Holiday Branded Gifts

Need Holiday Branded Gifts? Why You Should Buy Now!

Everyone is adapting to the “new normal.”  That includes those of us in the corporate gift business.  In this post-pandemic world, the holiday promotional gift buying season has moved to August.

Author: From our expert member in Promotional Products: RRC RESOURCES

Overseas Sourcing

In China, where many promotional items are manufactured, and even here in the U.S., there have been significant delays with shipments. Branded promotional items that typically were delivered in one month are now delayed to two or three months. While China and the U.S. have re-opened for the most part, there are still issues with shipping. 

We’re also dealing with staffing shortages.  Promotional products that took 10 days to produce pre-pandemic, now take as long as 20 days.  

And if that’s not enough, rush services are almost non-existent.

Here are some insider’s tips to avoid delays, shortages and promotional item price increases.

How to Avoid Headaches When Buying Your Corporate Gifts

1. Delays:  Simply put, plan ahead as much as possible. We recommend 6 weeks.  We know it’s strange to think about the holidays while you’re sitting at the beach.  But now is the perfect time to think about branded client and employee gifts.  
2. Shortages: Inventory levels are way down everywhere in the promotional product industry. We have to check on every client’s gift or award. What used to be a no-brainer (except maybe the end of the beginning of the year) has to be checked with every order. That takes extra time. We recommend having a Plan B just in case.  For example, choose a backup color for your corporate gift. 
3. Price increases: Inflation worldwide and container costs have increased by double-digit percentages (supply and demand in action). Here are a couple of examples:

One of our favorite drinkware companies has had two price increases this year. Their goods are still beautiful, but they’re more expensive than they were in January. 

Moleskines, which I just ordered in April, had a price increase at the beginning of July. 

Bottom line…get your orders in early! It will affect your cost, selection, and availability.

We are nimble and quick to respond to our customers’ needs. So feel free to ask us questions. Here’s how: Request an introduction on the “Resources” page, (look under the “Revenue Generation” category, select “Promotional Products”, and the “Introduce Me” button at the bottom.)