Shop Small campaign celebrated this Christmas by American Express

As American Express is celebrating a decade of of its flagship Shop Small campaign, new research shows the incredible camaraderie and resilience that exists among small business owners in the face of ongoing challenges.

A survey of retail and hospitality sector business owners on behalf of American Express and Small Business Saturday, found that the vast majority (90%) agreed it was important to support other local, independent businesses, with 85% saying they actively promote other suppliers and small businesses local to them. A similar number (83%) said they always tried to work with these suppliers where possible.

Recognising the vital contribution their businesses make locally and the need to support fellow entrepreneurs, three quarters of respondents (74%) agreed there was a strong sense of community among small businesses in their local area.

While over half (56%) of these small business owners said the next outlook for their business over the next six months would be “challenging”, over a third (36%) said they were “optimistic” and one quarter (27%) “excited”.

Celebrating 10 years of shopping small

2022 marks 10 years since the American Express Shop Small campaign launched in the UK (in 2012) and the tenth year of Small Business Saturday on 3 December. American Express continues to be the principal supporter of Small Business Saturday,encouraging Brits to back the nation’s small businesses that have such a positive impact on our local communities.

At its heart, the UK is a nation of entrepreneurs with the number of small businesses having grown significantly over the past decade.2 The research reinforces some of the biggest rewards of running your own business. Three fifths (59%) of respondents said the top benefit was “being their own boss”; 45% cited “job satisfaction”; and a quarter (26%) pointed at “having a positive impact on the local community”.

Dan Edelman, General Manager, UK Merchant Services at American Express, said: “Our research offers further proof of how community-focused and generous of spirit small business owners are. They are facing hugely challenging times but appreciate and support the valuable contribution their fellow entrepreneurs make. We’re proud to continue championing them with the return of our Shop Small campaign and Offer, available at more locations than ever before this winter, as well as through our long-standing support of Small Business Saturday on 3 December.”

Michelle Ovens, Director of Small Business Saturday UK, added: “While small businesses are undoubtedly facing a host of challenges currently, this research underlines that being an entrepreneur is also still a hugely fulfilling thing to do and the UK is still a great place to start your own business. The strength of collaboration bubbling away across the small business community is a big reason for this. But as well as support from each other, business owners need support from everyone around them, including the public.”

Shop Small seeks to mobilise American Express’ loyal Cardmembers, encouraging them to spend instore with small retailers this festive season, generating additional sales, new customers and boosting brand loyalty for merchants. From 3 - 12 December 2022, American Express Cardmembers will receive a £5 statement credit when they spend £15 or more at participating small businesses across the UK. The offer can be used up to 5 times, once per participating small business location, meaning that Cardmembers can reward themselves with up to £25 back in statement credits, making their spending go further this December.

The Shop Small Offer is fully funded by American Express at no cost to merchants. The total number of participating locations this campaign has risen by 34% compared to the campaign in December 2021, the biggest number ever.

Terms, locations and payment restrictions apply. For full terms and conditions please visit the Shop Small Hub. Offer excludes Corporate and Pre-Paid Cards.

https://www.americanexpress.com/uk/benefits/shop-small.

Asda's Christmas Tree donuts!

Looking to “spruce” things up this Christmas? Well, Asda’s got you covered. The retailer is launching a new offering this year, a special box of donuts that’s perfect for bringing Christmas cheer!

The Extra Special Christmas Tree Donut Box is just £3.50 and comes packaged with 10 delicious ring donuts, which can be arranged to create a tree-mendously festive fir tree shape! 

The donuts come as an amazing alternative to high-street favourites like Krispy Kreme. With a single donut at the high-street retailer coming in at £2.55, shoppers looking to purchase a dozen will fork over £18.95. At £3.50, it’s clear that Asda’s Christmas Tree Donut Box takes the cake – er, donut – in terms of value.

And it's not just the donuts that are a unique offering this season; the box itself is currently the only triangular-shaped donut box on the market; a packaging choice that stands out compared to the traditional rectangle boxes of other supermarkets. As the popularity of donuts only continue to rise, it’s important to think outside the box, and about it!

On social media earlier this week, users were showing excitement for the new product. One user commented, “These are really nice 😊” and another tagged a friend, saying, “for 10 bargain, ill get us some n pop in before xmas ❤️ 🎄🧑‍🎄”

Donut fans are already going wild for the tree shaped box

The yummy treats are iced in classic green and topped with festive red and white sprinkles – making them the perfect centrepiece for any festive feast. Available for a limited time only, you’ll want to pick up a box or two – the more the merrier – this holiday season.

