In 1996. 7.4 billion Greeting Cards will be purchased by American consumers.

$6.85 billion dollars in U.S. retail sales.

Of the total Greeting Cards purchased annually, roughly half are seasonal and the remaining half are everyday cards. Sales of alternative cards, especially non-occasion cards, are on the increase.

The most popular card-sending holidays are, in order; Christmas, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day.

People of all ages and types exchange Greeting Cards. Women purchase approximately 85-90 percent of all Greeting Cards, and the average card purchaser is a woman in her middle years, although the historically steady demographic picture may be changing.

Cards range in price from $.35 to $10.00, with the average card retailing for around $1.50. Cards featuring special techniques and new technologies are at the top of this price scale.

The average person sends 30 cards per year, eight of which are birthday cards.

Sales by Categories
7.4 Billion Pieces

Everyday Cards	1995	1994
Birthday	16%	16%
All Everyday Other Counter	12%	12%
Everyday Packaged Assortments	16%	16%
Seasonal Cards
Christmas	35%	35%
Valentine's Day	12%	12%
Spring	8%	8%

Total U.S. Retail Sales

1996 $6.8 billion
1995 $6.3 billion
1994 $5.9 billion
1993 $5.6 billion
1992 $5.3 billion
1991 $5.0 billion
1990 $4.6 billion
1989 $4.2 billion
1988 $3.9 billion
1987 $3.8 billion
1986 $3.7 billion
1985 $3.5 billion
1984 $3.2 billion
1983 $2.7 billion
1982 $2.5 billion
1981 $2.3 billion
1980 $2.1 billion

In 1942, total Greeting Card sales were $43 million (wholesale). At that time there were only about one hundred manufacturing firms in the industry.