In 2019, the promotional merchandise industry was valued at over $23.3 billion. With the onslaught of COVID-19, economies around the world tanked. While promotional product businesses were not unscathed, there is light at the end of the tunnel. Just like you, we are working hard to get back to where we left off. Brand, purchasing, and marketing managers – we have your back as we emerge from the pandemic.

Branded promotional products in the “new normal” 

Although the timeline is unclear, now is the time to start planning your marketing strategy. In an economy that has suffered the effects of COVID-19, the number one priority is to invest in winning back your old client base. Thereafter you can work on attracting new consumers into your sales funnel.

As your clients and prospects enter a new, post-pandemic world, branded promotional items such as custom sports water bottles, custom leather notebooks, or promotional tote bags will go a long way to welcoming them back with a sense of hope and optimism.

Why is promotional merchandise so impactful? 

Well-chosen promotional products will raise awareness of your brand, generate quality leads, and improve your company’s bottom line. According to a 2019 consumer study, here’s why:

  • Promotional products boast the top advertising recall – outperforming print, television, and online advertising. Over 8% of consumers can recall the advertiser of a promotional item while only 7% can remember the name of the advertiser after viewing a TV commercial.
  • 80% of consumers love receiving promotional giveaways, while seven out of ten people hanker to receive promotional gifts more often. 72% believe that the quality of the branded item represents the reputation of the company it’s from.
  • 45% of recipients use a promotional product at least once per day and 73% use a corporate gift at least once per week. Additionally, more than half of consumers keep promotional giveaways for up to four years, while 79% pass them along when they are no longer valuable.

For more information on using promotional merchandise to positively impact your marketing strategy, contact the team at Tara Slevin Group now!