Cards and gifts retailer grows national footprint with latest store launch

Cards Direct, a family-owned retailer specialising in greeting cards, gifts, gift packaging, balloons and partyware, has opened its first store in Leeds at the Merrion Centre.

The new store in the 2,633 sq ft unit will create eight jobs and brings the business’s total number of UK stores to 72 since the brand was founded in 2012.

The Merrion Centre is owned and managed by Town Centre Securities PLC (TCS). Charles Newman, associate director, estates for TCS, said: “We are pleased to welcome Cards Direct to the Merrion Centre.

“Their extensive selection of high-quality greeting cards, gifts and party accessories will greatly enhance our retail mix, perfectly meeting the needs of the thousands of office workers, residents and students in the immediate area.

“This is an exciting time for the Merrion Centre as we continue to expand our retail offerings and provide even more choice and convenience to our customers.”

Hamish Ross, area manager, Cards Direct, said: “In line with our strategy to grow our store-base at a steady pace over a decade, we have been targeting expansion across the North of England.

“We recently launched stores in Mansfield, Telford, Sheffield and Wakefield, which are all trading well, so we’re happy to have found the right location for our new Leeds store.

“The Merrion Centre has good footfall levels throughout the year, so we were pleased to agree a deal on this unit in the main mall.”