It’s a Wrap – Our Highlights and Promotional Product Picks for 2024

As the end of another year approaches, we thought we’d take a moment and reflect on a few highlights and share the team’s favourite product picks for 2024 – and throw our hat in the ring with our 2025 prediction and plans.

In June, we held our annual merchandise showcase, masterclass and networking event. This year, the theme was Elevate your Events and a big thank you goes out to the suppliers, experts and marketers from across the region who joined us. And thanks to the talented team at Nomadic UK, you can see all the highlights here.

A massive mention now to our very own Mary. Mary joined us in 2022 as a Digital Marketing Apprentice and fitted in so quickly, we wondered what we did without her! This year, Mary not only completed her apprenticeship with a distinction, she was also shortlisted as a finalist in the BCS IT & Digital Apprenticeships Awards 2024 in the ‘Digital Marketer Apprentice of the Year’ category.

Finally, it’s another thank you, this time to all our suppliers and clients who visited us at our Cheltenham HQ. We’ve created a showroom to display a range of products, from popular classics to new must haves. If you fancy a visit to discuss your plans and get your hands on some inspiration, then please get in touch – we’d love to welcome you.

Now, onto those product picks.

This year, our product picks all tend to fit in categories that are perennial best sellers. Everything from stationery staples to bags and handy tech items. And that’s new because…?

Well, the ever-growing focus on sustainability in our industry is driving change in everything from material to process, production, provenance and more – and we’ve picked out some of our favourites to best reflect a few of these initiatives.

The wet weather essential

Branded bags are always a winner, from shoppers or backpacks to totes and more. But, with the predictable unpredictability of the British weather, the ever-useful tote has got a super-useful upgrade.

This 5oz natural tote has a gusset design, so plenty of space for plenty of shopping, and a large branding area, to get your messaging out and about.

The clever part though is the water repellent coating, so, rain or shine, the contents stay dry. Sounds too good to be true? Then take a look at our time lapse video to watch the coating in action. Plus, these bags come from a British supplier that demonstrates a clear commitment to cutting-edge eco-friendly technologies, as well as environmental stewardship and ethical manufacturing.

Write on!

The humble pen isn’t necessarily the most obvious head turner, even for a stationery buff, but there’s no denying that they are a cost effective, useful and portable way to push your brand.

This stationery stalwart is also a great example of eco-friendly and sustainable innovation though and we’ve included two models on our 2024 shortlist.

First up is the recycled Refresh ball pen, whose impact spreads further afield than the written word. Made from recycled aluminium and available in six colours, with a bamboo plunger and gun metal clip, it’s definitely stylish. The added bonus is the fact that five pence from every pen sold is donated to HUGS, the Helping Uganda Schools Charity, meaning you can directly support the supply of essential stationery to school children.

Then we have a range of plastic pens with a difference. German manufacturer Senator is renowned for their focus on sustainability and the environment, and their wide range of plastic pens offers a choice of styles and finishes. Featuring recycled materials, and impressive eco-credentials, models can boast up to 5,000 metres of writing! And if you’ve still got more to say, choose one that offers a free replacement refill too.

Take note

We’re seeing more and more items made of things we wouldn’t expect, but all with one thing in common – giving waste material a second lease of life (think coffee grounds, chewing gum, yoghurt pots, shells or even elephant dung).

Our pick of a perfect example for 2024 is the A5 Apple Skin hardcover notebook. Whilst this might look like your average branded notebook, the cover is made from apple skin – an eco friendly leather alternative, sourced from food industry waste. You can demonstrate your brand’s environmental values (the outside back cover features the apple skin logo, whilst eco credentials are also displayed) and provide a great talking point too!

We’ve got a wide range of other eco conscious and sustainable notebooks, with plenty of British Made choices, and endless customisation and branding opportunities, from wraparound prints to laser cut covers against contrasting pages.

Conscious connectivity

Mr Bio isn’t a brand new product, but he’s as popular as ever and keeps on evolving, hence his inclusion in our roundup.

If you aren’t yet familiar, Mr Bio is a useful multi-charging cable, that resembles a human figure, with a ‘head’, ‘arms’ and ‘legs’.

The latest iteration of this friendly looking, pocket sized companion is made from an eco-friendly biodegradable case, with woven paper cables and an integrated NFC chip, which can be programmed with a digital message (think of it as a modern twist on a traditional business card), meaning you can double up on your branding.

The same sustainably driven range has a whole lot more tech type goodies to offer, from cables to power banks, so contact us to find out more.

BYO

If you prefer to bring your own than to take away, then the UK made MIYO Renew lunch box is for you. Available as a single or double layer, 25% of the plastic used is derived from sugar cane. It’s dishwasher (top shelf) and microwave safe and you can get creative by mix and matching colours for both the layers and the recycled plastic band that keeps it all together. Then add your branding to the lid.

Why not double up and match it with an Americano? They say that classics never go out of fashion, and the same manufacturer offers a wide range of the ever-popular insulated tumbler,

in several sizes, styles and lid designs. Again, we love the eco-creds as well as the mix and match colour cup and lid combinations, to reflect your brand. Or go all out with a full colour custom wraparound design.

One to watch for 2025

Our one to watch ties neatly in with our own plans for 2025.

We have been on our own sustainability journey for several years now, from focusing on our own supply chain and product choices to educating ourselves and our customers. The next step is starting our BCorp journey, beginning in the new year.

When showcasing our suppliers, next year we will also be putting an extra effort into the promotion of growing small or family businesses with a sustainable focus, and highlighting their products.

In summary, 2025 will see Team M&M demonstrating our commitment to value over volume.

Moving on to our one to watch, it’s all about wellness products – and especially those from one key supplier.

We’ve been promoting their products for years now and they continue to be super popular with our clients. But the range continues to grow and diversify, all the while sticking firm to their principles around sustainability and environmental impact.

Whether it’s scented candles, aromatherapy balms or sprays, bath products, hand cream or sunscreen, or even sports or beauty products, these branded eco gifts will go down a treat and are a great way to spread some TLC.

So that’s a wrap! If you’d like to find out more about any of the products in this blog, then get in touch with the team today, and if you are local, please do come and say hello as we’d love to see you.

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