There is a plethora of promotional products that people use to promote their businesses. Some are more common than others due to their utility, cost or popularity. As early as the 1850’s, almanacs and calendars were used as some of the first promotional products, and since then, the use of promotional products has flourished. Some categories of promotional products are more popular than others, and wearable items, writing instruments, calendars, bags, and drinkware are some of the most consistently popular categories of promotional items (Promotional Products Association International (PPAI), 2008). Together these categories make up approximately 62% of yearly promotional product sales in 2008 according to the PPAI.

Almost everyone has either received or seen a promotional hat or shirt from the most significant category of items of all, wearables, which makes up approximately 31% of yearly sales in 2008 of promotional products (PPAI, 2008).  Some common promotional wearables include: cotton caps, polo shirts, uniforms, jackets, neckware, t-shirts, winter apparel, trousers and high visibility workwear.

The second most popular category of promotional items is writing instruments making up approximately 10% of yearly sales in 2008(PPAI, 2008). This includes: metal pens, plastic pens, pencils, highlighters, and markers, etc. These items are affordable, durable, and sleek, and as such it’s no wonder that these items are number two on the list.

Third in ranking is the calendar category at approximately 8% of yearly sales in 2008 (PPAI, 2008). By keeping track of not only legal holidays, but also important times to reorder products and other industry information, such as important company phone numbers, these calendars serve many uses. At number three, these items come in handy all year round, and are prominently displayed in the office or at home.

Coming in fourth is the bags category at approximately 7% of yearly promotional product sales for 2008 (PPAI,2008). This includes: sports bags, backpacks, business and conference bags, leisure bags, cooler bags, gift bags, paper bags, shopping bags, etc. Durable and versatile, these are likely to be taken everywhere with your customer. They don’t run out of ink or become obsolete within a year like pens or calendars, respectively. These are a good choice for long-term advertising though they are slightly more expensive than some of the other items.

Last, at fifth place, is drinkware at around 6% of sales (PPAI, 2008). This includes: glass, china, ceramic, crystal, plastic and stainless steel drinkware. Like bags, these items are very useful and have a long lifetime of usability. They tend to be taken to the customer’s home and workplace, and maybe even the gym, giving them unprecedented advertising exposure and a good return of investment to you and your business.

Any of these popular promotional items is a good choice for most customers. Since they make up 62% cumulatively of the yearly sales for promotional products you can’t go wrong in choosing one of these products. Buying promotional products for your business follows a tradition of businesspeople that continues to flourish and grow to this day.  We have everything for your promotional product needs at http://www.justpromotionalproducts.com.au/.