Top product categories (Percentage of distributor promo revenue)
3 Product Trends
1
PPE Comes Back to Earth
Health & safety products, including PPE, were the story in 2020; after all, they generated $5.3 billion in sales that year. Predictably, the overall health & safety category slid back into 2021, with $2.1 billion sold. The sales weren’t equally divided either, with 40% of PPE being sold in Q1.
2
Apparel Is Stronger Than Ever
Apparel sales suffered greatly in 2020, but with the gradual return of events and gatherings, apparel (including caps and headwear) picked up right where it left off. In fact, it fared even better by besting the figures from 2019.
Combined Apparel Market Share (including caps & headwear)
3
The Tech Product Boom Runs Out of Juice
For a few years, anything that attached to a phone or tablet was a huge seller. But judging by the data, tech products may be passé after peaking in 2018. It remains to be seen if renewed travel will reinvigorate the category.
Order Is Restored
The top five product categories in 2021 were the exact same as the top five in 2019.
2019
- 1. T-Shirts
- 2. Drinkware
- 3. Polos
- 4. Headwear
- 5. Bags
2020
- 1. T-Shirts
- 2. PPE – Face Coverings
- 3. Drinkware
- 4. Headwear
- 5. Polos
2021
- 1. T-Shirts
- 2. Drinkware
- 3. Polos
- 4. Headwear
- 5. Bags
