When hampers.com swept up two awards at the SME News UK Enterprise Awards this spring – winning both the Sustainability Excellence Award and being crowned Gift Hamper Company of the Year – it marked a turning point for the Oxfordshire-based SME.
However, for Director Hannah Lia and the team, it wasn’t just about adding trophies to the shelf. It was validation of a belief they’ve held since day one: that an SME can lead an entire industry through purpose, innovation, and customer-first values.
Continuing its winning streak, hampers.com then went on to add two more accolades to its growing list: winning Ecommerce Business of the Year (Oxfordshire) and placing as a finalist position for the Small Business of the Year at the Business Awards UK.
Now, as the company is shortlisted for a trio of national honours at the SME National Business Awards this winter – including Business of the Year, the national Sustainability Award and the Service Excellence Award – hampers.com is proving that its underdog story isn’t over. It’s just getting started.
A business with heart: The evolution of hampers.com
Founded in 1979, hampers.com began as a challenger business in a crowded gifting market. The concept was simple but ambitious: to create gift hampers that deliver more than just products – they deliver connection, joy, and impact.
Fast forward to 2025, and the business has evolved into a multi-award-winning brand with a national presence and an unwavering commitment to sustainability. As a real living wage employer, carbon neutral business, and a corporate partner of both Oxford Food Hub and Oxfordshire Mind, hampers.com has remained value-led throughout this journey. These achievements highlight the company’s ability to innovate in the saturated world of ecommerce, whilst also staying grounded in its core values.
Leading with purpose: Sustainability as a core business strategy
Sustainability isn’t an afterthought for hampers.com – it’s at the core of everything they do. From becoming 100% carbon neutral, to sourcing artisan produce from local and ethical suppliers, to ensuring all packaging is FSC certified, recyclable and biodegradable, the business has reimagined what a modern gifting company should stand for.
“We’re incredibly proud of our Sustainability Excellence Award because it reflects years of commitment to doing things differently,” says Director, Hannah Lia. “It proves that SMEs can have a big impact and lead by example.”
Their place as a finalist for the Sustainability Award 2025 at the SME National Business Awards this winter reinforces this leadership ethos – and shows the company’s approach continues to resonate at the highest level.
The secret to service excellence
One of hampers.com’s most celebrated qualities is its customer-first approach. With seamless online ordering, hand-packed hampers, and a personal touch at scale, the business has earned glowing reviews from corporate and consumer clients alike. The results speak for themselves, with hampers.com achieving an impressive average review score of 4.8/5 stars based on 29,400 verified reviews, and a 98% Net Promoter Score, as collected via reviews.io.
This dedication to service quality has secured them a place as a finalist for the national Service Excellence Award, recognising how they stand out in a hyper-competitive ecommerce market.
“Every order is a chance to create a moment of joy, togetherness and connection,” says Hannah Lia. “That mindset drives how we train our team, work with suppliers, and design our hampers.”
What’s next?
While 2025 has already been a banner year for hampers.com, the team is far from finished. Plans are underway for expanding the range of sustainable and locally sourced hampers, growing their corporate gifting offering to meet demand from major UK businesses and continuing their journey towards B-Corp status.
And with three finalist spots at the SME National Business Awards, there’s every chance that hampers.com’s year will end with even more reasons to celebrate.
A message from Director, Hannah Lia
“Winning these awards and being shortlisted for even more is testament to the incredible passion and hard work of our team,” says Director, Hannah Lia. “But it’s also proof that businesses like ours can succeed by putting people and the planet first. We’re excited to keep raising the bar for our customers, the planet and our local community in 2025 and beyond.”
