Member Article

53% of UK Small Business Owners Will Trade Christmas Turkey for the Office This Christmas Day

53% of UK Small Business Owners Will Trade Christmas Turkey for the Office This Christmas Day

With three quarters of UK small business owners working in some capacity over the festive season

13 December 2018 – London: More than half (53%) of UK small business owners will be working on Christmas Day, as the majority feel increased pressure to stand out and meet customers’ expectations during this period. This is according to recent small business research conducted by Vistaprint, the leading online provider of professional marketing products and services.

With over three quarters (88%) of UK small business owners working in some capacity during the entire festive season, only 12% of small business owners expect to switch off for the whole of the Christmas period. While two-thirds (63%) of those working on Christmas Day expect to work more than six hours, 18% anticipate working more than ten hours straight, eating into their Christmas festivities.

On Christmas Day, 1 in 5 (22%) UK SME owners will be keeping an eye on emails, while 15% said they would be working a normal day and 17% catching up on paperwork. This comes as a result of increasing demand and pressure on small business owners to fulfil consumer demand during this busy season. With many one man bands not able to enjoy the Christmas period as a result of looming workload.

Even among those who take a break on Christmas Day, nearly two thirds (62%) will jump back into work on Boxing Day and New Years Day, with the majority being service providers, tradesmen and business/marketing consultants.

The biggest challenges UK small business owners face at Christmas is making their business or brand stand out above increased competition and the general noise of Christmas. Trying to satisfy customers’ orders before the Christmas break, solving cash flow problems, fulfilling enhanced demand and ensuring deliveries arrive on time are all other areas that cause small business owners to be pulled in multiple directions.

Simon Braier, Director of Customer Strategy at Vistaprint, said: “Small business owners put their hearts and souls into their businesses and naturally at key times of the year this pressure increases. But Christmas is also an important time for family, and we’d like to encourage small business owners whenever possible to take a well-deserved rest during this period. Returning to their business after spending some quality time with their family can help business owners bring fresh ideas and a renewed sense of drive to their work, ensuring a strong start to the new year.”

It seems UK entrepreneurs are extremely dedicated to ensuring business success this festive season. Although Christmas brings pressure, it also brings a huge amount of opportunity and its with motivation and incredible hardwork that enables British entrepreneurs to take advantage of this time; ensuring Christmas prosperity as well as having a large impact on wider economic growth.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Vistaprint .