About CARD FACTORY

Card Factory are a specialist retailer of greeting cards, dressings, gifts and complementary items.
The organisation focuses on the value and mid-market segments of the UK's greeting cards market, in addition to offering customers a range of complementary products associated with card giving occasions.

Card Factory's first store opened over twenty years ago and have gone from strength to strength since then. They now have over 900 stores in both the UK and Ireland, with new stores opening every year.

The organisation's primary purpose is to be 'Trusted for quality and value to help celebrate everyone's life moments'. To ensure that they can meet these standards, Card Factory ask for all employees to follow their five core principles; We're grafters, We lead the way, We're part of the story, We're loyal, and finally, We're a little bit mad.

To reward employees for their continued efforts, Card Factory hold an awards evening where they provide the opportunity for everyone to nominate their colleagues for an award against each of their company values. Any colleague who has received a recommendation (even if they do not win) receives a card with the comments received.

They have also recently introduced 'mycardfactory' - which is a benefits platform that they pay to provide their colleagues with. Employees can save money on everyday goods from groceries to cinema nights out.

What is it like to work for CARD FACTORY

My Manager

80% of staff agreed:

I feel that my manager talks openly and honestly with me

They have three management development programmes running this year – Their retail Academy is an internal programme for 250 of their store colleagues looking to progress into management roles. The Area Manager Development programme is delivered internally for all of their Area Managers and will be focusing on developing their leadership skills. Their High Potential programme is delivered internally for their senior talent pool (individuals who have been identified as potential successors to the Operating Board).

80% of staff agreed:

I feel that my manager talks openly and honestly with me

Wellbeing

58% of staff disagreed:

My health is suffering because of my work

Card Factory have mental health first aiders in place to support colleagues who experience difficulties with their mental health and wellbeing. On a yearly basis they have charity challenges which inspire their colleagues to get fit for charity. They have teams taking part in the Great North Run, numerous Mighty Hikes, swims, bike rides and triathlons. They also hold mindfulness walks, where colleagues from the support centre are invited to participate in a walk around the surrounding area with their colleagues, a different leader is appointed for each walk.

58% of staff disagreed:

My health is suffering because of my work

My Team

85% of staff agreed:

My team is fun to work with

Card Factory have created informal meeting spaces for colleagues to interact. Screens have been placed in all communal areas within the Support Centre, Distribution Centres, Printcraft and Getting Personal to interact with their colleagues and keep them informed of Company ideas and events.

They have also introduced forums within the Support centre, Distribution centres and Retail. This provides an opportunity for their colleagues to raise any issues and get actively involved in engagement activities. The representatives from these groups then communicate back to their teams and are the known point of contact for raising any issues/ideas.

85% of staff agreed:

My team is fun to work with

Learn more about the 8 factors of workplace engagement here