Clinton Cards poaches Hallmark boss

CLINTON Cards has poached the UK head of the world's largest greetings card company to become its new marketing director. Mike Bugler, 53, joins the board having been recruited last summer from Hallmark Cards' UK arm where he was managing director.

The appointment came as Clinton unveiled another strong set of numbers following a particularly good Christmas. Pre-tax profits for the year to 1 February (which was a week shorter in trading terms than the previous year) rose by 8.5% to £27m on sales up 7.1% at £395m.

Much of the added sales came from a net 31 new stores, taking the total to 730 and well on target for Clinton's planned 800 during 2005. Like-for-like sales rose by 2.7%.

In the eight weeks since the year-end, which included Valentine's Day and Mothers' Day, total sales have risen by 8.5% and like-for-like sales were up by 1.7%.

Clinton continues to trade up its properties, moving out of smaller sites into larger ones where it can give customers room and have more shelf space for its cards, souvenirs and cuddly toys. The group's total selling space increased by 11.5% during the last 12 months to 1.32 million square feet.

Chairman and founder Don Lewin (who named the chain after his son and now managing director, Clinton) said: 'Through further store and product development supported by a clear marketing message, I look forward to reporting further progress during the current year and beyond.'

The total dividend rose by 15% to 3.2p paid from earnings, which rose by 7.7% to 9.09p a share.