It’s a holiday hit that will be hard to fir-get.  For only £3.50/10pk, the Extra Special Christmas Tree Donut Box is available in stores now.

www.asda.com.

CBD, superfood Christmas gifts from Cheerful Buddha

Cheerful Buddha, specialists in top quality, ethically sourced drinks and confectionery with the blissful, healthy benefits of CBD and superfoods, have released two Christmas gift bundles.

Each attractively boxed bundle is discounted, offering over £10 off the price of buying the items separately. Choose from the Christmas Chocolate Bundle, which contains superfood hot chocolate, chocolate & hazelnut flavoured CBD drops and the full range of 70% premium dark chocolate infused with CBD (natural, orange and mint), or the Christmas CBD bundle, which features Cheerful Buddha's full range of CBD chocolate and your choice of 1x flavoured CBD drops and 1x CBD-infused luxury Arabica coffee.

With every Cheerful Buddha product there's a focus on great taste, responsible sourcing and outstanding ingredients, from Rainforest Alliance Certified coffee and ethically-sourced cacao to the best quality CBD oil and functional mushrooms. These products are designed to make getting your daily intake of CBD and superfoods a pleasure.

Cheerful Buddha co-founder James Wright said: “We're delighted to launch our Christmas bundles, which are a great way to introduce a loved one to the pleasures of CBD and superfoods. These products deliver real benefits without compromising on taste and enjoyment – they're a great way to spread a little extra love and happiness this Christmas.”

Full details:

Cheerful Buddha Christmas Chocolate Bundle £39.90

1 x Cacao Bliss Hot Chocolate 150g

1 x Natural CBD Chocolate 70g

1 x Orange CBD Chocolate 70g

1 x Mint CBD Chocolate 70g

1 x Chocolate and Hazelnut 3% CBD Drops

Cheerful Buddha Christmas CBD Bundle £36.90

1 x Natural CBD Chocolate 70g

1 x Orange CBD Chocolate 70g

1 x Mint CBD Chocolate 70g

1 x Cheerful Buddha 3% CBD drops, your choice of flavour

1 x Cheerful Buddha CBD coffee 100g – choose decaffeinated ground coffee or caffeinated beans or ground coffee.

The Cheerful Buddha website is https://cheerfulbuddha.co.uk

Tough Christmas this year? Brits facing the grimmest December since WWII need to plan ahead, says ParcelHero

As Brits face up to the biggest fall in living standards since World War II, everyone is seeking out ways to economise this Christmas. Home delivery expert ParcelHero says buying and sending gifts early could save families a fortune.

This Christmas is set to bring back memories of World War II. Some items, like turkeys and eggs, are rationed because of bird flu and an authoritarian ruler has invaded a fellow European country. In addition, Brits are braced for the tightest squeeze on real incomes since 1945.

There’s little wonder that, according to new research from home delivery expert ParcelHero, Brits plan to spend £4bn less on food, gifts and entertaining over the Christmas season compared to last year. It will be a ‘make do and mend’ Christmas this year as shoppers face unprecedented household bills and soaring inflation.

ParcelHero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks M.I.L.T., says: "For anyone old enough to remember the War, the mood will be grimly familiar. Back then, people had to cut their spending dramatically on gifts and food, and there was severe disruption to supplies and deliveries. That’s a problem that could be experienced again this Christmas because of strikes, delivery driver shortages and the closure of ports because of a resurgence of Covid in China.

"However, that doesn’t mean we'll all be reduced to Christmas stockings filled with nuts, knitted socks and an orange. There are ways for Brits to save enough money to have a decent Christmas, without resorting to dodgy deals with “spivs” (as war time black-market traders were known) or making their own board games."

He went on to explain: "One great money saver that requires little more than good planning is to buy presents online earlier than normal and to send them earlier, too.

"Leaving enough time to buy online using slower free or low-cost delivery options can save pounds, rather than opting for expensive next-day deliveries. For example, for orders under £50 from John Lewis you’ll pay £4.50 for a standard delivery, which takes up to five working days. However, if you’ve left it late and want a next-day delivery it’s £7.50.  In fact, if you have really left things late there’s a pre-10.30am next-day delivery for £10.95. You’ll have spent £6.45 more than you needed to.

