While for many of us pandemic fatigue is real, it is important to look ahead and remain positive. Vaccines are rolling out, COVID cases are down in many parts of the country, and spring is approaching. Self-care, wellness, and health should be absolutely top of mind to continue to weather this health crisis—and come out on top. Face masks, sleep masks, hand sanitizers, fandanas, pillowcases, medical history and pill organizers, banners, and drinkware can all play a vital role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Pam Pennington at Aprons Etc. can relate. “As people are working from or staying home during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an increased need and desire for better self-care,” she elaborates. “Certain products assist with being relaxed and calm and helping stay healthy through meditation and stress reducing breathing techniques. Companies who provided these wellness aids to their prospects are finding new markets and approaches for their successful branding efforts.” She adds that demand for these products has certainly grown during 2020 and continues to look positive for 2021.
At Showdown Displays, Kent Dunham agrees that demand for health and wellness products is solid, especially as businesses open up—whether it is retail, schools, or other companies welcoming their employees back. “Trends are health and safety signage and displays (branded sanitizer stations, counter barriers, clear vinyl retractors for safe separation), tents, sidewalk signage (A-frames, banners, and sail flags), and work-from-home backdrops (Eurofit walls),” he notes.
According to Adri Magallanez at Innovation Line, the following items are trending: face masks, fandanas, and the company’s Oberlin retractable badge reel and badge holder, which she acknowledges are all driven by the current pandemic—and in high demand.
Proper hydration is paramount, Joel Krane at Tervis asserts, explaining that stainless steel, vacuum sealed, high performance hydration products are currently trending and dominating the drinkware segment of this market. “Consumers are looking for trendy, functional, and upscale products that fit their lifestyle,” he adds.
A sleep mask (#CPEM-SM) from Aprons Etc. is brand new, and Pennington also reports the company’s printed pillowcases (#4553) have been a strong seller for meetings, camps, and medical—and now for the home health and wellness market.
Sani-Stations in a wide variety of price points have been unveiled by Showdown Displays, as well as Illuminated Signage (Luxe Glo). “Best sellers are tents and signage,” Dunham affirms, “and A-frames, banners, and sail signs are by far the best sellers so far this year.”
Over at Innovation Line, Magallanez notes that face coverings are top sellers. “They are in demand right now—all over the country—with states slowing opening back up and allowing sport events,” she comments. “These face coverings will be great for all outdoor events such as baseball and football games.”
To that end, Innovation Line offers the 7145HTOP3 2-Ply Fandana™ Neck Gaiter for extra face mask protection–260 GSM thickness. It can also be folded over to create a four-ply face cover at 520 GSM Thickness, Magallanez says, and has an extra comfortable fit without ear loops. It also comes in a husky version (513HT Husky Fandana™ Gaiter).” Magallanez reports that both items are an all-purpose unisex accessory—facemask, headband, beanie, skullcap, scrunchie, neck warmer, and muffler.
Medical history diaries have been a great seller at Bay State, according to Josette Bosse. Companies can have their logo seen with a large imprint area on the front Vinyl pouch, just below the preprinted identification and emergency contact section. The diary’s pouch contains a three-fold card insert pre-printed with space to fill in info regarding identification, emergency and physician contacts, medical history, allergies, prescriptions, and medical insurance. Another popular item is medical tray organizers that feature a plastic base that holds seven, removable, four-compartment pill boxes with easy-out design, Bosse adds.
The latest hydration products from Tervis are stainless steel wide mouth bottles. They are available in a 24-ounce, 32-ounce, and 40-ounce size with up to 84 hours of ice-cold performance, Krane reports. The company’s top performer is its 20-ounce stainless tumbler, which Krane says is a distributor favorite due to its “performance and price” in addition to state-of-the-art decorating capabilities.
To sell health and wellness items, Pennington at Aprons Etc. recommends using fun and positive slogans along with the branding. “Many quote options include sleep, health, wellness, and self care phrases,” she emphasizes. “Creativity in design is the key.”
Dunham at Showdown Displays also weighs in. “If distributors have clients in retail or education, they have probably already engaged clients on signage, but think of businesses that will finally be opening up their offices to employees as restrictions lift and vaccines become readily available,” he states. “They will need safety, welcoming, and directional signage as well as sanitizer stations and dividers to keep the employees safe.”
Case Study
Josette Bosse, Bay State
A hospital that holds CPR courses decided to hand out these Medical History Organizers to each participant in the course. This is a great product for everyone of all ages to have on hand. The backing can stick to anything from bedroom or bathroom mirrors, refrigerators, file cabinets, or anything else that is non-porous.
A specialty healthcare center that holds an annual Breast Cancer Symposium that provides a learning environment for medical oncologists, surgical oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, and other healthcare providers to learn about the most current advances in specific breast cancers. They gave out pill trays to the attendees, to offer to patients, and as a reminder to refer patients to their center. As a result, the relationship between this center and attendees had increased a bit due to the event.