Greeting cards are making a comeback, especially as millennials redefine the sentiments they want to express. The episode dives into how different generations, from baby boomers to millennials, have influenced this industry. It discusses the creative tension between large companies like Hallmark using data-driven strategies and smaller businesses following their gut instincts. The emotional connection buyers have to cards is explored, revealing how design trends and personalized touches play a crucial role in purchasing decisions.
Millennial consumers are reshaping the greeting card industry by prioritizing unique, high-priced cards that foster genuine connections.
The industry must adapt quickly to changing design trends influenced by millennials, who favor humor and personalization over traditional styles.
Deep dives
The Greeting Card Industry Landscape
The greeting card industry is a substantial market in the U.S., with approximately 6.5 billion cards sold annually. Major players like Hallmark and American Greetings dominate the landscape, accounting for around 80% of the market share. However, a surge in millennial consumers is reshaping the industry by shifting their spending habits towards higher-priced, unique cards, inspired by their desire to make genuine connections. This demographic's buying patterns illustrate that while traditional cards remain popular, there is growing demand for differentiated products that resonate with personal relationships.
Millennials Reshaping Card Designs
Millennials significantly influence greeting card design trends, favoring humor and personalization over the traditional styles popular among previous generations. They often seek cards that reflect their unique relationships rather than generic messages, which has led to a rise in more edgy, self-referential humor. Companies now need to adapt quickly to emerging trends, as designs that may seem appealing one moment can quickly become outdated. This generation's engagement with social media also impacts their purchasing habits, as they compare digital greetings with physical cards.
Challenges and Innovations in Card Creation
Creating successful greeting cards involves a blend of intuition and market research, especially for smaller firms that cannot afford extensive analytics. Larger companies like Hallmark utilize scientific methods to gauge consumer preferences, employing focus groups to refine their product offerings. This process contrasts with smaller businesses that often rely on trending motifs, such as llamas or owls, to attract buyers. As the greeting card industry adapts to changes in consumer behavior, the importance of affordable mailing solutions, like the Forever Stamp, also plays a crucial role in maintaining sales volume.
The tradition of sending cards to loved ones was in decline — until it was rescued by a new generation. But millennials have their own ideas about what sentiments they want to convey. Zachary Crockett is thinking of you on your special day.
SOURCES:
Mia Mercado, writer and former editor at Hallmark.
George White, president of Up With Paper and former president of the American Greeting Card Association.