Daisy creates local business Christmas market for 500 staff

Daisy Group is looking to recruit small businesses or sole traders operating in Lancashire for its innovative Christmas market for employees.

This year the telecoms company, one of the largest employers in the region, is on the hunt for start-ups and quirky North West businesses to showcase their products or services to staff at its head office in Nelson during the first fortnight of December.

The initiative has a dual-purpose, to support local businesses, and also to help Daisy employees to do their Christmas shopping.

Marie Wheatley, group head of HR said: “At Daisy, we work with a lot of small businesses and understand the challenges they face in the early stages. There is a real shortage of places to showcase new products and services, and to get consumer feedback in a cost-effective way.

“We also have more than 500 staff at our Nelson headquarters, most of whom will be on the look-out for decorations and Christmas presents for their family during December, so we thought it would be a good idea to try and bring them together.”

The innovative idea is a result of research conducted by the telecoms provider which revealed that, during the Christmas period, the average Brit will spend at least an hour a day at work buying and researching gifts for friends and family.

By staging its own Daisy Christmas market for staff, employees can do much of their Christmas shopping while they are at the office, but without it affecting workflow as the table top markets will run during lunchtime when staff are given designated breaks.

Daisy Group will provide slots for up to four businesses per weekday during the campaign which will commence on Monday 1st December and end two weeks later.

The Nelson-based company is looking to support a range of different businesses ranging from food and drink retailers, to toy makers, craftspeople, jewellers, beauty suppliers and much more.

Marie Wheatley added: “We have trialled the idea in the past and found it very successful – one of the businesses that visited us generated more than £1,000 in takings in one lunchtime. “We welcome any local businesses with products that could be a perfect present, to get in touch.”

Businesses who want to declare an interest in or book one of the slots at the Daisy tabletop Christmas market should contact [email protected] or phone 01282 609305.