Hallmark Cards to cut up to 750 jobs

Hallmark Cards Inc. told employees this morning that it needs to eliminate between 550 and 750 jobs.

The cuts will occur over the next six months throughout its U.S. workforce.

The company currently has about 9,200 full-time employees.

Disappointing sales and the overall effect of the recession made the cuts necessary, a spokeswoman said. Hallmark's consolidated net revenues fell 2 percent in 2008 from 2007, and the company said it expects "additional pressure" on earnings this year.

The layoffs represent 6 to 8 percent of Hallmark's "personal expressions" workforce.

They will take place in the Kansas City headquarters, in the three U.S. manufacturing sites in Lawrence, Leavenworth and Topeka, in the two distribution centers in Liberty and Enfield, Conn., in two fixture operations in Texas and Illinois, and in the field sales operations.

More: http://economy.kansascity.com/?q=node/1810

The e-card was to Hallmark what the automobile was to the buggy whip manufacturer.

or just write a note. It's MUCH less expensive and so much more personal.

I had to bum one from a co-worker today to mail off my Federal income tax extension. NY was quite happy to provide me a website to file for an extension, and pay the few dollars that I figure I owe them.

But you have a point, most e-cards are really annoying. I make my own up out of photographs that I've taken, and added some words to. Same concept as you, but different delivery mechanism. Either way, no bucks for Hallmark in it.

We happen to have some artistic kids who have done a fab job w/contributing to this effort, as well as I enjoy writing letters to people as opposed to sending cards. In addition, my sister is a stamping fanatic and sends me all of her 'mistakes' which so hard to detect that they're fine to pass on to others.

But I do love to receive cards, especially the funny ones with animals and babies. :D

When I graduated college, everyone I knew was trying to get hired by Hallmark. I had several friends who went to work at the KC headquarters.
One of them was recruited out of college before she graduated as an artist.

WE are NO WHERE NEAR a bottom in unemployment or the economy.

"We really loved the rhyming words you wrote us by the hour
We printed them on pretty cards, displayed them in a tower
Packed next to other pretty cards, all filled with other's wit
But grab your stuff and leave our plant-no one is buying shit..."

The Management.

"Roses are red,
Violets are blue.
You're fired."