Paul asks
What products or items are salable around New Year's, Valentine's Day, March -June, Halloween, Election, other seasons? My business is selling a corporate giveaway and embroidery.
Thanks for your question. I expected to easily find up-to-date lists of popular promotional items or survey information from various associations to support my instincts. But they didn't pop right up, so let's hope we get some comments on the subject. The answer is also complicated by the nature of your business. I'm assuming you are selling apparel or other promotional items that are imprinted using embroidery, usually with a logo or personalization.
Overall the research I've seen says that Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year holiday season is definitely the busiest season for corporate gift giving. High-value, prestige items are a niche sector of the overall corporate gifts market. Desk items (including calendars and pens etc.) continue to be popular corporate gifts. Clothing and sports items also continue to be in high demand.
Here are two charts listing on what occasions corporate gifts are given and what is given from Corporate Gift Facts Survey Results 2007
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On which of the following occasions do you give corporate gifts? (Select all that apply)
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Response Percent
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Thanksgiving
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8.1%
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Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year's
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56.6%
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Birthday
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13.1%
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Anniversary
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19.2%
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Promotional events
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63.6%
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Thank You
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41.9%
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Apology
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3.0%
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Wedding/birth
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12.6%
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Retirement
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23.2%
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Recognition
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55.6%
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Administrative assistant/support day
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10.6%
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Other holiday
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4.0%
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Which of the following corporate gifts do you give? (Select all that apply)
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Response Percent
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Apparel
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60.5%
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Books, music, movies
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29.2%
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Cameras
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23.1%
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Cigars and tobacco accessories
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7.2%
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Clocks
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42.6%
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Cookware
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7.7%
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Crystal
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27.7%
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Desktop/office accessories
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64.6%
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Electronics
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50.3%
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Gift cards
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59.5%
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Food
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39.0%
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Jewelry
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12.3%
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Leather goods
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29.7%
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Luggage
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19.5%
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Outdoor/leisure equipment
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16.4%
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Sporting goods
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23.1%
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Tabletop items
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20.0%
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Tools
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16.4%
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Toys/games
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12.3%
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Watches
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25.6%
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Wine and spirits
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24.1%
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(The Corporate Gift Facts Survey was conducted online from October 3-17, 2007. The 209 survey respondents were Incentive subscribers who use corporate/business gifts as part of their incentive programs.)
I also found some resources that could be useful to you. I'd advise you to look for the industry group that's closest to your needs. They could have some specific information and research. Maybe something like the National Network of Embroidery Professionals at http://www.nnep.net/ or Promotional Products Association International.
Other resources are:
Seasonal Marketing and Timing New Product Introductions
http://www.giftwarenews.com/
http://www.corporategift.com.sg/gift-association-index.htm
http://www.impressionsmag.com/impressions/business-resources/associations.jsp
I hope you find this helpful, and good luck with your seasonal sales.
Best regards,
Sandra