As the Christmas season approaches, most businesses, from retail to hospitality, spend plenty of time preparing for the busiest period of the year for them. The festive time of year can prove lucrative for businesses big and small. In addition, in recent years, there has been a noticeable shift towards supporting smaller, local businesses, coupled with a heightened awareness of the environment.
Over the Christmas period, consumption levels can increase three-fold as people exchange gifts and take part in the festivities. But new trends are emerging – recent research indicates that consumers are becoming more conscious of their carbon footprint and so are seeking ways to purchase gifts and festive items that align with sustainable values.
A recent survey by global media platform Teads found that 85% of UK consumers across all ages say they will make more sustainable choices this year, including reducing the amount of gift packaging and wrapping they use when preparing gifts, shopping locally and spending more on gifts that will last*.
The festive season therefore presents an excellent opportunity for small, sustainable businesses to thrive as more consumers are seeking out eco-friendly alternatives for their holiday purchases. Equally, there is a growing desire among consumers to shop locally, and smaller businesses can have an advantage over larger corporations as they can offer a more personal shopping experience. Recent Mastercard research showed over 7 in 10 people in Birmingham – 72 percent – want to shop local this festive season**. There is no reason to think the percentage would be any lower in other parts of the UK.
One sustainable business ready for the Christmas period is The CAHM Collective, a Leeds-based business set up by Amy Hogarth.
“Receiving a Start Up Loan allowed my lockdown hobby to evolve into The CAHM Collective, a business I’m deeply passionate about. We specialise in creating cruelty-free, vegan-friendly home fragrances, from candles to diffusers, all made with sustainably sourced materials. It’s incredibly rewarding to see a shift in consumer behaviour, with more people choosing to shop small and make environmentally conscious decisions. This festive season, it feels like our values are truly resonating with the customers.”
Shopping small during the Christmas season has a multitude of benefits for consumers. Not only do many small businesses provide a more personalised customer service, but they sometimes also offer unique and bespoke products that stand out from mass produced items. Additionally, shopping at small retailers and visiting local hospitality businesses can also inject capital directly into local economies, boosting regional growth.
Start Up Loans is committed to funding a range of small businesses and it is always a joy to see when business owners put their loan towards supporting sustainable services and producing environmentally friendly goods. Whether it’s starting a new eco-friendly business or using funding to enable environmentally conscious practices, many businesses are prioritising their transition to become more sustainable.
The programme provides a pathway for small businesses looking to implement or grow their sustainable practices, and loans can supply the necessary capital required to implement eco-friendly upgrades or develop a range of sustainable products.
JUNI & CO, founded by Madeleine White, is a prime example of a business that has used such funding to enhance its sustainability credentials.
“Having established my own brand prior to opening the store, the Start Up Loan was a pivotal step in expanding my vision to a physical retail space in the Royal Arcade in Norwich. I used only environmentally conscious materials to build the store and it is a space where my brand’s ethos of sustainability can flourish. In the lead up to Christmas so far, we’ve seen a significant uptick in footfall as more consumers are drawn to our organic, vegan, and cruelty-free products. It’s clear that the trend towards sustainable gifting is growing, and I’m proud to offer eco-conscious alternatives during such a crucial time of year.”
By making conscious choices to support local stores, shoppers contribute towards a culture of sustainability that has the potential to extend far beyond the festive season. Consumer actions that may appear small, such as promoting a local business via social media and recommending products to friends and family through word-of-mouth, can amplify the reach of a small business significantly, proving that consumers are in a powerful position to champion smaller stores and boost the local economy.
Looking to 2025, Start Up Loans is here to support businesses starting and scaling up and those aiming to broaden their sustainable practices. The programme is committed to supporting the growth of companies such as JUNI & CO and The CAHM Collective, that are committed to fostering eco-friendly principles. By providing the necessary financial backing, Start Up Loans wants to empower these businesses to make a positive environmental impact while also growing their business and creating jobs.
* https://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/shopping/shopping-trends-report-2024-tendendo-30219438
