The Global Market for Greeting Cards is Projected to Decline to US$21 Billion by 2020

Despite the Challenges Posed by Social Media and E-Cards, Greeting Cards Continue to Co-exist, According to a New Report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

GIA announces the release of a comprehensive global report on Greeting Cards. The global market for Greeting Cards is projected to decline to US$21 billion by 2020, constrained by the influx of computerized and electronic communication devices and the challenges posed by growing social media and e-cards proliferation.

The global market for greeting cards is driven by the abstract feelings of showing affection, bonding and love to each other. Sending and receiving greeting cards is a pleasure enjoyed by people worldwide. Cards are designed to suit distinct events such as graduating from a university, joining the armed forces, buying a new car to adopting a child, in fact even the loss of a child. Love and weddings are especially well captured subjects in greetings, right from falling in love, getting engaged, and marriage, to thanking the wedding party, parents, and friends. Behind all the scenes is the extensive research to read customer’s mind and customize the card for every need. Before the onset of the digital communications era, the market for greeting cards flourished, as it was the most effective means of conveying feelings to loved ones. However, with the emergence of digital age, consumers are today flooded with unlimited e-card options that is cannibalizing the traditional greeting cards market.

E-Cards represent an easy and convenient alternative to conventional paper greeting cards. Social media is expected to take on the greetings market in a big way in the future, resulting in serious implications for the manufacturers as well as marketers. Volume sales of greeting cards were especially hit by this trend even though value sales continue to hold good supported by rising disposable incomes and consumers’ willingness to spend on higher-priced cards. Despite the influx of computerized and electronic communication devices and the challenges posed by the growing social media and e-cards, there still exists a niche consumer base for physical greeting cards. As long as people continue to value real paper greeting cards received from their loved ones, the greeting cards market is expected to co-exist alongside the digital alternatives.

As stated by the new market research report on Greeting Cards, Europe represents the largest regional market worldwide, followed by the United States. The UK dominates greeting card sales in Europe as more cards are purchased per person in the country than anywhere in the world. Key factors hampering growth in these developed markets include increasing competition from economical e-cards, growing postal rates and expanding alternatives for do-it-yourselfers. Asia-Pacific ranks as the fastest growing market with a value CAGR of 3.3% over the analysis period.

Key players covered in the report include American Greetings Corporation, Carlton Cards Ltd., Archies Limited, Avanti Press Inc., Budget Greeting Cards Ltd., Card Connection, Child Rights and You, Current Inc., Party City Corporation, Hallmark Cards, Inc., International Greetings Plc, John Sands, Papyrus, Simon Elvin Ltd., UNICEF, and William Arthur, among others.

The research report titled “Greeting Cards: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by Global Industry Analysts Inc., provides a comprehensive review of market trends, issues, drivers, mergers, acquisitions and other strategic industry activities of global companies. The report provides market estimates and projections in dollars and units for all major geographic markets such as the US, Canada, Japan, Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK, Spain, Russia, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (Australia, China, South Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), Middle East/Africa, and Latin America. Product segments analyzed in the report include Seasonal Cards (Christmas/New Year, Valentine's Day, and Others) and Everyday Cards (Birthday, Anniversary, and Others).