What’s Poppin’ In Promo
People buy products and services for a variety of reasons. They go places, join movements and follow leaders and events with all sorts of purposes. But one thing unites almost all purchasing decisions – the cool factor. You know it when you see it.
Promo pros are always on the lookout for new and cool products and the freshest ways to communicate, market and sell, and promotional products include all kinds of fun gadgets, useful tools and comfortable, fashionable apparel, as well as plenty of neat gear and pretty playthings. There’s such a wide variety, in fact, that it can be overwhelming to choose from all the products available.
Here are some of the standout trends and products in promo right now:
3 TOP TRENDS
Quiet Luxury: TV shows featuring ultra-rich characters, like Succession, have made an understated “old money” aesthetic more popular than ever. Think high-quality garments and accessories made with quality materials in classic cuts and neutral colors. Tons of retail brands are available in the promo market, so leaning into quiet luxury – high-end items with subtle branding – is a great way to put your brand on quality pieces people want to wear everywhere. Because it’s about investment pieces meant for the long haul, made from quality fabrics, rather than chasing the latest trendy colors, materials and silhouettes, quiet luxury also supports sustainability efforts.
Sustainability Sells: Promo offers tons of options to help your brand demonstrate its commitment to sustainability, and offering eco-friendly products that last is not just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. Recent research revealed that more than 8 in 10 Gen Zers consider environmental impact when using promo products, and as the buying power of this cohort grows, brands should focus on the environmental footprint of their goods, including packaging and useful life. Consumers want goods with a good story, and certifications like B Corp, EcoVadis, Fair Trade and others are appealing to a growing segment of consumers.
Interactive Experiences: A pandemic-era trend that’s here to stay is DIY products, like baking kits, yard games and friendship bracelets (thanks, Taylor!). Promo that’s interactive, like products with QR codes or NFC chips for an online (aka “phygital”) component is also popular. Consumers crave experiences with their families and friends, and interactive promo that helps them build memories helps brands remain top of mind.
9 POPPIN’ PRODUCTS
Of course, there are tried-and-true promo products and perennial bestsellers like bags, shirts and pens, but check out these cool and quirky products with the potential to star in memorable promo programs or as must-have merch.
Brand Mascot Water Bottles
The Bestie Bottle appeals to the kid in everyone with its variety of cute stock animal head lids. You can also opt for custom character designs like these to transform the BPA-free, vacuum-insulated stainless-steel bottle into your own brand mascot or a favorite character. The sweat-free exterior is pleasant to the touch, and the bottle fits comfortably into your hand.
Organic, Fair Trade Cotton T-Shirts
With all the sustainability claims and certifications out there, it can be hard to decide what’s the greenest garment. This Unisex Regular T-Shirt checks a lot of the right boxes, with a commitment to responsible sourcing and sustainable decorating. Made of 100% certified organic, fair-trade cotton, this ring-spun jersey tee offers a casual fit for anyone in 30 colors and sizes XS-4X.
Charger With A Cause
Not only does the handy Nimble CHAMP Lite pack more power than chargers twice its size – a little larger than the average pack of gum – it’s made with 72.5% post-consumer recycled plastic. Even better, each recipient can recycle up to 1 pound of e-waste for free through Nimble’s One-for-One Tech Recovery Project. Users get up to three fast, full phone charges per cycle and can charge two devices at the same time.
Flair For Our Furry Friends
Nostalgia is the name of the game these days, and for anyone who wishes they could make their dog (or cat, for the truly brave) look like Avril Lavigne or Ashton Kutcher at the turn of the century, this Pet Hat has you and your four-legged friend covered. These custom trucker hats, designed especially for furry friends (human twin hats available, too), are perfect for veterinarians, groomers and dog-friendly bars, as well as pet-themed events.
Teddy Bear Fleece
The super-snuggly Horizon Fleece Jacket offers warmth in a lightweight shell that feels like a hug from your favorite stuffed animal. Its plush boucle fleece is made with 20% recycled polyester fibers, so each cozy jacket diverts 12 plastic bottles from landfills, and zippered side pockets and a snap button chest pocket add utility and style.
Bespoke Barware
This Branded Decanter Set includes a custom-engraved decanter and matching glasses perfect for that Mad Men aesthetic. Made of lead-free glass, the hefty 3-pound bottle begs to be displayed and holds up to 28 ounces. Gift packaging is included, with the option to upgrade to a custom wood box. A portion of each sale is donated to children’s hospitals across the U.S.
The Right Tools For (Almost) Any Job
Be prepared for any fix-it job with this LED Lamp Toolbox that includes an LED table lamp, 40-inch tape measure and an assortment of screwdrivers, screws and other tools and hardware. It’s all conveniently housed in a molded case that keeps the components in place and easily accessible for fuss-free use, and three replaceable AA batteries are included.
Eco-Friendly Hoodies
Make your promo part of efforts to combat climate change with a Future Fleece Hoodie that’s made using 100% regenerated poly-cotton yarn from post-consumer waste and scraps left over from the cutting stage of the garment manufacturing process. Because the yarn is repurposed, it’s already been dyed, which reduces consumption of energy by about 80%, water by about 75% and chemicals by about 90%. The material face is 100% cotton for decorating, with less than 6% shrinkage guaranteed.
Mermaidcore Cheese Boards
Bring the spirit of the sea to any table or poolside picnic with an Acacia Cheese Board, handcrafted in Canada and laser-engraved for elegant personalization or branding. Each piece features a splash of eco-friendly resin in Ocean Vibes, Caribbean Blue (shown) or another of 10 available colorways. Use the back of the board for cutting and the front for serving to avoid scratching the resin.