"Likewise, House of Fraser charges £4.99 for a standard delivery of 3-7 days, but £9.99 for a panic next-day option. That’s a fiver you could have saved by planning ahead. Leaving everything until the last minute soon adds up.

"One small piece of good news is that global shipping rates are very competitive now, and anyone looking to send a parcel abroad can make the most of this. Again, though, the earlier you send something, the more you'll save. And you could be looking at savings of £20 or more.

‘For example, if you are sending a parcel to the USA using ParcelHero, a 3kg parcel measuring 15x15x15cm costs from £32.80 for a slower service to £52.25 for a next-day delivery.

‘That’s a further saving over traditional Post Office prices that, for the same-sized parcel, would be £44.85 for a 5+ days service, increasing to £72.70 for a 1+ days delivery.

"Similarly, the same parcel sent to friends and family in Australia would cost £43.83 for a 6+ days service from ParcelHero, but £47.90 for a 3-days service. Again, that’s still cheaper than joining the Post Office queue. 

"Post Office services cost £59.85 for a 5+ days service, £61.85 for a 3+ days service and £88.80 for a 1+ days service to Australia. All parcel prices quoted are +VAT, a tax first introduced as a “temporary” measure during WWII incidentally, as Purchase Tax. Back then it was a tax on luxury goods of 30%.

"For Christmas 1941, even small packages to UK destinations had to be mailed by 20 December. Today, if you really must leave sending a parcel until the last minute, then “Keep calm and carry on”, as they might have said during the War. You can still send a parcel to a UK destination and even the USA until 23 December. So, at least some things won’t be quite so austere this year!

"For those who really have to leave buying and sending until the last minute, our continually updated Christmas deadlines tool is so useful for keeping shoppers in the know with all their favourite retailers." final order dates. To check the easy-to-use retailers’ final order and final mailing dates tool, see: https://www.parcelhero.com/events/christmas-gifts-delivery

(Images courtesy of 동네의멋 and Pixabay and ParcelHero)

It's Christmas jumper time, so pop along to your nearest Home Bargain emporium to get fitted out!

The reason why I describe Home Bargains as an emporium because the dictionary definition of emporium (a large shop that sells many different types of goods) perfectly describes Home Bargains and its amazing variety of goods from stationary to frozen foods and and at this time of year, Christmas goodies galore.  

Adding to their range of Christmas goodies, treats, drinks, foods and decorations Home Bargains also has a range of fantastic Christmas jumpers for the entire family. 

This year, Home Bargains is channelling the Christmas spirit with a collection of fashionable and affordable festive jumpers.

With Christmas now only a few weeks away, there's no better time to secure your Christmas jumper in preparation for this years’ celebrations, whether that be representing at the office Christmas party, a lunchtime trip to the pub on Christmas Day, or matching on Christmas Day with your friends and family. 

The affordable collection consists of glittery and fun, yet stylish, pun-themed jumpers, plus a comical uni-sex double-jumper suitable to fit two adults, thus adding to the Christmas cheer and general merriment!

Each jumper in the collection is under £20, starting from £7.99 for kids jumpers and ranging up to £12.99 for ladies styles, with the double-jumper priced at a remarkably reasonable £19.99. 

To learn more about Home Bargains, including the location of your nearest branch, what Christmas goodies they have available please visit https://www.homebargains.co.uk.

Buy early for Christmas! Experts issue Christmas tree warning

Christmas as we know it is under threat not due to bird flu and a turkey shortage, but a lack of trees.

Experts at GardeningExpress.co.uk are warning families they may have to pay a significantly higher amount more for their Christmas trees than ever before this Christmas after record summer temperatures brought about reduced crops.

It is believed the record temperatures experienced across the UK and most of Europe combined with many weeks without significant rainfall resulted in difficult growing conditions for Christmas tree farmers.

The heatwave caused many trees to shed their leaves earlier than normal this year in what some commentators described as a ‘false autumn’. Evergreen Christmas trees stopped growing due to heat stress affecting them and many plantations that weren't able to irrigate experienced what experts are describing as "significant" losses of growing stock.

The supply of larger sized Christmas trees was also impacted by a severe drought and heatwave across Europe in 2018 when younger saplings that should now be ready to be harvested perished. The most impacted sizes are the best selling circa six footers, these are expected to be more scarce than usual, meaning prices are likely to be higher than in previous years.

