Crooner Andy Williams hit the nail on the pinnacle in 1963 when he first sang ‘It’s the Most Great Time of the 12 months’.
Christmas actually is the time of 12 months when most of us are in a position to cease what we’re doing and take time to benefit from the little luxuries – whether or not that’s buying, spending time with family members or splurging on indulgent meals and drinks.
Birds Bakery – a proudly UK bakery that began from humble easy beginnings in 1919 to develop into an thriving enterprise with 61 retailers using over 750 individuals in the present day – needed to search out out extra about why Brits give up to temptation.
Hap-happiest season of all
Because the music says, Christmas is the ‘hap-happiest season of all’ – synonymous with the indulgent goodies which are assured to spark a rush of prompt happiness, courtesy of dopamine.
After we eat one thing candy, the mind’s reward system – known as the mesolimbic dopamine system – is activated.
Dopamine is the last word really feel good chemical launched by the neurons, triggering pleasurable sensations and signalling that the occasion was optimistic.
As such, treating ourselves isn’t restricted to December alone.
When the reward system fires, it reinforces behaviours – making it extra doubtless for us to hold out these actions once more. Actually, a 2023 research carried out by YouGov revealed that roughly 37% of Brits purchase one thing candy no less than a few times per week.
“These stats spotlight that whereas our consumption might enhance considerably at sure instances of the 12 months, we simply can’t resist sugary meals once we want a pick-me-up,” stated Lesley Chook, CEO of Chook Bakery.
Marvellous mince pies
To satisfy the demand in the course of the busiest time of the 12 months, Birds Bakery can be making over 500,000 Christmas merchandise this 12 months, together with 350,000 mince pies this 12 months.
The traditional mince pie took the title of the nation’s favorite candy pie final 12 months and having fun with them was listed as one of the magical components of Christmas, so it’s no shock demand is so excessive.
As a bakery with over 100 years of expertise, Birds has seen the rise and fall of bakery traits first hand. Lesley Chook, chief working officer at Birds Bakery, commented:
“The bakery market is consistently evolving, however one development we’ve seen 12 months on 12 months is that individuals like to deal with themselves and others,” stated Chook.
“Like different retailers, we wish to introduce seasonal product ranges alongside our classics, as we all know our prospects love a themed merchandise – be it Christmas, Easter or Halloween.
“This 12 months, our Christmas vary features a entire host of festive items together with chocolate Santas, Rudolph cupcakes and shortbread timber, which we’re delighted to see prospects already having fun with.
“We’re excited to welcome each new and common prospects to our outlets this Christmas, and hope they proceed to deal with themselves all year long. All of us want that candy enhance now and again!”
