Peeks anticipates a cracking Christmas

Nick Peek of Peeks the Party People, which is now one of the marlet leaders in the cracker trade.

Nick Peek of Peeks – the Party People – which is now one of the market leaders in the cracker trade.

Through the summer one Dorset business has been organising the sale of three-and-a-half million Christmas crackers.

Peeks, based in Christchurch, has become one of the country’s leading suppliers of crackers and has seen orders up 20 per cent on last year.

The company works about six months ahead of the real calendar so while most people were enjoying their summer holidays, Peeks was in full Christmas mode.

The long-established family business became one of the leading purveyors of crackers after taking over a rival business in 2015, and has seen orders go with a bang this year.

It sells to all the major pubcos, as well as hotel groups, clubs, restaurants and individuals.

Its mail order business remains buoyant and it trades through its website as well as its huge party store

Managing director Nick Peek, the third generation of the family to be at the helm, said: “We are now selling more than three times as many crackers as we were three years ago – and this year orders are up by 20 per cent.

“The increase has been due in part to the acquisition of a cracker business, but also because more people are buying them.

“Those who go out over Christmas for a meal now expect crackers to be on the table, and pub groups and hotels know this.

“Also, individuals are buying more crackers and having them for occasions other than Christmas.

“It does seem a bit odd spending all day sorting crackers when it’s the middle of summer, but that is how we have to operate to get enough stock in good time.

“After we’ve got the Christmas and New Year stock organised, we’ll be moving on to Burns’ Night, Easter and then the summer season.”

The company, founded by Charles Peek in 1946, supplies all party products for events at low prices.

peeks.co.uk

 

Pic Caption: Nick Peek goes crackers

Notes to editors:

Peeks provides party and fundraising items and sells them through its mail order catalogue, growing website, and through its giant party store in Christchurch. It was founded by Charles Peek in 1946 and is now run by his grandson, Nick.

For more information please contact Ed Baker at Deep South Media of 01202 534487 or 07788392965.