Tariff Pricing and How it Could Affect your Promotional Products Budget

Our clients have been calling and asking how the new increased tariffs imposed on goods from China will affect prices for promotional products. We wanted to take a moment to share what we know about the categories of promotional products affected by these increased tariffs and what you can do to maximize or protect your promotional products budget.

The situation has been unfolding very rapidly, but here is what we know today: 

• Tariffs on the existing $200 billion of Chinese imports will increase from 10% to 25% effective June 1st (for shipments made prior to May 10th). 

• The 25% tariff impacts the product categories originally included in the 10% tariff regulations that were enacted last September 2018. The major categories relevant to promotional products are: Bags, Stationery products, and portions of Drinkware, Technology and other Accessory categories. 

• The U.S. Trade Representative announced recently that the U.S. has begun the formal process to expand the 25% tariff to all other imports from China (i.e. those currently not subject to tariffs). 

• This represents an additional $300+ billion of imports from China and would cover a large majority of promotional product categories. The public hearing and comment period end June 24th – so the expanded range of tariff categories would not be imposed until after that date.

How to combat these increased tariffs that impact your purchasing power? Here are some suggestions:

1. MOVE UP YOUR PURCHASE DATES: If you know you are having an event in July, August or later in the Fall and can purchase now, you should consider doing so. You may even want to purchase your year-end customer Holiday season gifts now, to lock in on lower pricing.

2. BUY NON-CHINA PRODUCTS: This may not be simple or easy in some of the affected product categories, but for example there are tote bags that are made in U.S. and others that are made in India, Vietnam and other countries not subject to the tariffs. Similarly, there are virtually no U.S. made garments, but many of the clothing imports are produced in countries other than China so you have options.

3. NOT ALL ITEMS ARE SUBJECT TO TARIFFS: Items that are already warehoused in the U.S. should not be affected by the tariff increase.

4. PRICES MAY NOT CHANGE IMMEDIATELY: Some factories are not planning to increase prices until July 1st (see point #1)

5. SWITCH PRODUCT CATEGORIES: See if you can switch to a different product category that is not currently subject to import tariffs.

Sound difficult or confusing? Give me a call at 847.398.5500 and I can steer you in the right direction to maximize your budget and consider the best options for your marketing objectives. But call soon to avoid any additional tariffs that could have budget implications.

6 Promotional Items Sure to Be a Hit With Teens

Historically, getting your message across to teens can be a challenge. Well, that's all about to change with these 5 promotional products that are sure to resonate with teens. If this is your audience, then these are your products!

Earbuds in a Tube

With a convenient carrying tube that will keep them from getting tangled in backpacks, these earbuds are sure to be a hit with the teens you are trying to reach!

Fidget Spinner Toys

So fun to play with! The latest toy craze can be branded and seen all year long with this fun promotional product that tweens and teens love.

Freedom Tumbler

You never see a teen girls without an iced drink her hand anymore. This 16 oz. tumbler is an item that is sure to be used day in and day out.

Rubber Lip Balm

With 13 colors and multiple flavors to choose from, this natural beeswax lip balm can be customized to your specifications.

Garbage Can Candy Dispenser

Available with your choice of candy fill, this candy container features a garbage can shape with rotating wheels and a flip lid. Fun!

High Five Hand Waver

Show school spirit with this tall foam hand waver. Imagine a crowd at a game with your logo waving on all the hands!

These creative items are sure to make a big impact with your teen market. Contact me at dona.blunt@newportpros.com or 847-398-5500 today to start reaching out to this hot demographic! 

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Promotional Products Case Study: A Little Organization Goes a Long Way

Who doesn't like to be organized? In today's busy world, it's not only helpful, but a huge time-saver, when the things you need can be easily found when you need them. If you could help your clients stay organized, don't you think they would love you? One of the best ways to help your clients stay organized, while sharing your brand message, is through the gift of a collapsible caddy.

This 600 denier polyester collapsible caddy with carry handles demonstrates a versatility that is perfect for a variety of promotional challenges. With it's four mesh exterior pockets, plus front and rear gusseted pockets and divided interior, there is lots of room for organizing a wide variety of materials. There is even an integrated floorboard so the caddy can stand on its own.

But enough about the promotional product. How can you use it to promote your business?

Here are a few creative case studies showing how people have used this caddy for a variety of situations.

