Tap Into These Trends to Elevate Your Marketing and Boost Your Business
Consumer behavior is evolving, and businesses that adapt will see stronger brand engagement and customer loyalty. Our new 2025 Behavioral Trend Report highlights four key shifts shaping purchasing decisions: color trends, budget-conscious shopping, sustainability, and technology integration. By incorporating these trends into your promotional product strategy, you can make a bigger impact while staying relevant to your audience and attracting fresh attention.
Leverage Color Trends to Keep Your Brand Fresh
Color is a powerful marketing tool. In fact, it influences 90% of a customer’s perception of a product and can increase conversions by up to 80%! The standout colors shaping 2025’s design and branding landscape include:
- Mocha Mousse
- Pantone’s Color of the Year is a warm, earthy brown that exudes comfort and richness.
- Future Dusk
- Trend forecasting company WGSN suggests this deep blue purple for brands who want to embrace transformation and modernity.
- Cinnamon Slate
- This soft blend of plum and brown is Benjamin Moore’s 2025 color of the year because it adds sophistication and warmth to any palette.
- Quietutde
- A nature-inspired shade from HGTV that promotes a sense of well-being and connects with consumers on an emotional level.
3 Ways to Use Color Trends in Your Marketing
1. Offer limited-edition, high-appeal merch like apparel, drinkware, or accessories in trending shades to generate buzz.
2. Select a trending color that aligns with your corporate identity or business goals then incorporate it throughout marketing efforts for consistent messaging. For example, an AI startup could use Future Dusk in merch, digital ads, and in an app interface to boost brand recognition and recall.
3. Use subtle color accents in packaging, or with decoration methods like leather patches to stay on-trend while still aligning with your brand colors.
Prioritize Budget-Conscious Marketing Without Sacrificing Impact
With rising costs and economic uncertainty, consumers are making more value-driven purchasing decisions. Affordable, high-quality promotional products offer a smart way to engage your audience without breaking the bank.
Striking the Perfect Balance in Your Marketing:
- Offer low-cost, high-impact giveaways like totes, keychains, or socks — products with high retention and visibility.
- Bundle popular items to maximize perceived value (e.g., pairing a reusable tumbler with a custom straw topper).
- Use promotional items as sponsorship tools — custom fans, lanyards, and charms are cost-effective ways to gain brand exposure at events.
Align with Sustainability to Build Brand Trust
Consumers are increasingly choosing brands that prioritize eco-friendly and ethically sourced products. In fact, the market for sustainable goods is expected to reach $12 trillion by 2030.
How to Incorporate Sustainability in Your Marketing Efforts
- Ask about alternatives to traditional materials when buying promo products. We offer a large selection of merch made from upcycled, recycled, and eco-friendly materials, like journals made from recycled milk cartons or lapel pins crafted from sustainable bamboo.
- Incorporate multi-function promotional items to offer more utilization with less consumption, such as a bamboo bread box with an integrated cutting board and a tote bag/backpack combo.
- Highlight your commitment to sustainability through eco-conscious packaging and customized messages that reinforce your values and commitments.
Embrace Tech-Forward Merch for a Competitive Edge
Did you know the average household with internet access has 17 connected devices? There is no denying that technology is being integrated into every area of life to maximize functionality, efficiency, and comfort. Technological advancements are also reshaping the branded merch space, providing more innovative ways for you to reach your audience.
Integrating Tech Trends into Your Marketing
- Seamlessly incorporate your brand into people’s daily tech-driven lifestyles with docking stations, luggage tag trackers, and the next generation of lifestyle wireless solutions.
- Use NFC-enabled products like can coolers and wristbands that allow users to tap and access exclusive digital content to enhance their event experiences.
- Provide staff with tech that helps throughout their workday like branded mute button tools, smart notebooks, and conference call gadgets to show appreciation and engage employees with your brand culture.
Ready to Elevate Your Brand?
We’re here to offer guidance on the best ways to use color trends, value-driven options, sustainability, and tech-forward promo products in your marketing strategy. Contact us today to start creating memorable branded merch campaigns that use the latest trends to maximize your influence on your target audience.
Product Images:
1413 Badger Warp Hooded Sweatshirt from S&S Activewear