Staying on top of the latest trends in promotional products helps to keep your products relevant and in-demand, and these new customer favorites will have your sales soaring! While it’s always a good idea to keep your bestsellers and customer favorites in stock, adding new products based on what’s trending can improve sales.

Make sure your company is the first to offer the latest promo products that consumers want and use daily – based on trends like sustainability, travel, working from home, and athletic wear! Your customers are likely still working from home, and they’re also becoming more environmentally conscious and already planning their next trip (once borders open back up). Keep reading to learn more about what’s hot in promotional products this month.

Sustainable Products

Two of the biggest promotional product developments right now are sustainable products and eco-friendliness. Consumers are more aware than ever of their impact on the environment, and they’re trying to make more sustainable choices. Products made from recycled materials (and less packaging) are expected to continue growing in popularity during the months and years ahead.

Sustainable Promotional Products:

  • Reusable Straws
  • Reusable Water Bottles
  • Products Made from Recycled Plastic
  • Tote Bags / Shopping Bags
  • Fair Trade Products
  • Organic Cotton Clothing
  • Travel Mugs
  • Biodegradable Products

Travel Promo Products

Even before COVID, consumers were shifting away from “things” and more toward “experiences.” As the world starts to open back up, people will want to start traveling again. Travelers might be a little more cautious, so they’ll be looking for an additional feeling of security when traveling. That’s where you come in! Companies are going to be able to start having in-person meetings, interviews, events, and retreats again – which means they can offer branded travel swag. Make sure you are offering products that customers can use while traveling. And make sure it’s customized to your brand!

Travel Promotional Products:

  • Chargers
  • Sleep Masks
  • Travel Blankets
  • Backpacks
  • Travel Organizers
  • Umbrellas
  • Power Banks
  • Pet Travel Gear
  • Luggage Tags
  • Travel Bags
  • Sanitation Materials (wet wipes, hand sanitizer, masks, etc.)

Related Post: Promotional Products: Making Them Pop

Work-From-Home / Organizational Products

Even with the world returning to normal, many people are still choosing to work from home. Because of this, the office is becoming an important space in the home. Organizational tools that make working from home easier are a big promotional product trend. Products that help to make home offices more neat and tidy (especially for apartments and smaller spaces), or help to organize and improve productivity, are expected to trend.

Home Office Promotional Products:

  • Journal
  • Planner
  • Pens
  • Calendar
  • Desk Organizers
  • Headphones
  • Slippers
  • Wall Charger
  • Phone Stand
  • Stationery Kit

Giving Back

Today, people want to give back and know that the products they’re purchasing make a positive impact on the world. Having promotional items that give back to the community or go to a charitable cause is one of the growing trends in promotional products. Customers feel more fulfilled and satisfied with their purchase when it makes them feel good about themselves. For example, many customers would prefer to buy a shirt that donates to a particular cause. The added benefit of the promotional product donating to a cause or charity organization can greatly impact the purchasing decision of customers looking to give back.

Ideas For Giving Back:

  • BOGO – buy one item, and another is donated to a cause.
  • Ensure that a percentage of proceeds goes to a charitable organization.
  • Promotional products for charity runs and events are a fantastic way to get more people involved in those events.

Download Our Webinar Recording: Gift Giving in the Time of COVID

Athletic Clothing

During the year we all spent at home, we learned how to be comfortable. Slacks were quickly swapped for sweatpants as in-person meetings turned into Zoom calls. Athletic clothing items (as promotional products) are here to stay. People are shopping less for professional clothing and are opting for functional clothing as their home office attire. That’s why it’s a great opportunity for branded promotional products. Companies are also giving their employees branded sweatshirts, sweatpants, and comfortable t-shirts to wear in-office and when working from home. If you think your employees would love this, then give us a call!

Athletic Clothing Promotional Products:

  • Sweatshirts
  • Sweatpants
  • Socks
  • Slippers
  • Beanies
  • Leggings
  • Gym Shorts
  • Tank Tops
  • Flip Flops

So what have we learned? COVID-19 greatly affected trends in promotional products, with consumers looking to purchase items that make their work-from-home life easier and more comfortable. In addition, consumer preferences are trending towards sustainability and goods that give back, which is leading the other trends in promotional products. Staying on top of what’s trending can help you find your next bestseller and improve your sales.

For help with getting your next batch of promo products ready, get in touch with Ironmark. Our promo experts are always on the cutting edge of the industry.

Lynne Kingsley
Lynne Kingsley
Lynne Kingsley oversees the digital marketing client services team as well as the marketing strategy division for the company. Since joining the company in 2016, she has increased Ironmark's digital presence by over 700%, establishing a new lead generation mechanism for the sales team. A certified inbound marketing professional and HubSpot agency partner, Kingsley has been helping companies transform their marketing function into fully diverse and streamlined growth engines since 2003. With agency and client-side work under her belt, Kingsley's strategic experience spans both the B2B and B2C sectors. Prior to joining the Ironmark team, she served as in-house marketing director for several non-profit organizations. Kingsley is an honors graduate of the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communication at Syracuse University.

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