Teacher Recognition Gift

A school district used the caddy as a back-to-school gift for all teachers who completed their summer education series. The teachers were able to use these to store supplies for their classrooms and also carry them home to work on projects. The school district also utilized the caddy as welcoming gift for new hires.

Keep Your Brand on Everyone’s Lips With Lip Balm

Your clients are sure to give you extra lip service when you give them a lip balm with your corporate imprint! With a wide variety of formulas and over 100 fun flavors, lip balm is the perfect item to complement your business and marketing promotions, providing effective word-of-mouth promotion at a low cost.

Lip balm fits all the criteria on your wish list! With an ample print area that can accommodate full-color logos, this is an item that is small enough to transport to trade shows – and small enough to fit into a purse or pocket for maximum use and portability. Lip balm is used by every demographic, including men and women of all ages and across industries and job positions. And with a usefulness that lasts, your brand will be seen over and over again. Add in an attractive price point to fit every budget and you can’t lose!

Most Unique New Technology Promotional Products for 2016

I recently attended PPAChicago’s New Product Ideas show and wanted to share some of the unique new promotional products out this year to help you market your organization or event. Technology continues to be a hot category for promotional products your clients will hang on to and use, giving you long-term brand exposure. Fortunately this year there were some really unique, new promotional items that would be very impactful for your brand.

Here are my picks for the most unique, new technology promotional items for 2016.

Cobra Virtual Reality Viewer

To create a truly cutting edge impact, the Cobra VR Viewer allows the user to experience virtual reality with any smart phone. Download one of many virtual reality Apps from Google Play or the App Store to a smart phone then look through the Cobra VR Viewer to experience a virtual world, right in your hands. You can print your logo in 4-color on the front of the viewer for maximum brand exposure. This would be perfect to drive traffic to your trade show booth. Hand out the viewers with your logo to trade show visitors, help them download a fun virtual reality app onto their smart phone and let them enjoy an incredible experience. Your booth will be the hit of the show!

Get "Set" for Promotional Success

When it comes to promotional products to thank your customers, use as  raffle prizes in your trade show booth, or award an employee for exceptional service, sometimes just giving out one item is not sufficient. That's when a ready formulated gift set is appropriate and really makes a statement.

For example, if you are greeting a new employee or visitor, this 5-piece Road Trip Set makes for an impressive gift.  The insulated cooler bag holds a plastic tumbler with matching straw, a mini notebook with pen, as well as an LED flashlight plus a stylus pen. Not only do you save money when buying all of the items bundled together, every item is imprinted with your logo for multiple exposures of your brand.

Want something even bigger? If five items are not enough, this 10-piece Road Trip/ Mobile Office Set contains all of the items listed above but then adds a drawstring backpack, an insulated coffee cup, a journal book a gel pen plus a tech case, perfect for phones or other tech devices. Wow! Anything you could possibly need for a road trip or to set up your mobile office is covered.

Here's another thing to consider. Break the set up to go small, but reap the cost savings of a bundled promotional product. This grouping of best sellers can be given as an entire set or split up into individual items used for different events. Give a few items to "C" level clients, more items to "B" level clients and all items to "A" level clients. A winning promotional giveaway strategy!

You can also get smaller sets that still save you money. This Technology Promotional Pack includes a tech pocket for protecting your smartphone or iPod, a ballpoint/stylus pen as well as a matching screen cleaner cloth. It comes in so many colors that it will be easy to find a set one that compliments your logo or company brand color.

Another technology related promotional gift set is this Executive USB Technology Gift Set, which contains a dual-zippered, hard, black leatherette case, a mini matching padded mouse pad, 2 Black retractable USB cords, a black leatherette 3-port mini hub, a slim, black leatherette optical mouse and attractive black and Silver ballpoint pen.

Finally, more does not always mean merrier. You can still make a huge impact with only a two piece gift set, like this attractive Hot and Cold Beverage Set.  It's a great gift that you know will get used in winter or summer, giving your brand  a lot of exposure. It comes in a lot of attractive colors to tie in with the theme of a promotion or your brand.

If one of these gift sets is perfect for an upcoming meeting conference or other occasion, give me a call to brainstorm some ideas and get you some pricing. You can reach me at dona.blunt@newportpros.com or 847-398-5500.

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