Blankets are back and better than ever! The latest and greatest blanket offerings are retail-inspired and made of high-end quality fabrics. Texture is also important—a soft blanket is the ultimate in warmth and relaxation. It seems that people cannot own too many blankets, making them a perfect employee-recognition gift, especially as the holidays approach.
This year, “the bigger the better” is a recurring theme when it comes to covering up. According to Murray Siegel at Towel Specialties, customers are gravitating toward the company’s extra-large “Luxury Size” blankets, which are in the 50” x 70” and 60” x 70” range. “Likewise, they are looking for more unique and stylish body styles that differ from the traditional blankets that have been in the industry for many years,” he elaborates. “While ‘sweatshirt’ and basic Sherpa blankets have and always will be popular, customers are also buying fabrics with more interesting patterns and softer textures.”
Additionally, while there is always a place for blankets with traditional embroidered logos in the corner, Siegel notes many of Towel Specialties’ customers are selecting a full size, tone-on-tone decoration. “In some cases, they’ll use black ink on a lighter color (e.g., light grey) blanket, but we’re seeing more and more orders with the subtle tone-on-tone image,” he says. Siegel adds that with many people still working at home, and with many companies refraining from ordering holiday gifts last year, the demand for blankets started earlier than usual in 2021 and is anticipated to continue.
Eric Coopman at Wolfmark weighs in on the continuing popularity of blankets. “All of our blanket styles were excellent sellers last year,” he comments. “They are a higher end gift, and as a result, an excellent year-end employee gift. We expect the same for this year. Companies want to connect with their employees.”
Suppliers predict the demand for blankets will remain high. “While our inventory levels are strong – with more shipments still coming in—we urge customers to consider ‘beating the last-minute rush’ by having their orders ship before Black Friday or Cyber Monday,” Siegel at Towel Specialties notes. “While we are certainly capable of producing orders after that, we have concerns about UPS or USPS being able to keep up with the demand and deliver orders on a timely basis.” Wolfmark’s Coopman adds that the company is seeing an uptick in calls and orders, especially as the weather turns colder.
The following are just some of the exciting new and best-selling styles of blankets. Towel Specialties has introduced the Woodland Plaid (made with extra-soft brushed velvet on the red/black plaid side and black material on the reverse side) and Waverly Silver Fox (an oversized luxury blanket featuring a soft, fur-like finish), which Siegel says arrived in September and are a huge hit. They join the always popular Fairfield, Regency and Newcastle blankets.
Plaid is also prominent at Pro Towels. The company has taken its best-selling lambswool blanket and combined it with the popular buffalo check patterns. The Buffalo Check Challenger Lambswool Throw comes in four buffalo plaid patterns. Pro Towels has also introduced the Pro Vision Double-Sided Plush Throw, which includes sublimation on both sides, which allows for more creativity and personalization.
Wolfmark is introducing an alpaca blend blanket from South America. “We also offer higher end throws in cashmere as well as 100 percent alpaca,” Coopman states. “For higher end clients, these are popular sellers.” He adds that the company’s blanket wraps that were introduced a year and a half ago are a popular alternative to regular throws.
Southern Plus offers several top blanket performers, including its Sherpa fleece blanket that features a double-layered blanket of mind fleece with a Sherpa fleece liner; a Himalayan throw, which combines a velvety soft, faux-fur outer shell combined with a Sherpa fleece inner liner; and the Alpaca blanket, made of deep pile fleece.
USMCA Manufacturing has combined the softness of a blanket with the comfort of a hoodie. Its full color, custom Sherpa Blanket Hoodie is oversized and is available in a wide variety of colors, in full cover and embroidered versions.
Siegel and Coopman agree that blankets are a great sell. “They fit all demographics and price points,” Wolfmark’s Coopman remarks. ”We can embroider or laser on many of our stock blankets, this can save time and extra freight costs.” Siegel at Towel Specialties adds, “Distributors should remind their clients that blankets last for many, many years with the recipients. They also have a large imprint area and have unisex appeal. While ‘one size fits all’ many clients also like blankets that are big enough for two people.”
No matter the color, size, material, or style, the blanket market has it “covered” when it comes to a unique, thoughtful gift!