Green Shield stamps were a British sales promotion scheme that rewarded shoppers with stamps that could be used to buy gifts from a catalogue or from any affiliated retailer. The scheme was introduced in 1958 by Richard Tompkins, who had noticed the success of the long-established Sperry & Hutchinson Green Stamps in America.
They were given away by participating retailers, typically one stamp for every 6d (2½ new pence) spent. The stamps were collected in a booklet, and when the booklet was full, it could be exchanged for a gift from the catalogue. The gifts ranged from small items like pens and pencils to major appliances like televisions and washing machines.
Green Shield stamps were very popular in the 1960s and 1970s, and they were a major factor in the growth of the Argos catalogue business. However, the scheme began to decline in the 1980s, as supermarkets began to offer discounts instead of trading stamps. Green shield stamps were finally discontinued in 1991.
Here are some interesting facts about Green Shield Stamps:
- The name “Green Shield” was chosen because the colour green was associated with freshness and newness.
- The stamps were originally printed on a light green background, but this was changed to a darker green in the 1970s.
- The stamps were not actually stamps, but rather coupons. This meant that they could not be used to pay for goods or services, but only to exchange for gifts from the catalogue.
- The Green Shield stamp catalogue was one of the most widely printed publications in Europe.
- The stamps were even referenced in rock songs, such as “Green Stamps” by The Jam.
Green Shield stamps were a popular and successful sales promotion scheme for many years. They were a great way for retailers to reward their customers and encourage loyalty, and they also provided shoppers with a fun and exciting way to save up for gifts. However, the scheme eventually declined in popularity, and it was discontinued in 1991.
Enjoyed reading this article on stamps? You might also like this guide on Definitive Postage Stamps
33 year old casual stamp collector from the UK!
