Trendy promo items: How your brand can embrace what’s hot this spring

By Laurie Frees

At long last, spring is here—the snow has melted and new plants are blooming. The spring thaw also reveals emerging trends that will carry us through the year. Trends are meaningful indicators opens in new window of customer behaviour and preferences, which is why marketers may want to keep an eye on the products, styles and aesthetics sprouting up. Join in on the fun by using trendy promo items to catch your audience’s attention.

Trendy promotional apparel for any occasion

For years, it was understood that fashion trends moved on a 20-year cycle opens in new window. What was hip in the 1970s came back around to influence the looks of the 1990s. But social media has shaken up these cycles. Today, “micro-trends” come and go in weeks or months.

Ensure you’re always of the moment with on-trend mainstays like T-shirts and sweatshirts. Soft and lightweight materials are slowly giving way to heavyweight options. Stormtech^® hoodies offer the heavy-duty qualities people are turning to and make great employee appreciation gifts. Or if you’re looking to refresh your team’s polos, consider going with a pattern. Outfit employees or volunteers in patterned Stormtech polos for a current look.

Like some of the athletes that sport the style, athleisure has shown remarkable endurance. Hooded tees, cropped hoodies and joggers are an ideal way to get eyes on your brand. These trendy promo items are sure to get a lot of wear when given as part of a springtime promotion.

73% of consumers opens in new window say repeated exposure to a promo product makes it more likely they’ll consider that brand for a future purchase.

Headwear that covers today’s trends

Both functional and fashionable, headwear is always in style and a strong choice for marketers looking to give their brand a boost.

Promotional headwear gets an average of 3,380 impressions opens in new window over its lifetime.

Provide your team with trucker caps—a style that’s shown staying power—as a springtime surprise. Or give knit beanies and toques. Word has it opens in new window the cuffless beanie/toque is coming back around!

Pastels are always popular springtime colours. But powder pink opens in new window is especially of the moment. Be part of that moment by giving event attendees chino caps or twill bucket hats in the perfect shade of light pink.

Kitchenware and home goods to make an impression

Interior design professionals say the all-white kitchen is fading out. Emerging trends include a blend of vintage and modern elements and the mixing of textures and surfaces. For example, the integration of materials opens in new window like wood, stone and metals is sparking new life into common living spaces. That makes employee or client appreciation gifts like bamboo cutting boards, stainless bento box sets and wood coaster sets top choices. A marble cutting board or bamboo cheese and wine set could be a sought-after raffle prize or farewell gift for a departing teammate.

While “Dry January” has come and gone, mocktails remain popular opens in new window. Branded cocktail shakers and cocktail glasses could make memorable gifts at a staff retreat or annual company meeting.

Wireless outdoor speakers—especially those with clips—are expected to remain a hot item as spring turns to summer. A sturdy outdoor speaker or eye-catching speaker is a giveaway worth bringing to a Canada Day celebration. These trendy promo products fit right in as the trend of merging indoor and outdoor spaces continues. Outdoor chairs and coolers will also remain sought-after prizes or gifts.

Drinkware and accessories made for the moment

Promotional drinkware averages 3,162 impressions opens in new window over its lifetime.

Large-capacity drinkware, like the Malibu mug, continues its omnipresence. To give their trusty beverage vessel an update, consider trendy colours, like pink or orange. Shades of green are hot for spring, so a vacuum mug that comes in multiple colour combinations is sure to bring smiles.

Going all-out with accessories opens in new window is a hot spring trend. If assembling a gift basket, include fashionable promo products for accessorizing, like dual lanyard wristlets or scrunchies.

Stickers and decals are another bright idea, as they can make anything from a water bottle to a laptop into a billboard for your brand. Slip a few in when packaging items for customers or keep some handy by the register at a brick-and-mortar store. When your organization attends public events, hand some out to curious attendees. If raising brand awareness or increasing online traffic is a goal, know that, for nearly 74% opens in new window of people, the initial reaction to receiving a promo product from an unknown brand is to look it up online.

Follow the trendlines to find success

As spring hits full bloom, your organization can start fresh with new promotional strategies fine-tuned for the moment. Use trendy promo items, including apparel, headwear, home goods and accessories, to show audiences that your brand is ahead of the curve.

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