We all know by now that 2020 has been a bleak, upside down year. The prominent new or enhanced concern is hygiene to protect immune function.
But … this is a positive thing!
The idea of social distancing and wearing masks to protect not just ourselves but other people is empathetic, and with the majority of people complying, this wellspring of benevolence can serve as a good motivation for businesses to promote healthy hygiene.
Virtually all your clients can – and are likely – open to adding logoed personal care items into their marketing campaigns. Undeniably, says Rena Ashfeld, CAS, vice president of sales for Webb Company, “sanitizer is top of mind; we are finding people are asking for it to be included in all kinds of kits - making them a staple piece in holiday gift sets as well. With our USA-made sanitizer, we have every shape, size, and scent you need.”
Carrie Lewis, marketing/communications manager BIC Graphic North America, agrees that “there are additional promotional opportunities in the health and wellness space now. Apart from branded face masks, more people are looking for new hand sanitizer options and other ways to minimize germ spread. Promotional products that address those concerns can be beneficial for brands trying to reach customers in this time of uncertainty.”
End buyers, Lewis notes, have been asking BIC Graphic’s distributors for more products with antimicrobial properties, prompting the supplier to expand its line of PrevaGuard™ products. This line is distinguished by an EPA-registered antimicrobial additive to include writing instruments, mousepads, Koozie® can coolers, bags, and even face masks (#41180).
Webb Company/HPG provides numerous products for hygiene/healthcare promotions including lip balm, lotion, mints, and hand sanitizers – all US-made, Ashfeld notes. In addition, Webb Company/HPG offers other options for personal care ranging from combs/brushes, dental care products, and sleep masks.
Lewis comments, “Personal care items are great add-ons for any campaign because of their size and price point. Adding a branded lip balm or hand sanitizer pack (#40407) to a gift set provides the recipient something useful without much-increased cost. Self-care remains a big trend, especially with the mental toll the Coronavirus pandemic is taking on people. Personal care promos are a great way for clients to encourage customers to take care of themselves while also generating goodwill for their own brand,” she encourages.
Prepping for the Next Wave
Although the “second wave” is currently crashing, manufacturers have learned to anticipate excessive demand (and hoarding) and are thus working hard to ensure that supply remains. This is great because more than likely, no client will turn down the ability to promote their business, product, service or name change with a hand sanitizer, lip balm, antibacterial pen, and other personal care products that provide sanitization and protection.
OraLabs is a specialist in manufacturing promotional hygiene products and has a collection of its Leashables® hand sanitizers. Leashes are available in array of colors and materials such as silicone, and in three sizes. Spray pen sanitizers are available in two sizes. And, with the emergence of “mask breath,” Oralabs has a solution: 85.ml breath spray by itself or with a custom leash.
According to the sales team at Ad Specialty Products, the third most likely place for people to pick up germs is by sharing pens. The iPROTECT® Antibacterial Pen (#599) has a plunger-action and guarantees 99.9% protection against bacteria. The pens feature antibacterial antimicrobial plastic which greatly reduces the spreading of pathogens.
BIC Graphic’s newest personal care product is the HoMedics® UV-Cleaner Phone Sanitizer (#32242). This device uses 2 UV-C germicidal LEDs positioned for optimal sanitizing to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, according to Lewis. “The compact size is great for taking on-the-go and sanitizes in just 30 seconds per side.”
BIC’s Hand Sanitizer Gel (#41165) is in individual packets and is “perfect for handing out with the check at a restaurant, at a hotel check-in desk or anywhere that the public is interacting with business employees,” she adds.
Restaurants are still riding that seesaw of opening/closing/curfews. In many states, masks are required by all staff, so it makes sense to also sell your restaurateur customers masks for their employees – and for sale to regular customers. For example, PromoDirect provides several imprintable Value-Mark™ mask options including cotton reusable masks (#33295) the youth 2-ply cotton masks (#33403), also perfect for child-oriented businesses to give away, the 3-layer mask dye sublimated (#33318), a tie-dye pattern; and even a clear face shield protector (#33309) for employees at a variety of customer-centric businesses.
The slogan, “We’re in this together,” serves as a powerful and undeniable sales point. Everyone wants to be safe and everyone wants to be able to patronize businesses of all types. You are the one who can help fortify that connection.
CASE STUDY
Carrie Lewis, marketing/communications manager, BIC Graphic: “A shopping mall held a “Trick or Treat but Keep 6 Feet” socially distanced event for kids during the Coronavirus pandemic. Stores participated by providing individually packaged treats for kids, but the shopping center owners gave attendees Single-Use Personal Care Kits (#41183) when they arrived. Each pouch was imprinted with the event logo and included a disposable face mask, just in case kids or their parents did not arrive with their own face covering.”