Promotional products are not only essential to the marketing of a company and its brand(s), but it’s also a tool that, when chosen correctly, can really last the test of time and cement an imprint in the minds of consumers. This is the reason why the promotional products industry continues to grow – now estimated at a staggering $27B industry. This is a $8B growth in the last decade.

The industry data is strong – with studies indicating that 90% of promotional product recipients remembering the brand name while 73% of the recipients are more likely to do business with the brand. Free is always an incentive and studies show that 99% of recipients were willing to go out of their way to receive the promotional product.

With a plethora of promotional products available in the marketplace, there are certain items that tend to indicate a stronger brand recall. Items such as apparel and mugs tend to do favorably over traditional mediums such as radio and television.

Some promotional products are keepers – lasting over a year (90%) to even up to a decade (40%). This data indicates that investing in quality promotional products provides better ROI as the recipient also tends to value the item more.

Trends today include eco-friendly promotional products and those that surround health and wellness such as reusable water bottles. To stay hydrated, the water bottle is an item that can travel with the recipient on a daily basis – an increase in the exposure of the brand to its recipient.

Promotional gifts are not only for prospective customers, but it’s also for employee retention. Gifting quality promotional products as a thank you to employees shows appreciation and gratitude for their contributions to the company.

Data source: PPAI