Christmas orders up 10% at Park Group

PARK Group, the Birkenhead-based Christmas hampers to prepaid gift card provider, has seen growing consumer confidence boost its order books.

In an AGM statement the company said Christmas orders were 10% higher than last year while the corporate business, which involves selling pre-paid cards to companies to be used for staff incentives, is “trading strongly” with more new business wins.

Cash balances, including money held in trust, are also “well ahead” of last year.

In a statement chairman Peter Johnson said: “In my results statement dated 10 June 2014, I commented on the positive impact that the economic recovery in the UK was having on Park’s business. I am pleased to report that this encouraging scenario has been maintained and that our order books are well ahead of this time last year. Consumer confidence is continuing to improve which is reflected in raised levels of activity in the retail sector.

“Our corporate business, with its broad range of innovative, bespoke products currently serving almost 7,000 customers, is trading strongly with improving retention rates and higher levels of new business wins than at the same stage last year. The consumer division, which enables customers to plan for Christmas in a controlled and structured way, has orders running some 10% above last year.”