It’s that time of the year again when we like to share a snapshot of some of the amazing promotional products we have seen at our own industry tradeshow, Merchandise World.
As the UK’s largest promotional merchandise trade exhibition, it’s the perfect opportunity to catch up with our contacts and suppliers AND to get our hands on the latest launches and must-have merch for 2024.
Sustainability remains a key theme this year, and with an ever-expanding range of products, there is even more opportunity to pick out items that match your company values and policies.
It’s not been easy to whittle our list down to a few products or trends to share, but we’ve picked out some team highlights below.
Easy tiger…
One of the things we love about the commitment to sustainability in our industry is the stories behind the products. Whilst this clothing manufacturer considers the entire international supply chain, with a mission of sustainable clothing that’s manufactured with true respect for people and planet, for now, let’s talk tigers.
The first Tiger Cotton® farmers lived and worked side by side with the great Bengal Tiger in India. And what started as a pilot product in collaboration with WWF India, is now a full scale product line, helping to convert conventional cotton farmers to certified organic ones – over 4,000 so far – and in doing so, creating a healthy corridor where tigers can walk between reserves, they play a key role in conservation of the species.
The Tiger Cotton® collection covers T-Shirts, sweatshirts, hoodies (with or without zips) and also cotton shoppers.
What a great story to share with your teams when choosing their uniform or branded clothing.
Feeling Choco-lonely?
If you are a chocolate fan, then no doubt you will be aware of Tony’s Chocolonely with its bright wrappers, unusually shaped ‘squares’ and overall deliciousness. But more important is their mission to make ‘100% slave free the norm in chocolate’ and their own ethical sourcing principles, covering everything from the beans and the farmers to costs, quality and production.
The good news is that you can now join Tony’s on their mission when it comes to branded merchandise and give a gift with impact. You can add your logo, use your brand colours and include our own messaging – even a team photo. The options are virtually limitless, and we can also wrap, pack and ship for you, via our fulfilment service.
What are you waiting for?
Cheers!
Craft brewing is big business in the UK, with some of the quirky named tipples becoming household names, alongside some fun collaborations. And that’s why these branded beer and cider cans caught our eye. Choose between beer, cider or IPA, that’s brewed in the UK and is both vegan friendly and gluten free.
The 330ml cans offer a full colour logo label to give you a large branding area too. Packed in cases of 12, there is a minimum order quantity of just 108 cans. We think they are ideal for events, from parties to summer celebrations, or to say thank you (or have a drink on us) to your teams and clients.
Circular ecosystems
If you’re a regular reader of our blogs, you’ll know about the Circular Reusable Coffee Cup – the worlds first reusable cup made from single-use coffee cups. The manufacturers are committed to making circular design the norm, by using waste materials to create new products, which are then again fully recyclable.
If you’re sorted for coffee cups, how about the Circular Bottle. This 600ml, hydration boosting bottle is made from 100% recycled plastic, taken from 14 recycled single-use water bottles. Its durable, yet lightweight design is fully leakproof and features the signature one-handed push click lid, with 360 degree drinking capability. It also has a 10-year lifespan, when (you’ve guessed it) it is fully recyclable.
Flying the flag
There are multiple benefits to buying UK made products (that’s products manufactured here, not simply branded here), from the contribution to our own economy to using a local workforce and reducing environmental impacts, and not forgetting shorter lead times and generally lower MOQs.
One such company that stuck out for us creates a range of eco friendly, sustainable and eye-catching products, including awards, corporate gifts, desktop essentials and a wide range of badges, from promotional pins or buttons to personalised name badges.
From the initial design, every stage of production takes place under one roof. Their innovation spreads to the development of plastic free packaging, eliminating an estimated 1.5 million polybags from landfill each year, whilst any items they supply can be returned to them at end of life for re-use or recycling. And they are committed to annual goals for carbon offset and tree planting schemes too.
Take note
Branded hardback notebooks are ever popular with our clients (and their clients), not only as they are useful, and they literally help keep your brand to hand, day after day, but there is so much choice, from covers to pages and branding opportunities.
With such a wide choice available, we love this clever notebook builder tool, that literally let’s you ‘build a book’, and try out combinations before you make a final choice, even down to packaging. Plus, you have plenty of eco friendly and sustainable materials to pick from.
If anything here has caught your eye, then please do get in touch to find out more.
And don’t forget to keep an eye out for our Product of the Week videos, available on our social media channels, to see more of our favourites for 2024.
