Network Rail has welcomed independent greeting card retailer Postmark to five of its 20 managed stations across Britain.
Totalling over 3,755sq ft of retail space, Postmark has taken the opportunity to open stores for the first time within Network Rail’s estate following the administration of Paperchase earlier this year.
The first store to open was London King’s Cross followed by London Bridge, London Waterloo, Birmingham New Street and London Victoria this summer.
The new leases were agreed in just two weeks, allowing the five destinations to continue to provide a premium stationery offer. To enable the stores to reopen in record time and minimise shop fitting wastage, the original store fixtures have initially been recycled.
The family run brand specialises in British designed products and first opened in Balham, south-west London in 2004. It has since grown to six stores in London ahead of the recent openings with Network Rail, which marks its entry into the travel retail market.
An award-winning retailer, its recent expansion and travel retail debut helped Postmark last week win the ‘Best Greeting Card Retailer’ 2023 and ‘Best Small Multiple’ 2023 in the “Retas” Greeting card retail awards.
Network Rail own and manage 500,000sq ft of prime retail space within major city centre stations. Over 650 million customers per annum visit its destination stations, which are home to over 145 brands, generating £60million in monthly sales.
Hamish Kiernan, Commercial Director, Property for Network Rail said: “There is still strong customer appetite for a premium card and stationery operator and Postmark has been an excellent addition to our retail mix. With Postmark making its debut in travel hubs, the opportunity to work with a successful independent brand ensures our destinations continue to deliver a refreshed and engaging offer for customers. This is an essential part of our retail strategy.”
Mark Janson-Smith, Director Postmark added: “Opening five retail units in six weeks was always going to be an ambitious plan, particularly given it was our first time working within a station environment, so we feel incredibly proud of our team and all the hard work they have put into achieving this goal.
“Throughout the process, from pitching to inducting our colleagues, the support and guidance we’ve received from the Network Rail team has been instrumental in achieving a successful launch and initial trading period. We have been pleased by the reaction from customers, especially in Birmingham, outside of our London home catchment.”
