Clinton Cards to unveil new website in a bid to reverse falling sales

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Updated: 09:26 EST, 12 May 2011

Clinton Cards is to unveil its new website next week in a bid to reverse falling sales, the retailer announced today.

Customers will be able to personalise cards with their own pictures and messages on the new site, while a smart phone application is expected to follow soon after.

Same-store sales across the group declined 3 per cent in the 40 weeks to May 8, compared to 2.7 per cent decline in the first 26 weeks of its year, but Clinton said early trading at the first four redesigned Clinton Cards stores featuring a new layout, colour scheme and signs had been encouraging.

Going online: The new site will allow customers to personalise cards

At its 645 Clinton Cards-branded stores, sales were down by 3.4 per cent in the year to date, whereas they had dropped 2.7 per cent previously. But its 157 Birthdays stores saw trading flat in the 40 week period, having picked up since a 0.4 per cent decline in the first 26 weeks.

Finance director Paul Salador said: ‘The current sales figures are down to the conditions on the high street, with consumers being strapped of cash. 

‘Until they start to feel better conditions will continue to be challenging.

‘In the meantime we hope our new initiatives can help us to win back some of their sales.’

It also hopes to launch a loyalty card and kiosks to allow customers to print off personalised cards in-store by the autumn.

Clinton has also added more affordable cards, including some that sell for as little as £1, to attract value conscious consumers, he added.

The retailer, which employs some 8,500 staff, has been struggling in recent months as it competes against increased competition from the internet and supermarkets, while consumer confidence has been hit as wages fail to keep pace with inflation.

Pre-tax profits fell 70 per cent to £11.7 million in the 26 weeks to January 30 as Clinton suffered sales declines.

The Irish branch of the Birthdays business was liquidated earlier this year after turning in full year losses in excess of £1 million.