Sometimes the industry’s most interesting trends aren’t especially trendy.

New Canadian industry data shows that pens, tote bags and drinkware were the most-searched branded merchandise categories during the first half of 2026.

No major surprises there.

When budgets are being watched carefully, organizations often return to familiar products. They understand the pricing, they know how the products will be used, and they don’t have to work particularly hard to justify the purchase.

There’s nothing wrong with choosing something familiar.

The real question is whether it’s the right version of that product for the audience, the occasion and the objective.

A pen can be a forgettable giveaway or something a client reaches for every day. A tote can become useful or spend its life folded in a closet. A water bottle can feel valuable or become one more bottle nobody needed.

Safe doesn’t have to mean thoughtless.

The product may be familiar. The thinking behind it still matters.

Source: ASI Research on Canadian product searches

Companies spend a lot of time trying to figure out how to recruit good people.

Maybe we should spend more time figuring out why good people stay.

I came across an interesting PPAI story about Pro Towels and their remarkably low employee turnover. Their approach isn't complicated: appreciation, flexibility and teamwork.

There's a lesson here for any business.

We often talk about employee recognition in terms of programs, awards, gifts and branded merchandise. Those things can absolutely play a role. But they only mean something when they're backed by a culture where people genuinely feel valued.

The product isn't the appreciation.

It's a reminder of it.

Interesting case study and well worth a read:

Read the Pro Towels story on PPAI Media

One of the lessons I've learned about branded merchandise didn't come from our industry.

It came from Costco.

Think about your last trip there.

You probably went in for one or two things, but somehow your cart ended up a little fuller than you planned.

Costco doesn't overwhelm you with endless choices.

It curates.

It builds trust through quality.

It surprises you with something you didn't know you wanted.

And its private label has become a brand people actively seek out.

There are some interesting parallels to branded merchandise.

When I'm working with a client, my goal isn't to show them 500 products.

My goal is to recommend the five that genuinely solve the problem.

I think that's where the real value is.

Sometimes the best ideas don't come from our own industry.

Sometimes they come from simply paying attention to businesses that do certain things exceptionally well.

I'm curious... what's one business outside your own industry that has taught you a lesson you'll never forget?

I wasn't surprised to see PPAI's latest research showing that AI is becoming commonplace in the branded merchandise industry.
I use AI every day.
Not to replace conversations with clients, but to eliminate the administrative work that gets in the way of them.
If AI can help me research faster, organize information better, draft a first version of an email or summarize industry reports, that gives me more time to focus on what really matters: understanding a client's marketing objectives and recommending the right branded merchandise strategy.
AI is a tool.
Strategy, experience and asking the right questions are still where the real value comes from.
That's the part no software can automate.

I've noticed a growing trend over the past few months.

More clients are sending AI-generated artwork for branded merchandise, assuming it's ready for production. While AI has become an excellent tool for generating ideas and exploring creative concepts, there's an important distinction between concept artwork and production-ready artwork.

When it comes to printing on apparel, drinkware, signage, banners, and countless other branded products, the artwork must meet specific technical standards. In most cases, AI-generated graphics simply don't. They aren't created as vector artwork, colours may not reproduce accurately, and many contain inconsistencies that become obvious when enlarged or printed.

The result is that the artwork often has to be recreated by a graphic designer before production can begin. That adds time, increases costs, and can delay a project.

If you're using AI to help visualize an idea, that's a smart use of the technology. Just don't assume the file it creates is ready for production.

Whether your artwork is created by your designer, your marketing team, or through us, investing in professionally prepared, print-ready artwork will almost always save you time, money, and frustration.

As powerful as AI has become, it's not yet a replacement for good graphic design when your brand is on the line.

Back in 1999, when I started Peak Promotional Products, I spent a lot of time looking for unique gifts for my clients. I wanted to give them something they wouldn't just stick in a cupboard and forget about.

This mug was one of those gifts. The pewter emblem made it a little different, and I always thought it looked pretty sharp.

I also gave away leather mouse pads with wrist rests. Every now and then, I'll walk into an office and see one still sitting on someone's desk 25 years later. I had a wire pen caddy that was another favourite.

It's funny how some things stick around.

Peak Promotional Products is long gone, but I'm still fortunate to be doing what I love, helping clients find branded merchandise that people actually want to keep.

Then this week, this mug found its way back to me.

Looking at it brought back a lot of memories. Not just of the business, but of the people I had the privilege of working with over those twenty years.

It also got me thinking.

Maybe the best promotional item isn't the one that generates the most impressions.

Maybe it's the one that someone hangs onto for 25 years.

Thank you, Roxanne, for thinking of me and for returning a little piece of my history. It means more than you know.

P.S. Are you giving your clients something they'll remember... or just something with your logo on it?

One of the best parts of what I do is working with people I genuinely enjoy doing business with.
Todd at Reg Wilkinson Menswear has been making sure I'm dressed professionally for years. If you've ever met me at a networking event or in a client meeting, chances are I'm wearing something Todd helped me pick out.
He's also one of my clients.
Recently, we worked together on these elegant whiskey glasses that he'll be giving to some of his valued clients. Instead of placing the logo on the side, we chose a subtle laser-etched mark in the bottom of the glass. It's understated, premium, and creates a nice surprise every time someone pours a drink.
It's a great example of how branded merchandise doesn't always have to shout. Sometimes the most memorable branding is the kind that's discovered.
Thanks, Todd, for your continued trust, your friendship, and for making sure I never show up underdressed. It's always a pleasure working with you.

One of the most misunderstood costs in branded merchandise is the setup charge.

I've had clients ask why they're paying a setup fee before a single product has even been made. It's a fair question.

The reality is that before production begins, the equipment has to be prepared. Depending on the product and decoration method, that could mean loading inks, programming embroidery machines, creating print screens, aligning artwork, running test samples, and making sure everything is producing a quality result.

Those steps take time, whether you're ordering 25 pieces or 250.
That's why setup charges are typically a fixed cost rather than a per-item charge.

This is also where a little planning can save money.
If you know you'll be ordering the same product several times throughout the year, it may be more cost-effective to place one larger order instead of four smaller ones. In many cases, you'll pay the setup charge once instead of multiple times, while also reducing your cost per item.

Sometimes the best way to save money isn't by finding a cheaper product. It's by making a smarter purchasing decision.

That's why every project starts with a conversation. Understanding your goals, timeline and future needs often leads to better value than simply comparing prices.