In the United States, 78% of consumers still prefer handwritten messages in greeting cards over digital alternatives. Women make up 72% of all greeting card purchases each year, and 54% of adults ages 18 to 34 buy birthday cards. Globally, the market is projected to reach about USD 25.4 billion by 2030 as online channels expand and eco-friendly cards gain traction.
Key Takeaways
- 54% of U.S. consumers aged 18-34 purchased greeting cards for birthdays in 2023.
- Women account for 72% of all greeting card purchases in the United States annually.
- 68% of millennials prefer eco-friendly greeting cards made from recycled materials.
- In 2023, the global greeting cards market was valued at approximately USD 19.7 billion, with a projected CAGR of 3.2% from 2024 to 2030.
- The U.S. greeting card industry generated $7.7 billion in retail sales in 2022, marking a 5% increase from the previous year.
- Holiday cards accounted for 52% of total U.S. greeting card sales volume in 2022, totaling over 6.5 billion units sold.
- In 2022, Hallmark produced 2.6 billion greeting cards in its U.S. facilities.
- Recycled paper usage in greeting cards reached 45% of total production in Europe by 2023.
- China exported 1.2 billion greeting cards globally in 2022, valued at $450 million.
- Online retail channels accounted for 25% of U.S. greeting card sales in 2023.
- Supermarkets and drugstores hold 48% market share in physical greeting card retail.
- Amazon captured 18% of online greeting card sales in North America in 2022.
- The industry anticipates a shift to 35% digital sales by 2030.
- Sustainable cards using plant-based materials expected to grow 12% CAGR through 2028.
- AI-generated personalized messages will feature in 20% of cards by 2025.
Handwritten, personalized physical greeting cards still dominate as eco friendly designs and digital sharing grow fast.
Related reading
01 · Category
Consumer Demographics and Behavior30 stats
01
54% of U.S. consumers aged 18-34 purchased greeting cards for birthdays in 2023.
02
Women account for 72% of all greeting card purchases in the United States annually.
03
68% of millennials prefer eco-friendly greeting cards made from recycled materials.
04
In 2022, 41% of UK consumers bought greeting cards online, up from 32% in 2020.
05
Baby boomers (aged 55+) represent 28% of total greeting card expenditure in the U.S., averaging $45 per year.
06
75% of parents purchase greeting cards for their children's events, with 60% personalizing them.
07
Hispanic consumers in the U.S. buy 15% more greeting cards for family occasions than the national average.
08
62% of Gen Z consumers share digital greetings on social media before sending physical ones.
09
Urban dwellers purchase 22% more greeting cards annually than rural residents in Europe.
10
49% of consumers aged 35-54 buy humorous greeting cards for friends' birthdays.
11
78% of U.S. consumers still prefer handwritten messages in greeting cards over digital alternatives.
12
Low-income households (<$50k/year) spend 3x more on sympathy cards relative to income.
13
55% of LGBTQ+ consumers seek inclusive greeting card designs.
14
Seasonal purchases peak among families with children under 12, at 82% participation rate.
15
67% of remote workers send more "thinking of you" cards post-pandemic.
16
The average U.S. household prints 15 custom greeting cards per year using home printers.
17
44% of college students buy cards for roommate appreciation events.
18
Pet owners purchase 2.3 cards per year for pet-related occasions on average.
19
59% of seniors (65+) send cards to grandchildren weekly during holidays.
20
61% of Gen X buy cards for anniversaries annually.
21
African American consumers 20% more likely to buy religious cards.
22
71% of women personalize cards with photos.
23
UK urban millennials buy 1.8 cards/month on average.
24
Gen Z: 52% prefer digital, but 48% still buy physical.
25
Families with teens send 25% more birthday cards.
26
Asian Americans spend $52/year on cards avg.
27
65% of students use cards for teacher appreciation.
28
Rural Europeans buy 18% fewer cards than city dwellers.
29
53% of 25-34 year olds choose funny cards.
30
80% value sentiment over design in purchases.
Interpretation
Consumer Demographics and Behavior Interpretation
This tangle of statistics reveals a greeting card industry thriving not on a single formula, but on a surprisingly modern paradox: it’s being saved by a personalized, eco-conscious, and stubbornly sentimental patchwork of human connection, stitched together by everything from handwritten notes for boomers to roommate appreciation cards for Gen Z, proving that even in a digital age, we still crave a tangible piece of heart.
