Fast-growing online cards and gifts business Love Layla has enjoyed its best Christmas trading period since it launched four years ago.
The Pontefract based firm saw sales for 2019 increase 40% on last year with bestsellers including its controversial ‘C’mon Mary’ Christmas card, a range of risque greetings cards and cheeky novelty wrapping paper designed to make the gift recipient blush.
Love Layla introduced a new range of 178 original Christmas cards this year. The company has grown a new market for traditional greeting cards by appealing to younger buyers in particular. It has found a growing audience for its non-PC product range and has expanded into gifts and stationery to meet demand.
In just four years, Love Layla has grown to become a multi-million-pound operation with over a million fans on social media. The performance follows a recent six-figure investment in machinery and digital assets.
Love Layla’s extensive design range attracts an international customer base as well as interest from some of the UK’s largest card retailers. The brand has also established a cult following.
Stacey Dennis started the business from her kitchen table in 2015 with just £30 after being made redundant as a greeting cards designer. The company has established a franchise in Australia and is eyeing new markets around the world.
Founder and owner of Love Layla, Stacey Dennis said: “Not only have we had our busiest Christmas trading period ever, but we’ve also had our busiest year to date. As a business, we’ve come a long way in four years and this year, in particular, we’ve invested heavily in the business which has really paid off.
“We’re looking forward to 2020 and anticipate that this will be our best year so far as the UK greetings card market continues to go from strength to strength. The UK card industry is acknowledged to be ten years ahead of the rest of the world in terms of design and we buy more cards per person than any other nation – 33 each a year on average.”
