25 fun facts about personalised merchandise

Without a doubt, personalised merchandise have proven to be an effective marketing strategy that lasts over time. Their ability to create emotional bonds with customers, increase brand recognition and stimulate sales is undeniable.

Moreover, in a world where competition is fierce and advertising strategies are multiplying, promotional gifts stand out for their ability to create a lasting and tangible impact on the consumer’s mind.

Here, we present you 25 fun facts about promotional gifts, gathered from various surveys conducted in the United States in recent years.

Our list of fun facts about promotional gifts

In another post we will talk about some curiosities or funny stories that have been happening to us in our almost 8 years as suppliers of advertising gifts for companies.

But today we leave you with some curious data extracted from several surveys, which allow us to get an idea of the impact and scope that promotional gifts can have.

1. 1. Eight out of ten consumers own between 1 and 10 promotional gifts.
   2. 53% of these people use a promotional gift at least once a week.
   3. Six out of ten respondents keep promotional gifts for a maximum period of two years.
   4. Only 1 in 5 people throw away an unwanted promotional gift.
   5. Before receiving a personalised gift, 55% of people had done business with the advertiser. After receiving an ad item, 85% of people do business with the advertiser.
   6. With nearly six thousand impressions, personalised bags generate more impressions than any other promotional product in the US.
   7. 31% of US consumers own a promotional bag.
   8. Personalised bags, along with writing instruments (such as personalised pens or promotional pencils) are the items linked to the lowest cost per impression compared to any other promotional product in the US.
   9. The earliest known promotional gifts are commemorative buttons and date back to 1789, when George Washington was elected president.
   10. Promotional products create a more favourable impression of the advertiser 53% of the time.
   11. 48% of consumers would like to receive promotional gifts more often.
   12. Consumers hold on to promotional products for an average of 6.6 months.
   13. 69% of consumers would pick up a personalised gift if they thought it would be useful.
   14. 63% of consumers pass on promotions for products they do not wish to keep.
   15. 89% of consumers can remember the advertiser of a promotional gift they have received in the last two years.
   16. 91% of consumers have at least one promotional product in their kitchen, 74% have at least one in their workspace and 55% have at least one in their bedroom.
   17. 77% of consumers say the usefulness of promotional gifts is the number one reason for keeping them, with health and safety products, computer products and writing instruments ranked as the most useful.
   18. The top five purchasers of promotional gifts are the education, finance, non-profit, healthcare, and construction sectors.
   19. Wearables are the top product, followed by writing instruments, bags, personalised calendars and drinkware.
   20. The first U.S. trade show for advertising items was held in 1914 and there were 32 exhibitors.
   21. Women are more likely to own bags, writing instruments and calendars, while men are more likely to buy custom T-shirts and caps.
   22. The number of personalised textile owners is highest in the Midwest with 15% of people owning at least one item.
   23. Personalised mugs, in particular, are more effective advertising than radio and TV ads; 57% of people are able to recall the advertiser on an advertising mug, compared to 32% for radio and 28% for TV.
   24. Adding a promotional product to the company’s marketing mix increases effectiveness compared to other means of communication by up to 44%.
   25. Personalised gifts are as attractive as referrals from satisfied customers.