For many, 2016 was a year of great change. From Brexit in the UK to a sweeping political transformation in the U.S. 2016 clearly demonstrated that many people are ready for something new. In the promotional products industry, this meant different opportunities for selling shirts, buttons, pens, hats, bags and more that showed off support and alignment.
Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” cap was a fixture on the campaign trail, as was the red, white and blue “H” on everything for Hillary Clinton’s camp. Like every major political campaign, Made in America was a key consideration for products, and each candidate sought those items developed and produced right here in the USA.
The promotional products industry soared to $22 billion in sales in 2015 and all expectations are that 2016 continued this upward trend. With a sustained interest in retail brands, businesses and consumers are willing to spend a little more for a well-known name and trusted styles. New industry additions offer even more choice when outfitting schools, teams and businesses in trusted, recognizable brands.
For all of us here at SanMar, 2016 was a year of celebration, as we marked our 45th year in business, reached over 4,000 employees and continued to serve our customers in the best way we know how. Our SanMar Family Values remain at our core and we’re pleased to provide the same friendly and supportive service today as we did over four decades ago.
Whether you loved or hated 2016 it’s definitely time to reflect back on the successes of another year gone by while looking ahead to new opportunities in 2017.
Happy New Year!