Another year has flown by and the holidays are fast approaching. It’s the time of year where companies want to show appreciation to their customers and their employees, and it’s an opportune time for distributors to dive into the cornucopia of holiday items available from promotional products suppliers – including but certainly not limited to: edibles, tech products, barware, lifestyle pieces, kitchen utensils, crystal appreciation awards, garments, games and more. And while the days are flying by, it’s not too late to place those last-minute orders.
Suppliers agree that business has been brisk this fall, with several expecting a significant upswing in November and December. Prevalent trends include high-end, retail-inspired items as well as both mobile tech and tech accessories. Of course, edibles always are appreciated and presentation helps to make the gift more memorable. Tom Riordan of Maple Ridge Farms says that the retail trend translates into upscale packaging – like high-end looking gift boxes with fancy ribbon. "Our Classic Treats (copper and silver gift boxes) are very popular and fit into this trend," he comments.
Tech continues to drive trends across the entire promotional products market, according to Margit Fawbush of BIC Graphic. "Power banks continue to be popular due to their broad appeal and high perceived value,” she elaborates. "The critical point in selling these is to ensure they have the proper safety testing documentation and come from a reliable supplier."
Leon Lazarus at Logomark calls the category Technology and Lifestyle, adding that there has been a boost in higher-priced tech items as well as high-end coolers, luxury blankets and houseware items. At PCNA, mobile tech accessories command the top spot during the holiday season as they have for the entire year, ascertains Rick French. He says that Bluetooth® speakers are seeing a surge as gift buying commences.
Higher-end items also dominate the utensils market, according to John Short of Utica Cutlery/Kutmaster. He explains the items are not only for gift giving but also appreciations, employee recognitions, etc. American Made Cutlery’s Dan Kielman adds that people are looking for holiday gifts that will have long-lasting ad value.
Food gifts remain an integral part of the holiday selling season for distributors, contends Nick Caputi of Chocolate Inn. A fast-growing trend is imprinting on candies like chocolate buttons, Mike & Ikes, gumballs, etc. "One of the factors driving this trend is its unique ability to include multiple brand messages, logos, etc. in one inexpensive yet memorable package," he comments. "Demand for this product has been steadily increasing over the past couple years as marketers (across many different vertical markets) recognize the value and benefit of using promotional candy to deliver and enhance a brand message."
Another food trend is large gift assortments that can be shared with everyone in the office or at home with friends and family, adds Riordan. Similarly, Sheila Shechtman of Gifted Expressions notes the company's strongest sellers are always "shared consumption" foods, as well as foods that don't need to be consumed right away or require refrigeration. "For us, what continues to resonate is beautiful and unique packaging," she details.
Brandon Strong of Chocolate Chocolate believes that the holiday season is optimal for selling chocolate. "If you are not selling chocolate during the holidays, you are missing out on a huge income generator," he promises. He believes that Belgian chocolate redefines what "custom" means in this lucrative market.
Fortunately for distributors, there is a wealth of new holiday items available that are guaranteed to entice your customers and their end-users. In the tech category, Fawbush notes that BIC Graphic has partnered with myCharge® to bring a couple higher-end chargers to the industry, including the best-selling myCharge® AMPMINI Portable Charger. Bluetooth™ speakers and headphones also are doing well. "They offer long-time use in the home, office and during a workout," she suggests. BIC has partnered with popular retail brand Jam® to offer the Classic Wireless Bluetooth® speaker.
Power banks are popular gift giving items, according to Lazarus. "Our new Pisen power banks have been a great hit among other mobile technology and tech organization products," he notes. "Pisen is the most tested power bank in the industry and is a great choice for a high-end technology gift."
PCNA is offering the Jud Vibration Speaker from Bullet. French says that customers "really have fun with the speaker because it operates by picking up on vibrations from a mobile phone and it sells for under $9."
In the utensils sector, Short says that Utica Cutlery/Kutmaster has debuted new packaging for some of its steak knife sets, and added new kitchen items like an ice cream scoop, pizza cutter and a knife sharpener. "Kitchen items are always great products because they are promotional products that someone will use over and over again," he adds. American Made Cutlery is seeing strong demand for its ice cream scoop and the gift sets that include the ice cream scoop, notes Kielman.
Another hot category is barware, Fawbush points out, because they typically have long lifespans. BIC Graphics' Stainless Growler and Stainless Vino2Go® are, she adds, both popular ideas and great companion pieces as well. Several drinkware items have also been introduced by PCNA. According to French, a best seller in this segment is the The Moscow Mule Gift Set (mugs) from Leed’s.
Functionality and versatility are key in the edibles category. "Chocolate Inn's Tube of Treats and Supreme Treats Box are very functional in that they offer recipients that ability to remove each sub-compartment and have a ‘candy tasting’ or ‘popcorn tasting," comments Caputi.
According to Riordan, Maple Ridge Farms added nearly 50 new gifts this year, including two new tower designs – a navy-and-silver combination and navy-and-white pillowtop combination. “Another new item is our Faux Leather Desk Organizer packed with fine chocolate or fresh roasted nuts,” he points out. “This gift is very popular with buyers who want to leave a permanent reminder on the recipient’s desk.” He adds the company’s best holiday seller is its collectible Wooden Trucks packed with chocolate almonds and jumbo cashews.
While it may appear these products can sell themselves – especially during this typically joyous time of the year – promotional products suppliers reveal there are tips and tricks to successfully sell them. Riordan advises distributors to be proactive. "Distributors are typecast," he elaborates. "Buyers think of them for wearables and promotional products – not for gourmet gifts. So they tend to buy those gifts elsewhere. Get images, virtual samples, real samples or catalogs in the hands of your clients. You will be amazed at the business you can uncover!"
Fawbush encourages that, when selling these items, remember to reinforce the fact that these gifts go home with the recipients. "They become a part of their day to day, which increases the value of the items tremendously."
Education is an important tool, Caputi emphasizes. "Educate your customers that you sell promotional candy and/or promotional food throughout the year," he advises. "Let them know that you work with the actual manufacturers and these products are manufactured specifically for their event."
Value, quality and great tasting foods are words to live by during this time of the year, according to Shechtman. "Even though food ends up in the belly the gifting experience needs to be memorable! That is what truly counts," she affirms.
