Marks & Spencer today entered the £25m online greetings cards market, taking on the likes of ‘Moonpig’ with the launch of a personalised card service at marksandspencerpersonalised.com.

Customers can choose from 1,200 exclusive designs that can be personalised with special messages and images, ready for next day delivery*.

The exclusive designs cover traditional card giving moments, as well as religious events including Diwali and Hanukkah, and niche events including first day at school and Grandparents Day. Up to 100 new designs will be added monthly, making the online range twice as large as the current offer available in stores.

Traffic to personalised cards websites has doubled since 2008, with the online card market expected to reach £130m by 2013. UK consumers currently make an average of 25 everyday card purchases and 80 Christmas card purchases each year. Research also shows that a third of M&S customers are already using an online card service.

Director of M&S Direct Dave Hughes says: “Our customers tell us that despite the fact that we live in a computer age, they still get a thrill when they find a card waiting for them on the doormat. It shows that someone has been thinking about them.

“The digital revolution hasn’t diminished that, and has instead made it easier to reach out to the people you care about and add a personal touch. Our card service takes account of this, as well as being the logical next step to support our thriving flower and gift business.”

The service is provided in conjunction with M&S’ existing card supplier, Tigerprint, a division of Hallmark Plc, and will be extended to include wedding stationery, invitations and announcements, calendars, diaries and photobooks in 2010.

Cards and envelopes are made from Forest Stewardship Council approved paper.

Personalised cards follow a series of new additions to the online business, as part of a wider commitment to grow sales of M&S Direct to £500m by 2010/11. Other recent developments include an international delivery service to more than 70 countries, an online Wine Plan, the introduction of 3,000 premium white goods online, and the development of the ‘M&S for Business’ portal for corporate gifting.

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* If ordered before 2pm

For more information:

Leisa Stewart Corporate Press Office 020 8718 8132

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