Technology
SOMETHING IN THE AIR
As we hopefully start to put the worst of Covid behind us our thoughts look to the future and what market demand will look like, says Matt Pluckrose
I
n terms of promotional technology, it is a bit like a crystal ball until Covid disappears for good but based on consumer trends and lifestyles this is what we believe will be in demand this year. As working from home or ‘hybrid working’ looks set to continue, we will see demand for home tech solutions grow. This will range from wired or wireless conference speakers and anti-glare screens, to whole home power banks and smart desks. Back to the office – for part of the week at least – we will see a new range of post Covid desk items to keep us cool, healthy and safe at work. Trending on this theme is smart air purifiers, which will become the next promotional hit for many offices, homes, and schools. These units are sometimes equipped
with Bluetooth or even Wi-Fi enabling them to be controlled remotely. They suck in the air around you and filter it for contaminants – using filters of different grades – right up to HEPA filters. Such devices can be on an industrial scale or small, personal, and portable making them an ideal business gift/reward or staff welfare gift. Branding adds the cherry to the cake. The global market for this product category was estimated at around $11.2bn in 2020 and looks set to grow at a large rate above 10% for the years 202230, making this a serious global consumer category y.
As Covid becomes less of a focus on our business lives and events open up again, promotional technology becomes a must have. In summary, make sure you are thinking about your clients' events, exhibitions and their promotional tech needs – this is the bread and butter for our industry. However ignore at your peril the home office and new product categories such as air purifiers that will stay in demand from now onwards in our postCovid business world. Matt Pluckrose is managing dire ector of Desktop Ideas
The UK’s leading manufacturer of 3D engraved awards & gifts
LASERCRYSTAL 42
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MARCH/APRIL 2022
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