Promo Fact Sheet

The promotional products industry generated approximately $27.8 billion in 2025, and is estimated to reach $28.6 billion by the end of 2026. The industry took a hit in 2020, but got back to pre-pandemic levels by 2022 and has been growing ever since.

According to consumers…

90% of people who receive a promotional product remember the name of the brand.
87% keep a promotional product for more than a year, and 40% have kept one for 10 years or longer.
Of consumers who have kept a promotional product, 75.4% said they kept it because the item is useful.
73% are more likely to do business with the brand that gave them the product, and 81% have a better opinion of their business if they got a promotional product after having their customer service problem solved.
83% are loyal to a brand they currently shop that gives promotional products.
500% more customer referrals generated by promotional products than any other form of advertising.
46% have a positive view of brands that give out eco-friendly promotional products.

According to employees…

Employees who get promotional products tend to stay with their employers 1.5 years longer than those who don’t.
88% who received branded gifts remained with the company for at least 15 years.
73% said receiving promotional gifts boosted their sense of belonging.
60% who received a promotional gift reported a more positive view of their employer.
Gen Z employees, in particular, feel most undervalued when they don’t receive such gifts, showing an effective way to retain younger talent.

Most influential promotional product categories:

ASI has studied which promotional products are most influential (i.e. most likely to convince a consumer to do business with the advertiser).

Most influential promotional products in the United States:

Outerwear
Performance wear
Health & Safety
Polo Shirts

Most influential promotional products for consumers in the Midwest:

Outerwear
Performance wear
Polo shirts
Health & safety
T-shirts

ASI’s research shows additional consumer trends based on gender, age, and region.

Polo shirts and writing instruments are more influential with men than women.
Health & safety products and bags are more influential with women than men.
Bags are more influential among consumers age 18-44 than any other age group.
Writing instruments are more influential among consumers age 35-44 than any other age group.
Drinkware is more influential among consumers ages 45-64 than any other age group.
Umbrellas, health & safety products, caps/headwear, and calendars are more influential in the Northeast than any other region.
Writing instruments, desk accessories, T-shirts, and bags are more influential in the Southeast than any other region.
Performance wear is more influential in the Southwest than any other region.

Consumer trends among Gen Z:

37% of Gen Z claim addressing climate change is a top personal concern and are more likely to appreciate eco-friendly products.
Gen Z looks for apparel from brands that support their values, so consider clothing that shows inclusivity and promotes worthy causes. Unisex and gender-neutral options are also increasingly popular – 56% of Gen Z shops “outside” their gender for clothing.
Gen Z consumes more digital content than any other generation, so anything they can use to interface with social media, video content, and gaming are safe options. Wireless earbuds, Bluetooth speakers, and headsets are particularly popular tech products.

Sources:

ASI 2022 Ad Impressions Study
PPAI 2025 Sales Volume Report 2026
PPAI 2023 Q1 Consumer Study
PPAI 2022 Sales Volume Report
SAGE 2026 Q2 Statistical Report
SAGE: The Next Generation of Promo Report
SAGE: Adding Promos to Your Business Guide