Political problems across Europe have also brought about supply chain issues which could impact the importation of trees from colder climes.

It’s this combination of political and environmental issues which has led to a perfect storm this year when it comes to Christmas tree supplies.

The experts from GardeningExpress.co.uk point out that reduced supply could lead to increased costs for customers just when families are already struggling with the cost of living crisis.

GardeningExpress founder Chris Bonnett said: “Christmas tree growers have really struggled this year and we're expecting supplies of quality trees to be significantly impacted, -so if you want a good one, you need to order as early as possible or visit a retailer in person, at GardeningExpress we only sell top grade Christmas trees, but retailers usually buy mixed pallets from plantations to offer a variety of sizes, so no doubt there will be a higher ratio of lower grade trees in their this year.

“Most people order up their Christmas tree at the end of November and start of December and give it precious little thought before then.

“But for Christmas trees to be lush and verdant come December they had to be planted well in advance and they needed plenty of water in the months leading up to December.

“That just hasn’t been the case for all suppliers this year. Growers have had to struggle with record temperatures, water and labour shortages which brought about a reduction in quality and quantity of the crop.

“It will be a problem particularly for those wanting larger bushy Christmas trees, there is definitely going to be fewer of those around this year, and consequently they'll carry a premium price.

“The best advice is to pre-order your tree as early as possible to make sure you don’t miss out.”

For more information on the UK’s possible Christmas tree shortage please visit https://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk.

(Image courtesy of StockSnap and Pixabay)

The perfect Christmas gift. A Scottish Stocking Filler - Kinloch Lodge's New Anniversary Cookbook

If you are seeking out the perfect Christmas gift for a foodie family member or friend, then you search could well be over. Because you can offer them a taste of the Highlands with the new cookbook from the famed Kinloch Lodge Hotel.

Lovingly published to help celebrate the hotel and restaurant's 50th anniversary, the new hardback book has over 35 delicious recipes from their head chef, Jordan Webb, each beautifully photographed by Alan Donaldson.

But it's much more than being just a cookbook. Because it's an eminently readable part family-memoir, part love letter to Skye, its landscapes and its people, the cookbook sings it son with a very real sense of place. Scattered amongst the recipes are vignettes of the hotel's history and heritage, interviews with local producers, tips on foraging and much, much more besides.

Food has always been central to the Kinloch story. The hotel, originally constructed as a working farmhouse, it then saw service as a shooting lodge, was opened by Godfrey, Lord Macdonald and High Chief of Clan Donald, and his wife, world-renowned cook Claire, in 1972. 

From day one, Claire pioneered using local ingredients from Skye's natural larder and working with passionate artisanal producers. This ethos and passion for seasonality and sustainability has been carried on by Jordan Webb, who has created innovative polytunnels and herb gardens at the hotel and forages daily from the loch's shoreline.

The cookbook is split into four main sections, each  reflecting the scenery of Skye and the natural larder of the hotel's kitchen. 

These four chapters, Forest, Field, Coast and Garden, contain standout recipes from Jordan and Claire, as well as short essays on topics including topics as diverse as foraging, whiskey on Skye and ancestral relatives, such as Flora Macdonald, who aided Bonnie Prince Charlie after the Battle of Culloden.

 Seasonal Recipes Include: 

Venison, sage and walnut polenta, with bramble jus

Braised beef short ribs, with potato skins and creamed cabbage

Kohlrabi salad with walnuts and lemon

Gorgeously illustrated throughout, with photos of the hotel and the island, the tome is book-ended by essays from the Macdonald family. The foreword by Godfrey Macdonald reflects on how the hotel has changed throughout the past five decades, while A Kinloch Childhood by Hugo Macdonald, Godfrey and Claire's son, reveals the adventures to be had growing up in a Highlands hotel.

The book has been co-written by Claire Macdonald, Jordan Webb and Alisha Fernandez Miranda. Alisha is a writer who splits her time between Edinburgh and Skye, where she lives within five minutes of a Kinloch breakfast. She's been published in Vogue, Grazia, Metro, and other titles. Her memoir, My What-If Year, will be published in the US by Zibby Books in early 2023. Full biographies of the authors are available on request.

Price: Fifty Years, Kinloch Lodge, RRP £35. The book is available for purchase on the Kinloch Lodge website (Kinloch-lodge.co.uk).