Results from the survey commissioned by the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) concerning promotional merchandise trends.

2. BPMARESEARCH
1 The survey was commissioned by the BPMA and individual in depth
interviews were carried out by an independent research agency in April and
May 2012
2 Sectors represented in the survey included finance and IT, retail, services,
insurance, charity and education
3 92 per cent of respondents were aged 25-44
About the BPMA
Established in 1965, the British Promotional Merchandise Association (BPMA) is one
of the UK's leading industry bodies dedicated to promoting best practice around the
sourcing, manufacturing and distribution of promotional products. With more than
600 members, the BPMA is a creative and vibrant organisation setting the benchmark
for expertise, quality and professionalism across the promotional marketing industry.
2

3. BPMARESEARCH
Spend change on promotional items since
last year
Increased
Stayed the same
Decreased
21%
49%
30%

4. BPMARESEARCH
Spend change on promotional
items from this year to next
expect it to
decrease, 17%
expect it to
increase, 33%
expect it to stay the
same, 50%
*multi answers possible

5. BPMARESEARCH 33% 33% Frequency of buying
promotional Items
20%
13%
3%
%
Once a Twice a Annually Every Every
year year 3 months Month
*multi answers possible

6. 70%.
BPMARESEARCH Top Sources of information
on merchandise
53%.
33%.
26% 23%.
Current suppliers
Example text
Internet text
Co - workers
Catalogues
Example
KeyRing
Agency
*multi answers possible

7. 69%.
BPMARESEARCH
Main reasons promotional
items are used in sales
/marketing campaigns rather
than other incentives? 52%.
46%.
Targets customers effectivly
Brand message lasts longer
Ability to create loyalty
Example text
Example text
Example text
*multi answers possible

8. Key Influences on decision
BPMARESEARCH making for purchasing
merchandise
attractiveness
to target
audience , 23%
Relevance, 23%
Price, 79%
Usefulness,
59%
Ability to meet
deadlines , 16%
*multi answers possible

9. BPMARESEARCH Top 3 items purchased
Pens - 35%
Pads, notebooks & Post-its - 13%
Canvas shopping bags/Eco bags - 10%
*multi answers possible
*The above items received the most mentions as the top item purchased by buyer.