There’s no denying that the 2020 pandemic was lifechanging for everyone. According to the Federal Reserve, more than 700,000 businesses shut down because of the mandated lockdown.
Businesses were struggling to keep their heads above water, so company swag was, understandably, not really in their thoughts.
Now that it’s been a few years since that first lockdown, it’s time to check in on the state of the industry. Will we still have band t-shirts at concerts and drink tumblers at Starbucks? Do people want custom koozies as event freebies?
Here’s what we can predict about the future of branded swag!
“When the first wave of coronavirus hit the economy, the $25.8 billion promotional products industry got soaked. Canceling conferences drained the lifeblood from swag companies.”
– Alyssa Newcomb, writer for Fortune Magazine
It’s safe to say that businesses will still want company swag in the future. Logoed items are always going to be well-loved gifts and a valuable way to market for restaurants, bands, podcasts, realtors, schools, and other businesses, big and small.
Here’s how these items will be used:
Corporate Gifts
Your team wants to feel valued, and sometimes that’s as simple as making sure they get amazing corporate gifts. It could be for their work anniversary or the holidays, but either way, 98% of companies see corporate gifting as an indispensable part of their business strategy.
With that in mind, it’s safe to assume there will be orders for custom mugs, journals, and other logoed gifts going forward into the future. These gifts can be mailed to your employees as they work-from-home, a trend that seems to be here to stay for many companies.
Branded Merch
Brand loyalty is a real phenomenon. In fact, 80% of customers claim they have brand loyalty (Source: Exploding Topics).
For this reason, they’re going to love using or wearing your promotional items. You can sell them in an online gift shop or in your store. They’re also great prizes and giveaways for live events.
Rewards for Loyalty
Customer loyalty is more important now than ever before. Show your top clients how much their support is valued by strategically sending out branded gifts. You can easily ship this out through direct mail.
It turns out direct mail is a lucrative way to reach customers. Recipients purchase 28% more items and spend 28% more money than people who don’t get the mail. Double that number if the mailer includes a gift! In-person meetings aren’t possible right now, which makes this strategy a good alternative.
Social Media Contests
Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram have totally changed the way we interact, which is why 91% of businesses use social media marketing to reach their customers. We can expect the amount they post and the number of Facebook and Twitter Ads to increase going into a future that may be entirely virtual.
You can expect an average of over 34% of new customers to be acquired through social media contests. Swag as the prize has a much bigger reach than cash or a gift card.
Donations
If you have extra in the budget, order custom swag that you can donate to homeless shelters, schools, or others in need. You’re aligning your brand with altruism, which is always a good marketing move.
73% of customers want to shop with companies that contribute to charitable giving. You can sell your swag in an online gift shop and donate the proceeds to a charitable cause.
The most popular swag in the future
You can expect the following swag items to be the most popular in the future:
You’ll reach a large number of people by using sanitizer as corporate swag. It can be a pleasant scent or be filled in a cool bottle, as long as it contains 60% alcohol, which is the recommended amount by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The hand sanitizer market is expected to reach $2.14 billion by 2027.
Tech giveaways are going to continue to reign supreme going forward. Perhaps the biggest opportunity comes from printing your logo on webcam covers. A majority of people are working at home, and there are students taking online classes and engaging in e-learning. That means everyone can use the extra security!
As of June 2020, 42% of the U.S. labor force was working at home full-time.
We stay connected through our smartphones. It could be through a quick text, a funny TikTok video, or a long phone call. No matter what, tech is a fundamental part of our lives. You can expect phone chargers to be even more valuable in the future!
People spend an average of 3 hours and 15 minutes on their phones every single day.
Apple AirPods are worn by a ton of people, Bluetooth headphones also shot to the top of many wish lists in 2020. You might not be able to afford Apple AirPods as company swag, but you can still get custom wireless earbuds that are just as high-end and stylish!
Apple sold over 60 million AirPods in 2019 alone.
What are two things we all can’t live without? Food and water. As a result, it’s safe to assume that custom drinkware will continue to be valuable promotional items. Your business can’t go wrong printing your logo on water bottles, mugs, tumblers, and pint glasses.
Drinking enough water is important, yet 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated.
People are hiking and taking walks, which means they need a bag that’s lightweight and resistant to the elements. They also want a bag they can carry to and from the grocery store.
The global market for reusable bags is expected to reach $17.66 billion by 2028 (Source: Global Newswire).
Pajamas, t-shirts, and jeans are now fair game to wear to work. We all want to be as comfy as possible, which is why your business should order custom tees as merch items. A cool graphic print will go a long way!
About half of U.S. workplaces have a casual dress code.
Let’s circle back to the whole “comfort at work” thing. During Zoom meetings, your co-workers can’t see your feet. That means you can forgo the uncomfortable heels and Oxfords in favor of cozy slippers and socks. Rock those bunny slippers with pride!
Over 50,000 companies are now using Zoom for their work meetings.
You can help people reach their fitness goals! Just print your logo on workout gear like custom yoga mats and promotional pedometers.
Only 28% of people are exercising enough according to the CDC. Get people moving by advertising with fitness swag!
Key takeaways
Big changes are on the horizon in the world of promotional products, and it’s a waiting game to see how these manifest. Either way, here is some guaranteed advice that you should start practicing asap!
Don’t Waste Your Time on Garbage
You swag should only be things people can use and will want. Don’t waste your time on cheap giveaways that will end up in the trash.
Tech is Always Welcome
People are using their laptops and phones every day. You probably already advertise on Google and through social media ads, but don’t forget to get impressions offline as well. Everyone can use custom tech accessories!
Try to Make Life Easier
Offer custom swag that people actually need to get through their day-to-day. You can always use hand sanitizer. An insulated grocery bag is something they may not already have. Think about what you would want!
Swag can do a lot for your company as long as you use it to your advantage. Be creative with your campaigns., and choose items that people will actually want.
The team at Quality Logo Products is always here to help you. Reach out via phone or email at any time!
Alyssa Mertes
Alyssa Mertes is an expert on branded swag. She's done it all, from uncovering the world's first custom tote bag to interviewing the designer who created AC/DC's logo. Her work has been featured on several podcasts and media websites.
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