobile apps for both iPhone and Android devices.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chargedretail.co.uk/2021/02/02/card-factory-launches-app-amid-scramble-to-expand-online-offering-as-stores-remain-shut/|title=Card Factory launches app amid scramble to expand online offering as stores remain shut|date=2 February 2021|access-date=8 February 2021|work=Charged}}</ref> In December 2020, Costcutter boss Darcy Willson-Rymer was appointed as chief executive.<ref>{{cite web|last=Ackerman|first=Naomi|date=21 December 2020|title=Card Factory appoints Costcutter's Darcy Willson-Rymer as new CEO|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/business/card-factory-new-ceo-darcy-willsonrymer-b420010.html|access-date=22 December 2020|website=www.standard.co.uk}}</ref>
In 2024, Card Factory sold an exclusive East 17 Christmas card to mark the 30th anniversary of the band's Christmas single ''Stay Another Day''. A portion of the revenue raised by sales of the card were donated to music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins.<ref name="Dork">{{cite news|url=https://readdork.com/news/east-17-stay-another-day-30th/|title=East 17's Tony Mortimer has released some festive charity items for 'Stay Another Day' 30th anniversary|last=Taylor|first=Sam|date=3 December 2024|work=Dork|accessdate=23 December 2024}}</ref><ref name="Retropop">{{cite news|url=https://retropopmagazine.com/east-17-celebrating-30-years-of-stay-another-day-with-charity-reissue/|title=East 17 celebrating 30 years of Stay Another Day with charity reissue|last=Gotto|first=Connor|date=5 November 2024|work=Retro Pop Magazine|accessdate=23 December 2024}}</ref>
On 15 August 2025 Card Factory completed the acquisition of Funky Pigeon from WHSmith for £24m; <ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-15 |title=WHSmith completes £24m sale of Funky Pigeon to Card Factory - Retail Gazette |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2025/08/whsmith-funkypigeon-card-factory/ |access-date=2025-08-15 |language=en-GB}}</ref> the brand would become one of Card Factory's main businesses and would boost its online presence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 July 2025|title=Card Factory snaps up Funky Pigeon from WHSmith - Retail Gazette |url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2025/07/card-factory-funky-pigeon/ |access-date=2025-07-29 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Operations== The company operates some 1,000 stores.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.pgbuzz.net/card-factory-hits-the-1000-store-milestone/|title=Card Factory Hits The 1,000 Store Milestone|last=Brown|first=Jakki|date=21 August 2019|work=PGBUZZ.net|accessdate=12 May 2020}}</ref> Macmillan Cancer Support is the company's chosen charity; Card Factory donations to the charity had totalled £1 million by 2008<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.spenboroughguardian.co.uk/news/Charity-cash-on-the-cards.4435550.jp |title=Charity cash on the cards from Dean – Local |newspaper= Spenborough Guardian|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725225316/http://www.spenboroughguardian.co.uk/news/Charity-cash-on-the-cards.4435550.jp |archivedate=25 July 2011 |url-status=dead |accessdate=15 September 2008}}</ref> and £3 million by 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=Macmillan has been working in partnership with Card Factory since 2006, and that year saw their total reach £3 million.|url=http://www.macmillan.org.uk/Aboutus/OurCorporatePartners/CardFactory.aspx|publisher=Macmillan Cancer Support|accessdate=10 February 2015}}</ref>
==Controversy== The company has been successfully prosecuted for Health and Safety infringements on a number of occasions. Incidents have included poor stock management, blocking of fire exits, overstocking of stores,<ref> {{cite news | title = Firm fined over safety breach | publisher =WalesOnline | date = 30 October 2008 | url = http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/local-news/firm-fined-over-safety-breach-2149252 | accessdate = 5 May 2013 }} </ref> damaged equipment, inadequate risk assessments and staff training.<ref>{{cite news | title = Health and safety breaches cost firm over £40,000 | publisher = Leicester City Council | date = 10 December 2009 | url = http://news.leicester.gov.uk/newsArchiveDetail.aspx?Id=x9688 | accessdate = 5 May 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131102165857/http://news.leicester.gov.uk/newsArchiveDetail.aspx?Id=x9688 | archive-date = 2 November 2013 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
In 2008, the company was fined £15,000 after an elderly woman tripped over a cardboard box that had fallen from a display area in an aisle and fractured her thigh. She was rushed to a local hospital, where she had to undergo an emergency hip operation. She later died while recovering from the incident, after catching Clostridioides difficile. The company was fined under Regulation 3 of the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995, for failing to report the incident promptly.<ref>{{cite news | title = Card retailer culpable for pensioner's fall | publisher = Health and Safety at Work | date = 1 October 2008 | url = http://www.healthandsafetyatwork.com/hsw/content/card-retailer-culpable-pensioners-fall | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130629103147/http://www.healthandsafetyatwork.com/hsw/content/card-retailer-culpable-pensioners-fall | url-status = dead | archive-date = 29 June 2013 | accessdate = 5 May 2013 }}</ref>
In December 2024, the company faced criticism for not meeting recommended gender diversity targets on its board. Despite a prior commitment to achieve 40% female representation by December 2024, the company maintained only two women on its six-member board, stating it was not in shareholders' interests to appoint an additional director solely to meet this target.<ref>{{cite web |date=16 December 2024 |title=Card Factory refuses to appoint extra female director to hit diversity target – despite previous pledge |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/business/card-factory-refuses-to-appoint-extra-female-director-to-hit-diversity-target-despite-previous-pledge-4910931?utm_source=chatgpt.com |access-date=29 December 2024 |website=Yorkshire Post }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== {{commons category|Card Factory}} * [https://www.cardfactory.co.uk/ Card Factory website]
{{Authority control}}
Category:Greeting cards Category:British brands Category:Retail companies of the United Kingdom Category:Retail companies established in 1997 Category:Companies based in Wakefield Category:2014 initial public offerings Category:Companies listed on the London Stock Exchange Category:Companies in the FTSE SmallCap Index Category:1997 establishments in the United Kingdom Category:Companies established in 1997