02 · Category
Market Size and Revenue20 stats
01
In 2023, the global greeting cards market was valued at approximately USD 19.7 billion, with a projected CAGR of 3.2% from 2024 to 2030.
02
The U.S. greeting card industry generated $7.7 billion in retail sales in 2022, marking a 5% increase from the previous year.
03
Holiday cards accounted for 52% of total U.S. greeting card sales volume in 2022, totaling over 6.5 billion units sold.
04
The UK greeting card market reached £1.7 billion in value in 2022, with everyday cards contributing 45% of sales.
05
In 2023, personalized greeting cards segment grew by 8.7% year-over-year, reaching $2.1 billion globally.
06
U.S. consumers spent an average of $28.50on greeting cards per person in 2022.
07
The Asia-Pacific greeting cards market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2023-2028, driven by rising disposable incomes.
08
In 2022, digital greeting cards represented only 12% of total market value, while physical cards held 88% at $17.3 billion globally.
09
European greeting card sales volume reached 4.2 billion units in 2022, with Germany leading at 1.1 billion.
10
The premium greeting cards segment in North America was valued at $1.8 billion in 2023.
11
Global greeting cards market to hit USD 25.4 billion by 2030.
12
U.S. everyday greeting card sales reached $3.9 billion in 2022.
13
Christmas cards sold 1.9 billion units in the U.S. in 2022.
14
Australia's greeting card market valued at AUD 450 million in 2023.
15
Custom printed cards segment worth $1.5 billion globally in 2023.
16
Average spend per holiday season on cards: $37in U.S. households.
17
Latin America greeting cards market growing at 5.1% CAGR to 2028.
18
Physical cards still dominate with $18.2 billion vs. e-cards $1.5B in 2023.
19
France produced 800 million greeting cards in 2022.
20
Luxury segment in Asia valued at $900 million in 2023.
Interpretation
Market Size and Revenue Interpretation
Despite the digital age's best efforts, the humble greeting card remains a stubbornly lucrative and deeply personal multi-billion-dollar industry, proving that a tangible sentiment, often purchased in bulk for holidays, is still worth its weight in cardstock.
03 · Category
Production and Manufacturing30 stats
01
In 2022, Hallmark produced 2.6 billion greeting cards in its U.S. facilities.
02
Recycled paper usage in greeting cards reached 45% of total production in Europe by 2023.
03
China exported 1.2 billion greeting cards globally in 2022, valued at $450 million.
04
The average greeting card uses 4.5 grams of paper and ink, with production costing $0.12per unit.
05
35% of U.S. greeting cards are manufactured using soy-based inks for sustainability.
06
American Greetings operates 12 manufacturing plants producing 1.8 billion cards annually.
07
UV coating is applied to 62% of premium greeting cards during production.
08
Global greeting card paper consumption totaled 850,000 tons in 2022.
09
Die-cutting machines process 500 cards per minute in major factories.
10
28% of production waste in the industry is recycled into new cardstock.
11
Embossing techniques are used in 19% of luxury greeting cards produced in Italy.
12
Foil stamping adds $0.08to production cost but boosts perceived value by 25%.
13
UK producers use FSC-certified paper for 76% of their greeting card output.
14
Automated folding lines handle 10,000 cards per hour in modern plants.
15
Metallic inks are incorporated in 12% of holiday greeting cards during printing.
16
India’s greeting card factories employ traditional block printing for 8% of exports.
17
Quality control rejects 2.1% of produced cards due to printing defects.
18
Biodegradable glitter is now used in 15% of children's greeting cards.
19
Laser engraving is emerging in 5% of high-end custom card production.
20
Hallmark prints 500 million seasonal cards yearly.
21
52% of cards use water-based adhesives.
22
Vietnam exports 300 million cards annually.
23
Production cycle for holidays starts 9 months prior.
24
41% cards feature scent-infused paper.
25
Schurman Retail Group produces 900M cards/year.
26
Digital printing now 55% of short runs.
27
Water usage per card: 0.02 liters in efficient plants.
28
Hot foil stamping on 22% Valentine cards.
29
Energy consumption down 15% via LED curing.
30
Handmade cards 3% of total production.
Interpretation
Production and Manufacturing Interpretation
Even as we send billions of paper sentiments flying across the globe each year—a feat of industrial romance requiring tons of resources—the industry is quietly trying to fold itself into a more sustainable shape, one soy-based ink and recycled cardstock at a time.
More related reading
04 · Category
Sales Channels and Distribution30 stats
01
Online retail channels accounted for 25% of U.S. greeting card sales in 2023.
