The changing tastes of a Christmas Tradition
Added: (Fri Sep 29 2006)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
The Christmas Hamper, that most traditional of festive surprises, has undergone a transition over the last few years and now in 2006 is representative of the changing tastes of the nation. OUT are the broken biscuits and tinned meats and IN are organic products, quality offerings from local producers as well as tastes from around the world including many fair trade goods.
In response to this, Virginia Hayward Ltd, supplier of Luxury hampers to household names such as John Lewis, Waitrose, Sainsburys and Interflora, has this year fielded its widest range of foods ever not only from around the world, but also from many small local producers.
Hampers this year feature Pistachio Biscuits from the USA, Panforte from Italy, Cinnamon Sticks from Ireland, Crackers from Japan and many other items from South America to Asia.
Some items, however, can be found a lot closer to home. “We have always tried to include as many items from local producers as possible, and this year we have featured products as diverse as Sesame Flatbreads, Brandy Butter, Olives and Cranberry Flapjacks from local Dorset companies.”
This fusion of the global and local has seen revitalised demand in the Christmas Hamper market, where consumers widening tastes very much drive the business.
Gone are the days when hampers were thrown together and sent out by post in a scruffy cardboard box. Nowadays VH Ltd has developed a fulfilment system that doesn’t sacrifice the traditional arts of hand packing. “Our seasonal staffing levels are increased substantially as we decided a few years ago that we were not prepared to lose the personal touch” Says Gin Hayward “each hamper is individually packed with care and personally messaged, a record that is enviable in a period when we send out in excess of ¼ million hampers each December”
One of the largest changes in people’s tastes has been toward more organic based options and FairTrade items. Virginia Hayward Ltd are the exclusive supplier of Duchy Originals Organic Hamper and Gifts. The charitable brand, founded by HRH, the Prince of Wales, is a leading producer of organic food, a market worth over £1.2bn in 2006 (Mintel) which is expanding as more people look for alternative methods of food production. Allied to this is the growth in demand for goods that have been ethically sourced through FairTrade arrangements.
The full Virginia Hayward Range can be viewed at www.virginiahayward.com
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Notes to Editors
Virginia Hayward Ltd
Every Christmas since 1983, strange goings on are reported by locals in the village of Stour Row in the heart of the Dorset countryside. Stories abound of green suited workers arriving early and leaving late into the night, ferrying parcels from one area to another, all carefully co-ordinated by a Husband and Wife team. The locals whisper to each other, and keep an eye to the sky.
Whilst Geoff Hayward has no white beard, and red is not his colour, for the last 22 years, he and wife Gin have been working to ensure that at Christmas time, a little bit of magic is delivered all around the UK.
Convinced that there was a real need for a company which could provide a personal and efficient hamper service, the couple set up Virginia Hayward Ltd in 1983 and ever since have provided hampers and gifts of traditional good taste to businesses and individuals all over the UK. Whilst Christmas is undoubtedly the busiest time of year, the company has all year round ranges as well as for annual events such as Valentine’s, Father’s Day and of course birthdays and all other celebrations.
Since its inception, the company has grown organically and now creates hampers and gifts for well known high street stores such as John Lewis, Waitrose, Sainsburys, Woolworths and Interflora. Operating from a beautiful range of traditional Dorset buildings, the office base comprises a state of the art call centre with cutting edge web and fulfilment technology and 65,000 sq ft of high spec licensed warehouses.
The Virginia Hayward Christmas Hamper and Gift Range
This festive season Virginia Hayward Ltd has produced what it believes to be its finest selection of gifts and hampers. Ranging from the Festive Tray at just £20 all the way up to the most mouth watering of all hampers, the Christmas Celebration at £400. There are hampers and gifts to suit every budget and taste, including wine gifts, port and cheese boxes as well as Smoked Salmon and Champagne. The full range can be viewed on the website at www.virginiahayward.com.
For further Information please contact:
Gavin Paye / Jane Lowton
Virginia Hayward Ltd
Tel: 01747 852598
gavin.paye@virginiahayward.com
jane.lowton@virginiahayward.com
Virginia Hayward Ltd
Blynfield,
Stour Row,
Shaftesbury
Dorset. SP7 0QW
Tel: 01747 852598
www.virginiahayward.com