Insights into the Promotional Merchandise market

The promotional merchandise market is massive, even though everywhere we look we see promotional items, people are often surprised by how big the industry actually is. The UK market is worth around £765m and covers every item of branded merchandise that you see. Whether this is branded t-shirts, promotional pens or promotional keyrings.

Curvy Ballpens

How Has The Promotional Merchandise Market Changed Over The Years?

As with many industries, the market suffered during the recession years, as businesses had less money to spend on marketing materials. However, the market is now almost back to full strength and more businesses are starting to use them within their integrated campaigns. As more and more companies are using promotional merchandise, it has started to become more difficult to make your brand stand out, so many businesses follow market trends to try and get their business ahead of their competitors.

Promotional merchandise trends change every year, as new technologies are brought out. We add new quirky products to our website on a regular basis, which businesses are generally encouraged to invest in, to be different from their competitors. Whilst these items may get people talking about your business, we believe you shouldn't forget about traditional promotional items, which are always popular. The top promotional items are always going to be those which are used the most often such as pens, mugs, USB's and notepads.

Cambridge Promotional Mugs

With the increase in digital marketing, some people believe that the use of promotional products has fallen however we don't believe this is the case. A recent survey showed that the majority of marketers expect their budget for promotional merchandise to remain or increase this year. A BPMA study showed that over 81% of respondents have at least one promotional product on their desks, meaning they are being marketed to on a daily basis.

Why Is Using Promotional Merchandise Important For Your Brand?

Businesses are continuously concerned about profits, and rightly so. This means marketers have a tough job in ensuring any products demonstrate a decent ROI. Marketers need to be careful when investing in products to ensure their campaigns are targeting the right people. They also need to consider how the products will be given away, and any associated costs with postage and packaging. Calls to action are also important – will you be using QR codes, Social Media URLs, personal telephone numbers?

The future of promotional merchandise looks bright. We believe that popular products will change with evolving consumer trends. For example, as more people invest in smartphones, more businesses are likely to invest in smartphone accessories and so on.

Wireless Mini Phone Charging Pads

What do you think is the future of promotional merchandise?

If you're looking for promotional products for your marketing campaigns then take a look through our website, especially our best-selling promotional merchandise ideas section - we're sure you'll find what you're looking for!

Written by

Total Merchandise | Editoral Team

Our editorial team is drawn from a pool of experienced promotional merchandise product team members, account managers, marketers and other contributors. With such a wide range of skills and experience, they write about many aspects of promotional merchandise, wider marketing and business matters, as well as company news updates.

Connect with Total Merchandise on LinkedIn Connect with Total Merchandise on LinkedIn

Total Merchandise
Eco Friendly Promotional Gift Ideas

Eco Friendly Promotional Gift Ideas

It’s time for green to go mainstream, people. With more and more businesses becoming aware of their corporate responsibility to become more eco-friendly, it’s really

5 Promotional Products That Every Business Needs

5 Promotional Products That Every Business Needs

The promotional products you choose to represent your business are of the utmost importance. After all, these are the items that will be showcasing your branding and helping to

Must-Have Merch for Your Brands Spring/Summer Marketing

Must-Have Merch for Your Brands Spring/Summer Marketing

Warmer and longer days are officially coming! So now is the perfect time to consider how your business is going to generate positive brand awareness throughout the spring and su

Promotional Merchandise Statistics: What’s Working in 2025?

Promotional Merchandise Statistics: What’s Working in 2025?

As digital marketing channels become more saturated, branded merchandise continues to stand out by offering something tangible and lasting. Whether given away at events, sent in

10 Exciting New Merch Ideas To Have On Your Radar This March

10 Exciting New Merch Ideas To Have On Your Radar This March

As we step into March, it's the perfect time to refresh your promotional strategies and stay ahead of the curve for the upcoming spring season. Whether you're pr

The TM Edit: 9 Must-See Spring 2025 Merch Ideas For Your Brand

The TM Edit: 9 Must-See Spring 2025 Merch Ideas For Your Brand

The days are getting longer, the birdsong is getting louder and one thing is becoming increasingly clear - spring is nearly here. If you're looking for a Q2 refresh