Card Factory has it all wrapped up

CARD FACTORY is preparing for a big year this year.

Former B&M executive Karen Hubbard will replace current chief executive officer Richard Hayes in April.

In a trading update for the 11 months to 31 December 2015 the company reported a like-for-like store sales growth of 2.8% and total sales growth of 8.1%.

Card Factory said its sales growth benefited from particularly strong growth in non-card products, which continued through the Christmas trading period.

50 new stores have been opened, bringing the total to 814 across the UK.

The Card Factory website is undergoing trials,with further development of its Getting Personal transactional websites due this year.

Mr Hayes, Card Factory’s chief executive officer, said: “As we approach the end of our financial year, it is pleasing to report that the Group has continued to perform well through the important and competitive Christmas trading period.

“We remain on course to deliver sales growth at a similar level to last year, highlighting once again the strength and consistency of our retail proposition and performance, underpinned as ever by our unique vertically integrated model.”

Related: Card Factory builds on its steady-but-strong growth