2020 was quite a year. Between pandemic lockdowns, remote work, and social distancing, the year significantly impacted promotional products industry trends. If you suggested face masks would be one of the most popular products on the market in January 2020, most industry experts would have questioned your sanity. And yet, here we are.
The top trends of 2021 will continue to be influenced by the events of 2020, which presents some intriguing opportunities for targeted marketing of promotional products. Knowing what products are in high demand right now — and how long they’re likely to remain popular — will help you plan your 2021 promotional campaigns. With that in mind, here’s an overview of the best new promotional gifts for 2021.
Face masks and neck gaiters
Face masks, neck gaiters, and other social distancing gear continue to be the top trending products this year. The rollout for COVID vaccines is going to take time, so face masks will stay in demand. Branded customized face masks are very popular and generate multiple brand impressions. Give them to your customers and staff, and reinforce that you care about their health.
Popular masks and gaiters include:
Top trending products for remote workers
Remote work exploded in 2020, proving it’s both possible and cost-efficient to let employees work from their home offices. While some companies are eager to get employees back in the office, others have fully embraced remote work. As a result, mobile and remote work equipment have become popular products for 2021. Outfit your staff with these customized tools, or offer them to clients and customers to help make their home offices more secure and productive:
Targeted marketing promotional products for virtual events
2020’s lockdowns and social distancing protocols ended large scale gatherings, including trade shows, conventions, and product reveals. In response, many companies switched to virtual meetings. Zoom and other video conferencing made it possible to hold important events remotely.
At a physical event, it’s easy to pass out promotional items to guests and potential customers. You can still do that online, although it’ll cost you a bit in postage. Thank-you swag bags and gifts that show up in the mail after a virtual event are pleasant surprises that keep you in the customer’s mind. As with social distancing and remote work, virtual events will be the norm for 2021, so impress your guests with these easy-to-mail products:
Best new promotional gifts for returning workers
As 2021 progresses, we’ll hopefully see a return to some sense of normalcy. The later part of the year should see many businesses returning to normal, with remote workers coming back to the office. This offers another opportunity for promotional marketing campaigns, from welcome back gifts for your staff to popular products to make your customers’ return to in-office work safer and more enjoyable. Popular products for this branding opportunity include:
Consistently popular top trending products
No matter what the year brings, some promotional products industry trends remain consistent. Many popular products retain their value to customers and brands alike from year-to-year. Outerwear, including jackets and sweatshirts, is still highly valued by consumers, providing significant ROI with thousands of brand impressions. Possibilities include:
Drinkware also ranks high among the top trending products for customized gifts, especially insulated travel mugs. Possible drinkware gifts include:
Finally, eco-friendly items continue to rank among the best new promotional gifts, as consumers increasingly concern themselves with sustainable lifestyles. Eco-friendly products include everything from t-shirts made from sustainable resources to glass drinkware and renewable plastics. Options include:
Check out the Triple Crown Product website for more popular promotional products, or contact us for help choosing the best promotional gift items. And stay alert for changing trends throughout the year — you never know what might inspire your next promotional marketing campaign.