Every year I make a point of walking the aisles in Hong Kong and Guangzhou, because the consumer trends that show up there land in promotional merchandise about twelve months later. After two decades sourcing for brands across New Zealand and Australia, you learn to spot which ones have legs and which ones are just trade show noise. Here’s what stood out this trip, and what it means if you’re planning branded merchandise for next year.
One: Plushies are Everywhere
Soft, characterful plush isn’t just a kids’ category anymore. Booths up and down both shows were stacked with collectible-style plush, some even with built in tech like voice and emotion features. For brand merchandise, this points to a real opportunity in collectible plush mascots and soft toy giveaways that people actually want to keep on a desk or in a car, rather than something that gets binned. Worth considering for brands with a strong mascot or character to lean into.
Two: Rope is the New it Material
Woven rope details, on bag handles, key rings, and charms, were one of the most repeated design choices we saw. It reads as premium and textural without being expensive to produce. For corporate gifting and tote bags, rope detailing is an easy way to lift a basic item into something that looks considered rather than off the shelf.
Three: Accessorising Everything
Drink bottles, tumblers, and even simple stationery are being dressed up with ribbon wraps, charms, and small clip on extras. It’s a low cost way to make a practical promotional item feel personal and giftable. We’re already thinking about how this translates to our drinkware and keyring ranges for clients who want their giveaway to feel like more than just a logo on a bottle.
Four: Retro and Collectables
Eighties and nineties styling, like digital watches and nostalgic packaging, had a strong presence. Retro never fully goes away, but this felt like a genuine swing back, particularly for younger audiences who are discovering it for the first time. There’s an opening here for novelty and collectable style merchandise, especially for brands wanting something with a bit of personality.
Five: Minimum Order Quantities are Coming Down
Possibly the most practical shift for our clients. Textured, branded items like the toiletry and accessory bags we saw are increasingly available at lower minimum order quantities. That means more brands, not just the big ones, can get genuinely premium looking merchandise without committing to thousands of units.
If any of these trends sound like a fit for an upcoming campaign or event, get in touch and we can talk through what’s realistic for your budget and timeline.
