The Fluid Blog

2019 trends from PSI & Merchandise World

Written by Karen O'Shaughnessy | Feb 7, 2019 1:00:00 PM

2019 brings a new direction to reusable merchandise with an intense focus on ethically sourced, sustainable items with great eco credentials and high-quality finishes. But that’s not all! Take a look below at some of the key trends we have identified for the coming year…

A New Year always arouses the hope of fresh starts and new ideas for all of us!

The Promotional Merchandise industry is no exception, and every January, key players in the business gather at the PSI trade fair (Jan 8-10) in Dusseldorf, Germany, and then Merchandise World (Jan 30-31) in Warwick, UK to bring their most exciting new products and innovations to the market.

Sustainable and ethically sourced

The word ‘Green’ has long been bandied about as loosely referring to anything that benefits the environment, but we have far outgrown that term now and people expect more. Sustainable is the new buzz word, and sets the focus on the future. It means that the item or action is generating environmental, social and economic benefits, while not using up too many resources or causing pollution. Compared to ”green” and “eco-friendly,” sustainability has much higher standards. As for ethics, well, at its simplest, ethics is a system of moral principles and is concerned with what is good for individuals and society. 

From sugar cane ballpoint pens and bottles, to bamboo umbrellas (well the handles and shafts at least!) to t-shirts made from organic, sustainable fibres, there has been a huge up-surge in a wide range of promotional products made from biodegradable, sustainable and ethical sources and materials.

Customised mass-production

What seems to be a paradox at first glance, is increasingly in demand! Adding individualised customisation to bulk order products is something that until now has been either impossible to achieve or cost prohibitive. At its core it is an increase in variety and customisation without a corresponding increase in costs. We have a range of products to fit the bill if this is what you’re looking for!

Durable and long-lasting

Alongside the eco, ethical and sustainable choices of products, are those products that may not be made of recycled coffee cups, used tyres or your granddad's old trousers but are made of long-lasting, high-quality materials that will outlast their rivals by a country mile, meaning your contribution to landfill is dramatically reduced and your conscience is a little clearer! There are a multitude of options you can choose from, like the Senator pen range, who’s refills contain 6-16 times more ink than many of their rivals, or a Stainless steel hot or cold drink bottle, that will last you years and years, unlike a plastic alternative!

So, if you’re feeling inspired to mix up your merchandise and feel a little better about the impact you’re having on our environment, fill out the form to talk through your ideas, or pick our brains on the latest and greatest products out there. We can’t wait to hear from you!