Research and Markets: U.S. Greeting Cards Industry Remains a Mature and Stable Market with Sales Growth of 8.7% between 1999 and 2004

Business Wire, Sept 1, 2005

DUBLIN, Ireland -- Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c23265) has announced the addition of Greeting Cards in the United States to their offering

This report includes a thorough analysis of the greeting card consumer. This includes an evaluation of top concerns and priorities when choosing products, a breakdown of preferences and behavior by demographic characteristics, and statistics of purchasing location and frequency. A five-year market forecast estimates the future of the greeting cards market, with a statistical forecast of market performance until 2009 and an outline of demographic and product trends.

The U.S. greeting cards industry remains a mature and stable market with sales growth of 8.7% between 1999 and 2004. The market in 2004 was valued at $7.5 billion, based on total unit sales of 7 billion greeting cards for the year. Hallmark remains the market leader followed by American Greetings, with both companies sharing over 85% of the market between them.

Competitors in the industry continue to seek distribution channel expansion, particularly through Internet and wireless medium. These efforts are evident in the expanded offering of wireless greetings, music and ring tones available from industry participants such as American Greetings. Suppliers continue to target emerging consumer groups. With expanded product offerings by the industry giants Hallmark and American Greetings, the market is positioned to engage consumers. Overall, industry suppliers and retailers work together to maximize the sales of greeting cards. These category-building activities include such efforts as reevaluation of retail space, data sharing and co-branding.

For the purposes of this report, a definition of greeting cards is those cards that carry a message for a specified occasion, including blank cards.

The definition excludes the following:

Personalized and non-personalized social stationery

Invitation cards and "notelets"

Plain and picture postcards

For more information visit http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c23265