Paul Marsh
Promotional merchandise has, in recent years, grown to become an extremely valuable marketing asset for small and large businesses alike. If you haven’t included promotional merchandise in your marketing mix already, you may be missing out on the superior opportunities for appreciation and brand loyalty, and motivating calls to action it can bring. Here are 5 influential promotional merchandise trends for 2017, which will be used by brands to help shape more valuable products.
As we are becoming increasingly reliant on technology in our daily lives, it’s no surprise that wearables were the most popular of promotional product trends last year and this is only expected to continue in 2017. To adapt with this trend, make sure that your wearable promotional items are practical and reusable. This will ensure maximised, long-term value for your recipients, which may help to incite brand loyalty and associated value. Products from headphones, to laptop bags and mobile phone accessories, can be easily customised to display your brand identity.
Like technological products, environmentally friendly merchandise is a trend which will hold continued influence for marketers. Ethical and eco-friendly practices will be further encouraged as part of corporate principles, and consumers are ever aware of the environmental impact of companies and products. Brands should look to sustainable and ethically manufactured promotional products, which minimise lifecycle impact and make use of abundant recycled or bio-degradable materials.
Last year the health and wellness industry was worth over 24 billion pounds in the UK. As more people are buying into health and wellness products, from health foods to sports goods, promotional products in 2017 will cater for this growing market. Health and wellness merchandise is wide-ranging and can make for an affordable asset for promotional use.
Vintage apparel is a trend which will transfer to the realm of promotional products this year. Brands will combine their own heritage with modern functional aspects to engage a higher emotional connection with their markets. Retro designs are useful for creating a nostalgia and can help to convey a more inspiring message which will resonate with your customers.
Consumers have begun to turn away from mass-produced, cheaper products in favour of higher quality and longer-lasting goods. In 2017 luxury promotional products will help to set brands apart from their competitors and heighten the value associated with their products and services. Luxury merchandise which has a long-lasting, high usage potential, can also help to build more valuable customer relationships. Why? Because investing in these higher quality items will show customers that they are valued and in return, you could create a deeper brand loyalty.
