Corporate Merch Trends for 2023
As unbelievable as it sounds, January is mere weeks away. (Cue shocked gasp.) This means it’s precisely the right time to start planning out your corporate merchandise for 2023. Now, before you rush off to bulk order the same mug and keychain you’ve been handing out for the last ten years, we thought we’d give you some extra-special insight into what we predict is going to be BIG in the world of corporate promotional merchandise next year. After all, it pays to spend those precious marketing dollars wisely, and who knows the merch industry better than us?
ECO- FRIENDLY MERCHANDISE
With sustainability being a key factor for millennial and gen z consumers when it comes to the brands they frequent, going eco-friendly with your merch will give your company a big green tick in their minds.
According to ASI’s (Advertising Speciality Institute) 2020 Global Ad Impressions study, 46% of consumers think more favourably about a brand if the promotional product they received was eco-friendly. Next year, you can expect consumers to base their opinion of your company on the core values they can see through your advertising. They want to find brands that align with their values, so giving away eco-friendly merchandise will not only demonstrate that you care for the planet, but it will likely make your brand a whole lot easier to like.
This is something we’ve taken into account with our growing eco-friendly ranges.
#1 Our proudest achievement to date is that we are industry leaders in saying NO to single-use plastic (SUP) across all our branded products. That means we do not use any single-use plastic for any packaging. None. Zip.
#2 All our products are carefully selected for their high re-usability function. No landfill products here, just products that will actually be used.
#3 Our Wonderbag and Eco-tote ranges use a highly-sustainable fabrication called RPET that is made from 100% recycled plastic-waste, and RPET is recently being introduced as the updated fabrication across our Inga felt range.
#4 We’ve also very recently launched an Australian-made stationery range, made locally in Melbourne from partly and/or fully recycled paper.
#5 For all our local screen-printing, we use GOTS certified organic ink.
#6 We are offsetting our carbon emissions. For every tonne of carbon offset we purchase, Carbon Neutral plants 15-17 trees in their WA carbon sink.
We’re 100% ready for the influx of eco-merch in 2023!
FRESH TECH MERCHANDISE
A UK-based study recently found that 28% of corporate gift receivers prefer tech-based items. Now, we’re not talking about a 4GB USB stick with a branded sticker on the side here. Some of our best-sellers as we finish 2022 have been highly customised USB/USB-C cables, phone grips, airpod shells and webcam covers.
Customised tech products have always been highly valued merch items due to their usefulness to everyone, regardless of age, gender or job. But what’s currently trending evolves as quickly as the tech itself, which is why it’s important to invest in the items that your employees, clients and target audience want right now. In 2023, expect to see these new types of tech items become popular choices for corporate swag.
SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT
Now, we’re not hating on the classic caps, mugs and tote bags––far from it. With the right custom design flair, what was once a plain old bucket hat can be a chic fashion statement, with your branding front and centre. This being said…
Next year we’re expecting companies to start getting a little more creative with the types of merch they choose. After all, the whole purpose of merch is to get people thinking about you, and what’s more memorable than a branded item they’ve never seen before from a corporate company? We’re talking beeswax wraps, pompom ankle socks, a snug blanket, a silky scarf, or some super wearable scrunchies! The possibilities are endless, especially when you work with merch designers who can create something from scratch (*us*).
HYBRID WORKING SWAG
The post-pandemic world has seen many companies bring in hybrid work policies, with some allowing employees to work from home indefinitely. This new way of working is the perfect opportunity to invest in merch that can be used at home or in the office to make your team’s lives easier.
Consider promotional items like a Twiggy USB Cord or an Inga Laptop Sleeve for those who split their time between home and the office and travel back and forth. Think about a Calm Candle or a Snug Blanket for those who work only from home and could use a little something to help them destress and feel more connected to your company. Or encourage your employees to get outside and connect with each other with a set of Cosmo Cards and a Rio Picnic Rug. After 3 years of uncertainty, iso and changing working conditions, the items that people will respond best to will be those that make their working lives easier, help to establish a human connection and offer them a moment to breathe.
CUSTOM MERCH
Gone are the days when you could request 2000 mugs with a cheap print of your logo on the side and expect them to end up anywhere except forgotten at the back of someone’s cupboard. Custom is where it's at now! The fact is that custom merch gets used. It’s something different. It’s not just like the rest. People want to carry around a tote that’s unique and stylish––with your logo. We’re seeing companies buy bulk on thin, poor-quality tote bags with their standard logo printed on the side, and all that money goes down the drain as people bin the boring merch. On the flip side, we’ve got clients who’ve invested big time in an entirely custom merch selection that reflects their personality and gets used––ALL THE TIME. (Just think of all those juicy impressions and high ROI numbers. Yum.)
All in all, 2023 looks like it’s going to be an exciting one for corporate merchandise. As long as you’re ticking one or two of these boxes, your teams/customers/brand-fans will eat your merch right up. (If you’re only gonna tick one box though, do your brand a favour and make it custom. Trust us on this one.)
Impatient to start picking your pieces? Let’s do it.
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Or perhaps you already know exactly what you want? In which case, we better get to work ASAP on making 2023 your company’s best yet.