It’s That Time Again!
One of the most asked questions around the world is – “what time is it?” Despite the fact that digital clock numbers are more ubiquitous than ever, people still ask others.
Despite that nearly everyone has a smartphone and or portable device that shows the current time (and date), it is not rare to see someone glance at his or her watch, set it, or look at the clock that is often an attractive decorative item in a room.
When gauging your client or prospect’s interest in a promotional time piece, simply ask, “What time is it?” and see how he or she responds. Now, of course, you are wearing your most awe-inspiring promotional watch with your business logo on it. If your client or prospect glances at a phone or tablet, show off your “jewelry.” If the answer is obtained by looking at a wristwatch or clock in the office, confirm out loud how important these traditional and functional pieces are.
“Watches are wearable awards, rewards and accessories,” emphasizes Mark Abels of Selco Time. If a client expresses a belief that watches are irrelevant due to the ability to tell time instantly on a smartphone, explain that “watches do not compete with phones because just as telling time on a phone is a second function, for many people it is also a secondary or complimentary function on a watch. The real reason they have it is to show their personality, accessorize their outfit or commemorate achievement and what better product to commemorate than one you can show off every day everywhere you go?” he offers.
Additionally, you have some potent market stats in your quiver: the global sales of watches – including smartwatches, fitness tracker watches and luxury watches exceeded $50 billion in 2018, according to Grand View Research (“Watches Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Smart, Fitness), By Distribution Channel (Hypermarket/Supermarket, Online), By Operation, And Segment Forecasts, 2019 – 2025”2019). North America dominates the watch industry with 30% market share.
The market intelligence firm reported that the smart watch category is expected to expand at a CAGR of 12.8% from 2019 to 2025. GPS, distance tracker, health tracker, and pairing of smartphones and smart watches through Bluetooth® technology are expected to remain highly sought after. Furthermore, extensive adoption of electronics across the globe has driven the smart watch segment. These products also gain popularity on account of their ability to stay connected with both iOS and Android operating systems.
Fitness watches comprise the fastest-growing watch segment, according to Grand View Research, with a CAGR of 13.7% from 2019 to 2025 – meaning, this is a ripe watch market segment for the promotional pickings. According to Grand View’s report, “The growth is attributed to rising popularity of these products among the fitness-oriented people as they help in accessing the body activities including cycling, daily steps, swimming laps, heart rate, and sleeping pattern. These features are attracting customers who want to keep a track of their daily activities, including number of required steps, calories intake, and heart rate.”
The potential client base for promotional fitness watches are the obvious – gyms, healthcare practices, physical rehab centers, weight loss centers; and the not-as-obvious, golf course and country club gifts for new members, corporate gifts, sales incentives, and luxury travel gifts.
Logoed watches add prestige to your client’s corporate promotion or award program. These are great ways to recognize high-performing employees, as well as those with a perfect attendance or highest safety score. These watches can be gifted at special commemorative events, such as the opening of a new facility, celebrating a 50th anniversary in business, or a new product launch.
Authenticity continues to be a strong trend among today’s discerning end-users/recipients who desire for superior-quality timepieces that have high perceived styling. Bulova, for example, continues to be a recognized prestige watch brand; Fossil is known for its sleek, sophisticated stylings. Intelligent Galaxy fitness watches and fashion watchers are priced reasonably for many clients to give as year-end – or year-beginning gifts. And Logomark has many classic “wow factor” styles. LogoTime USA offers a bounty of styles in household name brands, such as: Bulova, Citizen, Fossil, Hugo Boss, Movado, Seiko, Timex, and Victorinox/Swiss Army.
For lesser price points, fun and bright silicone watches from Pacific Business make great giveaways at charity runs/walks, for new accounts at banks or insurance, or as thank you gifts for referrals.
There are many watch brands, styles (men, women and unisex) and price points, which widen the playing field of potential sales.
CASE STUDY:
LogoTime USA: “Founded by Lloyd Noble in 1932, Noble Energy has 80 years of success in the energy industry. In the late summer of 2014 Noble Energy successfully drilled for natural gas in western Pennsylvania. The well reached record depths. To reward the employees who worked on the site, Nobel Energy contacted LogoTimeUSA.com for assistance in producing a custom logo watch. The watch selected was a Citizen Eco-Drive model with a black face for the men. The women received a Citizen Eco-Drive model with a white face. Both custom logo watches had the the Nobel Energy logo printed onto the dial.”