As a marketer, it’s always important to stay on top of the latest trends. Seeing something new leads to curiosity, which leads to attention, which leads to interest in a brand. There’s always something new in the world of promotional products. Here are five trends to keep an eye on:
Trend 1: Back to the Office
While work may never look the same as it did in early 2020, the majority of employees will be heading back to the office – at least for some portion of the work week. Companies can celebrate the return with an employee engagement gift that’s simple and practical. Consider items like a wireless charging organizer, refillable hand sanitizer pen with stylus, or a Crumbee mini vacuum.
Trend 2: Onboarding New Employees
Many economists are predicting a post-pandemic economic surge: Morgan Stanley predicts a 6.4% increase in global GDP,1 while Goldman Sachs predicts a 7% surge.2 With that will come a surge of new hires and, as a result, an onboarding boom.
Companies need to invest in making employees feel good early on. “Onboarding is a magic moment when new employees decide to stay engaged or become disengaged,” according to SHRM.3 Build loyalty in big ways, with a positive culture and tokens of appreciation that can contribute to a team environment such as branded apparel or decked-out branded kits with functional work accessories. Add their business cards to truly personalize the experience!
Trend 3: Color Meets Creativity
One of Pantone’s colors of the year for 2021 is PANTONE 13-0647 “Illuminating” – a sunny yellow that indicated a pent-up demand for a brighter outlook. Carry this optimism in your promotional products too. Brightly colored mugs, zen or relaxation kits, pens, and journals are a simple way to give your promo products a lift!
Trend 4: Get Out and Go
With a deep yearning for travel after a long year without, it’s the perfect time for useful promo products that your customers will want to take with them. Consider something like a Tervis Stainless Tumbler that rivals the traditional name brand versions, including a full flood UV digital print or a 2-in-1 Quickflip Fold Up Hoodie that goes from a comfy and soft full zip to a drawstring bag in mere seconds. Get more practical with items like tech accessories or laptop bags that they will never want to leave home without.
Trend 5: Rewarding Loyal Customers
There have been a lot of shifts in the last year, but some things, like the importance of valuing customers, never change. The Harvard Business Review reported, “Depending on what study you believe and what industry you’re in, acquiring a new customer is anywhere from five to 25 times more expensive than retaining an existing one.”4
Show you are grateful with branded, useful promotional products. Not only do they show appreciation for past business, but they keep your brand in front of the client, so when they have a future need, you are their first call.
While small gifts often get the job done, sometimes you want to make a bigger impact. Think about tapping into another trend – the “gift box,” which has the feel of unwrapping an interesting present where you discover new fun things related to any topic.
Priority Promotions can help you curate the on-trend products you need and develop a packaging solution that is an experience in itself, including customized messaging for recipients. Plus, we make ordering easy with an online solution.
Novelty sells – so what are you waiting for?
1https://www.morganstanley.com/ideas/global-economic-outlook-2021
2https://www.axios.com/us-economic-growth-projections
3https://www.shrm.org/resourceandtools/hr-topics/talent-aquisition/pages/dont-underestimate/the-importance-of-effective-onboarding.aspx
4https://hbr.org/2014/10/the-value-of-keeping-the-right-customers