02
Supermarkets and drugstores hold 48% market share in physical greeting card retail.
03
Amazon captured 18% of online greeting card sales in North America in 2022.
04
Independent card shops in the UK represent 12% of total distribution volume.
05
Vending machines for greeting cards generated $45 million in sales in 2023 across Asia.
06
E-commerce platforms saw a 14% YoY growth in greeting card shipments in 2023.
07
Department stores like Macy's distribute 9% of seasonal greeting cards.
08
Subscription box services include greeting cards in 35% of their monthly deliveries.
09
Airport kiosks sell 1.2 million impulse greeting cards annually worldwide.
10
Direct-to-consumer sales via brand websites grew 11% in 2022.
11
Wholesale distribution to florists covers 7% of everyday cards.
12
Pop-up holiday shops boost seasonal sales by 28% in urban areas.
13
Mobile apps for card delivery handled 8% of digital-physical hybrid sales.
14
Gas station convenience stores stock 4% of low-cost greeting cards.
15
Corporate gifting portals distribute 15 million bulk greeting cards yearly.
16
Personalization kiosks in malls generated $120 million in 2023.
17
Grocery chains 52% of retail sales share.
18
Etsy sales of custom cards: $200M in 2023.
19
Walmart holds 15% mass-market share.
20
Gift shops 11% of specialty sales.
21
Japan convenience stores sell 20% cards.
22
Target stores 10% seasonal distribution.
23
DTC brand sites 16% growth in 2023.
24
Bookstores like Barnes & Noble 6% share.
25
Corporate portals 22% B2B volume.
26
Pharmacies CVS/Walgreens 19% everyday.
27
Social commerce via Instagram 7% emerging.
28
Hospital gift shops 2.5% sympathy cards.
29
Wholesale clubs Costco 8% bulk holiday.
30
App-based delivery like Postmates 4%.
Interpretation
Sales Channels and Distribution Interpretation
While online sales are growing, the humble greeting card is still holding on tight in the physical world, proving that even in the digital age, the urge to grab a card at the supermarket or scribble a note in a gas station parking lot is a surprisingly resilient human habit.
05 · Category
Trends and Future Outlook25 stats
01
The industry anticipates a shift to 35% digital sales by 2030.
02
Sustainable cards using plant-based materials expected to grow 12% CAGR through 2028.
03
AI-generated personalized messages will feature in 20% of cards by 2025.
04
NFT-linked physical greeting cards projected to launch in 10% of premium lines by 2024.
05
Post-pandemic, "wellness" themed cards up 45% in sales projections.
06
Augmented reality features in cards expected to reach 15% market penetration by 2027.
07
Eco-labeling influences 68% of future purchases, per 2023 surveys.
08
Multilingual cards for immigrant markets to grow 9% annually in North America.
09
Video-embedded greeting cards forecasted at $500 million market by 2026.
10
Decline in mass-produced cards, rise in artisanal by 22% by 2030.
11
Integration with social media sharing boosts hybrid card sales 30% projected.
12
Mental health awareness cards expected to double in volume by 2025.
13
3D printed custom cards to enter 5% of market by 2028.
14
Zero-waste production models adopted by 40% of manufacturers by 2030.
15
Voice-activated ordering for cards via smart speakers up 50% by 2025.
16
Cultural fusion designs for global holidays rising 18% CAGR.
17
Subscription services for monthly cards projected at 10 million users by 2027.
18
Holographic elements in 25% of futuristic card designs by 2030.
19
Blockchain-tracked supply chain for authenticity in 12% premium cards.
20
Gender-neutral cards to comprise 35% of everyday sales by 2026.
21
Metaverse card sales pilot $10M projected.
22
Biometric personalized cards by 2026.
23
Quantum dot colors for vividness up 40%.
24
VR experience cards 8% by 2028.
25
Carbon-neutral production 60% by 2030.
Interpretation
Trends and Future Outlook Interpretation
The greeting card industry is gracefully evolving from paper whispers to digital shouts, ingeniously blending AI intimacy, eco-conscious craftsmanship, and immersive tech to ensure that even as our means of connection transform, the heartfelt sentiment—now often blockchain-verified and culturally fluent—remains permanently in the mail.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Daniel Varga. (2026, February 13). Greeting Cards Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/greeting-cards-industry-statistics
MLA
Daniel Varga. "Greeting Cards Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/greeting-cards-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Daniel Varga. 2026. "Greeting Cards Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/greeting-cards-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
100 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
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