Technology

from Product Media Magazine - March & April 2022

PSI

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

In 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.

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 director of Desktop Ideas

The UK’s leading manufacturer of 3D engraved awards & gifts

GET FE ATURED IN

At Product Media, we love preparing our Special Features to showcase the best the industry has to offer and celebrate innovation and development in the sector. During 2021, we received great feedback from the industry on the fantastic content to promote UK business.

For 2022, we have a range of topics we’ll be exploring and welcome contributions across the following topics:

For each special feature, we explore the issue theme, looking for the latest news, opinion and of course innovative merchandise. The May/June edition swaps focus to Sustainability and the future in

Pro du ct Me di a

promotional merchandise. Innovative production, processes and materials continue to evolve and in this issue we reveal the solutions every end user should be considering in their planet friendly plans.

In the second half of the year, we look at Writing Instruments, Stationery, Food & Confectionery, Drinkware & Ceramics. As we search for the latest news and views, why not schedule these features in your own marketing calendars and contribute today?

We are already taking submissions for future editions of the magazine. If you'd like to get involved or discuss special feature advertising, contact the editor for more information at editor@productmediamagazine.co.uk.