Popular promotional products for 2015

January is an exciting time in the promotional product industry, with two major industry events – PSI and Trade Only National Show, the release of product catalogues and new product launches, and the finalisation of marketing campaign plans for the year. Marketing budgets increased for the ninth successive quarter at the end of last year, according to the Q4 2014 IPA Bellwether Report. In terms of actual spend, the report found that plans for the 2015/16 budget year have been set to their highest levels in eight years, providing a positive overall sign for the promotional products market.

With hopes for a great year ahead we have taken a look at the promotional products that look set to be big in 2015 based on quote requests on our site, industry research and the new products to the market.

Promotional products that are designed to make people’s lives easier will continue to be very popular this year. One such product is the power bank, which provides a solution for charging phones and tablets on the go. They are available in a large range of styles, like this Squid Mini Power Charger available from Magellan, which also attaches itself to your device and acts as a viewing stand.

In fact, tech products in general continue to be amongst the most appreciated promotional gifts due to their usefulness. Two of the three PSI FIRST 2015 Award winners were tech related products: An acoustic amplifier for smartphones made of blown glass and a flexible mobile phone holder designed to provide a suitable surface for mobiles while they are charging.

       

Research carried out by the Advertising Speciality Institute in September 2014 found that branded USB’s remain one of the most common choices for businesses that want to create a promotional impact over a long period of time. According to the report, USB drives are kept by European consumers for an average of eight months or longer and In the US, 91% of recipients keep USB drives because they are useful.

Promotional clothing has been big on the agenda so far this year, with quote requests ranging from the ever popular t-shirt, to printed ties and even custom boxer shorts. Shirts and outerwear like hoodies, fleeces and jackets score well in terms of both usefulness and longevity, and if you want to sway customer opinion and drive new business, outerwear comes up trumps according to the ASI survey.

With a large print area and a huge variety available, clothing is an excellent way to promote your brand. There are also some exciting new clothing products on the market. This versatile, lightweight Egmont packable jacket from Trimark Sportswear Group is breathable, water and wind resistant and can be easily packed away into its own front pocket.

Writing instruments still topped ASI’s poll for most popular promotional product, with more than four in 10 European consumers owning a logoed writing instrument. We see a consistently high number of requests for both promotional pens and pencils on the Quick Quotes board and the Promotional Products Week 2014 survey also found that nearly nine in 10 business people have a branded pen on their desks, making pens the most-used promotional item.

Another product we receive a number of quote requests for is the water bottle, which has found a new lease of life in the multiple versions available – there are plastic, metal, and sports bottles that will deionize, filter or insulate, all waiting for your company’s logo.

Whatever the trends, however, the number one product for you is what works best for your company and clients. Promotional gifts really can take any shape or form, according to how they fit into your marketing campaign, what captures your company’s brand message or what meets the needs of your target audience.

If you are including promotional merchandise in your marketing campaigns this year, we would love to hear all about the campaign and the promotional products you will be using. You can send the details to editor@promotional-merchandise.org.uk. And, if you need any help getting quotes, get in touch and we will do the hard work for you. Submit a quote request via our free Quick Quotes service and we will send your enquiry to three leading UK suppliers, providing you with a range of prices and options. What could be easier?

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