When was the last time you received a greeting card in the mail? Or sent one? One might think, in this digital age, the sending of greeting cards has fallen apart, but not so. The United States Postal Service reports that greeting card mail volume increased last year, for the fourth year in a row. And, according to the Greeting Card Association 2020 report, Americans continue to purchase approximately 6.5 billion greeting cards each year with annual retail sales estimated between $7 and $8 billion. That’s huge.
That same report also states that nine out of 10 households buy greeting cards each year with birthday cards being the best-selling. Maybe not surprisingly, women purchase more than 80 percent of all greeting cards. And maybe surprisingly, while Baby Boomers continue to buy the most greeting cards, Millennials have spent the most money on them since 2015.
But what about all those social media birthday wishes? Well, the Greeting Card Association 2020 report says eight out of 10 people agree that greeting cards cannot be replaced by social media and that those relationships that are “card worthy” continue to generate card-sending.
It seems to be all about how greeting cards make you feel. About 65 percent of consumers agree that receiving cards and letters in the mail lifts their spirits, and 61 percent agree that receiving cards and letters in the mail is extra special during this time of social distancing.
So send that special someone you know a greeting card. And if you can’t think of anyone special to send one to, feel free to mail one to me at the address below.
Have a marvelous Monday, and, as always, thanks for reading.
Shane Goodman
President and Publisher
Big Green Umbrella Media
8101 Birchwood Court, Suite D
Johnston, Iowa 50131
shane@dmcityview.com
515-953-4822, ext. 305 |
