Clinton Cards cannot keep pumping money into Birthdays no more. So a not so happy birthday for this one. Now I don't know if the Northern Ireland stores will be affected (there's a branch in Limavady) so we'll have to keep an eye on this one.
Long term hope is that turnaround buyer will come and buy all 323 stores.
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Another retailer who took the gamble with high rent, small floor space and a saturated market. To continue to trade with competition from the major supermarkets, moonpig entering the UK scene and the local party stores is a big ask. The party business is akin to florist industry where a strong network of sole-traders and small businesses are supported well by major suppliers picking up the baton of good customer service and are defiant in being out-placed my low waged national chains. The web has taken an important part where the small businesses have networked together on http://www.balloonprofessional.co.uk. (a bit like inter-flora of the balloon and world) to find an independent local balloon and party supplier. While many national retailers have ousted the local trader, the local party shop are determined not to be beaten. With birthdays going into administration the war of the party industry isn't quite over as matalan are now attempting to establish their new party shop M-party.
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